Come on everyone....tell me what you know about Waco?!

[Mark Senior]

Originally Posted by TheOverdog

Yeah, but Waco had a boom and then spent a long time in bust, and is just now starting to boom again.

Grow again, according to the July 1, 2016 population estimates, that were newly published a couple of weeks ago, not a "boom" as is known in Texas, DFW, Austin, Houston, suburbs, THOSE, are in "boom" mode. Just IMO, lol

[txstate]

I have and lived in quite a few cities in Texas, I get it.

Originally Posted by tcualum

txstate...

Have you ever travelled? I've travelled to other cities and countries that have much older infrastructure than Waco's that's well maintained. Claiming that 100 years old is old is a parochial view.

[txstate]

But in all realness; Waco city leaders need to bring an industry here that will attract people and encourage locals to stay. Tourism cant cut it and it only brings low level jobs like hotels, food, and stores. We need Technology, Bio-Medical, Heavy Industrial and of course more schools built on job training or placement. It can work we have two rivers, 3 lakes, IH-35, Hwy 6 and a railroads connecting Dallas Austin and Houston. Only my opinion, too many Waco bashers and this that and another, if you like it dont come.

[ikoolu]

i can only hope Waco does not become another out of control growth city - small town feel with some big town features - perfect size - perfect location - steady slow growth and life will be real good. if you want to earn alot move to the big city- if you want lots of action move to the big city -

[malcorub16]

Originally Posted by mrwumpus

My wife dreamed of visiting Waco due to Fixer Uppers and once we reached the actual town the buildings next to the Fixer Uppers place had barred windows and the town was a dump. We didn't even stop to visit (it overrun with Fixer Upper tourists).

As annoying as it is that a cable TV show could make a town so popular, I suppose it is better than being known for We Aint Coming Out.

[ikoolu]

and they are better off not doing so

[Steverino63]

Originally Posted by KathrynAragon

If you pay less for a house to begin with (compared to many other regions of the country), then it really doesn't matter that much what the actual tax rate is. For instance, you can buy the same sort of property in Tyler, Texas (and probably Waco) for $250,000 that would cost $500,000 or $600,000 in many other regions.

Just pulling these percentages out of thin air, but I'd rather pay 3 percent of $250,000 a year in property taxes than 2 percent of $500,000. ($5000 vs $10,000.)

Oh, and then add state income tax in on top of that for a real wake up call.

Just a real life example from a couple of years ago - my husband and I were considering moving to Hot Springs, AR - a state with MUCH lower property taxes but state income tax. In spite of our ability to buy a larger, newer home for the same price as our current home, and lower property taxes, it would have still cost us more money per year to live in Arkansas (no thanks!) than it would in Texas - about $7000 more per year. My gosh, that's nearly $600 a MONTH difference, even though we were moving to a lower cost of living area with lower home prices and lower property taxes.

NO THANKS AGAIN.

Texas also has fairly high state sales taxes, and a bunch of "fees" that right-winger legiscritters keep raising but refuse to call "taxes."

[ikoolu]

lets see - texas is 8.19 neighbors ok is 8.86, LA 9.98, Ak, 9.3, NM7.55, KS 8.62, #12 and not income tax- the income tax savings clearly offsets 6% sales tax -

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by Steverino63

Texas also has fairly high state sales taxes, and a bunch of "fees" that right-winger legiscritters keep raising but refuse to call "taxes."

It's very easy to find good tools to compare overall costs of living in various parts of the country (C-D has a good one in fact!). Texas rates well overall, mostly due to it's lack of state income tax. You can believe it or not but that doesn't change facts.

[txstate]

Waco is Nice/Ugly/Cute/Scenic/Hood/Old/Magnolia...Its too many threads on here about Waco.
Real truth is that Baylor and elite Waco families didn't allow big industries like Mercedes and American Airlines to come because they didn't want the population to grow a become Austin back in the 80s, and once the general plant closed in 86' and Paul Quinn (HBCU) move to Dallas the decline and crack started of East and parts of North Waco. There's always been a nice Black/Hispanic population. That's why its look like it does today; so the "new investment" can buy all the old buildings and neighborhoods close to Downtown and attractions but people in Waco have known this forever.