Sweetwater, TX (Abilene, Stephenville, Commerce: apartments, dorms, theater)

[kaykaybee]

I'm not sure if this is where I am supposed to post this, being new to the community etc. but I'll give it a shot. I would like information on Sweetwater, TX i.e. what there is available to do there, what type of shopping and restaurants are there, the average cost of living, different types of housing available (rental or owning), the overall "feel" and atmosphere of the community, and local churches and banks. It's a possibility that I might be relocating there from Stephenville, TX. As far as things to do go, I'm not asking for alot; I've gotten used to living in a small town that pretty much shuts down at 9 pm. I really just need the basics, like a Wal Mart and (hopefully) a Bank of America. If anyone can help me out with any or all of this info, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[ruthphinz]

Kay - i don't know what is bringing you to Sweetwater, but, if it's not too late - STOP.
This is a very unpleasant place to live.
In fact, we are seriously considering a move to Stephenville.
There is a Wal-Mart - with the worst customer service i've ever seen, .
even at a Wal-Mart.
There are so many stray cats and dogs that it is nothing short of horribly sad.
The town is filthy - really filthy.
City dumpsters are in right on the street in several parts of town.
There are a few 'nice' housing areas, but most are run down and just plain trashy.
Housing is pretty cheap - but, you get what you pay for.
There are no theaters or bowling facilities. there is a new small mini-golf business.
One night-club (Azteca) that is very, very rough. Although the Elks lodge offers friday night Karoke.
Please seriously re-consider moving to Sweetwater.

[Rakin]

Ruth, you must not work for the Sweetwater Chamber of Commerce.

Sweetwaters pretty desolate but within driving distance to Abilene which offers nice things to do.

[JamesAbilene]

I work with a woman who lives in Sweetwater. She is happy with it, but is thankful that Abilene is close.

[ruthphinz]

I've been here a year (seems like a lifetime). Long, sad story how I ended up here. Will not be here much longer. I've tried very, very hard to enjoy life in Sweetwater.
I work from home. I think that is the only reason i've made it a year.

At any rate - whatever you decide - i wish you the very best of luck!

[Az_born_Tx_raised]

Quit trash talkin sweetwater! every town has its ghetto, but not all the apartments are trashy. there is plenty to do here if you look in the right places. there is a very nice city pool, two lakes for swimming, fishing, and boating (but you cant swim in lake trammel) If your in to hiking and Camping there is lots of that around here. not to mention hunting. (if youre into that) if not your only 45 min. from abilene and an hour and a half from sanangelo. Sweetwater is an ok place to live as long as you dont have too many expectations, but you said that youre allready used to small town life so you should be fine. come to sweetwater, and see for yourself

[stillkit]

I think the truck stop has the best restaurant in town and the "thing to do" which you'll do most often is kill rattlesnakes.

[jtur88]

As for restaurants, there are two barbecue places south of town, across the interstate, and they have an excellent reputation. I ate at the less renowned of the two, because the other one closed earlier, and it was praiseworthy barbecue.

As for Sweetwater, I had very good vibes about the town, but I'm a pretty minimalist kind of guy, and I don't stand in awe of rich people and their bling or beg to join their country clubs and park next to their Escalades.

I considered Sweetwater as a place to retire, but the down side, it is so close to Abilene, that it probably doesnt have many of the amenities for a town of that size, and I thought I'd be driving to Abilene all the time for shopping, library, medical, etc.

[Cathyh123]

We are looking to retire in Sweetwater. Anyone know how it is on Yucca Lane? Good or bad area?

[georgste]

My God! Retire in Abilene! I attended TSTC there and what time I was walking back to the dorms from the bookstore and saw this hugh brown rolled up thick rope underneath the crawlspace one day --- it was a sleeping rattlesnake! I just kept on trucking hoping the damn thing didn't notice me as I passed by. I was watching CNN this week which showed a segment on a customer at McDonald's in Chandler, AZ (Phoenix) who discovered a scorpion inside his bag. Southern Arizona has black widows and scorpions and Sweetwater has rattlesnacks. Did I say to retire in Abilene??