Moving to Abilene-Few questions (Fort Worth, Midland: apartments, house, layoffs)

[shave]

Moving from Wisconsin to Abilene within the next few months and am wondering.........

1. Will I EVER need a snow shovel?
2. Are fireplaces/wood stoves found in some homes? I have a wood splitter I'm not sure if I should bring.
3. Are there any parts of the city we should avoid when apartment and (later) househunting? (kids grown and gone)
4. Any other advice or suggestions are appreciated

[starfields]

Originally Posted by shave

Moving from Wisconsin to Abilene within the next few months and am wondering.........

1. Will I EVER need a snow shovel?
2. Are fireplaces/wood stoves found in some homes? I have a wood splitter I'm not sure if I should bring.
3. Are there any parts of the city we should avoid when apartment and (later) househunting? (kids grown and gone)
4. Any other advice or suggestions are appreciated

See Burro Alley http://www.sacreddreamers.com/news.htm

and the Paramount Theater. Hand feed a giraffe from a bridge at the zoo!

[lifertexan]

1. Will I EVER need a snow shovel?

No.

2. Are fireplaces/wood stoves found in some homes? I have a wood splitter I'm not sure if I should bring.

Yes,especially in newer homes.The number of days that you can have a fire without having to turn the AC on to help get it cold enough number about 15. But then you can BBQ in the summer,so bring the wood splitter.

3. Are there any parts of the city we should avoid when apartment and (later) househunting? (kids grown and gone)

Some.It won't be hard to figure out.Just ask a realtor.

4. Any other advice or suggestions are appreciated

When buying beer or wine at the local stores,pretend not to recognize your fellow churchgoers when you see them doing the same. Or accept their excuse of "medicinal purposes only" without laughing.

Eat at Harold's BBQ. Often. It's that good. Don't let the run down building in the wrong part of town scare you away. That's part of the experience. And don't forget to try the hot water cornbread. See if you can talk Harold into singing. He's good.

There used to be a prairie dog town out around the mall.Don't know if it is still there. But the zoo is very good for a small town.

If you've never experienced Texas HS football, catch a game on Friday night. Especially Abilene High vs Abilene Cooper.

[WestTexan87]

First let me say welcome. I was recently stranded in Milwaukee on my way home from NYC to Abilene and the people in Wisconsin are very nice. I loved the cookies on Midwest Airlines, too. I hope you enjoy your life in Abilene. I am from upstate NY originally and have been in Abilene most of my life, so I think you'll find it very homey here.

First, you will not need a snow shovel. Snow falls rarely and in small amounts. The most I've seen is maybe 5 or 6 inches and it was melted away within 2 days.

Second, almost every house has a wood-burning fireplace. If not for function, for aesthetics. I have lived in 3 homes here and only one (on the air force base) didn't have a fireplace. My dad still splits all of our wood, but you can buy it chopped and bundled from most grocery stores in town.

Third, ask your realtor about bad neighborhoods. VERY generally speaking (as in, don't let this steer you one way or the other), areas around downtown and in northwestern Abilene are older, more run-down, lower income and smaller floorplans. However, there are always exceptions, so don't let the quadrant of town it's in affect you. The best apartments in town, IMO, are Warwick (US Hwy 83/84 and Arrowhead Dr), Newport Village (near the mall), and maybe Indian Run (also by the mall). Good neighborhoods abound in south, southwest, southeast and northeast Abilene, so look all over for your favorite.

Fourth, learn to love the city for its quirks. There are many. Eat barbecue (Harold's, Joe Allen, Lytle Land & Cattle, Harlow's), visit the zoo, watch a football game, go to the fair, visit the museums, eat at Fuji's (S 27th), visit Fort Phantom Hill ruins, take country drives in a convertible on summer nights, go to the Paramount for a movie date, visit random surrounding towns and eat at Dairy Gueen (see how many you can visit - I've been to Merkel, Clyde, Baird, Winters, Anson, Albany, Cross Plains and Hamlin to name just a few), and just enjoy a slower pace of life. People are too churchy - ignore it. People can't drive - yell at them. People smile too much - smile back. It's too hot - learn to appreciate AC and pools. It's boring - learn to appreciate other people's company.

That's really all there is to it. Abilene is like no place else. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know if I can help in any way.

[fallguy]

Hi West Texan 87-
"People are too churchy - ignore it. People can't drive - yell at them. People smile too much - smile back. It's too hot - learn to appreciate AC and pools. It's boring - learn to appreciate other people's company. "

As an attendee of Hardin-Simmons & a graduate of Texas Tech, your Abilene comments bring a smile to my face. I concur with them.

Thanks & Keep Up the Good Work!!

fallguy

[WillysB]

From lifertexan

If you've never experienced Texas HS football, catch a game on Friday night. Especially Abilene High vs Abilene Cooper.

Indeed. This is the land of Friday Night Lights. Abilene and Cooper played in the same district as Midland and Odessa schools along with San Angelo. One of more of these schools will move forward in football playoffs. Tho', I remember a buddy's sister crying the night Abilene lost district for the first time in almost a decade, back in 1960 (plus/minus a year or two) losing to that upstart school across town, Cooper High.

Alas, Abilene has moved to a Fort Worth district for competition, leaving behind the legend of West Texas football.

[JamesAbilene]

I have lived in Abilene 28 years. Moved here from Ohio. My wife and I love it here, and everything WesTexan87 and lifertexan told you is right on target. Give away or sell the snow shovel! My favorite reason for living here! I shoveled lake effect snow constantly in Akron. I have never shoveled a single flake here. Actually, most snow is gone the day it falls or no longer than one or two days later.

[ChristieP]

Originally Posted by lifertexan

Eat at Harold's BBQ. Often. It's that good. Don't let the run down building in the wrong part of town scare you away. That's part of the experience. And don't forget to try the hot water cornbread. See if you can talk Harold into singing. He's good.

I will drive 2 hours both ways to go have lunch at Harold's! The hot water cornbread is truly amazing, as are the greens and ribs. If the line is out the door, don't worry; it moves quickly!