Palestine and nearby towns -- any info? (Tyler, Lufkin: houses, schools)

[4wainwrights]

Greetings all!
My family and I are relocating to Texas. Does anyone have any insights into Palestine and the neighboring towns? All I know is that the houses are geogeous old beauties and that the town has millions of trees.
What are the people like? How are the schools? Culture of the town? Things to do? Is there a park? And is it nice so that kids and families play there frequently? Stores in town? Any hidden downfalls? Hidden treasures?
thank you so much in advance!

[Jack Coleman CPA]

All I know is that the houses are geogeous old beauties and that the town has millions of trees. ALL TRUE BUT THE BETTER OLD HOUSES ARE GETTING SCARCE AND THE BUILDING/HISTORICAL CODES ARE MAKING REHABILITATION VERY EXPENSIVE.

What are the people like? ON THE MOST PART, NICE. THE PLACE IS LIKE ANY OTHER TOWN--GOOD AND BAD. THERE'S ALWAYS THE COMPLAINT ABOUT CLIQUES AND SNOBS. WE HAVE OUR SHARE.
How are the schools? WESTWOOD ISD IS OK. THE SMALL RURAL SCHOOLS ARE GOOD. I GRADUATED FROM PALESTINE IN 1970 BUT CANNOT GIVE IT A FAVORABLE RATING.
Culture of the town? LAID BACK SMALL TOWN MADE OF OF WORKING PEOPLE AND RETIREES.
Things to do? MOVIE PLACE, SOME DINING BUT NOTHING FANCY, A COUNTY CLUB WITH A 9-HOLE COURSE
Is there a park? REAGAN PARK AND GREENS PARK. REAGAN PARK IS WELL MAINTAINED WITH FULL PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. THERE ARE ALSO A COUPLE OF ATHLETIC COMPLEXES, THE COMMUNITY DOESN'T HAVE A DOG PARK.
And is it nice so that kids and families play there frequently? YES
Stores in town? WAL-MART AND SOME SMALL HANGER'S ON. THE REAL SHOPPING IS IN TYLER. NEAREST MALLS ARE IN TYLER OR LUFKIN.
Any hidden downfalls? INFLATED PROPERTY TAX VALUES, SMALL TOWN POLITICAL FAVORITISM (OTHERS WOULD CALL THIS "PRIVILEGE") IMPACT OF INMATE FAMILIES, DON'T EXPECT BIG CITY SERVICE IN A SMALL TOWN
Hidden treasures? THE PLACE IS QUAINT, BEAUTIFUL AND PEACEFUL. I DON'T LIVE IN TOWN ANYMORE BUT I WOULDN'T LIVE ANYPLACE ELSE EITHER. IF YOU TEND TO YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND DON'T LET OTHERS MEDDLE IN YOURS, YOU CAN FIND TRUE HAPPINESS HERE. IT'S NOT PERFECT BUT CLOSE.

[4wainwrights]

thanks for the info (:

[ChristieP]

It's very difficult to find a good-paying job in Palestine. I've had two friends (one accountant and one graphic designer) who lived near Palestine both tell me the job maket there stinks. About the only decent employers are the State of Texas' Department of Corrections, the hospital, and the railroad. (There are lots of big, maximum-security prisons in Tennessee Colony and Palestine.)

I've also heard Palestine schools are not good anymore. The one friend drives her son to school in Cayuga every day, and the other moved away for better schools...