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Hi,
We're thinking of moving to the Tyler/Longview area and was wondering how the people are. I know that's kind of a vague question but I'll see if I can clarify.
We've lived in Texas since 06', first in the Dallas area and then up to the Sherman/Denison area and then I went in to get an MRI to see how bad I had tendon damage. Instead of an MRI I got an overdose of cortisone and my health took a dive. (I won't do that again) So we had to sell and move to the mid-west to be close to family. Better now, thank God and now looking to possibly move back to Texas.
While in the Sherman/Denison area although the people were friendly, most seemed very stand offish and such. Dallas did as well but in a different way. So I'm wondering if it's Texas in general or just in certain areas.
Dallas we lived in the city (Carrolton) Sherman/Denison we lived in the country. It seemed most wouldn't lift a finger to help someone. Usually those in the country are known for helping their neighbors, at least in the mid-west. I just didn't see that at all in Sherman/Denison.
Not sure how many who read this have lived anywhere else. (If you haven't that's great, wish that was the case for us)
I personally have lived in the mid-west (Illinois and Missouri) , Florida, Nevada and Louisiana (very short period) but in each area people seemed to have a different nature to them. Although Mid-west and Florida (Panhandle area, not Miami) seemed close.
Mid-west people seem more open to welcome those they don't know or haven't grown up with.
We're in the mid-west where there's family and IMO the people seem genuine and honest. And we would stay but I'm big on living somewhere that respects our God given unalienable rights and the Constitution. Illinois does not.
If you even have ammunition with out a FOID card then you are a criminal. A FOID card is nothing more than a state government registry of people who own firearms and such.
Not to mention the property taxes are one of the highest in the nation and then you have high income tax and high sales tax to top it off. And the state is still broke and the roads are horrible.
So I am one who just can't justify giving up certain unalienable rights and freedoms not to mention money we work for just to be near family. I absolutely LOVE my family and absolutely love being close to them but sheesh. You even have to get a permit here just to have a garage sale. lol
Illinois is ranked number one for 3 years running for the most people leaving and moving out of the state. I love family and like the people but the rest is poo.
We've looked at SW Missouri as well, where we've heard the people are genuine as well. But Missouri has personal property tax on anything with a vin# to farm equipment and business equipment to live stock.
Low property tax but by the time you pay for all the personal property taxes the amount at least for us would probably be near $4-$5k, on top of income tax.
I've also been self-employed and work outside but hoping to open a shop so weather is a factor as well.
Sorry for an "all over the board" thread but we're only wanting to have to move one more time. lol
I have tried to do as much research and we plan on driving down very soon to check out the area.
I do like what Sheriff Smith says on his page and hope he is sincere.
Anyway sorry for the long thread, I think I was trying to cover everything in one thread
I guess I could've just asked if the people were overall genuine and sincere or stand offish and kind of the opposite. lol
Wow, I doubt I can respond in just one post, lol. You certainly can easily tell Tyler, and the area information is a hobby of mine, actually lifelong, since about 11 years old, now 71. I lived only in the Tyler, Nacogdoches, Houston area. First Tyler, then, Nac, and then to Houston for 25 years, then back to Tyler for the last 25 years. Travel to what family I have left, all over the mega large DFW area.
You KNOW a lot about Texas already. So won't go there much, I hope. But from what everyone seems to say there can be quite differences in personal experiences across Texas.
Possibly a very important "item" to keep in focus on is, Tyler is THE Medical Center of East Texas. What does that really mean.
1) The only Level One Trauma Center in East Texas. ETMC. There is only 11 in Texas. Only one in Fort Worth.
2) There are far more specialists in Tyler than any other area of East Texas.
3) MD Anderson has just made an agreement With UT Northeast in Tyler, to offer services for NE Texas, SE Okla, SW Arkansas, NW Louisiana. Baylor Scott and White just merged with The Texas Joint and Spine Hospital in Tyler to expand what services they off to the area.
Now you may not want to live in Tyler itself, maybe close by. BUT if you did Tyler the CITY, I repeat, CITY property tax rate is no more than a THIRD of the state rate. The lowest of any city over 17,000 population in Texas. On a accessed property value on a home in the city, 200,000 assement, you would save about $1,500 per year. Now, ALL the other taxes, county, school, jr college are JUST average.
Tyler itself is large enough to embrace ALL religious beliefs, but sure, it is mostly conservative.
Frankly, a group of folks get real excited around whos daughter is going to be the Rose Queen each year and the Rose Coronation held is very important to a few, but most of the city does not get that excited. Now, most of us do enjoy the Rose Gardens and a fair size crowd attends the Rose Parade each year in October.
You know what the weather can be here, HOT, and HOT, so as I warn other people to visit in July or August for a few weeks, to see if they can stand it, you already know this.
I personally find the people friendly enough here, but I approach them as friendly in the first place. Some have told me, many coming from the Northeast, they have found Tyler very friendly. Of course some are not very friendly here.
