Moody allows for small-town living near Temple and Waco
Moody is a small, quiet town within commuting distance to both Temple and Waco. While the community has only around 1,300 residents, it features a downtown with restaurants and small shops and is conveniently close to the multiple outdoor amenities of central Texas, including Belton Lake. Moody is also experiencing an influx of new homes as the wider area becomes increasingly popular with buyers. “I think it’ll be the next place up and coming between Temple and Waco,” says Brook Ashley Dowd, a Realtor with Century 21 Judge Fite Company, who has almost a decade of experience. “I think a lot of people and developers are looking that way because land is still a little bit cheaper, but it's pretty close to Austin and Dallas. This central area has gotten pretty popular.”
A wide range of single-family housing with no HOAs
Home architecture encompasses ranch styles, New Traditional, cottage styles and farmhouse-style properties. Manufactured homes are also present. The median home price is $295,000, lower than the national and state medians; however, some properties can cost over $1 million. “There is some new building going on out there. There might be a few new neighborhoods going up, which would be your smaller three-bedroom two bath homes,” says Dowd.
Dowd says the community does not have any homeowner’s associations. Homes closer to the center of town are typically on gridded streets with smaller lots and oak trees accenting lawns. Ranches, farmsteads and housing with more acreage is located on the outskirts. Dowd says that Moody has steadily been attracting a mix of workers, including ranchers, as well as families seeking more space.
Moody Independent School District serves students
Public school students can attend the Moody Independent School District, rated B on Niche. Pupils can start at Moody Elementary, graded B, and continue onto Moody Middle, which earns a B-minus. Moody High also has a B-minus score and offers extracurricular activities in agricultural science and robotics.
Nearby recreational fun includes Mother Neff State Park and Lake Waco
Neely Park, located off Stampede Street, features several baseball diamonds and a court. Nearby attractions include Mother Neff State Park, offering camping spots and miles of hiking trails. Belton Lake, located south of Moody, has multiple boat launches and parks along its shores. Lake Waco, located northeast, also features numerous boat launches, trails and wildlife areas.
Dining and shopping downtown
Dining options are limited and mainly concentrated along the Lone Star Parkway or off Avenue E. The Double Sky Diner offers weekly specials, in addition to steaks and sandwiches. Lucy’s Cafe offers Mexican dishes and Southern classics, along with baked goods. Can-Do Pizza and Wings is a food truck that sells custom pies. Downtown also has boutiques, while Dollar General is located on the Eddy-Gatesville Parkway. More dining and big-box retailers are in Temple, 17 miles south, and Waco, roughly 24 miles north.
Storms can be a factor, with light flooding possible
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Moody has a low risk of flooding. However, creeks do have the capacity to overflow. Tornadoes and other severe storms are also factors. A rail line does cut through the center of town.
Interstate 35 is close by, along with Waco’s airport
Moody does not have any public transportation connections, and residents are car dependent. The entrance to Interstate 35 is 6 miles east of town along West 3rd Street. Waco Regional Airport is 37 miles north, but it only has flights to Dallas-Fort Worth International. Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Hillcrest is 21 miles away.
