I've been here for 14 years and With a population of 142K, Waco is a mid-size city. Poverty rate is 15.2%, which is higher than I expected. It's a a mid-size city city with about 142K people. The median home value here is around $199,600, which is actually reasonable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Appreciate any input. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
20 upvotes
30 Replies
Alexander Morales
Moved here last year, no regrets.
39 upvotes
Evan Edwards
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The outdoor recreation is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Autumn Adams
exactly what I was thinking
36 upvotes
river_angel91
interesting, hadn't considered that
35 upvotes
Nolan
100%
34 upvotes
Jack Turner
following this thread
32 upvotes
Zoe Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 58, moved here 10 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Greenfield and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Chicago, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
31 upvotes
Leonardo Garcia
Came here for work and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cultural scene is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Eugene M.
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
Audrey P.
not my experience at all
25 upvotes
Katherine S.
I've lived in Uptown for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The food scene scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Mia Brown
glad someone said it
24 upvotes
Hailey Williams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 10 years. Moved from Houston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are surprisingly 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Dating scene is rough. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Sarah Martin
honestly same experience here
22 upvotes
John Brown
Came here for work and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The cost of living is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
Grace Reed
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely tough and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Old Town) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
20 upvotes
David T.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Avery Jones
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 29, moved here 9 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Boston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
17 upvotes
Xavier Castillo
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Donna M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 38, moved here 15 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Highland and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
14 upvotes
Addison M.
exactly what I was thinking
13 upvotes
Sophia Hughes
noted, appreciate it
11 upvotes
Ezekiel A.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much manageable but now it's average.
11 upvotes
Julian Miller
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely improving and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
11 upvotes
Rylee Murphy
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cost of living is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Stella C.
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone about the same since then.
9 upvotes
Zoe J.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely challenging and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Riverside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
7 upvotes
Adrian Brown
preach
6 upvotes
Jack King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 36, moved here 8 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Lakewood and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The dating scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Tampa, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K 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.
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