If you work night shifts at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple, TX, the quietest neighborhoods within 15 minutes are The Grove at Lakewood Ranch, Canyon Creek, and Western Hills — all located west of the BNSF rail yard that runs through the center of the city. Here's why that matters and how each neighborhood stacks up.

Why Is Noise Such a Big Deal for BSW Night Shift Workers?

Temple was literally built as a railroad town. Founded in 1881 as a junction for the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway, it's still a major BNSF hub today — with roughly 30 to 35 trains passing through daily. That's about one every 40 to 50 minutes during the hours you'd be trying to sleep.

The original Baylor Scott & White hospital actually started as the Santa Fe Hospital, built to treat railroad workers. So here's the irony: the biggest medical center in Central Texas sits right next to the loudest infrastructure in the city. That means where you live matters — a lot — if you're sleeping during the day.

Beyond trains, you've got I-35 running north-south through the city, Loop 363 wrapping around the core, and Draughon-Miller Regional Airport about 5-6 miles northwest with general aviation traffic peaking mid-morning to mid-afternoon (exactly when you're trying to sleep).

Which Neighborhoods Near BSW Are the Quietest?

Here's how Temple's most popular neighborhoods rank for shift workers, based on distance from active rail lines, highway noise, flight paths, and neighborhood layout. I've personally been through every one of these neighborhoods — this isn't just data, it's what I see and hear on the ground every week.

Neighborhood Ranking Table

What Makes Each Neighborhood Different for Shift Workers?

The Grove at Lakewood Ranch — Best Overall for Night Shift Workers

This is my top recommendation for BSW employees working non-traditional hours. The Grove is what I'd describe as the perfect neighborhood for nurses — and really any healthcare worker who needs a quiet, well-built home in a great school district.

Most of the homes are well spread out with large mature trees. There's a section of newer builds that sit a little closer together, but the majority of the neighborhood has space between properties. The amenity center has a playground and a large pool that's nicer than what most HOAs include.

The noise situation is about as good as it gets in Temple. One section sits right off West Adams Avenue, but you have to take a longer-than-normal road to reach the houses — so every home is set back away from the road noise. I've been out there plenty of times and there's really not much noise at all.

Price range: $330K to $500K, which hits the sweet spot for most healthcare salaries. You'll find everything from new builds to custom homes built around 2010.

Commute: 10-12 minutes to BSW Medical Center and the VA Hospital.

School district: Belton ISD, with Lakewood Elementary within walking distance.

Canyon Creek — Best Value with Multiple Price Points

Canyon Creek is my personal favorite neighborhood in Temple, and it earns the #2 spot for shift workers. Large mature trees, no train noise, and options at almost every price point.

Here's what most people don't realize — Canyon Creek isn't just one neighborhood. It has distinct sections:

Cimarron is the most affordable section, with homes between $150K and $200K. Great entry point for a first-time buyer or an investor.

Canyon Creek proper runs $215K to $300K with solid family homes in a range of styles.

Stagecoach is one of my favorite streets in Temple. You can occasionally find an older home that needs work around $215K, but they typically sell in the $300K range.

The Cliffs at Canyon Creek has the coolest houses in Temple, in my opinion. Beautiful custom homes with large lots, large windows, and large trees. These typically run $400K to $600K, though one recently sold around $350K. I like to drive through The Cliffs just to look at the homes — that's how good they are.

Commute: 12-15 minutes to BSW.

School district: Temple ISD.

Western Hills — Closest Quiet Option to BSW

Western Hills is the established, mature neighborhood closest to the medical district that still stays relatively quiet. Think of it as a slightly less polished version of Canyon Creek — still nice homes with good tree coverage, but a bit older.

The topography and dense tree coverage provide natural sound barriers. It's west of the main rail yard but east of the airport, so you avoid the worst of both.

One important tip: If you're buying an older home in Western Hills, get a thorough foundation inspection. This area is notorious for foundation issues. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's something you need to know going in.

Commute: 5-7 minutes to BSW — the shortest commute on this list for a quiet neighborhood.

Price range: $200K to $350K.

School district: Temple ISD.

Dawson Ranch — Premium Quiet in Belton ISD

Dawson Ranch sits on the border of Temple and Belton and is a great higher-end option if you're looking for something larger and want Belton ISD schools. It's significantly removed from the BNSF through-routes, and the old Belton Railroad freight line has been shut down, so the rail noise profile is minimal.

