Moving to Waco -- any advice?

[BlueGirlRedState]

My husband is getting a promotion and is being transferred from Austin to the home office in Waco. We looked around briefly last weekend and we liked the Woodway neighborhood.

We have a 8 year old daughter who requires some assistance in public school with visual impairment and tutoring. Our 11 year old is a math whiz and I want a public school that will challenge her. She'll be in 6th grade and is having to give up a great opportunity here in Austin to attend the Ann Richards School. We can't afford private schools.

Any advice from you Wacoans? Good neighborhoods, schools? Things to make the transition easier?

[GrannyK]

1. From letters in Waco Trib

it seems that the Midway ISD is a good school district. Woodway is an upscale neighborhood and, I think, it's in the Midway district.
There is a Montessori school in Waco.
We've only lived in the area since 2000 and my grandchildren live near Houston.
I'm Kay and I've been involved with the Crawford Peace House since it's beginning. I don't post here much, but I often read. If I can be of help after you move let me know. And welcome to the area. It's a LOT more conservative than Austin. We have a progressive group called Friends of Peace. We have a monthly movie night at Poppa Rollo's Pizza on Valley Mills Drive on 2nd Thursday of each month.

[BlueGirlRedState]

2. Thanks, Kay!

Nice to know we won't be the only Democrats in McLennan County!

[Lisa0825]

3. I went to Baylor in the late 80s.

I don't know if it is still open, but if so, go to George's for the Big O's. :rofl: It was a biker bar we college kids used to invade on Wednesday nights for dollar giant beers. They were very tolerant of us kids. LOL

[cosmik debris]

4. Georges is now owned by a Republican

He is very active in support of republican candidates and causes.

Sure, the beer is cold and cheap, but your money goes to the wrong cause.

[cosmik debris]

5. Midway school district is superior to Waco school district

And Woodway is a pretty good place to live. The Hewitt area is also OK, but it has filled up with ticky-tacky Mc Mansions.

There are a lot of good real estate deals in Woodway now. But if you are interested in something more rural, try Speegleville. Or for a small town feel, McGregor is only a 15-20 minute commute.

I've lived in Waco (off and on) for 40 yrs, and if I was looking for a good neighborhood to move to, I would pick Woodway. But I have also noticed some good deals near the intersection of Cobbs Drive and Valley Mills Drive and out toward the lake.

Before you buy a house, ask about the property tax. In Waco it has gone up 50-60% in the last 10 years.(about $2200 a year now for a typical 3br house in a middle class neighborhood.) And it goes up every year. That's a couple of hundred buck extra on your house payment that you might want to consider.

PM me if you have specific questions that require wordy answers.

[fudge stripe cookays]

6. That's no promotion!

:puke:

Sorry hon. I'd stay in Austin, but that's just personal.

:hi:

[ceile]

7. Ummm, don't.

Bummer about your girl not being able to attend ARS-what an opportunity. Is it financially feasible for hubby to get an apartment in Waco (come home on weekends) and you and the girls stay here?

[BlueGirlRedState]

8. No -- family life is more important to us

Why would I want to split my family up?

[Skittles]

9. ceile probably knows Waco sucks

at least it has in the past