Fort Hood/Killeen (Dallas, San Antonio, Austin: rentals, crime, transfer)

[smalltownmama]

Can anyone give me any informtation? Weather? cost of living? what kind of shopping? What kind of people? How far is it from other places?

[miche111e]

I grew up in Killeen, but haven't been back in a few years. I know that it has grown in leaps and bounds. All of your basics are there, the big box stores. They do have some department stores at the mall. If you want some nightlife or higher end stores, you can go to Austin, whch is about 75 miles SE of Killeen. The weather...where are you coming from? Hot in the summer, not as humid as San Antonio, but not dry like Colorado. Big blue skies most of the time. There are lakes nearby. Cost of living is low compared to Austin, but then again I don't know where you're coming from.
Good luck! All I can say is that it is less Podunk than when I lived there. LOL

[miche111e]

Forgot to add:
The people? Lots of different people due to the military. I'd say the majority are or were military at some point.

[NOTAM]

Ft Hood/Killeen-largest military installation in the country.
Weather-mild winters but some very cold spells, erratic-we have had 30-40 degree days followed directly by 70+degree days.
Mostly sunny, rains only in spells (but in major drought right now).
Not humid (comparatively speaking)-i have lived in MS, TN, GA and it is DRY here compared to there. I think it's a dry heat. But not AZ/NM dry.
Pretty windy-that is one thing that my best friend who moved here from Oregon is surprised at. No good hair days here.
Lots of cedar, so allergies galore.
People-mostly military, and DOD decals are probably on 75% or more of the POV's here. Either active duty, dependents or retirees. Seems like there are very few "locals".
Surrounded by small Texas towns that are VERY local, very friendly, natives. I live in a rural area but work on post. I see enough Army Mon-Fri, so it's nice to get away from it all, as much as I love the Army.
Close to all Hill Country destinations.
Cost of living very low, if you live in the surrounding rural towns. If you live in Killeen/Harker Heights/Copperas Cove, rentals are based on BAH, whether you are active duty or not, because most folks who live here are active duty and get BAH and property owners and management companies know what the BAH is. So to me, if you are a civilian and dont get BAH, the rents are high. Another reason to live out in the country, where the rents are 30-40% or sometimes even more lower.
Shopping-eh. Nothing special. Your typical mall/strip malls etc. Generic America-Super Target, Super Walmarts, same ole same ole. Best shopping is in Austin area-Whole Foods, IKEA, better malls, more variety. Only a 45-60 min drive from most parts near Ft Hood.
I love it here.
If you have any specific questions, ask away or DM me.
Hooah!

[katjazzlover]

Hi Notam

My name is Karen and my husband and I are thinking of relocating to your area. Your review was very helpful! Thank you.

How windy is windy? Is it everyday? When you talk about living outside of Killeen, how far out are the other smaller towns?

What do you know of the school district? I am thinking about applying for jobs within the school district, as the state of Arizona has a huge budget deficeit (sp?) and there are no jobs for teachers here. You mentioned Copperas Cove. Is that a better place to be that Killeen?

Any inside info you can give will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Karen

[NOTAM]

windy...not as bad as pandhandle or West Texas, but windy. i am used to it, since i have lived in Texas most of my life, but others who aint from here, mention it.

other towns are about the same commute time to post as Killeen/Harker Heights but longer distance. you are traveling rural roads that are less congested.

dont know anything about school districts-the dont concern me. so i cant answer that.

copperas cove is MUCH better than Killeen, but i still dont like it-it's a faceless character-less bedroom community with little to offer (very few options in dining except for mostly fast food, and of course the standard Walmart and HEB stuff). it's subdivisions and strip malls. that's it. no courthouse square. nothing QUAINT about it.

i am a BIG fan of Gatesville (number once choice), and then Lampasas would be second choice.

if i HAD to live in Bell County, probably Nolanville

Originally Posted by katjazzlover

Hi Notam

My name is Karen and my husband and I are thinking of relocating to your area. Your review was very helpful! Thank you.

How windy is windy? Is it everyday? When you talk about living outside of Killeen, how far out are the other smaller towns?

What do you know of the school district? I am thinking about applying for jobs within the school district, as the state of Arizona has a huge budget deficeit (sp?) and there are no jobs for teachers here. You mentioned Copperas Cove. Is that a better place to be that Killeen?

Any inside info you can give will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Karen

[spanko75]

Its just my opinion, but the entire central Texas area blows...the weather, Killeen is filthy and crime filled, just as Temple and Waco.

[katjazzlover]

Thank you Notam. May I ask you more questions in the future? It's nice to have someone who lives there honestly answer questions.

[NOTAM]

any time!

Originally Posted by katjazzlover

Thank you Notam. May I ask you more questions in the future? It's nice to have someone who lives there honestly answer questions.

[tex012390]

My boyfriend is looking at transferring down to Fort Hood from Fort Bragg after he gets back from deployment.

We were looking at moving into some of the fourplexes around that area, but I wanted some real input about Killeen and on-post.

I was hoping to find what utlities would be, commutes, average cost of living just the general things so I can make a good guess bout the area before he puts in for the relocation.

Anything would be a big help. I've past through Killeen, but I've always lived in Dallas.