Last month, Best Life magazine announced its list of the best places to raise a family. Among the 10 worst — none other than Waco, much to the surprise of some (but not all) Tribune-Herald readers.

The magazine looked at such statistics as school test scores, student-teacher ratios, crime rates, museums, number of pediatricians and more in order to create its rankings.

But, with all due respect to the writers and editors at Best Life, they don’t actually live here. Numbers can only go so far in telling what it’s like to raise kids in Waco.

So the Trib wanted to know what its readers thought. Readers were invited to submit essays on the good, the bad and the ugly of raising a family in Waco.

The following are just some of the essays submitted. For more essays, or to comment, visit wacotrib.com. Some of the writers featured here will receive a prize.

Chris Treadwell, of Waco

Unlike many families in Waco, my husband and I did not grow up here and then decide to raise our children in Waco. We chose to move to Waco from the Dallas area because it is where we wanted our children to grow up.

The main reason we moved to Waco is church. Not only our church, St. Paul’s Episcopal, where my husband is rector, but the fact that Waco is a city that does church. Our children are surrounded by people who value going to church.

Another reason is the access to a fabulous education for our children, ages 7, 13 and 14. St. Paul’s school and its International Baccalaureate program are unique and transform the student into a learner with a quest for knowledge. Vanguard College Preparatory School offers an excellent array of classes that truly prepare children for their college experience.

Traffic, or should it be the lack of traffic, is definitely a reason why a family benefits from living in Waco. Without spending several hours in the car commuting, our family is able to eat dinner together at a reasonable hour and have more time together in the evening. The decrease in the amount of stress from not sitting in rush-hour traffic is felt by the entire family.

As my oldest child is itching to get his learner’s permit on his next birthday, I am eternally grateful that he won’t be learning his driving skills in a city like Dallas or Houston.

The “small-town” feel is another plus for the city of Waco. It is rare that our family does not run into someone we know when eating out at a local restaurant, attending a sporting event or even going to the bank or grocery store. This feeling where everywhere you go, someone may know you is important as we give our children some wings to go out into the community. It is nice to know that we have lots of eyes watching our kids, and they are never far from finding someone they know.

Lake Waco is our favorite Waco place. What a joy it is to be able to drive by the lake as we take our kids to school. How easy it is to grab a quick sunset with the family and then get back to our daily fare. It is so convenient to load the kids up after school or work and go out in the boat for a quick picnic and swim. My husband and 7-year-old daughter have spent hours together as “best fishing buddies” on Lake Waco; this is a bond they will forever cherish.

I think the “Waco We Do” campaign should include “Waco, we do families.” It is certainly helping nurture mine.

Lance Martin of Waco

My son, Thomas, talks about SOFIA like she’s a friend of the family. He asks where she is and how she’s doing these days. SOFIA is a (Boeing) 747 with a 20-ton telescope installed in the back. He met SOFIA when she was being created at L-3 Communications, where I work.

SOFIA’s now at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center in California for flight testing.  We keep up with her via the Internet.

When Thomas talks about space and man going to Mars, I explain how it takes a huge team of people to make such things happen. Just as we made SOFIA possible, he could be part of the team to send man to Mars by becoming an engineer. I didn’t follow that advice from my dad — but he could. 

Waco’s A.J. Moore Academy has an engineering academy that will put him a step ahead. He may choose to stay at China Spring ISD, where he has friends and is getting a great education. He has choices.

And, thanks to its proximity, he wants to go to Baylor (University). I don’t argue because I know Baylor is a premium educational opportunity. Just work on those scholarships, I urge.

He plays Little League baseball and has dreams of being the next Babe Ruth. He knows the realities of making it pro — it takes a God-given talent — but he also knows others from Waco have made it. He knows it could happen, but keeps his options open.

Most days, Thomas talks about video games. Like many kids his age, he’s obsessed with playing them and thinks he’ll one day create them. I tell him that both Baylor and (Texas State Technical College) have programs focused on the gaming industry. He buries himself back into a game.

Sometimes, Thomas talks about working with animals.  On his many trips to the Cameron Park Zoo and Mayborn Museum, he’s developed a love for wild animals.

Another of his career choices is to be a “movie maker” who travels around the world making Discovery Channel documentaries about wild animals. I wonder how a kid who’s sometimes afraid of dead bugs in our garage will muster that kind of courage, but I let it go. It’s certainly possible.

Then, there’s the performer. Thomas enjoyed performing in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at his summer camp at Parkview Christian Childcare, and then a few months later, saw a professional staging of it at the Hippodrome. Anyone who knows Thomas doesn’t have to imagine him on a stage.

Thomas hasn’t yet decided what he will do — he is, after all, only 8 years old. But living in Waco, he knows there are few limits on what he could do and that he doesn’t have to leave Waco to get there.

The Waco community provides so much — education, history, culture, parks and recreation. This community fosters the ability of Thomas and his sister, Allison, to explore and learn. Aside from a hockey rink, I couldn’t ask for more.