Maybe people are more friendly "out in the country". But more than half the people who live in Smith County live "out in the country" outside the city limits of Tyler, so it has many subdivisions that you would find IN the city, 125,000 people out in the "sticks" probably more populated than rural midwest.
Be careful that when you "drive down" you really get look at what is REALLY here, many people don't know what's here, even after a visit. That's possibly what I might be able to help with on a later response to your questions, many people have emailed me directly over the last 10 years I've been on city-data. Even those that did not post a thread or comment first on city-data, just contacted me directly.
Also, I'm a former Real Estate Broker, NOW don't let that scar you away, I'm long retired from being with the other 1,000 realtors here, lol. No referral or commission involved for me. Just still very familiar with the area, as a hobby, interest.
Oh, Tyler is not, as I've said many times, not Utopia but IMO one of the very best couple of places in Texas to live, not one of the best to live in the U.S, by any means. I live here by choice, could live many other places, but I don't.
If I don't have an opinion or answer to a question I will try to refer you, or find out. An example, I really DON'T have, I think, a very adequate assessment whether you would really like the people here well or not, that seems like much more than I would able to "tell" you. So I feel very short on that response, OR, maybe it IS a hard question to answer?
Anyway best to you, on hopefully, your "last move," as you said.
P.S. I would chose Tyler over Longview for many reasons, not a bad place at all, but the places are pretty different. I would answer directly but don't want to get into "competition" on city-data.
I appreciate it Mark.
I actually planned on getting into real estate here in Illinois , was going to take the course but decided since I'm not staying what would be the point. I would like to get into real estate there if we end up there, whether full or part time. So you being a retired real estate broker is great.
I come from an automotive back ground, not like mechanic but cosmetic aspect. Paintless Dent Repair, Headlight Restoration and Rim Repair. Not sure how the automotive market is down there. I'm sure there's auto dealers and collision shops. I have been mobile but looking and would like to be in a shop. So looking to start a business there as well. I know Denison actually had an Development Alliance that gave incentives to help new business owners.
Not sure if Tyler does that, I'm fairly new to finding this out. I didn't find out about it in Denison until close to the time we left.
And yeah the heat isn't really an issue, I'll take the 3 months of hot hot vs the hot and heavy humidity in the summer and bitter cold in the winter any time.
As far as taxes, "in the city", is that inside the 323 loop or ?? Just asking because I looked at one in south Tyler inside the 49 loop but outside the 323 loop that was assessed at $187k and the taxes in 2016 were $4004.
I thought property taxes were by county, am I missing something? lol
I am hoping the auto market is pretty good and I believe the real estate market is good. It seemed in the Sherman/Denison area dealers didn't care less how the used car looked sitting on their lot. I'm guessing with Tyler being a big white collar city I'm hoping they care.
From what I've been reading on the board I think it sounds pretty alright.
Thanks again.
Last edited by Lunch Box; 08-10-2017 at 02:57 PM..
I appreciate it Mark.
I actually planned on getting into real estate here in Illinois , was going to take the course but decided since I'm not staying what would be the point. I would like to get into real estate there if we end up there, whether full or part time. So you being a retired real estate broker is great.
I come from an automotive back ground, not like mechanic but cosmetic aspect. Paintless Dent Repair, Headlight Restoration and Rim Repair. Not sure how the automotive market is down there. I'm sure there's auto dealers and collision shops. I have been mobile but looking and would like to be in a shop. So looking to start a business there as well. I know Denison actually had an Development Alliance that gave incentives to help new business owners.
Not sure if Tyler does that, I'm fairly new to finding this out. I didn't find out about it in Denison until close to the time we left.
And yeah the heat isn't really an issue, I'll take the 3 months of hot hot vs the hot and heavy humidity in the summer and bitter cold in the winter any time.
As far as taxes, "in the city", is that inside the 323 loop or ?? Just asking because I looked at one in south Tyler inside the 49 loop but outside the 323 loop that was assessed at $187k and the taxes in 2016 were $4004.
I thought property taxes were by county, am I missing something? lol
I am hoping the auto market is pretty good and I believe the real estate market is good. It seemed in the Sherman/Denison area dealers didn't care less how the used car looked sitting on their lot. I'm guessing with Tyler being a big white collar city I'm hoping they care.
From what I've been reading on the board I think it sounds pretty alright.
Thanks again.
That appears to inside the city limits of Tyler not Whitehouse, which would be a lot MORE, $1,200 approx. Outside city limits would only save you about $430, which is Tyler's CITY property tax rate on the total you saw. Tyler's city rate is the lowest of the taxes you pay, with the exception of TJC's being .03 less, at .20 city .23.
I think, don't know, your job skill services would seem to be in demand in Tyler, unique enough, lol ? OH, the tax amount of $4,004 was mostly without any exemptions? If you have the homestead, and 65 of age and over exemption the total amount would be less. I don't know what the add you saw said about how they arrived at the taxes, mostly likely what the owner pays or paid last, and appraised value did come from the listing, which they should have used Smith County Appraisal District figures, of course.
