Killeen/Copperas cove/Gatesville HELP (Houston, Dallas: crime rate, loan, homes)

[DTP1950]

I need information about these three places. I'm trying to move to Texas but I hear that Killeen is FULL of crime. Other say that this is not true, however, I was looking at crime statistics and the crime is listed way above national level.

I heard that Copperas Cove was better and more family orientated, but others say that it is just as bad as Killeen. So as you can see I'm very lost.

I just recently heard of gatesville, and heard it was much safer, however, very little information is given about the place, and I would like some opinions from someone who has been there/lived there.

So I want to know, which place would you recommend to live?

I'm hispanic by the way, and I don't want to be faced with racism,
( I heard there was some racism in texas although I havent
encountered) I just want to live in a safe and friendly community
any advice would be helpful. thanks.

[Bulldawg82]

The Centroplex (Killeen, Harker Heights, Nolanville, Copperas Cove) has experienced enormous growth since I first moved to Copperas Cove back in 1970 (and started first grade). Crime is a concern (as with any place), but Killeen has the higher crime. Copperas Cove has its share, but it all depends on which "side" of town you are on (more like spots rather than "side" though). Gatesville is a very family friendly community and so is Lampassas (that is about a 25 mile drive to work at Fort Hood though). There really isn't a racism problem with the hispanic community in this area as we are roughly 50% of the population.

[DTP1950]

Originally Posted by Bulldawg82

The Centroplex (Killeen, Harker Heights, Nolanville, Copperas Cove) has experienced enormous growth since I first moved to Copperas Cove back in 1970 (and started first grade). Crime is a concern (as with any place), but Killeen has the higher crime. Copperas Cove has its share, but it all depends on which "side" of town you are on (more like spots rather than "side" though). Gatesville is a very family friendly community and so is Lampassas (that is about a 25 mile drive to work at Fort Hood though). There really isn't a racism problem with the hispanic community in this area as we are roughly 50% of the population.

Thanks for relying to my post Bulldawg82. Your information is very helpful. I'll look into Gatesville and Lampassas

[harleytexas]

Gatesville is not too bad for hispanics, but a lot of drugs around for school kids, mostly hush hush by the masses. It has its share of racists, and has had the klan trying to recruit there. It is not very forward thinking or great for shopping or restaurants, very small town mentality.

[texasdiver]

Why are you limiting your search to those 3 towns?

Killeen is an Army town. It is the gateway to Fort Hood which is the largest Army base in the country. That makes it a relatively transient community and because soldiers are young and underpaid you have endless pawn shops, payday loan shops and rent-to-own furniture stores around there. Basically huge numbers of sleazy businesses that are trying to scalp young soldiers in financial trouble. I would not choose to live there if I was not connected to Fort Hood.

Gatesville is a prison town. The main employer is the large state prison on the edge of town. Just like living next to an army base, living next to a large prison tends to color the character of the town. Prison guards, like soldiers, tend to be underpaid. And you have spouses/girlfriends, etc of prisoners moving there to be near their incarcerated mates.

I know less about Copperas Cove, except that it has long been a football powerhouse and also very close to Fort Hood. When I drive through it looks like an average town, nothing exceptional.

If I was moving to Central Texas and looking for a place to live, I'd be looking at the more prosperous and growing communities along the I-35 corridor. That's where the economic prosperity and job growth is happening. For a more urban lifestyle I'd look at some of the towns north of Austin like Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, etc. Or for smaller less congested area I'd look at the growing suburbs south and west of Waco like Hewitt, Woodway, and China Spring. In the Killeen area I'd be looking at Belton or Temple as well.

[Spade]

Well honestly, it depends on what the OP is actually looking for. He went into it a little bit but didn't give much info. That said, Temple or Belton aren't much better than the three areas he listed.

[tech2enable]

Originally Posted by Spade

Well honestly, it depends on what the OP is actually looking for. He went into it a little bit but didn't give much info. That said, Temple or Belton aren't much better than the three areas he listed.

Is temple really bad, I know upper-middle income people who live there who are immigrants, not that I want to move there but I am sure people wouldn't move there if it was that bad, the homes are cheap too,

however they have gone up in price a little bit although still affordable and there isn't much to do there, although you do have the expo and other things, this could change over time, its about an hour to austin.

[Spade]

Temple is a much quieter, smaller, and slower in pace than Killeen. It's a bit more family oriented and calmer. For me, I find it boring and devoid of any action. But that's just me as I am still young. Keep in mind, I don't care for any city in that part of Texas as I grew up in Killeen and will likely never return unless I'm visiting family and friends. Temple is very very affordable and the crime rate is low. Easier access to Austin and Dallas than Killeen considering it's on I-35 and Amtrack also has a station in Temple.

[louisianagurl]

We have family in Gatesville and visit often, feel in love with the small town. Everyone knows your name and are friendly. We are considering moving to Gatesville, if not Gatesville to Temple or Belton. After alot of reasearch these are the family home towns you want to raise your children in. Gatesville being more country and Temple more city but not as big as Austin/Dallas/Houston. As far as drugs go they are everywhere and you are responsible for teaching and leading your children, train a child up and they will not part from it.