Moving to Tyler or Whitehouse (Dallas, Spring: homes, school district, college)

[apazwife]

My family and I are planning on moving to Texas. We are currently job hunting and have a possible opportunity in the Tyler/Whitehouse area. Any advice on either city. We have a daughter in 4th grade...recommendations on schools! We will be moving from a small town in Michigan, so it's a little scary about moving across country to a new and larger area. Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

[kt2le]

I don't mean to sound flippant or smart-alecky but just how small is the town in Michigan you're moving from? It would have to be pretty tiny for Tyler or, especially, Whitehouse to be considered "larger" - LOL! Actually, Tyler is a lovely city of roughly 100,000 that has been described as a "mini-Dallas" by many through the years for it has many of the stores, restaurants, etc. and polite people that Dallas has but in a much more manageable size. We have friends who live there and love it. I went to college with several boys from around Tyler, one of whom was from Whitehouse. People in that area are extremely friendly with big doses of Southern charm and culture. The area is beautiful, too, with the forests of tall pine trees and, in the Spring, azaleas, azaleas and more azaleas! Tyler is about 100 miles east of Dallas so you're close enough to the "big city" for day-long shopping trips, etc. I can't help you with the school situation - sorry - but maybe someone else can. I've always like visiting there. Good luck!

[apazwife]

Thanks kt2le!

I live in a town of about 26,000 people (I consider this to be small in comparison to Tyler-not Whitehouse). I appreciate your thoughts on Tyler-you seem to be with the majority of people (it's a nice place with nice people)! It does sound like a nice place to live and it seems to be more lush than some of the areas in Texas. Any thoughts on the differences between Tyler and Whitehouse-aside from the size of the towns? Is Whitehouse a growing area or a suburb of Tyler???

Thanks!

[kt2le]

East Texas is really pretty and is referred to as the "Piney Woods". It's where the pine forests of the deep South end as they head west from the Carolinas, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. The eastern side of the state is primarily dense forests, despite our stereotype as a desert - LOL! WEST Texas is where you'll dodge tumbleweeds!! In addition, the Tyler area has lots of pretty lakes where many in the Dallas area have weekend homes. It's hot and humid in the summer and the winters are mild. Sorry, but I don't know anything about Whitehouse except that it's next to Tyler! This area is home to lots of old oil money, too.

[apazwife]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I've only been to the Dallas area-where everything is concrete, so I'm excited to hear that there are green areas as well! When you say the winters are mild, what exactly does that mean. We have mild winters here in Mid-Michigan but that includes 20 below zero and whiteout conditions I've read that there has been snow in Tyler in the past, but not a lot and I can't imagine that it gets near zero...does it??? How far do you have to go to ski or enjoy snow activities? Thanks

[destin04]

We just moved to Lindale, TX which is about 10 miles north of Tyler. We moved from the DFW area. It has been a big culture shock. Very many good things...they out weigh the bad things. I don't believe I would locate in the Tyler school district. That is why we moved to Lindale. Lindale has one of the top districts in the state. Tyler has a lot of problems with their public school system. I love Tyler. If we didn't have a highschooler we would have moved into the city...rather than Lindale. We consider ourselves conservative....but whoo.....this place is really conservative! Luckily we moved into a gated community where most of the folks are more like us. I was told that the reason a little girl was misbehaving at school was because she celebrated Halloween. HUH? We are conservative...but not closed minded. That took a little getting used to. The countryside down here is beautiful....the people are very friendly and the winter's are mild. Welcome to Texas!

[apazwife]

Thanks destin04!

Thanks for the heads up! I think the "conservative side" it going to be something to get use to! I haven't heard anything good about the Tyler School System, so it's good to know there are other options out there! I hope we end of in that area as it sounds beautiful! How does Lindale compare to other small areas near Tyler? I don't know anything about Lindale...I'll have to do some research on it!

[destin04]

Lindale is a sweet area. We like the fact that it is right on two major highways. I-20 is a major east/west route across the US. Hwy 69 is a very large north/south route. Regarding your question about other schools in the Tyler area....we have heard Bullard is a good place to relocate also. My husbands job is on the very north end of Tyler...therefore, it was a better move to go north. You really should check into Lindale. It is one of the fastest growing areas. We have a brand new Super Wal Mart and a very nice Lowes Hardware. The rumor is that we are also going to be getting several more popular places to eat...Applebee's and IHOP to be exact. Too many to name fast food places are building in the city. I've never seen a town where more people turn out for communty events. If you would like anymore information please pm me.

[apazwife]

Thanks Destin04...how is traffic between Lindale and Tyler? What's the commute time like?

[asdfjkl123]

Whitehouse is a better city and school district. We have won against Lindale in several academic competitions. Including Whitehouse scored 689 points in a UIL academic competition while Lindale only achieved 416 (they won second in district, Whitehouse won first) The only thing about Whitehouse, we dont have any ''hicks'' this is a very upscale community. The highschool is full of rich preppy kids. Yet the education is impecable.