Relocating to Abilene, Texas (Orange, Wylie: middle-class, real estate, houses)

[flasherator]

I am going to be moving to Abilene next month. On Monday we are leaving to go look for a house to buy. I was wondering what if there are any neighborhoods or areas that we should avoid. Our realtor has sent us many listings; we just don't know the area. I've read where there are some neighborhoods that have higher crime. We would obviously like to avoid those areas. My husband is in the military and if he is ever away, I'd like to feel safe in my home.

Thanks for the input!

[NOTAM]

doesnt Dyess AFB have post housing? or as USAF says, "base housing"? i always felt safer living on post than off post, and cheaper!

[flasherator]

Dyess does, but not for officers at the moment. They won't having housing for them for 2 years. So basically we have to buy a house. We could rent, but we might as well just buy a house.

I agree; I feel safer on base too.

[lyssakaye]

Welcome to Abilene!!

As far as neighborhoods, I would focus more on the South side of town, by the mall or further south is where the town is really growing. There is a new addition close to the "New Walmart" (everyone will know where that is) that seems very nice but not that close to the main part of Abilene.

There are pockets of nice neighborhoods on the North side but you would need to be knowledgable enough to find them.

Good luck on your house hunting and again welcome to Abilene. It is a very friendly town.

Lyssa

[Steel Man]

I was stationed at Dyess back in the early 80's. My wife and I just went up there for a visit after Christmas. A lot has changed (including the base). Try looking for houses around Kirby Lake (south of Abilene on Hwy 83). Nice houses and reasonable prices.

[teatime]

Downtown has some rough areas but there are plenty of nice, affordable, middle-class neighborhoods in Abilene. I moved here last year and was pleased with the options and prices. There was an article in the Abilene Reporter-News a bit ago that said Abilene isn't experiencing the real estate freefall other places are.

When you look at homes, pay close attention to the foundations. From what I've seen and read, foundation problems are fairly common in this part of Texas (and even around DFW). We had a very, very wet spring and summer last year and I know my house shifted -- I got it releveled a few weeks ago. So, if you find a home you like, have an expert examine the foundation.

Welcome to Abilene!

[JamesAbilene]

I would also like to welcome you to Abilene.

Real estate seems to appreciate most in parts of zip code 79602 and all of 79606. 79605 is older neighborhoods that also hold their value pretty well. Parts of 79603 are also holding their own. I live in 79601 which has some good neighborhoods--especially around Abilene Christian University and northeast of it, but 02 and 06 are newer and appreciating faster. Much of 79602 and 79606 are in the Abilene city limits but in the Wylie School District.

[case44]

Hope you'll enjoy your move and get settled in Abilene. You'll like it.

[lilypad]

Yes, stay way South. It is so sad for me to see the disarray and ratty condition of the neighborhoods near downtown today. I grew up on Orange St. and 4th St., cute, clean and safe little places. I went by my Aunt's old house and hardly recognized it. Used to be so well kept, nice lawn with yellow roses going up a trellis in front, with clean white awnings. It has since been totally trashed, but some kind of creatures were still living there.