moving to fort hood need help!! (Dallas, Austin: homes, middle schools, subdivisions)

[jerzeegirl2]

I'm relocating from Maryland to Ft Hood in the very near future kind of came up upon us. My husband is an officer working in the hospital on base. I'm afraid Im not reading good things about Killeen, have never lived on post. We are East coast people so this is an adjustment orginially from NJ. Any suggestions?? anyone help?? Would like nice area, good private schools, shopping. Reasonable commute to base, no more than 1/2 hour my husband works long hours. Question? don't think Im nuts but I see pictures and no trees??? is it just too hot or what? Any suggestions or comments are truly appreciated.
Is there anyone from east coast recently moved? I guess the beach is out of the question! HELP!!

[WillysB]

Check out a google map, searching Killeen, Tx. There's towns and subdivisions from Copperas Cove on the west along US 190 to Temple on the east on I-35. All excepting Temple within a half hour of the main gate. There's the usual shopping chains along 190, much of it recently developed. There's good areas to live, some not so good. I tend to think you're talking about homes south of 190 rather than between 190 and the post.

There's no beach but there are a couple of lakes. There are trees, just not a piney forest. A view from reality will tell more than a poorly aimed camera.

Austin is only an hour away, Dallas two hours. And for some yes, it is just too hot but we do have homes with windows and air conditioning. Cars, too.

[jerzeegirl2]

thanks for your info! I hope I didn't sound too crazy about the beach thing of course you have windows and cars..I also noticed that grass doesn't look too green Im sure that the heat is responsible I didn't know if it affects the trees as well.. Do you know anything about Round Rock? How far is Round Rock from Ft Hood? maybe 45 min? (wishful thinking) Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
I did read that Georgetown has some nice areas too...

[armywifeandmom]

When I left Fort Hood last month there was a whole new housing area being constructed for Officers. I do not know the date it is expected to be completed.

I have been in the older housing designated for officers families. The highest level though was 0-6 and I don't know what your rank/grade is but I do suggest looking also on post for housing.

It's not bad at all (unless you are looking at housing that is enlisted housing and those older one's are slated for demolition already).

Fort Hood is a self sustained community. Every thing that you need is on post and also the MWR and CYS are exceptional. The elementary and middle schools that service our military children located at Fort Hood are on post, and in many instances the children can walk to school if they choose to do so.

I do understand the wish to remain offpost but I do suggest that on post housing be looked at first in this case. Fort Hood is and has been FORSCOM since before the beginning of the war and money is poured into that community. I lived there for nine years and was very happy and grateful to have had the experience. Good luck.

[CptnRn]

It may be a bit of a cultural difference for you but I think you will find most of Texas to be friendly and good places to raise kids.

Round Rock is 63 miles from Ft. Hood and I'm sure there are nice places to live closer to than that.

If you want beach front, look at the numerous developments around Belton Lake, its 84% full,

or
Stillhouse Hollow Lake, 92% full, even in this drought. The worst of the TX drought has been south of this area.

Or Salado, Texas, just a little further south, its a very nice area.