Might be Moving to College Station, TX (Houston, San Antonio: real estate, houses)

[jgdesign]

The wife might be getting a professor position at Texas A&M in the fall of 2011. We currently live in the Chicago area. Although I've been to San Antonio while in the Air Force many years ago and my mother's relatives were mostly Texans (and still are), I'm not at all familiar with this area. What are the best places to live if, say, we also wanted to buy a home with a few acres of land for some hobby farming and horses?
What's the real estate situation like there.
Also, please tell me what this college town is like.
Thanks!!!

[homeinatx]

Frankly, CS is about as grim a college town as you can get. It is sufficiently close to both Austin and Houston that many faculty will rather commute than live there. Restaurants are student oriented and mostly abysmal, and there is not much for grown-ups to do. That said, I think you have the right idea. The surrounding countryside especially on the Brazos River is pretty - green and rolling, and there are some quite charming more historic towns not too far away. Compared to Chicagoland, real estate is very cheap, and nice acreage with horse facilities can be had for 200K or less. Bryan, the immediately adjacent town to CS is older ( and poorer) and has a few charming streets of Victorian houses which can be had for a song- but resale might be difficult. And I would rather live there than in CS which mostly feels like a strip mall ridden lower-middle class subdivision of Houston.

[jazznblues]

I disagree with Homeinatx. College Station is hardly "grim." Detroit is grim. I think College Station is probably a nicer college town than many you could move to like Norman OK or Auburn AL. College Station has a strong economy, and there is a lot going on. Not in an Austin or Houston sort of way, but it is active.

CS is not a cultural mecca. It reflects Texas A&M students and the people that work there - faculty and administration. Of course the population of 18-22 year olds is disproportionately high and you'll see lots of businesses that cater to that crowd.

But the population is well educated, friendly, politically conservative, and the socioeconomic status is fairly high. The university draws some culture (music, speakers, etc.) that a city the size of CS won't get. Lots of simple food, but there are some nice locally owned restaurants. The Hullabaloo Diner was featured on the Food Network's show Diners, Driveins, and Dives.

Housing costs are low, lower than Houston in most cases. I haven't shopped specifically for homes, but I think you could find a few acres without too much difficulty. Check out your drive to campus though. Some roads can become congested at the lights at certain times of day.

As for Bryan - it is rather different than CS though probably more blended with CS than it was years ago. Bryan has a higher minority population and less income as stated already.

[debzkidz]

Originally Posted by jazznblues

I disagree with Homeinatx. College Station is hardly "grim." Detroit is grim. I think College Station is probably a nicer college town than many you could move to like Norman OK or Auburn AL. College Station has a strong economy, and there is a lot going on. Not in an Austin or Houston sort of way, but it is active.

CS is not a cultural mecca. It reflects Texas A&M students and the people that work there - faculty and administration. Of course the population of 18-22 year olds is disproportionately high and you'll see lots of businesses that cater to that crowd.

But the population is well educated, friendly, politically conservative, and the socioeconomic status is fairly high. The university draws some culture (music, speakers, etc.) that a city the size of CS won't get. Lots of simple food, but there are some nice locally owned restaurants. The Hullabaloo Diner was featured on the Food Network's show Diners, Driveins, and Dives.

Housing costs are low, lower than Houston in most cases. I haven't shopped specifically for homes, but I think you could find a few acres without too much difficulty. Check out your drive to campus though. Some roads can become congested at the lights at certain times of day.

As for Bryan - it is rather different than CS though probably more blended with CS than it was years ago. Bryan has a higher minority population and less income as stated already.

I agree. It's a nice town. No its not Austin, or Houston, but it does have its own charm. And Aggie spirit is infectious. Also agree about the food. There are some really good local places. Most of them not expensive and very casual. However if you want something more upscale, there is also Chirstophers World Grill. It's a AAA 4 diamond restaurant. Had brunch there last Sunday and it is amazing.

[hoffdano]

I will be in CS this weekend. I go there several times a year. I think it is even "vibrant" in a way that only a college town with a large and growing enrollment can be. The stores are busy. Restaurants full of people. Definitely not Austin. Oh - and my trips are not tied to football games.

[88txaggie]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

I will be in CS this weekend. I go there several times a year. I think it is even "vibrant" in a way that only a college town with a large and growing enrollment can be. The stores are busy. Restaurants full of people. Definitely not Austin. Oh - and my trips are not tied to football games.

To go there on a football weekend without going to the game.....you must like crowds and traffic!

Agree with most descriptions, and it will not be hard to find acreage around the town. Haven't lived there since 93, so have no current insight....but it isn't grim, and I don't even think most professors commute as the first response indicates.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by 88txaggie

To go there on a football weekend without going to the game.....you must like crowds and traffic!

Agree with most descriptions, and it will not be hard to find acreage around the town. Haven't lived there since 93, so have no current insight....but it isn't grim, and I don't even think most professors commute as the first response indicates.

Well - you're right. I wouldn't normally choose to go on a football weekend without going to the game. The game is at 6 p.m. so I hope I can be on my way home before madness begins!

[debzkidz]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

Well - you're right. I wouldn't normally choose to go on a football weekend without going to the game. The game is at 6 p.m. so I hope I can be on my way home before madness begins!

Good luck with that. LOL!!!

It's gonna be madness in CS all day Saturday.

[TexasBound2012]

I am thinking of moving to CS as well, this site and thread is very informative!