Moving to Waco

[texasdiver]

Waco is one of the nicest small cities in Texas. That's a fact. The metro population of the Waco area is a little over 200,000 which puts Waco in the same size range as a bunch of other Texas cities including Longview, Tyler, Wichita Falls, San Angelo, Abilene, Midland, Odessa, Lubbock, Victoria, Laredo, Texarkana, Beaumont, and Bryant/College Station.

When one compares Waco to its other peer cities that I just listed it compares pretty favorably on just about any measure you want to use (crime, poverty, education, recreation, etc.). In fact, the only other peer city in Texas that I'd probably consider living in would be Bryant/College Station.

Of course Waco can't compare to big vibrant and wealthy urban areas like Austin or Fort Worth or the upscale suburbs of Dallas or Houston. It's not a fair comparison to compare Waco to an upscale suburb like Plano, Sugar Land, Katy or Woodlands. They are simply not comparable.

Likewise, Waco isn't going to compare favorably to the hip new destination cities around the country like Boulder, Madison, Boise, Ashville, Santa Barbara, etc. This is central Texas after all, there aren't going to be beaches or mountains nearby. It's pretty flat and hot. And always will be.

But if you're looking for a small city in Texas with a decent economy and quality of life then Waco is going to rank pretty highly on your list. It has more to offer than just about every other comparable city in Texas.

[k_s]

Originally Posted by Switchback

We have a pretty heavy black population near downtown Waco, and that is where a good proportion of the crime happens, usually black on black crime, revolving around narcotics or gang squabbles, and yes there are "muggings" in these neighborhoods, but it's usually one crack dealer robbing the other.

A 10 minute commute out of Waco will find you in little bedroom communities like China Spring, which happens to be demographically 96% white and has almost zero crime of any kind..

I can't believe you were able to type this with a straight face.

[Jerryltx]

It is always said that you can get anywhere in Waco in 10-15 minutes. This is true unless you really need to be somewhere in 15 minutes, then you find that it is not always that easy to accomplish.

[TXTwizter]

Originally Posted by k_s

I can't believe you were able to type this with a straight face.

I don't see why not. IT'S TRUE!

[Hoju]

@ TXTwitzer

I understand what K_s is saying. It's undeniable that populations that are more racially diverse tend to have a higher crime rate, but the statistics are misleading. The racially diverse populations usually tend to pop up in areas where the cost of living is moderate to low. The areas, like the rest of the US, often have people that live beyond their means. It is in times of desperation where people commit such egregious crimes, as muggings, robbery, assault, rape, and murder. Switchback seemed to address this issue that stating that Hewitt specifically was once a nice place, until the trash moved into the suburbs. It was more the way you stated that, by linking racially diverse with trash, and a "96%" white community with being nice and safe. I live in Hewitt and am Hispanic - hardly a minority in Texas. I also know many Hispanic people that live in China Spring, surely they are not part of the 4% of the pop. that he insinuates to be a part of the problem. Again, you are right, in areas, even in the 'burbs, crime tends to happen in poorer areas, at least crimes that keep people awake at night. It's the socioeconomic caste in which they are a part of that lends to the crime rate. It's the feeling of desperation that comes along with being poor that leads to drug use and crime in general. If you feel like you have no way to better yourself, why do it?

I hope that what you typed was just misinterpreted by myself and obviously K_s, if not others. Harboring such feelings of prejudice, especially by one tasked to enforce the law, is awful.

To those who are thinking of moving to Waco, don't expect to be dazzled by metropolitan life. It's got a lot to offer, but it's not a big city. It is an in between that does what it promises. You can go to the grocery store at 3 AM if you want, and you can probably find a decent job (provided you have adequate education or experience), there are plenty of restaurants, concerts to attend (though the selection is limited), and many other things that small towns can't afford to offer. But Houston, Dallas, or Austin, it is not. Don't expect to go to the Opera, or find a limited release "artsy" movie. Personally, Waco, has not grown on me, but I prefer dense urban populations, but it will do for what I need right now. Do some research. Some of the repliers have provided excellent links to inform yourself, but don't stop there. Remember, personal opinions, are just that, and are obviously biased, as is the case of our civil servant friend.
I hope that I have provided some objectivism.

[newntownthx]

Moving to Waco, Tx from Woodlands, Tx. Considering moving to Mcgregor or Robionson, Tx and not knowing which area to go with. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks so much!

[texasdiver]

Originally Posted by newntownthx

Moving to Waco, Tx from Woodlands, Tx. Considering moving to Mcgregor or Robionson, Tx and not knowing which area to go with. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks so much!

Tell us what you are looking for?

Rural living?
Good schools?
Master-planned communities like the Woodlands?
Close to work and shopping?

The part of the greater Waco area that would most resemble the Woodlands would be Woodway

Robinson is basically a fast-growing middle class suburban area
McGregor is a small rural farm town with a decaying main street and not much else although some industries and Space-X have located there.

[blkgiraffe]

Originally Posted by texasdiver

Tell us what you are looking for?

Rural living?
Good schools?
Master-planned communities like the Woodlands?
Close to work and shopping?

The part of the greater Waco area that would most resemble the Woodlands would be Woodway

Robinson is basically a fast-growing middle class suburban area
McGregor is a small rural farm town with a decaying main street and not much else although some industries and Space-X have located there.

Yep.

Woodway - The Woodlands

Sugarland - Hewitt

Pearland - Bellmead

China Spring - Katy

lol

[texasdiver]

Originally Posted by jluke65780

Yep.

Woodway - The Woodlands

Sugarland - Hewitt

Pearland - Bellmead

China Spring - Katy

lol

Thing you're being pretty generous to Bellmead. Perhaps Alief - Bellmead is a bit closer.

In any event, there's really no way to compare a small city like Waco to Houston. But if you are looking for an upscale area with mature trees then Woodway is really the only option other than certain neighborhoods within Waco itself. All the other suburban areas around Waco are too new to have mature trees and landscaping. They basically all look like any other generic suburb in Texas.

It would be odd though to move to Waco and live in McGregor. Unless you are talking about one of the new upscale subdivisions along 84 like Hidden Valley, Twin Rivers, or Stone Creek Ranch which might have McGregor zip codes but people living there really don't think they are living in McGregor.