[Dick Vomer]

I was wondering if anybody knew about the local neighborhoods and areas around Bryan-College Station Texas. I am interviewing and thinking of moving to the area. I am looking for area with good schools, big yards and 4 bedroom houses? If there are any Freeper real estate agents with info it would be a great help.

[gobucks]

You're thinking of moving near A&M???? WHAT ON EARTH ARE THINKING???

I suggest you consider Columbus, Ohio. Lemme know if you want suggestions about neighborhoods there. :)

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Go to http://www.forsalebyowner.com (I think that's the website) and look in that area. Hope that helps. Most real estate people EVERYWHERE will take advantage of you...that has been my experience and I won't deal with them.

[ßuddaßudd]

Because I was born in Bryan, my dad has teased me my whole life about being an Aggie. It was his fault!

[LOC1]

I would suggest Austin.

[Boxsford]

Think tornadoes and find out what part of town gets hit the least. good luck.

[Perfesser]

I haven't been to College Station for about 55 years
but, no matter where you go BE SURE TO FIND A BUYERS
AGENT. If you use a sellers agent you will lose.
Money (your money) will be left on the table. It's
like you suing someone and using their lawyer to hash
out the details. Research Buyer's Agents on the net,
learn the difference and you will be much better off.
No, I am not one myself nor in real estate except that
I have bought houses both ways and there's a world of
difference. Good Luck.

[19th LA Inf]

Don't rule out south Bryan. My daughter has a very nice house off College about a mile north of A&M campus. I commented on the nice diversity of the neighborhood and she said her house, about 35-40 years old, was designed by the head of the A&M architecture department. (3 bedroom, $100s range, but many larger ones around.)

[G.Love]

When I went to A&M, nobody lived in College Station except students. 20 years later, I don't know if it's still that way, but there are nice places to live in Bryan.

[mathluv]

I lived in College Station about 10 years ago. I loved it. As a student, I lived in a mobile home park off Krenik Tap. Just be careful around the campus area the first week of each semester - too many new drivers looking instead of driving.

[SWake]

Just keep this in mind (he's a cop in Bryan)...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1313501/posts

[TheMom]

Yo B - any input?

[Clara Lou]

I am looking for area with good schools, big yards and 4 bedroom houses
There is plenty of what you're looking for in both places.

[Arrowhead1952]

Meeky, do you have any suggestions or ideas who to ask?

There is a FReeper Aggie Mama, who may know good places. With a screen name like that, you have to be an Aggie.

[Dreagon]

Well, the really nice neighborhoods are to the south of town and go by names like Pebble Creek, Emerald Forest, and Foxfire. Actually, most of College Station is pretty good because most of the bad areas are in the neighboring town of Bryan.

[DustyMoment]

Where to live in College Station Texas

Well, in a house or apartment would certainly be a good beginning, I would think.

Texans frown on people who live in boxes, under railroad tracks, or in a 70s-era van.

[stinkerpot65]

Most of the newer housing is on the far south side. Everywhere is decent. College Station has excellent schools, great park system, and one of the lowest crime rates for a city its size in the US. Add to that low traffic, entertainment and sports, including Broadway theatre groups that travel through A&M.

More Info

[Tall_Texan]

I don't think we have quite enough information here. Are you planning to move first then find a job or find a job and then move? Austin and B/CS are not close enough to each other that you'd want to drive from one to the other every day. They are about 2 hours from each other.

If you are thinking Austin, you'll be happier in the conservative suburbs like Round Rock, Kyle or Wimberly where you can commute to Austin but be somewhat insulated from the political nuts (I say somewhat because their disease is spreading).

I'm sure B/CS has some fine neighborhoods. If you are looking for a moderate-sized city that is family friendly, don't overlook Waco, Temple, San Marcos or Abilene - all not quite as big as Austin but still adequate sized. And there are many great places to live where you are a decent drive to the "big city" (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, etc.) for those things you just can't get in a smaller community.

Good luck.

[Textide]

Look towards the SE of College Station on 6 for newer neighborhoods. My parents live in the neighborhood to the east of 6 and Greens Prarie. 3-4 Bedroom houses, golf course nearby, just a couple of miles from the Wings 'n More on Texas (on second thought, just about everything is a couple of miles away from each other in that town).

[BJClinton]

Austin.

[BCS-Horn]

Austin is a great place to live. It a diverse, mid-sized city with plenty of employment opportunities and restaurants. As indicated previously, the traffic is painful and the politics can be annoying (but entertaining).

To your original question regarding education...

* My son has attended both Bryan and College Station schools and they are comparable.

* Public schools are pretty good, but I've had colleagues from the eastern U. S. say that the course work is easier here.

* I highly recommend St. Thomas Learning Center off of George Bush. They provide a great learning experience. I've heard Allen Academy is also pretty good.

Housing...

* I live in Bryan and I have found that the community is well established (families with several generations in the area).

* College Station has a more affluent population and a bit more snootiness. It's population is more transitory than Bryan's because they are typically affiliated with the university so they do their time here and then leave.

* Avoid Castlegate in College Station: over priced.

* I don't particularly like Pebble Creek even though many of my colleagues live there and they seem to like it.

* Nantucket in College Station has enormous yards (each plot is at least an acre).

* Historic College Station south of campus has some really neat older homes with large yards. We commonly drive by there to see if a home becomes available. Look south of George Bush on Pershing.

* Avoid Edelweiss off Rock Prairie unless you like the roaring sound of the train.

* Avoid neighborhoods in College Station full of college students. These are easy to discern since the streets will be full of parked pick up trucks when school is in session.

* I live in Copperfield in Bryan and I recommend it. See http://www.miramont.cc.

* Austin's Colony is also a nice little subdivision off W. J. Bryan Pkwy east of Hwy 6.

* Navasota is under thirty minutes away from College Station is remarkably less expensive with some really neat opportunities if you want to build you own home. This might be a little risky for resale but all indications are that College Station is growing towards Navasota so it should grow dramatically in the next five years.

Real estate agents...

* This is a pretty small community so you should be able to find a nice place to live by yourself. Further, the purchasing process is quite easy so you shouldn't need a realtor for closing. We've had three of four realtors without real satisfaction. But, the seller pays the commission so you don't have anything to loose if you use a realtor (well, the house will be more expensive). Most home here are sold through agents so the cost of the house will probably include the commission.

Good luck,
Fred