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All of the real estate is expensive in CS, apartments, houses, rent in general compared to the economy. I dont know what the rent right around campus runs since I lived across town and dont personally know anyone living right near campus. They just had something on the news about the other day. I dont remember the exact numbers but it something like the average family can afford a $140k house in CS and they are selling for $180k.

Another issue with CS is the price of houses vs the pay scale. If you work in CS with a normal job you will probably have a hard time finding a house in a good neighborhood that's in your price range. There isnt anywhere really close to A&M that I would want to live where you could use public transportation. Alot of the apartments have shuttle services but that also means they are most likely full of college kids. There are still some nice subdivisions not run over with college kids but no matter where you look in CS nothing's going to be cheap. Since I sold my house there just a cople years ago I cant even count how many apartment building and duplexes they have built. Its nonstop construction of apartments around 2818, welbourne, rock prairie area.

I lived in College Station from around 08-14 before selling my house there and moving to my other place an hour away in the country permanently. Not being a college student (in late 30's) and being married living in a college town isnt that great IMO unless your just a diehard aggie and like maroon, lol. I really liked CS during the summer BUT didnt like it during the school year at all. WIth 50,000+ college kids and apartments crammed in everywhere traffic gets worse and worse each year. The first few weeks of the fall semester dont plan on going anywhere because everywhere is nothing but groups of college kids. You will find tons of subdivisions of rental houses full of college kids (not ideal for family) and streets lined with cars. The pay isnt great and the cost of living is going up, the real estate market is crazy there. I sold my house in 2 days (cash) and several friends sold their houses in 1-2 days for over asking price because of multiple buyers competing.
The cops are bad for typical college kid items like: dark tint, tinted tail lights, loud exhaust, loud stereo, speeding.etc. If you're older like me and dont drive like a 20 year you will probably never get pulled over.
Most of College Station is pretty nice, there a few bad areas in older part of Bryan. There are tons of "college student" apartments, duplexes, and subdivisions to avoid IMO unless your into that scene.
All that being said and sounding negative it's not a bad place just not somewhere I want to raise my kids. We still go to CS almost every week for something and for Dr's etc since is still is the closest big city for us.
If you have questions feel free to post them or PM me.