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| Lifestyle |
The Research Valley lifestyle boasts amenities for every age and interest. Our residents have access to top medical facilities, award winning schools, and a wide variety of arts and entertainment. Houston and Austin are an hour’s drive away. Our local Easterwood Airport puts you one stop away from top national and international destinations. And our telecommunications networks place you “virtually” anywhere in nanoseconds.
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According to Sperling’s 2005 Best Places Cost of Living, The Research Valley is overall 15% under the national average within food, housing, utilities, healthcare, and transportation costs. The Research Valley is known for its award-winning schools, excellent medical facilities, beautiful neighborhoods, and an abundance of outdoor activities.
Healthcare in the Research Valley
College Station Medical Center (CSMC)
CSMC is the region’s oldest hospital and offers a full array of medical services. The Center is recognized as having the #1 rated surgery program in Texas and a top ranked obstetrical program. In 2004, CSMC opened a $12 million medical office building, bringing its total medical office space up to 200,000 square feet.
St. Joseph Regional Health Center
St. Joseph’s employs 1,700 people. The St. Joseph Heart Center is rated among the top heart programs in the country. In 2004, the hospital opened a $34 million bed tower, doubling its number of critical care beds.
Scott & White Clinic
For the fourth straight year, Scott & White has been named to the list of the Solucient 100 Top Hospitals in the country. Based upon clinical excellence, operating efficiency and community responsiveness, a recent Solucient LLC benchmark study names Scott & White among the elite major teaching hospitals in the country. Scott & White is the largest multi-specialty practice in Texas, with more than 500 physicians who care for patients at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple and at our 15 regional clinics throughout Central Texas. In addition, they deliver care to members of the Scott & White Health Plan, one of the highest rated plans in the nation.
The Cancer Clinic
St. Joseph’s Cancer Center has partnered with the M.D. Anderson Cancer Physicians Network to bring its world –renowned care to patients in The Research Valley. With services such as patient education, support groups, and spiritual care, patients and their families are well informed and comforted during their trying times.
The Physicians Centre
Education in the Research Valley
The region boasts a high level of educational attainment, and places a high value on success in academics. Over 80% of our adult population has a high-school degree or equivalent education. From pre-school to professional programs, The Research Valley is the place to come for premier schools:
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University was the state's first public institution for higher education, and it hasn't settled for second best since. The university has its main campus in College Station and has a current enrollment of 45,000. A&M students can obtain degrees in almost 160 courses of studies. The University is ranked among the top ten research institutions in the nation. Each year, faculty and graduate students conduct approximately $400 million in sponsored research projects. With Texas A&M's triple designation as a land-, sea-, and space-grant institution, its scope of research extends across many fields.
Blinn College
In addition to the four-year program Texas A&M offers, Blinn College offers two-year programs and two campuses in the Research Valley. Both locations offer various technical certificates and associates degrees in arts and sciences. Blinn is the #1 ranked two-year college in the Texas in the percentage of academic students who transfer to four-year schools. Today it operates as one of the largest of the state's 50 public junior/community college districts, with over 13,000 students enrolled.
College Station ISD
In 2007, Expansion Management Magazine awarded the College Station ISD a Gold Medal, ranking it among the top 16% of public school districts in the nation.
Bryan ISD
The Bryan school district’s academic excellence is evident from its two National Blue Ribbon elementary schools, three Exemplary and two Recognized schools, and the Advanced Placement programs at Bryan High School.
Arts and Entertainment in the Research Valley
The high educational attainment of the people of The Research Valley is apparent not only in their work, but also in their play, with lots of leisure activities to choose from.
From the New York City National Opera to the Brazos Valley Chorale, from the Aggie Players to the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Bryan-College Station offers nothing short of cultural excellence. Its art galleries, museums and historical sights present daily opportunities for cultural indulgences. Regional theater and musical groups provide frequent entertainment, while Texas A&M University and the Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater attract national and international acts. An even greater number of theater productions, concerts and intellectual dialogues have been made available since the spring 1998 opening of the Texas A&M Reed Arena/Special Events Center and the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum which opened in November of 1997.
The presence of Texas A&M University means that our residents have access to world-class arts and entertainment that’s just not available in other communities our size. Big XII Sports keeps enthusiasts hopping to a different game almost every day of the week. National and international performing arts groups make frequent visits to The Research Valley. The George Bush Presidential Library maintains a steady flow of dignitaries into our region. These, in combination with a huge variety of other enriching activities, result in Research Valley residents.
For more information about arts and entertainment in our region, please visit the following websites:
The Arts Council of the Brazos Valley publishes listings of local events and exhibitions.
The Bryan College Station Visitor & Convention Bureau provides information on a wide variety of entertainment venues, hotels, and restaurants.
The Bryan College Station Chamber of Commerce – offers additional information about living and working in The Research Valley.
The Association of Former Students - lists events occurring on the Texas A&M campus.
International Flavor in the Research Valley
Texas A&M University-Office of International Outreach
The Office of International Outreach supports various programs to increase international awareness across campus and in the community. One way of providing outreach to faculty, staff and students at Texas A&M University and The Research Valley community is achieved through annual cultural events and Activities. The Office of International Outreach works with student and faculty groups to bring awareness of different cultures. International Education Week provides an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide and is part of an of a national effort to prepare our citizens for a global environment and to attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and have exchange experiences in the U.S.
Brazos Valley Worldfest
The annual Brazos Valley Worldfest celebrates international awareness by offering cultural displays, demonstrations, international cuisine, performances, children's crafts, educational competitions and many other activities. This event is free and open to the public.
Discovery Program
This program supports international students and young professionals who have families and would like the chance to make new friends and get to know others in the community. Discovery provides that chance to get together with other international residents for classes and programs to help you adjust to living in our community. Discovery also hosts classes for several crafts, such as quilting, knitting, cooking and much more.
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