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( 17 Ratings )

Living in Tyler, TX

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Beware of the City of Trolls User Rating 2.5 rating By CityVentures ( Nov 12, 2017) Growing up in Texas, I thought this as my first boss in an oil rig firm located in Dallas, Texas hailed from Tyler. He was the nicest man and convinced me to take my family there to visit the Rose Festival. Thus, one might think that Tyler, Texas, situated in the Bible Belt of ...Read More Texas would be a family friendly place to visit and one where the American Dream could be realized for small businesses. Today, nothing could be further from the truth. In a recent May 25th article that appeared on Bloomberg News entitled The Texas Town Trolls built, we learn that Tyler is one of two East Texas towns that host the shell companies of a group of Un-American patent trolling lawyers who are destroying small businesses across the nation by what appears to be a sophisticated legal extortion scam. So before moving to Texas, one must now consider the toxic legal environment where corruption appears to be rampant. But don't take my world for this. Visit the city and watch the recent documentary entitled Patent Scam. The movie left such a bad taste in my mouth that I will never take my family back to spend money in their Rose Festival. Such a shame. Read Less
Retiring in Tyler, TX User Rating 2 rating By Coralvine ( Dec 27, 2015) I retired from Austin, Texas to Tyler after living in Austin for 27 years. I was looking to get away from Austin's heavy traffic, expensive property taxes, overcrowding, and the City's micromanagement of its citizens. I'd put an offer on a house in Arkansas, and it fell through ...Read More at the last minute, so I scrambled to find another house/city that I felt I could live in, and I picked Tyler. I moved there in February, 2015. (My Austin house had already sold.) Unfortunately, this was a very costly mistake.

Tyler traffic is horrendous, almost as bad as Austin's; however, in Austin, I had time to learn where the back streets were to get around the heavy traffic. If you Google "Loop 323 Tyler, TX fatalities" you'll see how dangerous it can be. The main street called Broadway is pretty bad as well.

After living only a week in Tyler in the house I purchased, I decided it wasn't for me. I never actually unpacked. Instead, I moved to a smaller town about an hour away, and I put my Tyler house on the market. All of this moving was very expensive.

In the spring of 2015, the Tyler newspaper said the housing market was strong, but I honestly believe this was all hype because not only did my house (with a new roof) not sell, but the houses I would drive by that were on the market months before mine in different neighborhoods didn't sell either. I read recently that the average time it takes a Tyler house to sell is 9 months.

I paid for an appraisal of my house so my asking price was on the mark.

The real estate agents who showed my house also damaged it. Someone broke the ladder to the attic. They left the A/C on at 65 for the month of July and the bill was as bad as the Tyler traffic. Someone used the toilet and didn't flush.--It was awful. Someone left the house key under the front mat.

I decided reluctantly to rent the house and to repair the garage, which has a small room upstairs with a bathroom and a closet. The garage was built at the same time the house was built (1930's). I'd hoped I could rent the room above the garage to a student. However, when I called the City about pulling permits for the renovation, I was told I would be in violation of the property's current zoning if I rented it. It seems to me the garage and its room should be grandfathered in since it existed before the current City zoning was in place, and I'm not giving the garage a different address.

I'm still working with the City of Tyler on this issue, but it may be that I won't be able to rent it, even though I only want to bring what currently exists (plumbing, electricity, roof, staircase, etc.) in the garage up to current code and to recoup some of my money.

Tyler has great gardening soil and the people are relatively friendly. The Tyler Library is absolutely awesome.--I love those folks. However, if I had it to do over again, I wouldn't. Retiring in Tyler was not a good choice.

P.S. Tyler has a very loud tornado siren! Read Less
Rose Capital of the World User Rating 4 rating By Anonymous ( Nov 17, 2014) The city of Tyler, Texas, or the Rose Capital, is a beautifully landscaped city with an approximate population of 100,000. After residing here for 15 years, I've found it to be the perfect size and location for those who desire the luxuries of big city fun yet prefer the peaceful ...Read More comforts of small town living.

Tyler conveniently lies between two large metropolitan cities, Shreveport and Dallas. With each city located only 80 miles from Tyler, the big city is easily accessible to adventure seekers. If one is less inclined to travel, Tyler has plenty to offer.