Willie Faye Putman, of Hewitt

I raised a family and helped raise five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, and am proud to be a Wacoan.

I moved here in early 1951 to a little house (new) in South Waco. I was so proud, had good neighbors, good schools — Bell’s Hill, University High and University Middle School.

Waco is a good city — good people, good schools. I am proud to be here. But it sure has changed to bad from good since 1951. But I have good girls, good grandchildren.

A town is like anything you pursue: To get anything out of it, you have to do your duty and put an effort to anything you do. You used to have school guidelines, a dress code, (and be able to) raise your windows at night, trust your neighbor, but not anymore.

But I’m proud to be a Wacoan. I belong to one of the oldest Baptist churches in South Waco, and it is like a home — lots of love and caring people.

Regina Mastin

I was overjoyed to find out I was expecting! The joy soon turned to shock as I realized I was going to give birth to my first child in WACO, Texas! I am a big-city girl, born and raised in Houston, where there is entertainment, shopping, dining and cultural events 24/7.

I came to Baylor as a student in 1989. There were very few restaurants. There really wasn’t much at all. I was going to do my four years and get out of Dodge.

That didn’t happen. I fell in love, married five years later and settled into my new hometown, not as a student but a Wacoan. Not until then did I realize what Waco has to offer. I’ve now lived in Waco longer than I lived in Houston, and I don’t plan on going back!

I have three children: Drew (11), Evan (9) and Lindsay (6). They love living in Waco and so do I. The town is small enough that we get to see friends everywhere we go — the grocery store, zoo, museum, YMCA, baseball games. There is something for everyone!

Drew has always been a big sports fan. He has been able to build friendships with collegiate athletes all his life. He and (Baylor basketball’s) Mamadou (Diene) share a birthday! We attend sporting events every chance we get.

(Baylor’s) University for Young People has enabled him to take classes on a college campus. There are always kids who come from out of town to be in these summer classes. He was mentored by Ricky Thompson, a bank president, in third grade. They worked on sports stats from the newspaper since Drew had mastered all third-grade math concepts. This tied in his love for sports and math.

Evan is an outdoorsman. He loves to hike and bike. Cameron Park offers a beautiful setting. He loves to participate in fun runs with his dad. Scouting is a big part of his life.

Lindsay loves to perform. She was a part of the children’s theatre as an orphan in “Annie.”

I worried our children would not be exposed to culture, but not to worry! Culture is all around us: the Baylor theater, the Hippodrome, the Waco Symphony. “Annie Get your Gun” was a favorite.

The Mayborn Museum played a huge part of our children’s preschool years. The staff knows each child by name and takes an interest in their well-being. (We are even on the brochure for the Mayborn.)

The schools have been great to us. We have worked hand-in-hand with Waco ISD to meet the needs of our gifted children. They have gone the extra mile for us! There are many great churches that provide good clean fun for kids to be involved in.

 The best part is there is no traffic! When the kids have to go “across town,” it only takes 15 minutes to get there! They have the opportunity to take dance, karate, Scouts, art lessons, gymnastics — anything they can dream up is offered.

 I can’t say enough great things about Waco! We have great neighbors, friends and activities. My husband and I couldn’t be happier.

Christy Ogle

Waco is an amazing place to raise children. My family moved here one year ago because we fell in love with the area and the people. There are so many things to do in the Waco area for families, and they are very inexpensive or free.

The spray parks are so fun, plus they do not cost a dime. Cameron Park is a place that can make anyone feel like a kid again. The park has hiking, biking, picnic areas, scenic outlooks, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, walking trails and much more.

Lake Waco is packed full of fun also: the biking path, scenic walks, swimming, boating and the list goes on. The parks in Waco are absolutely gorgeous, and they sport walking trails, play areas, and fun for all.

The library is a great place to take your kids, and in the summer they have a fun series to attend.

Waco just has so many fun and exciting places to visit.

The community in Waco is wonderful. There is so much to do for the children through the city of Waco. The concert series on the Brazos (Brazos Nights) and Third Thursdays, plus all of the fun activities the city puts together for the kids.

The area is packed full of fun activities for families. I have never lived in an area that has so much to do for the family. You don’t have to look very far for fun in Waco. Waco is a great place to raise your kids.

Johnny Brackeen of Waco

I do not know all of the line items used by Best Life magazine for its rankings. I don’t think they were looking for cities with new convention centers, chamber of commerce centers or big one-star hotels. Best Life was looking for worst cities to raise a family.

Waco has one of the largest property tax increases of any city in the state for the last six years. We have one of the highest tax rates in the state.

We have nonprofit organizations that are not held accountable for taxpayer money. There is very little prosecution for taking taxpayer money.

When you consider this and our city government along with the other line items, then you know how we got the ranking.

Christine Torres

Let me see. Is Waco a good place to raise your family? No. The reason why? There is nothing to do here as a family. If you have seen it once, you have seen it all.

