Is Smithville, Texas a good place to live? (Austin, Bastrop: purchase, movie theater)

[Frodo2008]

Is Smithville, Texas a good place to live? Since Bastrop has grown so much lately, will Smithville start growing now?

[MaryMuna]

Not likely, the residents tend to treat anyone not originating from Smithville as an outsider, especially non-whites. They don't know the difference between a Mexican and an Islander and don't care. They don't want change and want their small town just the way it is and run by the same families who always have run it. There is corruption in city management and good ole boy ways to this day and they still hire relatives and give em new pickup trucks even if they don't know the job rather than hire someone qualified for the job. Likely to grow...-10

[MaryMuna]

When energy was not as expensive and land was less costly, it may have been lucrative to purchase in Smithville and commute. However, with Bastrop growth and the cost of energy, it is not a good alternative. The schools are not a good option for overall quality and preparation for college with alternative language classes and other options available in other communities. There is very little for youth orientation in the area, therefore children are often into drugs or underage drinking in the community which is a huge problem. Bastrop would be a good alternative if mass transportation to the airport and Austin was available, however other than a movie theater, bowling alley and roller rink, there are no real options for youth involvement. There is a very strong good ole boy atmosphere in the area so unless you are from Bastrop County, don't necessarily expect a welcome mat, unles you have big pockets and they are full.

[Frodo2008]

Yeah I agree there's never much going on in Smithville. It seems like an OK town, the problem is there is very little there to offer anybody. There are very few restaurants, almost no places to shop and very few jobs. Most people if they come to the area will just move to Austin since it has a lot more to offer in these areas. You're right a lot of the kids just drink and do drugs all the time because there isn't anything to do there. Getting high and drinking all the time is about the only entertainment options there. You're right about the good ole boy network. I lived in Smithville back in the 80s when I was a kid. There were several businesses that wanted to come to town but the Smithville city council turned them all down. Wal-Mart wanted to come to Smithville and Smithville said no so they built next door in Bastrop. Somebody wanted to build a truck stop, restaurant, motel, etc. but Smithville said no to these things so they also built somewhere else. Smithville had plenty of chances to grow over the years but Smithville always turned them down. It seems the people in charge just wanted to keep the town in a state where it never has anything to offer anybody. Since Smithville never let anything in over the years the town never grew. Since the town never grew no entertainment options came to town. Since there aren't any entertainment options, a lot of the kids just do drugs, drink and drive the strip all weekend long. So it's a vicious cycle the good ole boys put the town in. Since I lived there in the 80s I was hoping one day the town would turn around and some redemption would take place. Here it is 30 years later and Smithville has made absolutely no progress on any of these fronts. So I realize that in my lifetime and probably the next eight generations after me there will be zero progress on the many fronts they need to improve on.

[lonestar2007]

Sounds like a good place to live IMO. It sounds like they know what they want, they like what they got and don't feel the need to be intimidated into changing it. Why is it that some people think growth is the key to all their desires? Why is it some people cannot entertain themselves or feed themselves, instead thinking someone needs to do it for them?

Growth comes with it's problems and is definitely not the magic key to the kingdom. Some people regard happiness as true success. Regardless, Smithville sounds like a community of people who know what they want and intend to keep it that way. Good for them!

[Frodo2008]

I agree different people have different opinions. There are two sides to every story. I also agree that happiness is success. Without happiness you've got nothing, no matter where you live. It's good you posted on here so anybody that looks at this thread can see both sides of the argument.

[slingshot]

Originally Posted by lonestar2007

Sounds like a good place to live IMO. It sounds like they know what they want, they like what they got and don't feel the need to be intimidated into changing it. Why is it that some people think growth is the key to all their desires? Why is it some people cannot entertain themselves or feed themselves, instead thinking someone needs to do it for them?

Growth comes with it's problems and is definitely not the magic key to the kingdom. Some people regard happiness as true success. Regardless, Smithville sounds like a community of people who know what they want and intend to keep it that way. Good for them!

I agree. It seems when folks move to a small town from a larger one that they want to get out of the first thing that they want to do is change the new small town to be like the one they were running from in the first place.

[DJboutit]

La Grange or Bastrop might be a better option that is still in the general area