Possible relocation to Tyler TX (Houston, Dallas: to rent, crime, broker)

[Getusout]

Hello everyone...
We currently live in Gilbert Arizona a sub. of Phoenix.
We have a great job op. to relocate to Tyler Tx. My husband is in the medical field and Tyler seeems to be in need. I am in banking but have also managed many different companies.
We are a young family our age ranges in early 30's and our children are under the age of 4, we have two.
We love the outdoors, hiking, water activities, camping and also city life at times. We are pretty well rounded and love all types of cultural things which we do not have here in Arizona. Although our family activities are 1st priority.
How Diverse is Tyler these days? It seems pretty diverse from what we find on the net but it is usually better getting info first hand. How is the crime rate?
What ares are best for house hunting? We may rent for a bit if we decide to move just to get a feel for the area and where we would like to root the family.
Any suggestions would be great.
thank you...

[Metro Matt]

Tyler & surrounding areas of East Texas offer plenty of outdoor recreational activities with many surrounding lakes & camping spots. There is a brand new bicycling path in South Tyler that runs for 5 miles connecting Rose Rudman Park to several other parks & businesses such as hotels, restaurants, & fitness clubs along the way.

As far as diversity, Tyler is growing, but its not going to be a Dallas or Houston with different ethnicities everywhere you look. Tyler is still a majority White, Black, & Hispanic town with an older population making it very appealing to retirees moving out of the "big city". However, there is a very small Asian market located off of the west loop where you can find some things from the Orient, but even they have to make weekly runs down to Houston to stock up so their prices are going to be higher.

Being in medical & banking you & your husband should have absolutely no problem finding a job in Tyler or East Texas. Those are the two things that are really booming here, even in this recession. New banks & medical facilities are springing up all over the place.

[Getusout]

Thank you "Metro Matt"
that is great information.
I am really excited to come and check it out in person. What about the weather. We dont have much other then hot and hotter here in AZ. How often do tornados touch down? That is one of the freaky things about TX right? We have been looking at a stat book one of my clients brought me and the risk is pretty high even compared to GA. which I thought was a bit shocking.

[Mark-Tyler is Special]

Hi. No actual tornado "hit" that has hurt anyone since April 26, 1957 on my then, young birthday. Only 3 people hurt but much damage, long, ago. Yes, we have warnings and watches. But usually plenty of notice, as much as you can for tornadoes. Even the city will "cut in" on all cable and local tv stations with actual warnings. Siren systems in city. Again, no strikes, of any severity nearby. Once nearby in 1995 and a small amount of damage to a motel on the Northeast side in the last 15 years.

Tyler is my favorite topic. I've responded, I hope somewhat objectively to many inquiries in the last year and a half. Just click on my posts. Tyler is the The Medical Center of East Texas with the only Level One Trauma Center and more specialists here than anyother place. Actually serves, area of maybe 350,000 to 450,000 population. There are over 200,000 just in the county alone. if you don't want to read my posts I will give you many more stats, and things to do information, such as Tyler lowest city property tax rate on any city over 15,000 in Texas. City is debt free. Or pointing out that many thousands attend the Cowan Performing Arts Events at the UT Tyler Campus. But others are tied of my posts I'm sure. If you have something I didn't cover in one of my posts just ask me directly. Lower crime rate, check the city-data information for a comparison of cities, good source. I'm a former realestate broker as well, so I have shared much about "house hunting" but best to rent first. Good Luck, most, not all enjoy Tyler.

[Metro Matt]

Just look at it this way, if you need that "big city fix", Dallas is only a 1 1/2 hour drive away or 45 minutes by air via Tyler Pounds Regional.

[EasilyAmused]

Matt, what is pushing the "hotness" of Bullard? Is Cherokee County taxed lower in comparison? Closer to the lake? Better schools? Or just the latest greatest thing? Questions from a weekender that hasn't reasearched local dynamics to closely.

It seems odd to me that a town of 100,000 would have an exurb already.

[Metro Matt]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Matt, what is pushing the "hotness" of Bullard? Is Cherokee County taxed lower in comparison? Closer to the lake? Better schools? Or just the latest greatest thing? Questions from a weekender that hasn't reasearched local dynamics to closely.

It seems odd to me that a town of 100,000 would have an exurb already.

All of those areas south of Tyler; Bullard, Flint, Gresham, & Noonday have been growing for quite awhile now. I'd say they really started to boom back in the early-mid 90's & have had steady growth ever since. Most family's choose to move there for the schools & laid back country lifestyle with plenty of acreage to build their custom ranch style homes on. TISD is not all that great, at least the two high schools aren't. A city as nice as Tyler should be ashamed of its outdated public schools.

[Mark-Tyler is Special]

Whitehouse, 1 1/2 miles between city limits signs is almost 8,000 pop according to census estimate of July 1, 2008. Lindale approaching 5,000.

Also, all elementary schools are being replaced, four finished last year, four more started this year and next junior highs. At least the outsides will look better. Wish their could be a way to increase academic standards.

[EasilyAmused]

Ok. I was just wondering because Bullard was in a different county than the other burbs.

[Mark-Tyler is Special]

Bullard is only 2 miles from Flint which is within Tyler's ETJ. and really a part of Tyler, an area with a "name" only, not a town, can't incorporate because it is so close to Tyler. Bullard abutts the ETJ.

Really all in all, Tyler has another 40 to 50 thousand people within 5 -7 miles of the city Limits. They post offfice reported the area with a Tyler post office address has about 130,000 or more population.