The Tyler Rose Garden showcases the beauty of the city's namesake. Antique shops abound throughout the city. The Caldwell Zoo provides a fun afternoon of animal watching for the little ones. Catch an afternoon matinee at one of our four movie theaters. For a more interactive experience, an IMAX theater is located inside the Carmike Cinema and a newly constructed Movie & Grill allows you to enjoy a movie while dining at the same time. Pinot's Palette is the perfect excursion for a girl's night out, combining painting with wine drinking. The men can gather for a fishing trip to either Lake Tyler or Lake Palestine.

There's very little to not like about Tyler. If you can withstand the intensely hot summers where temperatures can rise upwards to 110 degrees, then you can adapt well to our climate. Crime is relatively low due to the tough laws of Smith County, where Tyler is known to "throw the books" at its lawbreakers. For this reason, Tyler is an ideal place to raise a family.
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Tyler, TX - The City of Roses User Rating 3.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jul 23, 2010) My wife is a florist, and each October we travel to Tyler, Texas, "The Rose Capital of America" for the Texas Rose Festival. Tyler earned its title because the region produces 20% of the nation's commercial roses. We also enjoy the Azalea & Spring Flower Trail, which you can driv ...Read More e or walk through. We stay at a hotel near the city's historic downtown square, which often hosts summer music festivals. Tyler has a well-earned reputation as a golfer's paradise, and I always take the opportunity to hit the links or watch the regional junior golf tournament.

Tyler is the East Texas hub of retail, agriculture and health care located 90 miles equidistant from Dallas and Shreveport. The area's top employer is the East Texas Medical Center, and many residents also work in the fields of manufacturing and education.

Tyler's low cost of living, stable business climate and higher education institutions make it a great option for families looking to relocate. The median asking price for homes in 2008 was just over $130,000. This is below the Texas average, making Tyler an affordable place to live. The city has a youth recreation program that includes baseball and soccer leagues, and college options include Tyler Junior College, a two-year institution with a reputation for excellence in athletics, and the University of Texas at Tyler. Read Less
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Rose Capital of the World User Rating 4 rating By Anonymous ( Nov 17, 2014) The city of Tyler, Texas, or the Rose Capital, is a beautifully landscaped city with an approximate population of 100,000. After residing here for 15 years, I've found it to be the perfect size and location for those who desire the luxuries of big city fun yet prefer the peaceful ...Read More comforts of small town living.

Tyler conveniently lies between two large metropolitan cities, Shreveport and Dallas. With each city located only 80 miles from Tyler, the big city is easily accessible to adventure seekers. If one is less inclined to travel, Tyler has plenty to offer.

The Tyler Rose Garden showcases the beauty of the city's namesake. Antique shops abound throughout the city. The Caldwell Zoo provides a fun afternoon of animal watching for the little ones. Catch an afternoon matinee at one of our four movie theaters. For a more interactive experience, an IMAX theater is located inside the Carmike Cinema and a newly constructed Movie & Grill allows you to enjoy a movie while dining at the same time. Pinot's Palette is the perfect excursion for a girl's night out, combining painting with wine drinking. The men can gather for a fishing trip to either Lake Tyler or Lake Palestine.

There's very little to not like about Tyler. If you can withstand the intensely hot summers where temperatures can rise upwards to 110 degrees, then you can adapt well to our climate. Crime is relatively low due to the tough laws of Smith County, where Tyler is known to "throw the books" at its lawbreakers. For this reason, Tyler is an ideal place to raise a family.
Read Less
Tyler, TX - The City of Roses User Rating 3.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jul 23, 2010) My wife is a florist, and each October we travel to Tyler, Texas, "The Rose Capital of America" for the Texas Rose Festival. Tyler earned its title because the region produces 20% of the nation's commercial roses. We also enjoy the Azalea & Spring Flower Trail, which you can driv ...Read More e or walk through. We stay at a hotel near the city's historic downtown square, which often hosts summer music festivals. Tyler has a well-earned reputation as a golfer's paradise, and I always take the opportunity to hit the links or watch the regional junior golf tournament.

