Bryan/College Station is a city full of tradition and charm. Located in the heart of the Brazos Valley (Southeast Central Texas), the Bryan/College Station area is often referred to as "Aggieland." As of the 2000 census, the area had a total population of 14,700 people with the majority of them living in College Station.

The cities are centrally located between three of the 10 largest cities in the United States. It is 92 miles north-northwest of Houston, 166 miles northeast of San Antonio and 169 miles south of Dallas. In addition it is also located 104 miles from one of the fastest growing cities in the United States; Austin, the state capital of Texas. Approximately 75% of the Texas and Louisiana populations (13.1 million people) live within 3.5 driving hours from the Bryan/College Station area.

The main campus of Texas A&M University is located in College Station and has an enrollment of over 47,000 students on a 5,200 acre campus. The university is ranked #1 nationally by Washington Monthly based on academics, community service, and many other social and cost criteria. Every international study has placed Texas A&M in the top 75 universities in the world; offering a very diversified culture and a powerful education. The Mays Business School is ranked #10 in the nation for their undergraduate program and ranked #1 nationally and globally for placement after 3 months for their MBA program.

Together Bryan and College Station make up the BCS Metropolitan Area, the sixteenth largest metropolitan area in Texas. Area lakes cover 180,000 acres in the area and include Somerville Lake, Lake Conroe, Gibbons Creek Reservoir, Lake Limestone, Lake Bryan and many others.

The local climate is subtropical-temperate with mild winters that include periods of low temperatures; usually lasting less than two months. Snow and ice are extremely rare. Summers range from warm to hot with the occasional shower or storm.

• Average Annual Rainfall: 39 inches
• Average Elevation: 367 feet above sea level
• Average Temperature: 68 degrees farenheit
• Agricultural Resources: Cattle, corn, cotton, eggs, hay, sorghum
• Mineral Resources: Sand, gravel, lignite, gas, oil

The area has a wide variety of employers in many different industries. From national corporations to local businesses, BCS has potential.

Major employers include:

• Texas A&M University System - Educational
• St. Joseph Health System - Healthcare
• Sanderson Farms - Poultry Processing
• College Station Independent School District - Education
• Reynolds and Reynolds - Computer
• City of College Station - Government
• West Corporation - Call Center

Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States of America and the largest city in Texas. Boasting an economy with a broad industrial base in energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, transportation, and health care, Houston consistently attracts jobs and encourages growth in the area. Only New York City is home to more Fortune 500 headquarters.

Houston is a multicultural city with a large and growing international community. It received the official nickname of "Space City" in 1967 because it is the location of NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center; however it is often called "Bayou City," "Magnolia City," "Clutch City," and "H-Town."

Furthermore, there is a thriving visual and performing arts scene. The Theater District is located downtown and is home to nine major performing arts organizations and six performance halls. This attracts many touring Broadway acts, concerts, shows, and exhibitions for a variety of interests.

Another popular are of Houston is the Museum District, attracting more than 7 million visitors a year. This area includes the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Zoo, Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the Holocaust Museum.

The climate in Houston is classified as "humid subtropical." In summer months it is common to have fairly hot temperatures with humid conditions. Winds are often light in the summer with scattered afternoon thunderstorms. Winters can be fairly temperate and snowfall is rare. Expect high amounts of rainfall throughout the seasons; average about 48 inches a year.

Major employers include:

• ConocoPhillips
• BP
• Citgo
• Reliant Energy
• Shell
• Simmons
• Halliburton
• Exxon Mobil

Farm areas I specialize in:

• Central Houston
• North Central Houston
• Midtown Houston
• Northwest Houston
• Timbergrove (Timber Grove)
• Cy-Fair
• Cypress
• Tomball
• Spring
• Jersey Village
• Oak Forest
• Heights

For additional information about the Bryan/College Station area, please visit the following links:

• BCS Visitor Center
  http://www.visitaggieland.com
• City of Bryan
  http://www.bryantx.gov/
• City of College Station
  http://www.cstx.gov/home/index.asp