The answer depends on where you're coming from, what you're hoping to find and remember - everything is relative. To me, Longview seems pretty small (but with everything you need to be comfortable). The school districts are decent - certainly better than Tyler's or Marshall's and some of the outlying areas - but could be improved. Hallsville ISD has a good reputation. There are private schools nearby and I know several families that home school. There is - like with every other city - neighborhoods and areas that are more affluent and more desirable than others.

One of the answers said that there is lots of crime and drugs. Again, it depends. Yes, there's crime and drugs in Longview, but there is crime and drugs everywhere. This isn't, say, Compton on the east side of Los Angeles. To me, Longview seems safe and small-townish. If you grew up in the country, it may feel different to you. If you to see where crime is occuring and what type, check out the News Journal newspaper site and check out the crime map.

Houses are affordable. Cost of living is low. Your money goes a long way. There are places to eat, things to do, clean water to drink, relatively fresh air. Close enough to the Metroplex without being too big. Traffic is easily manageable. It's not a bad place to be.

Longview is a great town. If you have kids that are involved in sports it is the place to be. I actually live in Kilgore (about 20 minutes from Longview) and grew up in Liberty City (about 16 min from Longview). I prefer these 2 towns as they are smaller and slower paced. Kilgore has a great sports program as well and lots of community activities. There is a lot of drugs & crime in Longview and you definately need to know the right neighborhoods to be in. Liberty City is kind of a middle of everything - 30 min from Tyler, 16 min from Longview, 10 min from Kilgore, 1 hr from Shreveport,LA, 2 hrs from Dallas and it's right off of I-20. It has a great school too. Hope this helps a little.

I have 2 friends of mine who grew up in Longview both still maintain a % of their business there in real estate. Their family members still reside there.

Larger community in East Texas than smaller surrounding areas.

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