Tyler is the East Texas hub of retail, agriculture and health care located 90 miles equidistant from Dallas and Shreveport. The area's top employer is the East Texas Medical Center, and many residents also work in the fields of manufacturing and education.

Tyler's low cost of living, stable business climate and higher education institutions make it a great option for families looking to relocate. The median asking price for homes in 2008 was just over $130,000. This is below the Texas average, making Tyler an affordable place to live. The city has a youth recreation program that includes baseball and soccer leagues, and college options include Tyler Junior College, a two-year institution with a reputation for excellence in athletics, and the University of Texas at Tyler. Read Less

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      Tyler, TX

      Tyler is one of the most beautiful cities in Texas. It is known as the Rose Capital of America because of the amount of rose bushes processed in this area of East Texas. This city of about 97,000 is located 95 miles east of Dallas. As the county seat of Smith County, Tyler was named for President John Tyler. It is the center of education and technology in East Texas. With the cost of living being well below the US average of 100, Tyler offers affordable living for retirees, students, and others.

      Quality education is abundant in Tyler. The University of Texas at Tyler is a part of the huge University of Texas system. The over 11,000 enrolled students enjoy a small student to instructor ratio of about 20:1.This enables the faculty to offer a more individualized educational experience. The Riter Tower on the campus stands 88 feet tall and features 57 bells. Mr. and Mrs. Dub Riter Jr. gave the tower to the University as a gift. This impressive campus is home to the R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center. This cultural entertainment center hosts several performances annually. Many students choose to attend Tyler Junior College to take two years of basic courses before transferring to the University.

      The Smith County Historical Society established an historic museum that helps fulfill their mission of preservation. It includes exhibits detailing the history of Smith County and Tyler. The Tyler Rose Museum features the history of the rose growing industry. The city and the county host the Texas Rose Festival each year. One of the unique museums in Texas is the Texas African American Museum, which applauds the many milestones and successes of the African Americans in Texas and East Texas. This one-room facility includes much cultural memorabilia.

      Lake Tyler, Lake Palestine, and Toledo Bend Reservoir are the largest of the 30 lakes in the Tyler area. They provide numerous outdoor recreational activities that include excellent fishing and a variety of water sports for weekend or vacation entertainment. Those who prefer indoor entertainment can find shop ‘til you drop locations. Antiques are plentiful in this East Texas area. Tyler has several unique antique and artisan businesses located in the Unique Shopping Mall on Erwin Street. They feature hard-to-find items in quaint little shops with friendly proprietors.

      Tyler has a lot to offer its visitors and residents. Texas is one of a few states with no state income tax. Property taxes on new and older homes in Tyler are well below the national average. Sales tax is only charged on non-essential items. These financial advantages appeal to many, including retirees in search of a permanent home in a beautiful city.

      C+ Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Tyler? Yes, there are some amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Bois D'arc Park Playground
      Bois D'Arc Park
      Goodman Park
      Hillside Park
      The Children's Park of Tyler
      Oak Grove Park
      Old Grape Park
      Connally Heights Park

      Entertainment

      Smith County Historical Society
      Discovery Science Place
      Goodman-LeGrand House
      Bergfeld Park Amplitheater
      Tyler Civic Theatre
      Tyler Civic Theatre
      Tyler Rose Museum
      Mike Carter Field

      Food & Drink

      Bricks
      Papa John's
      Schlotzsky's
      Grandy's
      McDonald's
      Jack in the Box
      Chick-fil-A
      Whataburger

      F Commute

      Is public transit available in Tyler? Of all people who commute, 0.4% take public transportation in Tyler.
      Drive to Work
      84%

      8% higher than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      0%

      5% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      1%

      2% lower than the US average

      A- Health & Safety

      Is Tyler a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Olympic Plaza
      UT Health East Texas Behavioral Health Center
      University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler
      Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital
      CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital - Tyler
      CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital - South Tyler

      Pharmacies

      CVS Pharmacy
      Walgreens
      CVS Pharmacy
      Brookshire's Pharmacy
      Brookshire's Pharmacy
      Brookshire's Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      Walmart Pharmacy

      Doctors

      Tyler Neurosurgical Associates