With a growing population and a legacy of colorful flowers, Tyler is an East Texas City in full bloom. Its historical roots date back to the mid-1800s when the town served as the principal railroad center for the area. The city plowed full steam ahead into the 20th century thanks to the discovery of the East Texas Oil field and a rapidly growing rose industry that supplied half of the U.S. This helped earn Tyler the moniker "The Rose Capital of America." Numerous events, like the annual Rose Festival, continue to celebrate the city's floral heritage. Historic homes and blossoming azaleas are on full display in the Azaelea District, one of the city's seven districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There's plenty of contemporary housing as well in the numerous subdivisions of South Tyler. And it's no surprise that new construction continues to sprout as the city's population and industry continue to grow.
The Tyler metro area outpaced all other Texas metros in job growth rate in 2021, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. Additionally, USA Today named Tyler the best city to move to in Texas in 2024, highlighting its low unemployment rate and excellent medical care. UT Tyler Health and CHRISTUS Health comprise the medical district and are the two largest employers in the city, with over 7,000 employees combined. Yet even with all this growth, Tyler hasn't given in to the trappings of a big city. "It really still has that small town homey feel," says Myriah Boles, a local Realtor with Coldwell Banker Apex. "When I walk into the grocery store, people say hello, and people open doors; there's just a polite way of dealing with things. I have lots of clients that say everyone here genuinely cares and is genuinely nice." East Texas lies in the heart of the bible belt, and many identify as protestant Christians, though all religions are represented in the numerous houses of worship throughout the city.
Known for being the Rose Capital, find beautiful roses throughout Tyler.
Tyler's history of being a railroad town can be seen around town.
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Historic homes on brick streets and lakefront estates
Tyler offers a variety of housing types, from historic homes in the Azalea District to lakeside estates in the Cascades neighborhood. Craftsman-style homes and Tudor revivals with gable-pitched roofs date back to the early 1900s and sell for about $360,000. With tourists often passing through the scenic historic districts, homeowners know the responsibility they have to maintain their properties. "People have a lot of pride in the city, and they want their gardens and houses to look nice," Boles says.
Tyler's median home sale price over the past 12 months is around $350,000. This is significantly less than in other major metropolitan areas in Texas, such as Dallas or Houston. South Tyler features a collection of subdivisions with stately brick homes, and modern farmhouse builds that sit under the shade of towering oak and pine trees. The Woods neighborhood has ranch-style houses and contemporary colonial revivals on large, grassy lots, pricing for around $540,000. The Crossing is a premier development that offers an eclectic collection of architecture with extensive landscaping, helping it earn the title "A Neighborhood Inspired by Nature." Multifamily townhouses and condos can be found scattered throughout, while numerous empty lots allow prospective homeowners to build their own residences. Smaller cottages and properties needing renovations can be found on the northern and western ends of town. In neighborhoods like The Crossing and Cascades, buyers may find larger, newer construction homes.
Estate style lakefront homes create the elegant feel of the Cascades neighborhood in Tyler.
Along the brick streets of Tyler are many homes of varied styles.
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Tyler's parks and the natural scenery of East Texas
Tyler has 28 city parks that infuse it with the natural beauty of East Texas. "The scenery really stands out when compared to Dallas or Austin, which are so concrete-heavy," says Sheridan Smith, vice president of marketing and communications at Visit Tyler. "Tyler is very green, healthy and has a lush urban canopy." Tyler State Park is a popular getaway, with miles of hiking trails winding through dense forests and by flowing creeks. The park's 64-acre spring-fed lake is a prime spot to cast a line or launch a kayak. Bergfeld Park is near downtown and offers numerous amenities, including tennis courts, spray grounds and an amphitheater, which hosts symphony concerts and movie screenings.
Mountain bikers flock to Lindsey Park's 15 miles of trails while golfers hit the greens at Hollytree Country Club's championship course. The Caldwell Zoo connects visitors with 3000 individual animals from over 200 species, including African Elephants and American Bison. Boat owners are around 15 miles from three large reservoirs, Lake Palestine, Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East. These expansive bodies of water offer tons of watersports and tournament fishing opportunities.
Tyler's historic roots are preserved in multiple exhibitions, including the Goodman Museum and Tyler Rose Museum. The world-famous Tyler Municipal Rose Garden is open from dawn until dark, seven days a week. It highlights 300 varieties of roses and thousands of rose bushes that have helped give the city its nickname.
Bergfeld Park is loved by many in the Tyler community.
Tyler State Park in Tyler allows for small boats and kayaks in the lake.
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Floral-themed events throughout the year
City-wide events draw upon Tyler's roots as the Rose Capital of America. The Annual Rose Festival began in 1933 and has grown ever since. The colorful gathering is held every October and features a float parade and the coronation of the Rose Queen. Similarly, the Azalea District comes to life every spring with the Azalea Spring & Flower Trail, a 10-mile stretch of residential gardens and historic homes adorned with colorful tulips, roses and azaleas. Carriage rides are a popular way to experience the trail's full bloom. The annual East Texas State Fair draws thousands of visitors from across the state with attractions ranging from live music to livestock shows. Other popular events include the Red Dirt BBQ and Music Festival and the Tyler Farmers Market.
