Texarkana quality of life -am I missing something?
Been meaning to ask this. Military spouse here. Median household income is $49,240, which feels on the lower side for the area. Poverty rate is 16.8%, which is higher than I expected. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
23 upvotes
4 Replies
Alice H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 5 years. Moved from New York for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. West schools are better than expected. 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. Winters are long and cold. Homeless population growing downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Grace Mendoza
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Atlanta it's average.
19 upvotes
Brenda R.
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
10 upvotes
Denise R.
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The pet-friendliness is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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