Name: Nacogdoches, TX
Rating: 0.0

( 8 Ratings )

Living in Nacogdoches, TX

Ranks better than 72% of areas Follow

Population

32,912

Median Age

24.4 Years

Nacogdoches Area Facts

Nacogdoches has a Livability Score of 72_/100, which is considered excellent
Nacogdoches crime rates are 18% lower than the Texas average
Cost of living in Nacogdoches is 2% lower than the Texas average

What do the locals think about Nacogdoches?

50%

Family friendly

0%

Public transit is accessible

17%

Walkable to grocery stores

33%

Yards are well-kept

33%

Lots of parks

17%

Walkable to restaurants

Friendly neighbors

Safe at night

Pet friendly

Streets have sidewalks

33%

A quiet area

33%

Sense of community

Based on 6 votes from AreaVibes users. Take the poll

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Nacogdoches Reviews

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Stephen F. Austin is wonderful. The rest of the town needs work. 2 rating By Anonymous ( Feb 08, 2022) I lived in Nacogdoches for over 30 years. Nacogdoches is a very old city (ranking #1 or #2 oldest in the state, depending on who you ask) and it run by (and primarily for the benefit of) a handful of Old Money families who have lived here for many generations. Being a BIN (“Bor ...Read More n in Nacogdoches”) still holds some local prestige, presumably, although the original settler families hold all of of the power in this town, along with a couple of the largest churches (there are over 140 churches in this rather small city). If you are not a BIN or descended from a "founding family", you may feel a bit like an outsider here. This “cold shoulder” feeling is very deliberate, to preserve the local power structure, and it is accepted as a way of life in Nac.

The best thing about Nacogdoches is Stephen F. Austin State University. The college allows locals unique access to cultural and sports events which are not generally found in rural cities of this size. Recent years have seen considerable investment into the arts programs at SFA. As a Nacogdoches area resident, you will have opportunities to attend classical and jazz concerts, plays and visiting art exhibits. SFA has a beautiful campus – it's truly a wonderful college and the bright spot of the town. I cannot recommend the college highly enough if you are a prospective college student. However, I'd think hard and long before committing to live in Nac beyond one' s college years.

A few decades ago I would have recommended Nacogdoches as an optimal place to live in spite of the Old Money power structure. Unfortunately, in recent decades the city has been poorly run, and the quality of life has deteriorated. During this time, several “nice” middle class neighborhoods, like those on the south side of the city, have become quite seedy. Homes and yards there are no longer kept up, and they feel unsafe. The east and west side of Nacogdoches are high crime areas, and best avoided. If you are looking to purchase a home, there are some nice areas along University Drive north of the college, and the far north areas of town around the High school are pretty nice. Expect to pay VERY high property taxes, with little return on your tax dollar.

The downtown is quaint, but many of the historical sites were razed decades ago, marked only by “on this site” type signs. Downtown business vacancies are high. Lots of “for rent” signs, empty buildings and lawyer's offices - after a quick stroll, there's little there to hold one's interest.

Shopping is a big problem here. Nacogdoches was home to one of the first Super Wal-Marts – the “Wal-Mart” effect led to a shuttering of many local businesses, including the downtown stores and the local mall. You won't have access to a decent grocery store. The two local Krogers are run down. Brookshire's has a presence here, but it doesn't offer much more selection. Many people in Nacogdoches drive south to Lufkin for their primary shopping.

Health care is hit or miss in Nac – mostly miss. You are better off driving to Tyler for anything beyond routine care. The Medical Center hospital is good, with a caring and professional staff. Memorial is struggling financially and I don't know how much longer they'll be around.

Nacogdoches ISD is a below average school district. Horror stories abound, and let's just say that Nacogdoches ISD does not attract the best and brightest teachers or staff. Texas school rankings attest to this, as does the high turnover in staff. In recent years there's been a movement among locals to outlying rural communities like Central Heights and Martinsville to avoid the terrible local schools as well as the sky high city property taxes (much of which go to support the ISD).

Local employment opportunities are slim. There's an Industrial Park on the north side of town which, in 25 years, has failed to attract any interest. Unless you work for the college, city, hospital or school district (ISD) you may find yourself struggling with unemployment.

Crime has ticked up over the past few decades as well, despite a seemingly strong police presence in town. The police seem to focus much of their time and energies on ticketing college students, while property crimes routinely go “unsolved.”

The restaurant scene is unimpressive. Mostly conventional food, lots of burger, Mexican and chain pizza restaurants. Most of the “good” spots have long closed, leaving only a handful of mediocre choices for a “good meal out.” There's a nice bar at the Fredonia Hotel downtown, but most bars cater to college kids, as do the restaurants.

The city parks could benefit from considerable reinvestment. There's aging playground equipment, lots of trash and several parks simply don't feel safe. I get the impression that park maintenance is not high on the city's list of priorities. The local library has an average selection of books and periodicals. If you use the library a lot, I'd recommend the Steen library on campus.

Nacogdoches has a lot of potential and SFA continues to be a bright spot here, but the city has problems – some rather serious. I couldn't think of any place I'd rather attend college, but right now there are many better places to live and raise a family in Texas. Read Less

Nacogdoches Texas: A Town of Majestic Beauty! 3.5 rating By Anonymous ( May 14, 2018) I am a huge fan of living in Nacogdoches, Texas. The quaint college town offers its own majestic beauty. I love that it is not too big, and not too small and is known for its azalea beautiful garden. The weather is always great! It gives me an opportunity to enjoy rustic outdoor ...Read More activities with loved ones.

Even though the town harbors the Stephen F. Austin State University and thrives with young campus goers, it still gives an organic old-world feel. There are many amenities to choose from, whether it's antiquing or long nature strolls. In addition, Nacogdoches has excellent educational programs, the cost of living is great, and crime is moderate. Employment, however, is well below standards for the state of Texas. The largest employment outlet surrounds its education system.

One of the best areas in Nacogdoches is Lake Nacogdoches East Side Park. This place is gorgeous! It's a three-acre park that has all the bells and whistles. I take pleasure in picnicking, swimming, barbecuing, boating, and bass fishing every opportunity that I get. Read Less

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