Belton vs Georgetown (Austin, Waco, Round Rock: real estate, low crime, home)

[cash1]

We have been looking at Georgetown, charming area.......but now my husband who is working in and out of Austin is checking out Belton. Likes Morgans Point and some areas around Lake Belton.
Can anyone here compare Georgetown to Belton....elementary schools, town square, community events, taxes, real estate, most sought after neighborhoods in both areas, shopping?
Is Belton a bedroom community for Military? Don't want to be in a Killen atmosphere.
Please help....husband making me nervous discovering Belton.

[doctorjef]

Belton -- I wish this forum had a projectile vomit smiley! Georgetown is charming. Belton and the surrounding towns are an awful suburban sprawl of all the worst America has to offer.

[austin-steve]

Georgetown. It's a no brainer for multiple reasons. Slam dunk, not even a contest.

Yes, Belton is more like Kileen than Georgetown.

[arrow_keys]

I'm from right next to Belton and I've lived in Georgetown. Both are college towns and county seats - so there are some similarities between both. As others have said, Georgetown wins hands down. Belton is kind of like what Gtown was 20 years ago. It is starting to see some more growth and responding to it with stronger development regulations. But I like Georgetown more for its liberal (rather than conservative) home college and the amenities that go with that. Its preserved (rather than more run down) historic area. Also there is an overall attitude of community spirit and pride that I don't see in Belton. Remember though that Morgan's Point is different in that it is a lake community. Its not that nice but living there versus living in town in Belton or Georgetown is a different thing. If a person likes fishing and other water related things, then Morgan's Point might be preferable.
For Belton's plus sides, you will find a more authentic Texas there than in Georgetown, for what that is worth. Georgetown has been more influenced by Yankees what with Sun City and its proximity to Austin. Another plus about Belton is that housing is cheaper. Still, I pick Georgetown.

[Moonlady]

I've lived in both. I actually commuted from Morgan's Point to Austin for a year and I would never put myself through that again! Georgetown would be a much better choice overall. The Temple/Belton area is heavily influenced by Fort Hood. One of the things I liked about Georgetown is that you could drive to Lake Belton or even Stillhouse Lake, or to shops in Temple in about the same amount of time it would take to get into Austin proper. Now that Round Rock has so much to offer in the way of shopping though, the only reason to go to Temple would be to avoid the crowds. Even though Belton is only <60 miles from Austin, it feels worlds away. Georgetown has it's own small town appeal, but it feels more connected to Austin if that makes any sense.

[RachelleAns]

I live in Georgetown and I love it! We have Lake Georgetown, it is a bit low right now but it is there! (I've been trying to think of the right words to describe the way I feel about my town...) Home, where I belong, a sense of belonging - I know all of that sounds corny.
I love running into people I know and knowing when my teenagers drive off, they do the same; it's like having extra moms in town. I know my neighbors, they have been my neighbors for almost 9 years and so has over half the neighbors on my street. I am not the only one who feels this way, many of my friends have great neighbors as well. When football season rolls around - the whole town supports the Eagles! When a tragedy happens, the town feels it.
I like being a part of Georgetown - it's not just where I live.

[Trainwreck20]

Belton is kind of like what Gtown was 20 years ago.

Having live in Georgetown twenty (plus) years ago, I would have to disagree somewhat. Georgetown has almost always had a good school system and relatively low crime rate and has almost always been 'self-sufficient' in that it had some larger local industries and really did not become a commuter town (and only partially, at that) until relatively recently. For better or worse at the time, there were some old money families that had a large impact on G'town's early growth. I think that has resulted in a much nicer town over time, even though the impact of those families is pretty much gone.

[homeinatx]

Have to agree with doctorjef on this one. Georgetown has a charming downtown, good and fun community theatre, close to a pretty lake, decent restaurants and better proximity to Austin, and all it offers. Belton, in my opinion, is Waco with a lobotomy. Some people like it, but I would never live there. To be fair, there are many other places I would not like to live either. I think Georgetown is way nicer than Belton. What do you and your husband want in a place to call home?

[kelly katsus]

Georgetown!! I do not know much about Belton, but I do enjoy living in Georgetown. Very nice and friendly people. Charming atmosphere. Close to Austin. There are many perks living here. I know many that work in Austin and live in GT. I am still trying to get the projectile smiley out of my head though...eww
"Belton -- I wish this forum had a projectile vomit smiley! Georgetown is charming. Belton and the surrounding towns are an awful suburban sprawl of all the worst America has to offer." Quote by DrJ

[calel]

The Belton HEB has 6 pack cans of Dublin Dr. Pepper for about the same price as regular DP. That's about all it's got going for it.

If your husband is working in Austin, I would definitely recommend Georgetown then. Belton would be a really long commute.