Studying in Abilene (Spring, Center, Clyde: neighborhood, theater, high school)

[littlemonster]

Hi! I'll be pursuing my further education in Abilene this coming fall. I was wondering can anyone tell me the things I need to know about life in Abilene as a student. Oh yes, not forgetting the weather as well. Thanks a lot.

[teatime]

Hi lilmonster,
Are you going to be at ACU, HSU, or McMurry? Not that it matters much, I guess, except each is in a different neighborhood. There's a lot of stuff within walking distance of Hardin-Simmons -- Taco Bell, Java City coffee house, grocery store, etc.

I can't offer much insight as to being a student here but I can tell you a bit about Abilene. This isn't a drinking/party town -- there aren't many clubs. But there is a lot to do, especially regarding the arts.

The second Thursday of every month is ArtWalk downtown. There's usually a theme. During ArtWalk, there is free admission to the museums and galleries, musicians and artists on the street, and the historic Paramount Theater offers an ArtWalk movie. Sometimes there's a parade, too.

Abilene has a Ballet Company, an Opera Company, Community Chorus, Theater groups, Philharmonic Orchestra, and Broadway series. Performances are at the Paramount Theater or the Civic Center downtown. The West Texas Fair is here, plus various rodeos and competitions. There's a Western Heritage festival with a parade, exhibitions, and chuckwagon cook-off. There are several lakes with recreation areas, and a really neat zoo, too. Of course, the universities have lots of activities, as well.

There's lots of shopping and restaurants in the Southwest Drive/Buffalo Gap Road area. The Mall of Abilene is around Buffalo Gap Road. Stores like Old Navy, Ross, etc. are off Southwest, on Catclaw Drive, along with a big Super Walmart. There's another new Walmart Supercenter close to ACU, off I-20. Actually, that area is growing. They're opening a new Lowe's and shopping center there soon.

I like Abilene and hope you'll be happy here! The city is pretty spread out and the traffic is never bad. Folks are very friendly and it's very laid-back. So, welcome!

[teatime]

Oh, geez, I forgot the weather!!!!

I've only lived here since November and everyone has told me that it hasn't been typical, LOL. But here goes -- there are distinct seasons. Fall and Spring are super-pleasant in the 70s and 80s; Winter does get cold and you can have freezes and a bit of snow. We had some ice storms last winter and it actually snowed on Easter this year! (I'm told that's not typical, though.) Do bring cold weather clothes and sturdy shoes or boots with grippy bottoms. You won't need snow boots, LOL.

And here we are in Summer breaking rain and temperature records! But it's not what you think -- it's been cooler this summer than normal! Yay! I'm told it hits the 100s frequently in July and August but we have only mustered the low 90s so far, and not very often. I am NOT complaining -- it's been GREAT! But if you're going to be here in the summer, be prepared for heat.

Oh, one last thing -- it hails pretty frequently! If you're bringing a car, try to find covered parking. We do get some pretty wild thunderstorms. (I think they're really cool, LOL)

[WestTexan87]

Teatime, I am SO HAPPY to hear from a new resident who actually likes Abilene. It seems like the "cool" thing to bash the town, but it's not bad honestly. I go to ACU right now and graduated from Cooper HS in south Abilene. There are tons of random things to do in town, as teatime said. The recent growth in northeast Abilene along I-20 will bring many new businesses to town that we ordinarily couldn't support. The highway traffic, I think, will help the town to grow economically and the people will enjoy all the "luxuries" of larger cities. I don't have much to say that teatime didn't already cover, so I'll just put my two cents in: learn to enjoy good music and late-night drives. Some of my favorite hours have been spent cruising out in the country with something blaring from my speakers and my car top down. It's wonderful. If you and your friends ever get bored, convince them to take a mini road trip to one of the little towns around Abilene. Merkel, Anson, Winters, Clyde, Baird, etc all have little restaurants and whatnot to do. (Go see the anson lights - spooky.) Go check out the ruins of old Fort Phantom Hill north of Abilene. Get barbecue at Sharon's or Square's and get Mexican food at Alfredo's. Walk the track around ACU. Go hang out at the Leaf or Monk's downtown. Visit museums. Take weird pictures with the sculptures and statues downtown. Go to the drive-in theater. Sit at Starbucks and just talk or play scrabble (they're opening a new Starbucks on South 14th soon). Go read a book at Hastings. Go feed the ducks in Nelson Park. (You can hand-feed the geese if you're brave.) Save up money and go eat at Copper Creek on Loop 322 or at Cypress Street Station downtown. Go bowling. Play putt putt at PlayFaire. Drive by the wind turbines on US 277. Watch a thunderstorm. Eat at the Homeplace just outside of Tuscola south of Abilene (open thurs-sun). Go antique shopping. Go to MSJ on E Hwy 80 and laugh at the disgusting porn (seriously, it's some weird stuff, but good for a laugh). Go to a rodeo, go to the fair, go watch high school football at Shotwell Stadium.

There are some clubs and I hear they're good, but it's not my scene really. Guitars & Cadillacs is on Vine (I think) near Cooper HS. Cowboys is at the corner of US 277 (S 14th) and the Winters Fwy (83/84). Midnight Rodeo 3 is near the courthouse south of downtown. There are others I'm sure, but I'm clueless. I'm not a prude, I just don't enjoy myself there.

OH! And be sure to drive by the Mrs Baird's bakery on South Treadaway Blvd with your windows down when they're baking. The smell is out of this world.

Let me know if you have questions.

[littlemonster]

Thanks a lot for the information. Really helps. Appreciate it. I'll be attending HSU. Anything around that neighbourhood? I don't think i'll be getting a car. Can't afford it anyway. Is there any way where I can get a bicycle or travelling on foot would be good enough? Thanks again.

[teatime]

Oh, yeah, there's quite a bit around Hardin-Simmons. Right across the street from campus is a Lawrence Bros. supermarket, a Taco Bell, Java City, and an off-campus bookstore. It's close to downtown and Hendrick Hospital/doctors'.

You won't need a car. The City Link bus service looks to be pretty good. (I've never used it so I can't give specifics.) There's a trolley downtown, too.

From where are you coming?

[teatime]

Thanks, WestTexan! There's a lot of cool stuff on your list that interested me, too! (Well, except for the weird porn thing, hahahaha)

[littlemonster]

I'm coming from Malaysia actually. Thanks a lot teatime and WestTexan. You guys have been a great help. Does the City Link bus service travels around the city?

[WestTexan87]

Yeah citylink travels most of the main routes around town. I see stops all over, though I've never ridden it. You might lots of old people on there, but idk. I think once you get established on campus, you'll find friends more than happy to drive you around. At HSU you'll be within walking distance of essentials (groceries), but pretty much everything else you can get about a mile down Ambler (US 351) at WalMart at the corner of 351 and I20. Other than that, head south on 83/84 for shopping, eating. If you can, check back to some of my older threads where I posted tons of Abilene pics. I'll link to them in here if I can find them.

[WestTexan87]

http://www.city-data.com/forum/texas...tml#post160012

Tons of pics...sorry.