OK....I have a opportunity to move to Longview-Kilgore area. Tell me the goods and the bads of living there.

 

Good: Longview has a Fazoli's!

Sorry, that's the only thing I remember about that area.

 

its close to Shreveport! That means you can come to my BBQs!

 

i live in tyler, but longview is about the same.........red-necks, beer and cops are the biggest issues for me lol...

 

So how is the cost of living, crime rate, taxes???????

 

I was reluctant to reply to this, but here goes. The short version is that Longview is the worst place in Texas I have ever lived, and I've lived all over the state from time to time. I lasted 18 mo. in Longview.

Pros.
1) low cost of living
2) low taxes although property taxes in Tx are high
3) housing is inexpensive.
4) Lake Cherokee is pretty nice
5) crime rate is relatively low
6) pine tree woods are pretty
5) lots of places to hunt if that's your thing.
6) plenty of unsophisticated cute young females (or is this a negative?)

Cons.
1) limited middle class......either blue collar or old school oil money. Few white collar types.
2) Fairly low educational level of the populace
3) Lots of rednecks and pickups
4) Very few sports cars.....zero events for same when I was there.
5) No real art or music scene........unless you like C&W bars
6) plenty of unsophisticated people of all ages

If you're already married and you can get a HUGE raise, it might be worth it. If not.....take a pass.

My .02

 

well thats is negative

 

Thanks for the input from everyone....all information is helpful.

 

Longview is the ugly stepchild compared to Tyler. Is is more blue collar, more red neck and defintely more backwards than Tyler. Tyler isn't THAT redneck. The surrounding areas are but Tyler proper IMHO is actually a pretty neat place.

BTW, I live in Tyler so there is obvious bias in my comments. However I have worked in LGV for a couple of years. The best thing about LGV is that Shreveport is 45 mins away!

 

I'll throw in my 2 cents as well. I grew up in Grand Saline, TX which isn't too far away from the Tyler/Longview area. IMHO, all of East Texas is the same. Granted, Tyler is better than the small hick town I grew up in, but not by much! The above's opinion of Longview is right on the mark. If you are getting a substantial pay raise or you just really like "country" folk and hate the educated, then by all means make the move. Personally, the only places I would live in Texas are Dallas, Austin, San Antonio or any of the suburbs of those cities. I like the "Big City Livin'!" Different strokes for different folks tho!