College Station, TX

College Station's history begins with the Houston and Texas Central Railway, which arrived to the area around 1860. But it wasn't until 1876 and the establishment of Texas' first university that people began to discover the area. Back then, it was known as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. When it opened its doors on October 2, 1876, a total of six students enrolled. By the end of the first semester, that number had climbed to a somewhat meager 48. But in spite of that slow (and sometimes bumpy) start, the college began to grow -- and so did the town.

A major reason that College Station became the powerhouse city it is today is because of one man -- Ernest Langford. As a graduate of Texas A&M himself, Langford is considered one of the city's founding fathers. He taught at the university and became the head of the architecture department in 1929. As head, he made the architecture department one of the top in the nation. Today, the Langford Architecture Center is still considered among the nation's best.

The George Bush Presidential Library was established on campus in 1997, one of just 13 presidential libraries. Considered one of the state's top attractions, the library and museum contains more than 43 million pages of documents as well as exhibits documenting the history of the late 20th century. The library also hosts a variety of special events, including guest lectures and traveling exhibits.

Texas A&M has produced many notable graduates, including actor Rip Torn, radio personality Neal Boortz, author Richard L. Cox, musicians Lyle Lovett and Jason Castro, and Texas governor Rick Perry. The school has also produced a number of Nobel Prize winners, especially in the areas of chemistry and physics.

This is a college town and nightlife comes with the territory If easy access to restaurants, bars, and dance clubs is important to you, find your apartment in the Northgate District. This district is near the intersection of College Avenue and University Drive. Being located directly across from the university, the Northgate District's restaurants trend toward fast and inexpensive -- Taco Bell, McDonald's, and IHOP -- but there are some hidden gems, as well, such as YAKU Japanese Eatery. While Ramen soup is famous for being the go-to dinner for college students, YAKU does Ramen right – do yourself a favor and try the Miso Ramen or Tonkatsu Ramen after you've moved to your College Station apartment.

There are three things you'll need to live in College Station: cowboy boots, a cowboy hat, and the ability to do the Texas two-step. Utilize all three when you visit Hurricane Harry's, a fantastic dance hall featuring live music, billiards, and two dance floors. If you prefer to dance outdoors, the Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater seats about 7,500 and hosts powerhouse performers such as Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw, and Bo Diddley.

A bit of College Station trivia: Who serves more beer per square foot than any other bar in the nation? That's the Dixie Chicken, located in the Northgate District. In addition to beer, visitors to the Dixie Chicken can enjoy the music, pool tables, and a menu that includes a variety of burgers (such as the Rooster Burger) and side items such as Tijuana Fries.

When you're in the mood for a refined evening out, the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra provides five classical concerts per season and a free outdoor concert. For theatrical performances, the Brazos Valley TROUPE delivers a variety of productions, from musicals and plays to the Laugh Out Loud series, an improv show featuring the TROUPE's comedian group, the Oxymorons.

Of course, if it is football season, there's only one place to be in College Station: Kyle Field The Aggies compete in NCAA Division I. Formerly part of the Big 12 Conference, the Aggies became a part of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in 2012. Kyle Field has been home to the Aggies since 1904 and is one of the largest stadiums in the US. And it has to be – game night is huge in College Station Texas A&M holds the record for the largest turnout for a football game in Texas' history -- 110,631.

Because College Station covers such a large area and is so spread out, you'll need your car when you move here. There is public transportation in the form of Brazos Transit District Buses, which has two fixed routes in the College Station area. The university provides bus transportation for students as well.

Highway 6 extends through College Station, while Highway 21 is in neighboring Bryan. Easterwood Airport, located on the south side of the city, is owned by the university. It offers flights by American Airlines and United for students, faculty, staff, and area residents.

You'll be able to enjoy the great outdoors when you move to College Station -- this city maintains a variety of beautiful parks. At nearly 20 acres, the Wolf Pen Creek Park contains an amphitheater, walking trails, a pavilion, playgrounds, and a disc golf course. This park provides a variety of outdoor concerts and special events at the amphitheater. This is where the community gathers for the Starlight Music Series in summer and Movies in the Park during spring.

Central Park is a peaceful green space with ball fields and a lake surrounded by a paved jogging trail. Bee Creek Park is an 18-acre park with a swimming pool, playgrounds, a paved bicycle/jogging trail, and tennis courts. Hensel Park caters to Texas A&M students and includes a fitness center, playground, picnic pavilions, jogging trails, and a volleyball court.

In addition to great parks, College Station is ideal for golfing. It is home to the Texas A&M Golf Course, an 18-hole championship golf course with a driving range, pavilion, and clubhouse. This course is open to the public but Texas A&M students, faculty, and staff pay a discounted rate. The Bryan Golf Course is just a short distance from College Station.

While the cost of living is lower in College Station than the national average, it is about five percent above the Texas average. One-bedroom apartments in College Station average about $880 per month, while the average house costs about $177,000. With a low unemployment rate and a variety of major employers in College Station, this city is very livable.

College Station is home to several business parks, including the 324-acre Texas A&M University Research Park. Aside from the university, other major employers include Sanderson Farms, Reynolds and Reynolds, and St. Joseph Regional Health Center. Texas A&M is the largest employer with more than 16,000 working for the university.

Shoppers, you're in luck. When you move to a College Station apartment, you'll have the popular Post Oak Mall to explore, as well as the many locally-owned shops near the university and in nearby historic Downtown Bryan. Post Oak Mall offers nearly 777,000 square feet of shopping space, with 125 stores and six anchor stores. It is one of the largest malls in the Brazos Valley region. Anchor stores include Dillard's, Macy's, and Bealls. Neighboring Downtown Bryan has a selection of art galleries, antique stores, and gift shops that will inspire you to spend the entire day browsing through this historic area. Be sure to visit the Attic Antiques and Collectibles, Alice's Attic Thrift Store, and the Old Bryan Marketplace.