All Countries
Hailey Long
living
What I wish I knew before living in Waco
Hey everyone, Crime rate is something to consider — Waco sits at 571.2 per 100K.
32 upvotes
7 Replies
wild_james59
Came here for weather and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The safety is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
40 upvotes
Caroline Lewis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from San Francisco about 7 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- 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 competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
I'm a contractor who relocated here from San Francisco about 7 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- 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 competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Barbara G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 29, moved here 11 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Westside and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. hit or miss 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
Background: I'm a teacher, 29, moved here 11 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Westside and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. hit or miss 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
22 upvotes
parker_native
Moved here last year, no regrets.
19 upvotes
Scarlett P.
I work in marketing here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Emily Castillo
same here
4 upvotes
Donald R.
Saving this thread
2 upvotes