Commute: About 15 minutes to BSW.

Price range: $350K to $550K.

School district: Belton ISD.

Sage Meadows — Best Budget Option in Belton ISD

Sage Meadows is the lowest-priced option for a home built after 2007 in Belton ISD. The trade-off is that the homes are closer together and tend to be more cookie-cutter — basic layouts without a lot of character. But you're getting a newer home in Belton ISD at a price point that's hard to beat.

There may be slightly more noise here than the top options — the neighborhood is closer to the airport's Runway 16 flight path — but I wouldn't say it's loud. It's more that you're trading character and space for a newer home in a good school district.

Commute: 8-10 minutes to BSW.

Price range: $220K to $280K.

School district: Belton ISD.

Morgan's Point Resort — The Quiet Wildcard

Morgan's Point is extremely quiet. If maximum silence is your top priority and you're okay with a 20+ minute commute, it's worth considering. You're right on Belton Lake with homes at every price range — from condos around $160K (lake views, but expect $300/month in HOA) all the way up to lakefront homes.

The catch: Morgan's Point has almost no deed restrictions. You might have a brand new beautiful house and three doors down there's a manufactured home with stuff out front. If that doesn't bother you, this could be a hidden gem. But if your schedule involves frequent call-backs, that 20+ minute drive adds up fast.

Where Should Night Shift Workers Avoid?

Blacklands Ranch is the one neighborhood I'd tell a BSW night shift worker to avoid. It's right by the active train tracks, and you'll feel it.

South Temple near the hospital offers an unbeatable commute — 3 to 5 minutes — but you're in the heart of the BNSF corridor. At-grade crossings in this area mean train horns at 96-110 decibels throughout the day. The convenience isn't worth the sleep disruption if you're working nights.

Does the School District Really Matter That Much?

If your family places a strong value on schools, Belton ISD is generally considered the more desirable district — and the price difference between Belton ISD and Temple ISD neighborhoods isn't massive. Neighborhoods like The Grove at Lakewood Ranch, Sage Meadows, Dawson Ranch, and the West Adams corridor all feed into Belton ISD.

That said, here's my honest take: the kid is raised good or bad by the parents, and that matters more than the school district. Temple ISD has great teachers and programs. Don't rule out a neighborhood like Canyon Creek or Western Hills just because it's Temple ISD — you could end up in a better home in a better location for less money.

What About Quiet Zones in Temple?

A "Quiet Zone" is an official FRA designation where trains don't blow horns at crossings. The City of Temple has some crossings that qualify, but here's the reality — many crossings remain "active horn" zones, especially in the older industrial areas and southern subdivisions near the hospital.

Even in established quiet zones, engineers can still sound the horn in emergencies. And these designations can be suspended by federal inspectors with little notice — San Marcos lost their quiet zones in 2024 after 18 crossings failed an FRA inspection.

My advice: Don't rely on a quiet zone designation when choosing where to live. Choose a neighborhood that's physically far enough from the tracks that it doesn't matter. That's why every neighborhood in my top 5 is west of the main rail corridor.

How to Test a Neighborhood Before You Buy

If you're relocating to Temple for a BSW position, here's what I tell every client:

Visit the neighborhood between 10 AM and 2 PM on a weekday. This is when the airport has peak traffic, BNSF switching operations are running, landscaping crews are out, and general daytime noise is at its highest. If you can stand in the front yard during those hours and it feels peaceful, you've found a good spot for sleeping during the day.

If you're relocating from out of state and can't visit in person, that's something I can help with. I drive these neighborhoods every week and can give you an honest assessment of what you'll actually experience — not just what looks good on paper.

Check out my Full BSW Relocation Guide

Run The Numbers With My Deal Analyzer

Ready to Find Your Quiet Home Near BSW?

I'm Taylor Dasch with EG Realty, and I specialize in helping Baylor Scott & White employees find the right home in Temple. Whether you're a nurse working 7p-7a, a physician on rotating call, or any healthcare worker who needs to sleep during the day, I can help you find a neighborhood that actually works for your schedule.

Call or text: (254) 718-4249 Email: [email protected] Website: templetxhomes.net YouTube: Living In Temple — neighborhood tours, market updates, and investment analysis every Tuesday and Friday.