Posted on 04/27/2013 11:50:37 AM PDT by bubbacluck
My son graduated and is moving to Waco, TX in August to pursue his PhD in Physics(quantum optics). He is being paid to be a teaching assistant while studying. We are in the process of helping him look for one bedroom apartments in the Waco area. His politics, when he chooses to express them, are conservative. He does shoot occasionally.
Any locals to the Waco area: Do you have any suggestions as to what to expect? Areas to avoid? We've done a lot of research online but really would appreciate any input from Freepers who actually live there.
Thanks!
Tell him to become best friends with Janet Reno.
Wow! Best of luck to him. What wonders will the laser and related applications bring us in the future?
as a thought — http://www.baylor.edu/graduate/index.php?id=42521
Well, the short, flippant replies received to the lengthy question will make something more serious stand out, well, maybe just a little bit.
Read a Jack Reacher novel by Lee Child, do a “boots on the ground” reconnoiter of Waco on a budget (a Jack Reacher budget is good enough). Be sure to visit and talk to a local barber. Buy an off duty cop a friendly drink. Get a real estate agent to drive through good neighborhoods, etc.
After the internet, one has to get out of a chair and make a visit. There is, as in the brief line in the movie “John Carter of Mars”...”no other way”.
Yes, that was a really good option but they are already full up. Maybe his second year.
>Areas to avoid?<
.
Austin and UT campus.
A suggestion.
Go to the TEXAS State Board/Forum and post you info/request there. I don’t know may Texas residence read or comment on the board but at least those that do would see your request. You may have to register on the Texas State sign up thing to be able to post. I’m not sure how that works.
http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/profiles?location=91
sheesh.....
I don’t know may Texas residence read or comment
s/b
I don’t know how many Texas residents read or comment
Moving to anyplace in TX from CA will be an adustment,no matter how conservative he thinks he is. Moving to Waco will take it up a notch. My daughter moved to Waco to attend music school in 1978. She loved Baylor, but would not choose it for her own children. Part of the problem is religion. We are Catholic. Waco is conservative Baptist. Although they claim to be open minded about Catholics (”our favorite minority” in the words of the Dean of Women) in actual practice, many of the other students did not know that Catholics were Christians, just that you shouldn’t date them!
Despite that, my daughter enjoyed her years at Baylor and retains many friends to this day. We found that rent was relatively cheap in Waco, compared to other college towns. That could have changed over the years.
Good luck.
” PhD in Physics(quantum optics)”
Hell, you can train a dog to do that. :)
Do some google and youtube searches. Staying close to campus usually helps but not always. http://www.zillow.com will show you property values.
LOL, that was my first thought as well, but no need to worry, the federal government burned it to the ground already, so it is probably OK to visit. (sarc off)
I was in Stockton a few months ago. Do they even have a police department anymore, after the bankruptcy thing? I was in Vallejo last week. Another bankrupt city. Waco might be a better bet.
AG Holder might still have a tank in close proximity. He doesn’t like whitey.
As to the comment about “cutting the apron strings” don’t let someone make you feel guilty for helping him. He’s obviously done a great job in school by finishing his Master’s at 21.
Ours is 25, married to a lovely girl, owns his own home, has a good job...but he still seeks out our (mostly his dad or FIL’s) advice about some things, and my DIL asks me and her mother for advice from time to time.
Asking advice isn’t a sign of weakness, and giving it isn’t a sign of over-protection...it’s just called being a part of a family, and trusting other folks judgement.
The Proverbs are full of a father’s advice to his son.
Proverbs 12:15
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”
Could come in handy if you ever need quantum glasses ...
Stay away from any neighboring fertilizer plants.
We don’t notice much difference regarding the police in Stockton. When seconds count, they are only minutes away.
Seriously, there is no difference at the ground level. Unemployment is quite high, though.
First, Sic’m Bears.
Baylor is a great school and yes it is a Baptist school.
But, as in all schools you can find what you are looking for.
Waco does not lie North/South or East/West. It was built along the Brazos river and therefore lies NW/SE. Baylor is SE. While there are multiple apartments in the campus area, Baylor is not in the best area of town. The newer parts are NW and West. It doesn’t take long to get across Waco, so you are never too far away.
Important: Uncle Dan’s Barbeque.
We were reading about the “Baylor Bubble”. The campus itself seems to be isolated from the area surrounding it. The main problem appears to be aggressive panhandlers.
I don’t know, but I’d imagine he just received his BS and may also be given an MS on his way to his PhD at Baylor.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.