Good things about Killeen and Waco (Houston, Dallas: fit in, crime, home)

[JamesAbilene]

I really like both cities, but they get knocked a lot on this board. For this thread, let's only list the good and inviting things about both cities:

I will start:

Great location--near every major metro area--especially Austin and DFW

Diverse populations--especially in Killeen--which leads to diversity in shopping, eating

New housing is still inexpensive

Many scenic areas near each city--Cameron Park in Waco, lakes around Killeen, and don't forget scenic little towns like Salado nearby

Fast growing counties...Both have a chance to shape themselves as they become larger metro areas

Good colleges and universities throughout the area

OK, others need to chime in. No negatives. Just positives.

[love roses]

I would have pretty much written the same list you did.

1.Not too far from the other major cities.
2.Baylor is a very pretty campus, and they keep their mascot on the property for public viewing
3. It seems to have lots of things to do, has enough resturaunts to keep you busy
4. Pretty trees
5. Nice zoo. Lots of people from the Austin area go there instead of to the one here in Austin.
6.The people were friendly everywhere we went

I don't know anything about Killeen, but my husband goes there a lot for work because they take things to the base from time to time. He likes the food he's gotten for lunch at various places, but he doesn't always tell me the name of them. He brought sausages home from some place nearby there because he liked them so much and hadn't found anything comparable here.

[121804]

Originally Posted by JamesAbilene

I really like both cities, but they get knocked a lot on this board. For this thread, let's only list the good and inviting things about both cities:

OK, others need to chime in. No negatives. Just positives.

We were stationed at Fort Hood. It was not hard to leave. THAT being said, the positive of Killeen is that people there get it b/c they have to get it. It's military town where your dh may be deployed & not come back. Reality at its worst. But it can bring out the pureness of humanity & those who live in Killeen know what is important in life. Anyone can fit in there. I don't miss the traffic, heat or lack of trees, but I do miss the people & the friends we made there. Good people in that area.

[NOTAM]

lack of trees? ha! i am only 15 minutes drive from Killeen, and i am looking out my back patio at a forest of trees! will post a pic later!
i reckon it does get a bit sparser-killeen is flatter and less trees than the towns just west of it....
the best thing about Killeen is OMART on Ft Hood Street. huge Asian grocery store where you can get boba/bubble drinks at the kiosk, delicious asian meals at the cafe, and anything you could possibly want that is asian, hawaiian, polynesian/south pacific! mochi icecream. my favorite, and i dont have to fly to hawaii to buy me some!

Originally Posted by 121804

We were stationed at Fort Hood. It was not hard to leave. THAT being said, the positive of Killeen is that people there get it b/c they have to get it. It's military town where your dh may be deployed & not come back. Reality at its worst. But it can bring out the pureness of humanity & those who live in Killeen know what is important in life. Anyone can fit in there. I don't miss the traffic, heat or lack of trees, but I do miss the people & the friends we made there. Good people in that area.

[BigRoy39]

Good things about Waco&Killeen?Leaving!lmao

[NOTAM]

oh puleez. there are WAY worse places to live. and though i dont like Killeen, there are VERY VERY nice areas of Killeen that even i would live in...take a drive down Chapparal Road, or 195 by the airport,and take a right on Ivy Mountain Gap Road, or look around Maxdale area....and i am sure there are LOTS of other very nice areas of Killeen that i just aint even discovered, since i just moved here in October.

Originally Posted by BigRoy39

Good things about Waco&Killeen?Leaving!lmao

[jluke65780]

Originally Posted by BigRoy39

Good things about Waco&Killeen?Leaving!lmao

These type of comments don't suprise me. People from HOU,DAL, and etc. always talking about Waco and Killeen.

PROS of Waco:::
1.Home to the world's largest Baptist University (not everyone who attend is christians and conservatives).Also has two local colleges which are both great colleges.
2.Has plenty of things to do for anyonesuch as clubs,zoo,water parks,museums,bars,etc
3.Amazing landscaping especially around Lake Waco and Cameron Park-->[Texas's biggest muncipcal park and one of the countries largest]
6.Close to major cities such as DFW,HOU,AUS,SA,etc.
5.Has great resturants!


Cons:::
1.Crime is high
2.Bad Public Transportation [We have a bus system,but it's not that good]
3.Not very walkable.

[case44]

I wouldn't underestimate Waco, Temple, Killeen, or Copperas Cove. All of them do have some serious growth potential and have been experiencing development spurts just like the rest of the state. They aren't going to be big metros like Houston, Dallas, or Austin, but they can all be bigger than they are, and in their own way. It's a healthy type of growth. The first time that I've ever driven through Killeen on U.S. 190 about five years ago, I was pleasantly surprised. Having never been through that particular place before really provided a breath of fresh air for me. It's a nice town in a nice stretch of prairie. And it's good that Waco is doing a lot of new things and there is dirt always being turned somewhere. That south side is really seeing some expansion.