Information on Longview, TX?
 

I'm trying to research Longview, TX as much as possible before going there to consider relocating. The websites only do so much to help.
I'd love to hear from people who live there, near there, or otherwise have experiences there.
Thanks!

Quiet, medium-sized town.
Lots of pine trees.
Inexpensive real estate.

Is it quiet? Do you live there?
Some of the issues I'd like to hear about are crime, education, and general quality of life.

ttt

We drove to Arizona one year, from NC and stopped overnight in Longview.
I remember nothing about it but the fabulous Mexican restaurant where we had dinner. :)

I have no experience in Longview, but it is in East Texas which has some big problems with meth. There was an article in Texas Monthly about a year or so ago on the meth problems...but I can't recall if they were in/around Longview or not. I do remember Nacogdoches being mentioned.

No, I live in Dallas, but I worked at a camp in East Texas for several summers while I was in college.

Longview is very quiet.

The meth problem is pretty much everywhere in rural areas. Honestly, unless you're in law enforcement, it won't affect you.

My husband was born in Tyler and grew up in Longview. East Texas is quite beautiful. The Spring is lovely with bluebonnets blooming on the roadside. The summers tend to be a humid and hot so go expecting to experience that. We don't live there now so I can't help with some of the logistical questions that a move might stimulate, but I will say that I wouldn't mind living there some day (even if I am a native Oklahoman--Red River Rivalry).
It is a nice size town...not huge, but large enough to offer some diversity. Call the local Chamber of Commerce and ask for a relocation packet. Good luck with your decision. Okie

I grew up in Shreveport but my parents grew up in Longview, and we went back all the time to see my grandparents. And we actually still have a place on the lake just outside of town called Lake Cherokee. It's a private lake which was built as a WPA project and to be Longview's water supply. Several of my parents childhood friends have retired to their homes on the lake.

Longview is a pretty town in the piney woods and actually contrary to what one poster said, bluebonnets do not grow there. What you will find is lots of black-eyed susans or indian paintbrush also known as firewheels and yellow coreopsis. Bluebonnets require limey soil and pine trees are acidic.

Longview is a very social and civically minded town. It's restaurants and shopping are great. I think most of the new developments are north of town. I can't tell you too much about education, but there are some private schools if that's what you are looking for. I don't know if there's a private high school but i think there is. Longview high school is 4 or 5 a and is a football powerhouse. When the schools were integrated, it was decided to have one schoool so it could compete in a higher level for football. I think it's a decent public high school.

I haven't heard anything about meth in the area and would imagine it to be more rural. I'm sure though that Longview like any other town has it share of underage drinking adn drug use. And the sexiest man alive Matthw McConnaughey is from Longview. What more could you want to know!

I only know Longview because of a Hot Air Balloon Rally that I attend each summer. If you are lucky enough to be there in July, be sure to check out the Great Texas Balloon Race. It is well publicised and will create lots of traffic around the airport!

Thanks for the posts. All the information is helpful!