Also known as Aggieland, College Station is a growing city in Texas that’s a great place to call home. Due to its proximity to larger metropolitan cities, good schools, affordable housing options, and a strong job market, people of all ages flock to this city. However, there are a few drawbacks to consider before making your move. Here are ten pros and cons of living in College Station!
Pros of Living in College Station
A low cost of living, prime location, and strong job market make living in College Station enjoyable. Check out these pros for moving to College Station!
Pro: Affordable Living in the South
For those looking to live in the South without the expensive price tag, consider relocating to College Station! College Station’s median home price is $256,600—which is much lower compared to other major Texas cities like Austin, which has a median home price of $358,600. In addition, the cost of living in College Station is equal to the national average, making it a great spot for those seeking affordable Texas living. Plus, Texans can enjoy having no personal income tax, so you’ll get to keep more of your hard-earned money.
Pro: College Station Offers a Strong Job Market
With a low unemployment rate of 3.2%, College Station’s strong job market spans a variety of industries, with top employers in education, healthcare, and information technology. Texas A&M University is the largest employer in Brazos County, employing almost 21,000 people on its main campus, but College Station has numerous other job opportunities outside of education. Nearby Bryan’s BioCorridor employs hundreds of employees between FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies and G-CON Manufacturing. Wayne-Sanderson Farms in Bryan also employs several thousand employees, making it the county’s largest employer behind A&M and the College Station school districts. The software company Reynolds and Reynolds offers positions in sales, HR, and accounting. Plus, healthcare professionals can find jobs in cardiology, neurology, and orthopedics at CHI St. Joseph Health System.
Pro: Texas A&M University Is Located Here
College Station is home to a large student population thanks to Texas A&M University, which has a big impact on the city’s identity. The college provides lots of fun Aggie traditions for students like Ring Day, Pennies on Sully, and the Elephant Walk. Sports culture is huge at the D-I university, and students can enroll in major sports like football, baseball, basketball, tennis, volleyball, and cross country. There are also many Texas A&M football traditions on game days, such as singing Aggie songs, wearing maroon shirts, or doing the Midnight Yell the night before every football game.
Pro: Highly-Rated Schools
Public schools in College Station receive great ratings and offer a number of extracurriculars, too. The College Station Independent School District is a popular schooling option for families. Pecan Trail Intermediate School has a dual-language program, and Greens Prairie Elementary and Rock Prairie Elementary both offer a wide range of academic programs designed to help students succeed. A&M Consolidated High School offers a wide variety of clubs and athletics to choose from, while College Station High School has extensive performing arts programs that help to ensure students’ academic life is well-rounded.
Pro: Family-Friendly Place to Live
Home to many museums, galleries, and family-friendly activities, College Station is a great place for families to settle down. View exhibits like Symbols of the Presidency or Family Traditions to learn more about the 41st President’s life at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. Discover paintings, sculptures, statues, or hands-on art activities for the little ones at Texas A&M University’s Forsyth Galleries. Search for clues and unlock puzzles in escape rooms like the Secret Study or Masquerade at Padlock Escape Games. Register the kids for the Discovery Lab event, or attend Once Upon a Storytime at The Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley. Fly a kite, throw a frisbee, or check out the playground at the 63-acre Wolf Pen Creek Park—or take advantage of over 523 acres of hiking, equestrian, and cycling trails at Lick Creek Park. Celebrate the holiday season by checking out the dazzling lights, festive shops, and Santa’s Hayride Tour at Santa’s Wonderland. Or hit up the swimming pool, softball fields, or sand volleyball court with the family at Bee Creek Park.
Pro: Diverse Food Scene
Due to its mixture of late-night bars, high-quality dining establishments, and eccentric restaurants that serve delicious Tex-Mex food, College Station is a foodie’s paradise. Stop by Blue Baker for breakfast food favorites like a Cinnamon Bagel, a Cream Cheese Danish, or Avocado Toast. Indulge in classic American fare like Chicken & Waffles, Cajun Chicken Mac, or Nutella Original French Toast for brunch at MESS. Sample farm-to-table cuisine like a Grilled Vegetable & Pesto Panini, House Smoked Brisket Sandwich, or The 44 Farms Burger for lunch at Brazos – Proper Texas Kitchen. Enjoy tasty Mexican staples like Volcan Street Tacos, a Quesadilla, or Burrito at Tacobar. Spend an evening fine dining at on Filet Mignon Tartare, Pan Seared Atlantic Salmon, or Creole Shrimp & Grits at The Republic Steakhouse. Or dig in to Italian favorites like Penne Pesto, Carbonara, or Tortellini at Luigi’s Patio Ristorante.
Pro: Fun College Station Nightlife
College Station is ranked as one of the best college towns in the U.S., offering some of the best bars and nightclubs for nightlife hangouts. Enjoy karaoke, beer pong, live music, and DJs at The Corner Bar and Rooftop Grill on Northgate. Play pool and darts, watch sports games, or hit up the bar for cocktails like Capri Sun or The Beach at P.O.E.T.S Billiards & Bar. Pop into O’Bannon’s Taphouse, an Irish bar offering a wide selection of beer and whiskey and fun events. Dance to country music all night long while listening to live bands at Hurricane Harry’s, which has two large dance floors and a full-size stage. Sip on specialty cocktails like the Blackberry Collins, Tiki Tiki Mai Tai, or Patron Rita at the Grub Kitchen and Bar. Visit the Northgate Entertainment District, which has over 31 bars and nightclubs that are great for enjoying a night out. Or head to the late-night hangout, Rough Draught Whiskey Bar, which serves over 275 global whiskey selections.
Cons of Living in College Station
Although College Station is a great place to live, work, and have fun, there are some drawbacks to consider before relocating. Here are four cons of moving to College Station.
Con: Limited Public Transit Options
Even though College Station has a large student population, you won’t find much public transportation in the city. The Brazos Transit District operates a small bus system in 16 counties and select options throughout College Station. As a result, many residents rely on cars or bicycles to travel for errands or commutes. Luckily, there are several bicycle routes that residents can take, while students and faculty at Texas A&M University can rely on free transit services that operate throughout the academic year.
Con: Prone to Heavy Traffic
Limited public transit and a reliance on personal vehicles also means College Station tends to have heavy traffic. Because College Station is a college town, it’s prone to students taking up parking spots—especially on game day. College Station also has a low walk score, so most residents are dependent on cars for traveling in and out of the city. The positive news is that College Station is in a fairly central location and is well-connected to other big Texas cities by major highways. So, getting out of town is a breeze!
Con: Hot Year-Round Texas Weather
If you’re moving to College Station, be prepared for warm Texas weather year-round. The subtropical climate means you’ll experience mild winters but very hot, muggy summers, ranging in average temperature in the lower 40s to upper 90s, respectively. Due to its climate and lack of rainy days, the city often reaches dangerously hot temperatures and is susceptible to droughts. However, with College Station having an average of 209 sunny days per year, residents can enjoy outdoor activities like swimming or boating year-round at places like Blue Lagoon, Lake Bryan, and Pebble Creek Country Club.
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This post was originally published 12/16/2022, and last revised on 02/08/2024 with updated information.
