When the railroad first reached Silsbee in 1894, the workers labeled it Mill Town, but there's hardly anything run-of-the-mill in this neck of the East Texas Piney Woods.
Today, 6611 Texans call this patch of turf home, and among them are Olympians, professional athletes and film stars
When the railroad first reached Silsbee in 1894, the workers labeled it Mill Town, but there's hardly anything run-of-the-mill in this neck of the East Texas Piney Woods.
Today, 6611 Texans call this patch of turf home, and among them are Olympians, professional athletes and film stars. Although Silsbee only occupies about 7.5 square miles of the East Texas landscape, it sits at the doorstep of the Big Thicket National Preserve and just a stone's throw away from metropolitan attractions in Beaumont and Houston.
A Home Near the Heartbeat
Families looking for places to live in Silsbee, TX will want to check out the town's main drag along Highway 327. Most of the town's apartment complexes cluster around this stretch of asphalt where all of the town's action happens. The heart of the city is the intersection of Highway 327 and Highway 96. Prospective Silsbeeians will have no trouble locating their dream abode here. Most apartments regularly have availability of units ranging from studio apartments to rent all the way up to a two-bedroom apartment. Expect the typical light inquisition from rental house landlords and apartment managers alike. New residents should expect to provide proof of employment or income and recent credit history in addition to their right arm and their firstborn child. (Luckily, some more generous landlords will allow you to donate your least favorite child instead.)
An East Texas Bargain
On the upside, Silsbee is one of the most affordable towns in the country. The cost of living in the Silsbee area is 15% lower than the national average, and residents enjoy lower-than-average prices on food, utilities and transportation. (Unfortunately, right arm replacements are still a little pricey due to high demand.) Whether you are looking for a rental condo or a Gulf Coast palace to call your own, you will get more bang for your buck here than in any major metropolitan area.
Neighborhoods
While there aren't really distinct breakdowns when it comes to neighborhoods, you'll find that different areas of the town are basically like neighborhoods.
South and East: Those looking for a house to rent should check out the neighborhoods on the south and east sides of town. In the east, you'll find Novrozsky's Hamburgers.
North: To the north is the Fresenius neighborhood, a more rural and expansive area with rents that are a lower on average than most Texas 'hoods.
Old Spurger Highway / Fm 92: Smack dab in the center of town is this quiet, suburban area. You'll find many single-family homes here as well as lots with three to four bedrooms. You'll also find Patty Wagon in this area.
Getting Settled In
Living in Silsbee is very safe. The town boasts a violent crime rate that is less than half of the average U.S. city.
In the end, the greatest draw for city slickers that hang up their subway cards and desert their high-rises in order to move to Silsbee is the easy access to the expansive wilderness of the Big Thicket National Preserve and the Piney Woods. Silsbee claims a waterway that was recently named one of America's top twenty paddling destinations. If you crave the outdoors, you will eventually fall in love with this town. So, check out safe, affordable and beautiful Silsbee; the water's just fine!