Caldwell offers quiet living near city conveniences
When people think of small-town Texas, they think of places like Caldwell. “Everyone knows everyone, and everyone knows what everyone is doing,” says broker Kristi Fox Satsky with Century 21 Integra Unlocked, who was born and raised in Caldwell. “There’s a local safety net. You’re never on your own because people will do everything they can to help their neighbors.” The Burleson County seat may be home to just shy of 4,000 residents, but it's growing steadily. “It’s growing in a way that creates opportunities, but not so much to deplete community spirit,” Fox Satsky says. “With Texas A&M nearby, people from all over the world are always moving in, but locals are really welcoming to them.” Caldwell is less than 30 miles from Bryan and College Station, so city amenities are a short drive away. Closer to home, residents have everything they need, from a Walmart to local restaurants and festivals. “It’s the kind of place where people don’t lock their doors because they’re not worried,” Fox Satsky says. “It’s a front porch town.”
Ranch-style homes and New Traditional houses line gridded streets
Caldwell's homes sit on gridded streets checker-boarded across the flat landscape. Ranch-style homes and New Traditionals dot grassy lawns, where mature trees create shade. Single-story homes built between 1950 and 2000 usually cost $120,000 to $300,000, while those constructed after 2000 usually range in price from $310,000 to $400,000. Two-story homes, depending on their size, age and condition, run in the $480,000 to $710,000 range.
Popular spots have limited hours and loyal followings
Caldwell residents can cover most of their shopping and dining needs in town. There’s a Walmart, a Brookshire Brothers grocery store and a Dollar General, plus and many restaurants. Matus Bar-B-Q may be in an unassuming red building, but it serves the most popular barbecue in town, smoking meat on Saturday and Sunday only. Usually, a “sold out” sign is taped to the door before noon. Nearby, The Rodney also has limited hours, open from Friday to Sunday. This spot has a large outdoor patio and an extensive drink menu. Lissa’s Restyled Sip & Shop is a go-to in the mornings for coffee and for wine and beer in the evening. “Everything you need is there,” Fox Satsky says. “But if you want more options, it’s a quick drive to Bryan or College Station.”
Kolache Festival and county fair highlight local traditions
On the second Saturday in September, the Kolache Festival celebrates the area’s culture. “Caldwell was settled by a lot of people from Czechoslovakia,” Fox Satsky says. “There’s a lot of history surrounding those ancestors, and this festival celebrates that.” Festivities kick off under the polka pavilion, where Miss Kolache Festival is crowned and youth beseda dancers perform. Other activities include a kolache-eating contest, a kolache bake-off, a 5k run, a classic car show, a kids’ zone, food, vendors and more.
The Burleson County Fair, which dates back to 1936, runs for eight days at the Burleson County Fairgrounds in Caldwell. Drawing about 15,000 visitors each year, the fair’s highlights include livestock competitions, a downtown parade, the Fair Queen and Little Miss competitions and nightly concerts alongside a bustling carnival. The event culminates with livestock auctions that can bring in over $1 million in sales to support local youth through scholarships and more.
Students Attend Caldwell Independent schools
The Caldwell Independent School District, which gets an A-minus from Niche, serves the community. Students can attend Caldwell Elementary, which gets an A-minus and is ranked as the best elementary school in Burleson County. Caldwell Intermediate gets a B-plus, and Caldwell Junior High and Caldwell High receive A-minus scores. The high school also offers dual enrollment courses with Blinn College District.
Golf, swimming and playgrounds are all close to home
Davidson Creek Park has an open green space and a duck pond. Sports facilities include basketball, volleyball and pickleball courts, plus soccer and softball fields. There’s also an 18-hole disc golf course. Copperas Hollow Country Club has a 9-hole public golf course and a swimming pool for members. On the corner of North Stone and City streets, Santa Fe Park is walkable from some homes in Caldwell and features a basketball court, tennis courts and a playground. In the center of town, the Caldwell Civic Center can be rented for events.
Caldwell sits within the Texas Triangle with regional access
While the streets follow a grid pattern, there aren’t any sidewalks in Caldwell. So, residents may be within walking distance of shops and restaurants, but they might have a hard time traveling to them without a car. Texas state Highway 36 and Texas state Highway 21 intersect in the community. Bryan is about 23 miles northeast, and College Station, home of Texas A&M University, is about 28 miles northeast. “We’re within what’s called the Texas Triangle,” Fox Satsky says. “It’s an hour and a half to Austin, two hours to Houston, two and a half hours to San Antonio and three hours to Dallas-Fort Worth.” St. Joseph Burleson Hospital is in Caldwell, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is about 74 miles southwest.
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Adreanna DeMarino