Later
Oh, Tyler Junior College has a small business incubation center, or help with starting small business, located in their TJC West Campus on the West Loop (323), Some us call Loop 323 on the NESW sides as West Loop, North Loop, stating which PART of the Loop we are talking about, in this case dead center on the West side. Yeah, nothing unique about that, lol.
Thanks for all the insight, I appreciate it.
You happen to have a map of what shows Tyler city limits compared to county? Like when are you considered outside city limits & vice versa. Not sure if there's a map that shows that.
Well, what I just did you may have done, or could do easily? too, I googled "Tyler City Maps" more than 10 sites came up. The city of Tyler website had some very interesting maps, almost TOO much detail, but if you have time that would perhaps be a good source.
I think, not sure, but I believe the Texas Highway Department on West Front street, had city maps as well as state maps, may be WRONG on city maps, it's been years, I have older city maps, I don't remember where I got them, of course you can buy them in service stations, maybe Barnes and Nobles Book Store, but I would call the city of Tyler and see if they would mail you one, if they have them for the public.
If all else fails, I know the Chamber of Commerce has them for free, maybe that's where I got one years ago. It seems they color coded everything inside the city limits, they showed everything in the ETJ, up to five miles outside the city limits, it seems?
Anyway, call to have one mailed I would think they would have the funds to mail you one, maybe not, because Tyler really "pinches" the dollars, lol
Mark, I appreciate the info. I will be selling my huge home and land in Las Cruces, NM within the next year or so and am desperate to leave the area. Tyler appears to be a good choice for me and I've been looking at homes for sale. What confuses me, is why are homes so incredibly Inexpensive??
Another question: what's the situation for service/businesses for home maintenance: plumbers, remodelers, roofers, tree service?
Mark, I appreciate the info. I will be selling my huge home and land in Las Cruces, NM within the next year or so and am desperate to leave the area. Tyler appears to be a good choice for me and I've been looking at homes for sale. What confuses me, is why are homes so incredibly Inexpensive??
Another question: what's the situation for service/businesses for home maintenance: plumbers, remodelers, roofers, tree service?
thanx
What is the price range you feel is so INexpensive, many think the prices are higher than other same size Texas cities. Often, they ARE less, but Tyler has very few "tract" type homes, mostly custom, sure there are a few "tract" homes.
Tyler is "fairly" well-off for it's size, therefore, IMO only, there is above average demand for services that you mention. However, I'm fairly sure there are many in the field already, lots competition. Of course, if you offer "better" quality and service, you would have plenty of business. This seems like a general response, I agree, but I'm not sure how to better answer this one. Maybe someone else will offer a more "pin-point" response.
Article showing the recent average sales price at $237,000 with median, just as many below and above this price, at $189,000. Are these the figures you consider inexpensive? But, you do see by using Realtor.com, and others, what you "can" buy for these prices, but be careful, you need to know the area well, of course, before you buy. Many have bought outside of Tyler for the last 50 - 60 years, now "there," is where you could run into more expensive prices, when you add acreage with a nice home in a NICE area. It verys greatly outside the city limits, mainly determined by what is AROUND, the house/acreage you are considering, you know, what does the whole surrounding area look like, consistently "clean" well kept, or clean, next to a mess, lol? Anyway if we can help more just ask, on here, or direct to me in my case. Best to you.
What is the price range you feel is so INexpensive, many think the prices are higher than other same size Texas cities. Often, they ARE less, but Tyler has very few "tract" type homes, mostly custom, sure there are a few "tract" homes.
Tyler is "fairly" well-off for it's size, therefore, IMO only, there is above average demand for services that you mention. However, I'm fairly sure there are many in the field already, lots competition. Of course, if you offer "better" quality and service, you would have plenty of business. This seems like a general response, I agree, but I'm not sure how to better answer this one. Maybe someone else will offer a more "pin-point" response.
Article showing the recent average sales price at $237,000 with median, just as many below and above this price, at $189,000. Are these the figures you consider inexpensive? But, you do see by using Realtor.com, and others, what you "can" buy for these prices, but be careful, you need to know the area well, of course, before you buy. Many have bought outside of Tyler for the last 50 - 60 years, now "there," is where you could run into more expensive prices, when you add acreage with a nice home in a NICE area. It verys greatly outside the city limits, mainly determined by what is AROUND, the house/acreage you are considering, you know, what does the whole surrounding area look like, consistently "clean" well kept, or clean, next to a mess, lol? Anyway if we can help more just ask, on here, or direct to me in my case. Best to you.
Thank you! I have in mind a 3+ bedroom home, apx 2,500+ sq ft, with at least .75 acre. I'm actually seeing properties like that for under $300,000. But like you said, location drives the price.
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