Does Anyone know a small town? (Dallas, Austin: crime, how much, new home)

[Muhnay]

Originally Posted by amjb

I have heard on the news about the increasing crime rate especially in Killeen. Most people with children wouldn't want to move to a place with such ratings when there are so many other places that are even nicer in which to relocate even if one didn't take the crime into consideration.

Not all soldiers are married and have kids.. its the single soldiers out sowing their royal oats because they either just got back from or are headed out to Iraq. But I guess your right on that.. I have three kids and understand your fears about the crime rate. But I dont trust most of these stats.. as there is far more crime in El Paso than is shown on these stats on pages like this. Cities tend to lie about the violent crime rates.

[KewGee]

Originally Posted by Muhnay

Not all soldiers are married and have kids.. its the single soldiers out sowing their royal oats because they either just got back from or are headed out to Iraq. But I guess your right on that.. I have three kids and understand your fears about the crime rate. But I dont trust most of these stats.. as there is far more crime in El Paso than is shown on these stats on pages like this. Cities tend to lie about the violent crime rates.

There is a site called Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed at which I just looked. It shows Killeen to actually be worse than El Paso in all areas of crime except auto theft. Temple shows to be worse than El Paso as well except in rapes, assaults, and auto thefts.

The stats are supposedly from the 2005 FBI statistics. The site will show a bar graph based on per 100,000 people and also the actual number of crimes committed.

I hope it is fairly accurate for those of us wanting to relocate since crime is such a major factor in choosing an area.

Thanks!!

[Muhnay]

Cool, can you PM that site.. I'd like to take a look at it too. I want to look up Portland OR. and Tampa FL.

How does the FBI get its stats? Just wondering.

Here is a news Paper Story that shows how some cities have hidden crimes to lower its rates.. ( CBS NEWS (http://cbs2chicago.com/investigations/local_story_317213201.html - broken link)

[KewGee]

Originally Posted by Muhnay

Cool, can you PM that site.. I'd like to take a look at it too. I want to look up Portland OR. and Tampa FL.

How does the FBI get its stats? Just wondering.

Here is a news Paper Story that shows how some cities have hidden crimes to lower its rates.. ( CBS NEWS (http://cbs2chicago.com/investigation...317213201.html - broken link)

Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed

I just found out that www dot city-data dot com shows stats for many cities in the U.S. as well, and crime stats are included.

I'm guessing by the site that the FBI just bases it's stats on crimes reported.

I'll check out the link you sent; it doesn't sound too promising regarding accuracy.

[Muhnay]

Ok so how many crimes are not reported, how many crimes are filed under a lesser charge, So I am always a tad concerned about these stats. As a Cop, I know the little tricks law enforcement pull to keep these stats low. Nothing really taught to us, but something you just learn along the way, and I am sure its that way every place. Now I am not saying its like covering up a murder.. but for instance.. does the stats show how bad Drunk Driving is in El Paso, does it mention that? We have a major problem here with drunk driving, does it show the number of deaths caused by that here? We also have very bad drug issues in El Paso, as well as gang activity, we have more sex offenders here than most cities, we also have a huge car theft problem here. But these stats I see on these sites never seem to cover these facts. Meth is a growing problem in El Paso, but Coccain and Majuania have always beena big problem here. I recall a report that more drugs came across the El Paso area in a year than though the State of Florida in 2 years.. now that was a while back.. Another thing they dont report is the kidnappings and murders that take place across the river ( stream ) in Mexico.

I also know that the crime that takes place on Fort Bliss is also not reported on those sites, and when El Paso can it hands the case over to us, and there for goes unreported on the cities crime stats. Being a Military Town that says a lot.

So if that happens here, then I know other places must also be false stats.

[Christi D]

I live in Round Rock and LOVE it!
I even commute an hour away because I love the area so much.
There is an elementary school in our neighborhood, so at about 3 every day there is a rush of kids on bikes and foot....it reminds me of my childhood.
It's also very safe. The biggest problem we've had is with teenagers and noise.
They just built an Ikea and an outlet mall here, which I think is spurring more development. It's definitely becoming more of a suburb (pop 88,000), although downtown Round Rock has a very small-town feel. IT is SO convenient though.....access to just about any restaurant or store within 5-10 minutes. It also has a minor-league baseball team, which contributes to a large sense of community.
We go to a church that we love also - it's very warm and feels like a small-town church...or even better. We've met so many great people.
(tip:When we were looking at houses we were told that we wanted to live on the west side of HWY 35, although there's not really a BAD part of Round Rock - there's good and better).

Georgetown is about 10 min. north of Round Rock, and feels more like a small town, but is not too far removed. I worked at a summer camp through the city's Parks and Rec program - they have some wonderful parks and trails (as does Round Rock), and lots of really nice people. There is a small private university (Southwestern) around downtown. It's very charming and has a population of quality students. It's at least as safe as, if not safer than Round Rock.
A size comparison: There are 4 high schools in Round Rock ISD and only 1 in Georgetown (with plans to build a 2nd).

Some other small towns that aren't too far from North Austin (Round Rock area) are Hutto and Taylor. They are even smaller than Georgetown, and may be more what you are looking for. They also only have 1 high school.

The Austin area in general is a very nice place to live. It has a huge music scene, people from all over the U.S. (and world), lakes, parks, nice people, etc.
I grew up in the Houston area and moved away from Texas as soon as I could. When the option was given to move back to Texas I said I would not live anywhere but Austin area =).

Here are websites:
http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/
http://www.georgetown.org/
http://www.cityofhutto.com/
http://www.ci.taylor.tx.us/

I know a good realtor who will give you a tour of the area and all....let me know if you would like her contact info.
Good luck!

[Christi D]

One more thing about Austin-

If you decide to move to the Austin area and your husband is commuting into Austin to work, try to avoid living in the south of Austin - the traffic is NOT fun. They just opened some new toll roads in the north (and one that goes N-S just east of the city), which has made commuting into Austin from the north much better.

[torrancefour]

Thank You For Your Info Christi D. I Will Look Up The Info Tonight. My Husband Thinks I Am Crazy For Being So Excited To Leave Ca. Do You Happen To Know Where Any New Homes Are Being Built In Round Rock, Georgetown, Hutto & Taylor Areas? Without Homeowners Association? I've Been Looking @ The Elementary Schools And It Shows That We Buy Our Kids School Supplies. Is That True?

[Muhnay]

Yepp, you sure do, and if they have uniforms to wear you have to buy them as well.. you mean in CALIFORNIA you get your school supplies bought for you.. wow!

[torrancefour]

You Mean Uniforms For Private Schools Right? And Is Your School Season From Sept-early June?