On the eastern side of Texas, about 40 miles from the state border with Louisiana, Longview has come a long way from its railroad town roots. The city of about 81,000 is the county seat of Gregg County. Longview started out as a railroad town for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, which originally bought 100 acres of land for $1 in the 1970s. Though the railroad industry isn’t as prominent today, Longview is home to several major manufacturers like Eastman Chemical and healthcare providers like Christus Good Shepherd and Longview Regional Medical Center, which account for much of the employment in the area. In addition to an abundance of job opportunities, Longview’s variety of housing options and amenities continue to bring folks to the area. “Longview as a whole is a bigger town but there’s a lot of smaller areas close to it that give you that country feel. We still have a mall and restaurants and those nice amenities. You can have the country atmosphere while still feeling like you’re in town,” says Kylie Hicks, a real estate agent with The Daniels Group who has sold homes in the area for nearly a decade.
he Union Pacific railroad tracks stretch southeast through Longview near the Greyhound station, highlighting the city’s rich transportation network.
The campuses of Christus Good Shepherd and Longview Regional Medical Center showcase Longview’s commitment to quality healthcare and medical services.
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An abundance of housing options
Longview offers everything from midcentury ranchers to newly-built contemporary homes. The city has about 3 months of supply, and homes typically stay on the market for around 58 days on average before being sold. “We have fluctuations with inventory just like any other city, where we’re short on new construction. As a whole, inventory has gone up and down,” Hicks says. The median home price hovers around $276,000, lower than the national median of about $402,000. Though there are a lot of homes for sale, there is also a steady supply of rental homes, apartments and townhomes. “I’d say a majority of homes that are available were built in the 60s or 70s that have been remodeled, and there’s some newer homes,” Hicks says.
These newly built contemporary homes in Longview showcase modern design, stylish finishes, and spacious layouts in a growing community.
These contemporary ranch-style homes in Longview blend modern elegance with classic charm, offering spacious layouts and stylish finishes.
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Easy commuting to Shreveport and Dallas-Fort Worth
Several major roads run through Longview, including Interstate 20 and US-80. The Longview Transit is Longview’s public transit system that has several routes and stops around the city. Bus fare usually runs around $1, and residents can get a day pass for unlimited rides in a day, which can be bought on a mobile app. Longview is about 40 miles from the Texas-Louisiana border, meaning residents are 65 miles from Shreveport and 129 miles from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. “We’re well within driving distance to go to those larger cities, without having to live there,” Hicks says.
The welcome sign at East Texas Regional Airport in southern Longview stands in front of the main building, marking a key hub for regional travel.
The Longview Transportation Center serves as a key transit hub, connecting Greyhound, Amtrak, and Longview Transit for seamless travel options.
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The Gregg County Fair and Downtown Longview
As the county seat of Gregg County, Longview is the home of the Gregg County Fair, which takes place every September. Running 75 years strong, the near week-long county fair has everything from live music, carnival rides and a petting zoo, as well as dozens of local vendors. The county fair is held at the Maude Cobb Convention Center, which hosts events like the Harvest Festival and the annual Zonta Antique Show. Residents and people from all around Gregg County bring their best cowboy attire to the Longview PRCA Rodeo to see some calf wrangling and bucking horses. Longview is also home to the Great Texas Balloon Race, which consists of a weekend of balloon races. On a day-to-day basis, residents can head to the Arts!Longview Cultural District, which includes the downtown area, to check out art at the Longview Museum of Fine Arts or a show at the Longview Symphony.
The downtown area has several restaurants, bars and local shops. Overall, Longview has an abundance of dining options around the city, ranging from fast food options to barbecue, Mexican and much more. Much of Longview’s retail options are on the northern side of the city, where shopping centers like the Longview Mall or Longview Towne Crossing have box retailers and restaurants.
The Longview Museum of Art stands across the street, featuring a vibrant balloon sculpture celebrating the Great Texas Balloon Race held in Longview every June.
Downtown Longview offers a vibrant mix of dining and entertainment, featuring local restaurants, lively bars, and cultural attractions.
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Over 600 acres of greenspaces
Longview has over 30 parks that take up around 660 acres of land throughout the city. Among the dozens of parks are neighborhood pocket parks, larger municipal parks and a few recreational centers. According to the Trust for Public Land, 44% of residents in the city are within a 10-minute walk of a park. Longview’s parks master plan started in 2015, with an emphasis on improving existing parks and more trails around the city, among other needs. Since then, several parks and trails have been opened, and some athletic facilities have been renovated. Longview is also about 22 miles from Martin Creek Lake State Park, which has campsites and plenty of spaces for lakefront activities like fishing, swimming and canoeing. There are also several golf courses and country clubs around Longview for residents looking to spend their day on the greens.
Crossing Creeks Country Club in Longview offers a premier golfing experience, with lush greens and a welcoming clubhouse for players to enjoy.
The Green in Longview offers scenic trails, open green space, and ample parking, providing a vibrant outdoor escape for recreation and relaxation.
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The Longview Independent School District
The Longview Independent School District has an A-minus grade on Niche, with over 8,000 students across several parts of Gregg County. The district’s 15 schools offer many programs, including a dual-credit program that gives students college credits before graduating. Longview ISD also has a Montessori program that includes the East Texas Montessori Prep Academy, which houses over 1,400 students. Longview is very much a “Friday Night Lights” area, where residents gather for football games during the season. “There’s some big football rivalries here. You avoid the football stadium area if you’re not going there, cause you’ll be stuck in traffic for a while,” Hicks says.
Longview High School’s football team practices at Lobo Stadium, a premier venue with a capacity of 9,215, featuring Matrix® Turf with Helix Technology.
East Texas Montessori Prep Academy in Longview provides a strong educational foundation with a hands-on learning approach for young students.
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Moderate weather throughout the year
The city is pretty temperate throughout the year, with summers that aren’t too hot and mild winters. Longview sees its share of rain throughout the year. FEMA gives Longview a relatively moderate risk index rating, with the highest risk coming from tornadoes and strong winds. However, Longview hasn’t had any devastating tornadoes.
Crime in Gregg County
Crime statistics for Longview are not readily available, but Gregg County reported a crime rate of 3,865 per 100,000 residents in 2022. This amount slightly decreased in 2023, shifting to 3,586 per 100,000 residents.
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