Not sure if this has been asked before, but My family moved here when I was a kid. Household incomes average around $51,468 in Waco. Poverty rate is 15.2%, which is higher than I expected. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Thoughts?
45 upvotes
17 Replies
Matthew Murphy
it depends on the neighborhood
36 upvotes
Luca Alvarez
hard disagree but ok
32 upvotes
Theodore K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Isaac Gutierrez
Saving this thread
30 upvotes
Logan Ruiz
I've lived in Highland for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The weather scene is average
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
Hunter Morgan
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The safety is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Kai
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
25 upvotes
Aubrey Long
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Atlanta about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Allison Martin
I work in marketing here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Matthew Morales
accurate
19 upvotes
Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 24, moved here 11 years ago from Denver. I've lived in North and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.
17 upvotes
Elizabeth James
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Downtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
17 upvotes
Kayden C.
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
15 upvotes
Zoey T.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Isla Phillips
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Eleanor H.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely decent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness 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.
5 upvotes
Peyton Castillo
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 3 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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