People often ask me what I like most about living in East Texas—and honestly, it’s hard to narrow it down. East Texas isn’t just where I work as a real estate agent; it’s where my family and I have built our life. It’s a place that feels like home in the truest sense of the word.

One of the things I love most about East Texas is that it feels like a small town, even though it offers so much more. You can be driving through a quiet neighborhood or chatting with someone you know at the grocery store, and then suddenly find yourself out on Broadway with great restaurants, shopping, and activity all around. You get the best of both worlds—community and convenience.

East Texas is simply beautiful. The trees, the rolling hills, the scenery—it still takes my breath away. I remember December 12, 2000, when my husband Roy was here for an interview. The kids and I were at Caldwell Zoo, and even though it was cold and many of the animals were hibernating, we couldn’t stop admiring the trees. They were so big, so full of character. Even now, when I’m out showing property—especially farm, ranch, or more rural land—I often catch myself thinking, I can’t believe I get to live and work here.

There’s something special about walking into a local Brookshire’s and being greeted with, “Welcome!” or “Thank you for coming in—we’re glad you’re here!” That’s East Texas. People are caring, generous, and genuinely interested in one another. There’s a strong sense of community here, supported by local events, churches, nonprofits, and neighbors who show up for each other.

East Texas offers outstanding educational opportunities. Our public schools—including Andy Woods, Rice Elementary, Birdwell Elementary’s dual-language program, Moore and Hubbard Middle Schools, and Legacy and Tyler High Schools—have all seen recent updates and renovations. They are technology-focused, STEM-driven, and offer magnet programs and publicly funded specialty schools.

We also have excellent private school options like Grace Community School, Bishop Gorman Catholic School, and All Saints Episcopal School. As a former homeschool family myself, I appreciate the wide range of homeschool cooperatives, support groups, and hybrid programs now available. There truly is something for every family and every learning style.

Another thing I love about East Texas is how accessible everything is. You can get almost anywhere in 30 to 45 minutes—Tyler, Lindale, Bullard, Minneola, Kilgore, or Henderson. That’s a huge difference from larger metro areas, where a 45-minute drive might only get you a few miles.

This makes day trips and staycations easy and fun—shopping in Gladewater, visiting Lindale’s Pavilion, exploring downtown Minneola, enjoying a bed and breakfast in Jefferson, or even heading to Fredericksburg for wineries and a taste of German heritage.

East Texas is full of entrepreneurs, and I love supporting locally owned businesses. Tyler in particular has incredible bakeries, coffee shops, restaurants, art galleries, and boutiques that are owned by individuals—not just franchises.

Some of my favorites include Cool Cakes and Village Bakery, Crema Coffee downtown (which is entirely gluten-free), and Scooters Coffee in Whitehouse. For dining, we enjoy everything from Don Juan’s and Mercado’s for Mexican food, to Dakota’s and Culture for upscale dining downtown. I also love the vibrant downtown Tyler atmosphere—the shops, galleries, Andy’s Custard, antique stores, and the overall vibe.

And yes, I’ll admit it—ice cream is one of my weaknesses. Whether it’s Andy’s or Freddy’s frozen custard, I’m all in.

One of the things I love about East Texas is supporting local and well-loved businesses. Some of our family favorites include Haute Totz and Spinout for boutique shopping, while my kids and grandkids enjoy Geek World. For thrifting, Hangers of Hope and Tyler Thrift are great local options.

When I need gifts, I often stop by Sweet Gourmet or The Potpourri House. For health and wellness, The Granary and Drug Emporium are our go-to spots. DSW is my favorite shoe store, and for groceries, I most often shop at Sprouts and Fresh by Brookshire’s.

East Texas is also well-supported with excellent medical care, including UT Health East Texas, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances, and newer facilities like Hospitality ER. The UT Health medical school is nearing completion, and TJC’s nursing program continues to be a strong asset to our region. There’s a wide range of healthcare options here, from traditional medicine to more holistic approaches.

As a real estate agent, I’m fortunate to work with incredible clients and help people buy and sell homes all across East Texas—from Tyler, Bullard, Lindale, and Minneola to Kilgore, Henderson, Longview, and even toward Dallas and Plano. This region may not be for everyone, but it’s absolutely for me.

East Texas offers beauty, opportunity, strong values, and a genuine sense of belonging. I’m proud to live here, work here, and help others decide if this special place might be home for them too.