Hello, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and With a population of 36,039, Texarkana is a smaller city. Poverty rate is 16.8%, which is higher than I expected. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $49,240, which feels on the lower side for the area. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
3 upvotes
21 Replies
Sophia
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great sushi places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
39 upvotes
Melanie Murphy
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
Vincent A.
seconding this
34 upvotes
Waylon Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 49, moved here 3 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Oak Park and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Denver, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
34 upvotes
urban_caroline83
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Charlotte Kim
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Houston about 7 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Isabella S.
hard disagree but ok
31 upvotes
Isabelle Ruiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 7 years. Moved from Boston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Rising rent and home prices. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Nova Nguyen
I've lived in East for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The pet-friendliness scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Brielle
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Seattle about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is improving.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Aurora Hughes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Denver about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is solid.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Sarah A.
Can confirm, been here 10 years.
23 upvotes
Adrian Myers
I'm a project manager and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Joshua Ward
accurate
15 upvotes
Madeline A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is underrated.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Nova Smith
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 9 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
Claire Roberts
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Nashville about 5 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
David Jimenez
+1
10 upvotes
Emily Ortiz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Sunset) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
8 upvotes
Ezekiel Morris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 55, moved here 3 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Seattle, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
2 upvotes
Jace Y.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
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