My neighborhood in Bryan offers that and a short commute... North Oakwood...
If you wanted to commute to A&M, where would you live...
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Last: 13 yr ago by TXNative
We live between Brenham and Navasota (a bit closer to Brenham) and I would choose Brenham over Navasota. I really like Brenham. It is 35 miles from our place to campus. Super easy drive to Houston if we feel like a day trip or weekend trip to somewhere that has more to do. Also a very easy drive to Austin.
Of all the counties in the Brazos Valley, Washington County has got to be the prettiest.
I'd vote Brenham. Maybe a little further than some of the others you listed, but a very family-friendly community without the college town feel.
I'll show a little Navasota love.
The current city administration is doing a lot of "quality of life" things. New soccer fields, expanding the airport, movies on the green during the summer, farmer's market, upgrading city parks, lots of good music events and all of that is growing. They are actively recruiting new developers to build and develop quality housing in the area. They are also working to improve the look of the town through building projects, condemning older dilapidated structures, enforcing and updating building codes, street projects, etc. The new city hall is a great example of the direction they are taking the city. It is a new modern facility that still pays homage to the past Victorian design of the former city hall.
As for the schools, the demographics (racial and economic) tend to be the issue. It is roughly 1/3 white, 1/3 Hispanic and 1/3 African American. Many of the Hispanics are 1st generation Americans. In addition, you still have a reasonably large number of underprivileged kids in the schools. the district is continuously working to identify and help those kids.
That said, I had a kid graduate from there. She was recruited by some of the top universities in the nation including several ivy league schools. She was recruited for both her academics and her athletic accomplishments. Her SAT put her in the top 10% nationally. Her acceptance to A&M was instant (although she went elsewhere). I knew all of her teachers personally as well as all of the administrators at the school. The educational opportunities are there for motivated kids with caring parents. I will also tell you they have a very good administration at this time. Like most things, you get out of it what you put into it.
As College Station grows south, the amenities within short distance of Navasota get greater. Aggieland Fitness Dome - 20 mins, HEB - 15 mins, Lowes - 15 mins, etc. In addition, Navasota has a lot of good retail in town.
In addition to it's proximity to College Station, Houston is a quick trip. The Woodlands is barely an hour away. When the Aggie Expressway/249 is completed, North Houston and the Woodlands will become even more accessible in less than 30 mins.
Navasota is still improving but it is a good place to live. Not perfect but no place is. I think the folks are friendly. It's still a close knit small town atmosphere. Friday night is Football night and everyone gets involved. The place shuts down for playoff games. Graduation night was a whole town affair. Parades are the type where kids still can decorate their bikes and ride them down main-street. People still close down for the County Fair. Church Street is actually lined by 100+ year old churches. they still pray before football games and at graduation.
There is also beautiful rural land all around, especially down towards Whitehall and out towards Anderson. Taxes are much lower than Brazos county and even Washington County. Land prices are still reasonable (but i don't think they will stay that way long).
It's a good place to live. Granted there are others nice places in the Brazos Valley but I think Navasota and the surrounding area offers a unique atmosphere. It is a good time to be part of that town.
The current city administration is doing a lot of "quality of life" things. New soccer fields, expanding the airport, movies on the green during the summer, farmer's market, upgrading city parks, lots of good music events and all of that is growing. They are actively recruiting new developers to build and develop quality housing in the area. They are also working to improve the look of the town through building projects, condemning older dilapidated structures, enforcing and updating building codes, street projects, etc. The new city hall is a great example of the direction they are taking the city. It is a new modern facility that still pays homage to the past Victorian design of the former city hall.
As for the schools, the demographics (racial and economic) tend to be the issue. It is roughly 1/3 white, 1/3 Hispanic and 1/3 African American. Many of the Hispanics are 1st generation Americans. In addition, you still have a reasonably large number of underprivileged kids in the schools. the district is continuously working to identify and help those kids.
That said, I had a kid graduate from there. She was recruited by some of the top universities in the nation including several ivy league schools. She was recruited for both her academics and her athletic accomplishments. Her SAT put her in the top 10% nationally. Her acceptance to A&M was instant (although she went elsewhere). I knew all of her teachers personally as well as all of the administrators at the school. The educational opportunities are there for motivated kids with caring parents. I will also tell you they have a very good administration at this time. Like most things, you get out of it what you put into it.
As College Station grows south, the amenities within short distance of Navasota get greater. Aggieland Fitness Dome - 20 mins, HEB - 15 mins, Lowes - 15 mins, etc. In addition, Navasota has a lot of good retail in town.
In addition to it's proximity to College Station, Houston is a quick trip. The Woodlands is barely an hour away. When the Aggie Expressway/249 is completed, North Houston and the Woodlands will become even more accessible in less than 30 mins.
Navasota is still improving but it is a good place to live. Not perfect but no place is. I think the folks are friendly. It's still a close knit small town atmosphere. Friday night is Football night and everyone gets involved. The place shuts down for playoff games. Graduation night was a whole town affair. Parades are the type where kids still can decorate their bikes and ride them down main-street. People still close down for the County Fair. Church Street is actually lined by 100+ year old churches. they still pray before football games and at graduation.
There is also beautiful rural land all around, especially down towards Whitehall and out towards Anderson. Taxes are much lower than Brazos county and even Washington County. Land prices are still reasonable (but i don't think they will stay that way long).
It's a good place to live. Granted there are others nice places in the Brazos Valley but I think Navasota and the surrounding area offers a unique atmosphere. It is a good time to be part of that town.
All, I really appreciate the input and the decision is becoming even more difficult.