The Texas Rose Parade's new Tyler Rose Queen for 2024 waves excitedly to the people of Tyler.
Fairs and festivals around Tyler bring in the locals for family fun.
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Commercial activity on the Tyler City Square
Downtown Tyler is the hub for shopping and dining with boutique shops, local restaurants and historic theaters. Rick's on the Square is a culinary staple that has been serving classic cocktails and tasty steaks since 1992. Nearby, Don Juan on the Square is known for authentic Tex-Mex cuisine and large margaritas. Stanley's Famous Pit Barbecue is aptly named as its legendary pork ribs have won multiple awards since the no-frills eatery opened back in 1958. Quaint boutiques include Ye Olde City Antique Mall and Velvet | A Vintage Collection, while more extensive retail shopping can be found at the Broadway Square Mall. The Village at Cumberland Park features name-brand stores and upscale dining spread across 78 acres, making it the largest shopping center in Tyler. Fresh by Brookshires is a standout grocery store that provides a wide array of meats, cheese and beverages with live music on Friday and Saturday nights. The Brookshire Grocery Company was founded in Tyler in 1928 and maintains a strong presence in the area with a headquarters that employs over 1,400 workers. South Tyler has a growing culinary scene thanks to popular restaurants like Javi's and The Grove Kitchen & Gardens.
Tyler locals head to the South Tyler area for dining at The Grove Kitchen.
Tyler residents shop at larger chain stores in the Villages at Cumberland.
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Highly rated Tyler Public Schools with higher education nearby
The Tyler Independent School District receives a B-plus rating on Niche and has renovated numerous campuses, including the brand-new Hubbard Middle School. The district serves over 18,000 students and maintains an impressive student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1. Standout schools include Jack Elementary, one of only 13 schools nationwide recognized as a Legacy School, the highest honor for Leader in Me Schools. Older students can attend either Tyler Legacy High School, which receives a B-plus, or Tyler High School, which receives a B-minus. Caldwell Arts Academy is a public magnet school that immerses students in the world of performing arts and creative exhibitions. "Tyler public schools have a higher grad rate and ACT/SAT score than the state average," Smith says. "Plus, all schools have been remodeled since 2020."
Highly rated private education options include Bishop Thomas K. Gorman Catholic School and The Brook Hill School. Graduates pursuing higher education while staying close to home may consider Tyler Junior College or The University of Texas at Tyler. UT Tyler, for short, offers multiple graduate and undergraduate degree programs and recently constructed a new medical school, which welcomed its first class in the summer of 2023. "The University has done a lot in recent years," Boles says. "They have great engineering, business and nursing programs, and people are now moving here just to go to college." UT Tyler's Cowan Center is the city's premier event center and hosts numerous performers throughout the year, including national Broadway shows and the East Texas Symphony Orchestra.
Bell Elementary School in Tyler proudly acknowledges the dedication of its teachers.
Students embark onto a bright future when attending Tyler Legacy High School in Tyler.
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Well-connected to the Lone Star State
Tyler is south of Interstate 20 and has constructed numerous highways and loops in the past 15 years. The city is well-located between three major cities, with Dallas 100 miles to the east and Shreveport 98 miles to the west. Additionally, Houston is 198 miles away. "If you crave the busier side of life, you're well positioned in the state to be able to reach a lot of different areas," Boles says. Tyler Pounds Regional Airport offers multiple daily American Eagle flights to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Tyler Transit services many public bus stops throughout the city. Those traveling on foot can take the 4.5-mile Legacy Trail, which runs parallel to the Old Jacksonville Highway along the Old Cotton Belt Train Route. The trail opened in 2019 and is the newest in the City of Tyler. Future plans include an extension northward, linking with the Rose Rudman Recreational Trail.
Crime and Environment
Tyler lies on the outskirts of Tornado Alley and experiences a handful of severe weather events every year. These storms tend to roll in during the spring and summer months, bringing damaging wind, heavy rains, and occasionally hail. The region generally has mild winters and hot summers.
According to the FBI's Crime Data Explorer, Tyler’s violent crime rate is higher than the national figure. The Tyler Police Department reported a 9% decrease in part 1 property crimes between November 2023 and 2024. From 2023 to 2024, the number of violent crimes dropped by 6%.
John Busch began investing in Real Estate in 2006 with a focus to rehab and flip residential housing. After realizing a passion towards working with others and putting deals together, he began representing clients as a Licensed Realtor in 2009. Ever since then he has specialized in working with people towards reaching their home buying and selling goals, most especially enjoying and finding solutions to the unique challenges often presented on different occasions.
John currently owns and operates JBRE Group centered out of Hutchins, TX – an independent Real Estate Brokerage that concentrates on the various facets of selling middle-class to high-end single family homes throughout the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
