Apartment Complexes in Abilene, Texas (San Angelo, West: military, gated, travel)

[PAMomof2]

My husband, children and I are possibly moving to Abilene in the next couple of months. Eventually we will buy a house, but for the first year or two we plan to rent. I was wondering if anyone could tell me which Apartment complexes are the nicest (meaning safe and family friendly). My husband and I really like the looks of Timber Ridge, but I know from experience that lots of places look good on "paper" but when you see them in person leave a lot to be desired.

Any input is greatly appreciated, we will most likely be doing most of this on-line due to the fact that we currently live in PA, and will be making this move by the middle of November.

[WillysB]

PAmom, what is the reason for 'destination Abilene'? Is it the air force, a university, other business or just for kicks?

The reason I ask is for a lead as to which direction would be suitable area for you to live. Not that Abilene is that big but why live on the south side of town if you're working on the north side.

Abilene's growth tends primarily to the north east side, with ACU and to the south west side with Buffalo Gap and Dyess AFB. There's some nice growth on the south east side near the fair grounds but I can't imagine why. Just waiting for that next jet out of town, I guess.

If it were me, I'd head out south west, towards Buffalo Gap. There are some other responsders from Abilene on this board so hang in there for more help.

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[PAMomof2]

Well, we would be moving for business. The job that my husband is in the running for would have him traveling all over the area so being north, south, east, or west is pretty irrelavent. Plus, the best, and safest possible neighborhood for our children would outweigh any traveling convenience anyway.

[WillysB]

The TimberRidge looks good and is probly a safe part of town. I haven't been there in a couple of years so, again, hopefully some posters will chime in here. The map on their website looks misleading to me. Where it looks like it says > 7th, on the map near the mall is actually 'Buffalo Gap Rd' or Hwy 89. This is the area I'd go for or further south, toward Fairway Oaks. Or on the loop 322 east and north to the Lytle Lake (pronounced lie-tle) area is a new development I've seen from the highway. Lytle is a good area, nice homes.

I'm sure you'll get some other responses in the next day or two. Good luck home hunting.

[WestTexan87]

The nicest apartment complexes that I know of (I've lived in Abilene for about 15 years now) are:

Warwick at the corner of Arrowhead Dr and US 83/84 - I lived here for a while before we bought a house and my friend's mom lives here. Very clean and well-landscaped. Zoned Jackson-Madison-Cooper, all very good schools.

Newport Village on Rolling Green Dr across from the Mall behind MCM Elegante Suites. A safe, gated community in a busy commercial district of town. Very close to Ward Elementary School. Zoned Ward-Clack-Cooper, very good schools.

Curry Junction at the corner of Curry Lane and Catclaw. Nice, less expensive apartments very close to shopping and schools. Zoned Ward-Clack-Cooper.

I can't remember the name of this one, but it's on Ridgemont Dr next to TaMolly's. Address is 4450 Ridgemont if that helps at all. It is one of the nicer apartments and is very close to the Mall. Also zoned Ward-Clack-Cooper.

Quail Hollow on Rebecca lane at the intersection with US 277 (South 14th st). Built intended for military families, but is open to anyone. New construction (2005) in a relatively rural area, but well-connected to the city by road. New neighborhood going up adjacent. Zoned Bassetti-Clack-Cooper.

Those are really the only decent ones I can think of at the moment. I would avoid anything in central or northwest Abilene. And most complexes in northeast Abilene cater toward College kids and are therefore not entirely family-friendly. I would stick to southwest Abilene near the mall, which is where all of the aforementioned complexes are. Let me know if I can help any more.

[JamesAbilene]

I agree with West Texas 87. However, there are a number of new complexes being built. One of the larger is in Northeast Abilene just of Interstate 20 and Highway 351. I have no idea what rents will be or what demographics it will appeal to. However, it could be ready when you move and might be worth looking into. It is in Heritage Parks subdivision. There is also another large, new, and nice looking complex behind Lowes near the mall--can't think of the street right now--It is near CUrry Junction that West Texas 87 mentioned and looks like it is close to ready to rent. I have also had friends in Mill Creek who have been quite happy with it. It is on the San Angelo highway a mile or two southwest of the Winter's Freeway near Bassetti elementary school.