Every time we turn around, our taxes are going up. And who does it benefit? The city. We have no amusement park for the whole family to go to except for a Kiddieland. In Georgia, when I visited, they had an amusement park called Lake Winnie (Lake Winnepesaukah). Why can’t Waco have an amusement park where we can go? We have to leave town for enjoyment.

My family lives in New Mexico, and they want to come to Waco and see the city. But I would rather meet them in San Antonio, Dallas, Austin or Arlington. Not Waco.

So many things are wrong in Waco, such as the bad water. You always hear or see people or signs that say beautiful Waco. ... If you want to see a clean city, go to Bryan-College Station. That is one clean town. Waco has so many empty buildings. If you drive through downtown, don’t blink because you would have already passed downtown Waco.

Some time ago, a man visited another town, and he said that the city split up the taxes where (people) can pay them much easier. Why can’t Waco do that? Make Waco a better place to live.

Waco needs more entertainment for us to go to. But don’t charge so much. ... And drop the word VIP. Everybody is important, not just the ones who put out more money. But that is only in our dreams.

The city needs to hear the citizens of Waco instead of sweeping it under the rug. All I got more to say is: Wake up, Waco, before we are in the poor house. ...

Lydia Gutierrez, of Waco

With my husband and I raising six great children in Waco, it’s been a good place to raise a family.

Both he and I were born in 1934. My husband Uvaldo, the fourth of nine children, was raised on Fifth and Mary, while I was raised around Sandtown and then moved occasionally as my parents did migrant work in the fields.

As my husband at the early age of 9 built his own shoe-shine box and shined shoes, he developed a work ethic handed down to his children and grandchildren.

Despite what has been written about Waco recently, I have been proud to call Waco my home and to see our family grow here.

All our children attended and graduated from Latin American Center and Waco ISD schools, just as my husband did. Having lost our youngest son, Arthur, in a swimming accident at age 18 in 1983, our remaining five children have grown to raise great families.

Retired from M&M/Mars after 23 years, our oldest son, Tom, and his wife, Elizabeth, have five children and impact our community as pastors of Viento Fuerte Centro de Adoracion. Of their children here in Waco, Ruben works at Doris Miller Elementary, Israel masters the art of tile setting, and Pauli graduated from Baylor. Besides being the worship leader at Mighty Wind Worship Center, she also helps pastor the college ministry with her husband, Josh Ramos.

Doing jail ministry for several years in Belton: Our daughter Mary (Cooky) Hernandez and husband, Lupe, pastor of God’s House of Restoration in Temple. They have four talented children also working in the ministry, with son Jeremy’s dedication to work, music and church to be commended.

Having served in the U.S. Air Force and working for the U.S. Post Office for over 25 years, Robert and his wife, Becky, live here in Waco and have five children. Robert also is a founding member Mighty Wind Worship Center and now serves in the capacity of evangelist of the ministry ... .

Our daughter Cynthia and husband Bobby, with three daughters, has two of them in the medical field as a nurse and the youngest going into geriatric care.

Our youngest, Lisa, married to Dickie, works as head secretary at Kendrick Elementary and has two children, Melanie and Danny, who’s a friend to all.

 With our numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, I’m extremely proud to be a part of this great city and to have raised a family here with such great people and neighbors. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. My husband, who passed on September 17, 2006, worked, preached and encouraged the family to the very end, leaving an example of how a good family can be raised here. Waco, Texas, is a good place to live and raise a family.

Jennifer Ables

I wanted to comment on the recent study about Waco being on the list for one of the worst cities to raise children in the U.S.

I grew up in Waco and did not particularly like it because I didn’t feel that there was much for kids to do like in the big cities. So after getting married and an opportunity to move to Houston for my husband’s job, we quickly jumped on.

We were excited about being in Houston and all it had to offer. That all changed when we had our children. We started looking at day cares and schools and were just not satisfied.

Then there was the problem with going places. You needed to expect a minimum of 30 minutes to drive anywhere, and with two babies 20 months apart, the space in the car closed in very fast.

We would make trips back to Waco to visit friends and family and fall in love with the atmosphere over and over again. We started seeing new things around Waco that our children would enjoy being a part of and doing.

We tried to see if there was a chance for my husband to be transferred back to Waco, and after several months and building a brand new home, the call came in and once again we jumped on it.

We now live in Waco and are extremely pleased. Both children attend Waco public elementary schools and love it!

For parents who are not sold on the public schools in Waco, there are a variety of private schools where scholarships and grants are available. We also have wonderful home schooling programs that are excelling every year.

My children enjoy being active members of Waco First Assembly of God, where they have tons of friends. They can visit the Cameron Park Zoo, the Mayborn Museum, the Waco Water Park, Dr Pepper Museum, Anniversary Park, the newly redone river walk, as well as countless small businesses that cater to children all within just minutes of each other, and with the price of gas, that is just fine with me.

The one thing that I love the most about Waco is being with my family and watching them play and laugh outside in a quiet and peaceful atmosphere and remembering how much I love raising my children here. Life just doesn’t get better than this!