Woodway is a small town that is located four miles from the city of Waco, where Dr. Pepper was created by Dr. Charles Alderton in 1885. The idea was to create a soda that "tasted like how a drug store smelled."
Woodway is part of McLennan County, Texas, which is part of the larger Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area. The largest city in this county is Waco. This city is home to 8,733 residents and is very small. It does have some great points of interest that you will want to visit: Dr. Pepper Museum, the Carleen Bright Arboretum, and Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. Woodway was established in 1865 by Burl Kendrick, a Civil War Veteran who bought the first 320 acres of land in the area that is now known as Woodway. The city developed at first as a summer home for people who enjoyed the Rainbow Lake Area. However, today it is more of a permanent location for the residents here. There are great outdoor activities in Woodway, including fishing and boating at Lake Whitney State Park. Or, you can try hiking, camping and biking at Fort Parker State Park and Mother Neff State Park. This city boasts many great activities for people of all ages.
Moving to Woodway
There are different reasons why people move to Woodway, TX. Since Waco is such a large town and Woodway is located near it, people move to Woodway to live in a smaller area instead of the larger city, but will work in Waco. Many people gravitate to Woodway instead of Waco because it is a small city with a strong sense of community, has a low crime rate, and offers plenty of things to do. There are several institutes of higher learning located near Woodway, including McLennan Community College and Baylor University.
Most houses in Woodway are single-family homes, but there are some rental properties that are starting to become more readily available as the area of Woodway starts to grow. However, be aware that trying to find a rental property in Woodway can be difficult, and you will want to be sure that you are starting your search really early. A realtor can come in handy and might reduce the time it would take to find the right house or apartment.
Would-be residents should understand that, if you are moving to Woodway, you are signing up for a slower lifestyle. This definitely isn't a metropolitan area, and there isn't a huge nightlife scene. Life is fairly slow-paced here, and that's just as residents prefer it. Apartments are few and far between, but there are plenty of houses. You should give considerable thought to how close you want to be to the center of town. You will find, however, that things are relatively close and you can simply take a short drive or walk to whatever place you need to get to.
As you prepare to move, assemble all the documents prospective landlords will ask for. Yep, you guessed it-this includes your state ID, credit report, bank statements, references, and the like.
Woodway Neighborhoods
Because it's relatively small, Woodway doesn't have clearly defined neighborhoods as many people think of them. The city is bounded by highways 84 and 6, making travel in and out of town smooth sailing.
Nearby cities include Bellmead, Hewitt, Robinson, Beverly Hills, and Golinda. These also add to the charm of Woodway because of the things they have to offer.
Be sure to visit the Carleen Bright Arboretum, a truly incredible place. Many folks host their weddings here or rent the gazebo for other special events. This area in general is quite beautiful, and residents like spending their post-work hours or weekend afternoons here. Before moving to Woodway, take plenty of time to explore the town and all it has to offer.
Living in Woodway
Life in Woodway really is what you make of it. There are many opportunities to be had in the area and it is a city that has potential to grow as more people prefer to move here.
It is very easy to navigate around Woodway: Interstate 35 connects Waco to most of the cities in the area, but the major thoroughfare in the area is Highway 84, which is also known as Bellmead Drive. It passes through Bellmead, at which point it becomes Woodway Drive. Public transit is available here, though most lines run Monday through Saturday. With a walk score of just 32, Woodway is a car-dependent community-something to keep in mind if you plan to relocate here.
The Woodway city government provides excellent services for its citizens. The Woodway fire station has 14 vehicles that serve not only Woodway but also the surrounding cities and towns.
Woodway is a huge draw to outdoor enthusiasts. Cameron Park (in nearby Waco) offers a range of hiking trails catering to everyone from beginners to trail masters. Just don't forget your water bottle when heading out-the summers here can be brutally hot. Not a hiker? Not to worry! The park offers plenty to do for everyone. Runners, mountain bikers, and fans of the equestrian arts all enjoy spending time at Cameron Park. In addition, the park has a disc golf course for those who prefer lower-key athletic endeavors.
Dining options in Woodway aren't as numerous as in surrounding towns, but that's not to say you'll starve here! Not at all. Woodway boasts delicious Mexican cuisine; locals favor Monte's Mexican Restaurant, which is said to have fabulous lunch specials. Leal's puts up stiff competition, however: Some claim that this local eatery has the best salsa and breakfast burritos in the greater Waco area. Them's fightin' words if ever we heard some! If barbecue is more your speed, check out the whimsically named Rusty Star. There, you'll find all the BBQ classics (brisket, baked beans, and the like), as well as some new favorites like jalapeno potato salad. Mmm, we're getting hungry just thinking about it.
Make your new home deep in the heart of Texas-in Woodway, of course!