Moving to Longview, Texas

Longview is a working East Texas city with a small-town feel: tall pines, friendly neighbors, college sports on Saturdays and enough going on that you won't run out of things to do. If you're relocating for a job, moving closer to family or just curious, this guide covers the basics so you can plan with fewer surprises.

Where Longview is

Longview sits in Northeast Texas, in the region most people call the Piney Woods. It's the county seat of Gregg County, and parts of the city reach into neighboring Harrison County. Interstate 20 runs along the south side of town, which puts Longview on the main route between the Dallas-Fort Worth area to the west and Shreveport, Louisiana to the east. Tyler, Marshall and Kilgore are all regional neighbors.

That location is a big part of the appeal: you get a quieter day-to-day life, with bigger-city airports, concerts and shopping reachable for a day trip.

Getting around

• Plan on a car. Like most of East Texas, Longview is built around driving. Loop 281 circles much of the city, and a lot of daily errands happen along it.
• Flying. East Texas Regional Airport serves the Longview area. Many travelers also drive to a larger airport for more flight options.
• Train. Amtrak's Texas Eagle route stops at Longview's station.
• Local transit. The city has a public bus service. Check the City of Longview's website for current routes and schedules before you count on it for a commute.

Weather and seasons

East Texas is humid and green. Summers are long and hot, winters are usually mild with the occasional cold snap or ice event, and spring and fall are the seasons locals brag about. A few things newcomers notice:

• Spring brings storms, so it's worth turning on weather alerts on your phone.
• Pine pollen in spring can coat everything in yellow for a few weeks.
• Big trees are part of the charm, and also part of home maintenance: gutters, roofs and limbs over the house need attention.
• Air conditioning works hard in summer, so ask about the age of the HVAC system when you look at homes.

Schools overview

Several public school districts serve the Longview area, including Longview ISD, Pine Tree ISD and Spring Hill ISD, with Hallsville ISD and White Oak ISD serving nearby communities. Which district serves a home depends on its exact address, not on the city name in the mailing address, so always confirm with the district before you buy or sign a lease.

Longview also has private and faith-based school options. For higher education, LeTourneau University is in Longview, and Kilgore College is just down the road in Kilgore.

Cost-of-living basics

We won't quote numbers here, because they change and they depend on your situation. What helps more is knowing which costs to look up for any home or rental you're considering:

• No state income tax. Texas doesn't have a personal state income tax. Local governments rely more on property taxes instead.
• Property taxes. A home's tax bill is set by every taxing unit it sits in: the county, the city (if it's inside city limits), the school district and sometimes others. Two houses a mile apart can have different totals. Look up a property on the appraisal district's website (Gregg County or Harrison County, depending on location).
• Homestead exemption. Once you own and live in your home, you can apply for a homestead exemption with the appraisal district, which can lower your taxable value.
• Insurance. Get homeowners insurance quotes early. Check the FEMA flood map for any address at msc.fema.gov and ask whether flood coverage makes sense.
• Utilities. Ask who provides electricity, water, sewer, trash and internet at the specific address. Inside city limits, water and trash usually run through the city. Outside city limits you may find a water supply corporation, a private well or a septic system.

Healthcare and work

Longview serves as a medical, retail and employment hub for the surrounding counties, with hospitals, specialty clinics and a mix of manufacturing, healthcare, education, energy and service employers. If you're relocating for a job, map your commute at the times you'd actually drive it before you choose a side of town.

Your first-month checklist

• Texas driver license. New Texas residents generally have 90 days to get a Texas license. Book a Texas DPS appointment early.
• Vehicle registration. Register your vehicle in Texas soon after you arrive (the state generally gives new residents 30 days). Check with the county tax office for current requirements and documents.
• Voter registration. Update your registration with the county elections office.
• Utilities and trash. Confirm service start dates before move-in day.
• School enrollment. Confirm your attendance zone and required documents with the district.
• Homestead exemption. If you bought, put a reminder on your calendar to file with the appraisal district.
• Find your places. A favorite trail, a coffee spot, a church or club, a barbecue joint. That's when it starts to feel like home.

Rules and deadlines change. Confirm anything official with the agency that runs it.