Why is Temple so cheap? (Dallas, Austin: real estate, apartment, house)

[thenewtexan]

So, just for the heck of it, I started looking at the cost of living of cities around Texas, and I was confused that real estate in this town not too far from Austin is so cheap...like nearly RGV cheap, and I was confused. Granted I stopped only a few times on my way to Dallas. Nothing really stood out about it. It didn't seem to be anything spectacular, but didn't seem unsafe by any means, either. Just like Anytown, USA...strip malls, mixed housing, schools, churches, etc. However, it's right along 35, an hour from Austin. Why?

[Spade]

It's far enough from Austin to not be effected with their housing prices. Not to mention, since it's so close to Fort Hood, that entire area is affordable. From Copperas Cove to Killeen to Temple. This area isn't even in Austin's MSA and isn't really a suburb of Austin either.

[mezman]

Originally Posted by thenewtexan

So, just for the heck of it, I started looking at the cost of living of cities around Texas, and I was confused that real estate in this town not too far from Austin is so cheap...like nearly RGV cheap, and I was confused. Granted I stopped only a few times on my way to Dallas. Nothing really stood out about it. It didn't seem to be anything spectacular, but didn't seem unsafe by any means, either. Just like Anytown, USA...strip malls, mixed housing, schools, churches, etc. However, it's right along 35, an hour from Austin. Why?

The people who want to be near Austin all commute from Georgetown (or Round Rock... which is nuts) to Temple. The people who settle in Temple and to a degree Belton do it because of the lower cost of living and/or only plan to be there temporarily (med students, residents, fellows, military, etc). So you're not going to have people with money desperate to move there driving up COL.

I doubt anyone who wants to be in Austin even considers Temple... the commute would be hellish. Commuting from Georgetown to Austin seems bad enough... Temple adds another 40 miles to that.

[JH6]

We have some friends who just moved to Georgetown from temple.

Yes, Temple is cheaper, but Georgetown, and Round Rock, and Cedar Park offer lots more amenities.

They would find themselves making the drive south every weekend to do something, so moving just made sense.

I find Temple to be not really much going on, but not terrible. I suppose seniors, or family's looking to save a buck would like it fine.

It is a good location for weekend trips to Dallas.

[C24L]

I guess because Temple is isolated enough from the ATX.

[thenewtexan]

I understand that's it's just far away enough that it's not technically considered part of the Austin metro. What I don't understand is why all the other more isolated cities (i.e. Abilene, San Angelo, Tyler, Texarkana) seem to be more expensive or at least similar. Does anyone here think that as Austin gets more expensive, it will become more viable?

[C24L]

Originally Posted by thenewtexan

I understand that's it's just far away enough that it's not technically considered part of the Austin metro. What I don't understand is why all the other more isolated cities (i.e. Abilene, San Angelo, Tyler, Texarkana) seem to be more expensive or at least similar. Does anyone here think that as Austin gets more expensive, it will become more viable?

Well, I think Angelo is prolly more expensive or at least similar due to oil and gas.

[KerrTown]

Originally Posted by mezman

The people who settle in Temple and to a degree Belton do it because of the lower cost of living and/or only plan to be there temporarily (med students, residents, fellows, military, etc).

I met a fellow UH student that commuted from Temple and back to his parent's house for class a few times a week during his first semester. He ended up moving into an apartment a few exits down I-45 from the university when we met during his second semester.