Opinions between living in the Palestine, TX or Huntsville, TX area? (Houston: 2015, rent)

[Clarendon4]

Has anyone lived or visited these areas recently? I have read some older threads but would like a current perspective.

TIA,
Claren

[Mark Senior]

Originally Posted by Clarendon4

Has anyone lived or visited these areas recently? I have read some older threads but would like a current perspective.

TIA,
Claren

Huntsville, larger more than twice the size, fairly large college, now, far more pines, more vegetation, short drive to burbs of Houston or to Houston for that matter, lakes nearby, growing town. Far better job prospects than Palestine.

Palestine, slowly losing population, few to no pines, large oaks, less "treed" in general. Most or the more serious shopping is done in Tyler, about 35 - 40 minutes away. Great fishing on Lake Palestine. Housing costs, rent and buying should be less expensive.

You have a job or an in demand skill would be best for both places.

[ChristieP]

I'm guessing you work for TDC since that is the major employer in both of those towns. Palestine's prisons are actually in the tiny town of Tennessee Colony on the northeast side of town. Lake Palestine is also not particularly close to town.

Personally, I would pick Huntsville between the two towns. At least it has a college, and there are decent shopping options besides WalMart.

[DanielWayne]

Huntsville is an hour to the Woodlands, where you can find anything. But it's far enough from the Woodlands that you won't experience the traffic. Also you have Sam Houston State, which is a small but comprehensive university. Even though it isn't far from aggieland, you will see a lot of people around Huntsville wearing bright orange shirts repping SHSU.

[Mark Senior]

Originally Posted by DanielWayne

Huntsville is an hour to the Woodlands, where you can find anything. But it's far enough from the Woodlands that you won't experience the traffic. Also you have Sam Houston State, which is a small but comprehensive university. Even though it isn't far from aggieland, you will see a lot of people around Huntsville wearing bright orange shirts repping SHSU.

2015 Fall enrollment 20,107

[Clarendon4]

I appreciate all of you for taking the time to reply!

[DanielWayne]

Originally Posted by Mark Senior

2015 Fall enrollment 20,107

I went there last summer to meet a friend of mine who works at SHSU to inquire about working there. It's small (for a public university) to me, but I really liked the campus and Huntsville.

[Turnerbro]

Currently sort of debating this. With potential job in Crockett.

[Mark Senior]

Originally Posted by DanielWayne

I went there last summer to meet a friend of mine who works at SHSU to inquire about working there. It's small (for a public university) to me, but I really liked the campus and Huntsville.

Current article: Growth largely likely because of the relative short distance to the mega Houston Metro.

https://www.shsu.edu/today@sam/T@S/a...king-the-trend

[DanielWayne]

Originally Posted by Mark Senior

Current article: Growth largely likely because of the relative short distance to the mega Houston Metro.

https://www.shsu.edu/today@sam/T@S/a...king-the-trend

Wow that is a lot of growth! And they are adding new programs. I sometimes regret not touring Sam straight out of high school. I like Huntsville a lot, but then again I am from a town about the same size. But unlike Huntsville, my hometown has turned into a pit.

I have never driven from Huntsville to Crockett. I've been to Crockett long ago. I would definitely prefer to live in Huntsville no doubt. It feels like an actual community and not a cookie cutter suburb.