Why is Waco hated so much? (Houston, Dallas: crime rates, credit, houses)

[jimthewacokid]

I was born in Waco, lived on S. Columbia St. and when I was 3 we moved to Lacy-Lakeview





Why some people worry about Christians and conservatives,that is beyond me. I'm pleased to be both.

[lonestar2007]

Could it be the cops? My aunt and uncle moved to Waco years ago. My aunt bought a restaurant there in Lacy-Lakeview. When we would go visit them, I remember spending time at her restuarant and watching the highway patrol pulling speeders over. They had a speed trap set just down the interstate, and after they clocked them on the radar, they got them pulled over right around close to the restaurant.

Quick! Write the ticket! Hurry! Go back and get another one! It seemed to be nonstop. One thing for sure, they made a lot of money right there on that little stretch of highway.

As I said, this was years ago and I don't know if they are still doing this. I do know, even to this day, I DO keep a close eye on my speed when approaching that area.

A word to the wise,,the highway patrol are also quite fond of a stretch of I35 running through the Hillsboro area.

[momof2dfw]

Waco had the reputation for the "Wacky Waco" LONG before the Branch Davidian event. Don't know where it came from other than just the name kind of stuck for some reason. The city happens to be at one of those points that people are between Dallas and Austin/San Antonio (depending on destination) and don't really bother to stop off at. The Dr Pepper and Texas Ranger Museums are both there and worth a visit though. Waco has some good points for sure. I guess it is just the way of life there and that most people never really get off the highway there unless to get gas or grab a quick bite. You don't hear of people planning weekend shopping trips to Waco like they do Salado either. Or even to places like West that have the big WestFest event that draws people from all different directions (Kolaches - oh yes ). My sis is a Baylor Bear and student taught in one of the small ISD's in the "burbs" of Waco. She told us all kinds of stories then took us out to her school one day. The schoo was out a two lane blacktop w/ a ditch on either side. The "School Zone" literally said, "20 MPH , IF Children Present". No sidewalks and if a car was coming the kids would hear it and jump down into the ditch on either side of the road. She said the drive to school in the mornings was always interesting just to see the kids jumping into the ditches. LOL!!! I'd almost say the "Wacky Waco" came from people that live or have lived there.

[GlockGirl]

Speaking from someone who lives really close to the "good" branch davidians- I don't care for the crime rate and the political atmosphere- You have your high dollar baptist who run what goes on and the insane Baylor drivers- The town is not hated by me but its not Tyler where I grew up- There are alot of good things about the city- they have events for the general public that always turn out alright- They have a margarita an salsa festival- where can you find something like that- They promote Planned ParentHood to much which ticks me off- There are alot of scandals going on in different organizations- Margaret Mills- the hispanic chamber of commerce- clerks stealing appraisal money- and yes this happens everywhere but it seems like a whole lot of stealing of tax payer money at one time for me-

[TexasNick]

Seriously, it can't be worse than San Francisco.

[aaron210]

Why?...Because you guys verbally attacked Bill Nye.

[case44]

Waco actually has a pretty decent economy, especially when you see new shopping centers like the one at I-35 at State Highway 6 on the south side of town. And Woodway is not such a bad suburb to the south; it's quite nice. Granted, they may not have fast growth like the bigger cities, but they do have new things popping up.
Oh, and often overlooked is a pretty good waterfront district on the Brazos River.

[case44]

Originally Posted by hamiltonpl

Waco has it's good and bad. Around downtown is gritty -- at least for Texas. But it has some great restaurants for the college-sized wallet.

George's, Ninfa's, Cricket's, Buzzard Billy's, Gratizano's, Diamond Back's, The Elite Cafe, and Rudy's are all great places that I wished we had up here in Dallas.

Out in China Spring is a nice hilly area. Very pretty. And Lake Waco is awfully nice too. Plus the Baylor campus ain't too shabby either.

People "hate" Waco because they know so little of it. It took me a while in college to start to appreciate the place. But once I appreciated Waco for what it was, I really started to like it. It can be a great college town. You just have to exit the Interstate.

I need to try that Elite Cafe. By the way, if you're looking for Rudy's BBQ, we've got one in the Metroplex. It's in Denton on I-35E near Teasley. They are also building a new one in Frisco on the DNT. But I'm wondering if there is a legendary, Waco-based, locally-owned restaurant that is popular (probably the Elite, I would think, but I know there are others).

[kt2le]

I grew up in Dallas and graduated from UT Austin so I made many, many trips up and down I-35 during those years. The only places I'd ever seen in Waco (up close - not from a car window at 70+ mph) were the Elite Cafe, the Healthcamp and the McDonald's, where we'd only use the restrooms, and a gas station or two. That was it and my overall impression was not a positive one (except for the Elite and Healthcamp) - and it was based on ignorance. As an adult, I had to spend a week down there for a conference and was dreading the inevitable boredom. I was wrong. There's a downtown cluster of restaurants and bars (that serve liquor - shock!) and the west side next to Lake Waco was really pretty with big hill, forests and lovely homes. Once I saw the parts away from the depressing Interstate, I was impressed. Of course, I can't forget what my friends that went to Baylor told me back then...when asked what they did on weekends, they responded "drive to Austin or Dallas". LOL.

[KewGee]

Originally Posted by kt2le

Once I saw the parts away from the depressing Interstate, I was impressed.

Living near any interstate or busy highway would be quite depressing for me no matter where it might be.