Abilene? (Midland, Winters, Buffalo: real estate, rentals, house)

[ChrisA70]

Hello. We are relocating to Abilene in November from FL. My brother in law has orders to go to Dyess when he leaves Korea. We are going to relocate there also. I have read a lot of positive things about Abilene. Never lived in TX either. What should I know? Do? Any reccomendations? Thanks in advance.

[TT Dave]

I am a native Abilenian and currently live here again and can probably help answer most of your questions but I need a little more information from you. Are you planning on renting or buying? What would your price range be? Do you have school-age children?

[ChrisA70]

Originally Posted by TT Dave

I am a native Abilenian and currently live here again and can probably help answer most of your questions but I need a little more information from you. Are you planning on renting or buying? What would your price range be? Do you have school-age children?

We are going to rent a house there, 3-4 bedroom. $800-$1000 monthly. My brother in law is also going to rent with us while he is stationed at Dyess for the next 4-8 years. My daughter is 10 grade 4. My wife is looking at going back into Albertsons which were all sold last year to Publix here in FL.

[TT Dave]

You should have no problem renting a house in that price range in a decent part of town. Up until a few years ago I rented a nice 3 bedroom home in the southwestern part of town for about $800. It was an older home (built in the 60's) but it had new paint and carpet throughout and was close to plenty of shopping. Before that I rented a 3 bedroom house not far from Dyess that was older but nice for about the same price. Word to the wise, try to avoid neighborhoods in the vicinity of S.7th St. in the area west of the Winters freeway (Hwy 83/84 west loop). There are some rough neigborhoods out there (gang activity, shootings, etc.) Generally speaking, the south and southwest side of town is your best bet for nicer neighborhoods that are still relatively close to Dyess that should have some nice rentals in your price range. Your best bet would be to google some of the local real estate agents. Many of them show some of the better properties that are professionally managed. I had better luck with that than just getting stuff out of the local newspaper. As far as Albertson's goes we still have one of those here at 4450 Buffalo Gap Rd (the other one closed a few years ago). Abilene is a nice little city (about 120,000 people) and they have some good public schools here. There are several public parks, a zoo, and some good restaurants here. Abilene is a also a very family-oriented city. Click the link below for some good general information about the city, including the public schools. See the bottom of the page in the link for more helpful links. If you have any more questions I'd be glad to help in any way I can!

Here's the link:

Abilene, Texas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[ChrisA70]

Originally Posted by TT Dave

You should have no problem renting a house in that price range in a decent part of town. Up until a few years ago I rented a nice 3 bedroom home in the southwestern part of town for about $800. It was an older home (built in the 60's) but it had new paint and carpet throughout and was close to plenty of shopping. Before that I rented a 3 bedroom house not far from Dyess that was older but nice for about the same price. Word to the wise, try to avoid neighborhoods in the vicinity of S.7th St. in the area west of the Winters freeway (Hwy 83/84 west loop). There are some rough neigborhoods out there (gang activity, shootings, etc.) Generally speaking, the south and southwest side of town is your best bet for nicer neighborhoods that are still relatively close to Dyess that should have some nice rentals in your price range. Your best bet would be to google some of the local real estate agents. Many of them show some of the better properties that are professionally managed. I had better luck with that than just getting stuff out of the local newspaper. As far as Albertson's goes we still have one of those here at 4450 Buffalo Gap Rd (the other one closed a few years ago). Abilene is a nice little city (about 120,000 people) and they have some good public schools here. There are several public parks, a zoo, and some good restaurants here. Abilene is a also a very family-oriented city. Click the link below for some good general information about the city, including the public schools. See the bottom of the page in the link for more helpful links. If you have any more questions I'd be glad to help in any way I can!

Here's the link:

Abilene, Texas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thanks so much for the info!!! I am looking forward to getting out of FL, believe me. If I have any questions can I PM you?

Thanks,

Chris

[TT Dave]

Originally Posted by ChrisA70

Thanks so much for the info!!! I am looking forward to getting out of FL, believe me. If I have any questions can I PM you?

Thanks,

Chris

Absolutely, if you have any more questions just PM me and I'll be glad to help in whatever ways I can.

[Mark-Tyler is Special]

Opps, almost missed this one.

[juliemerrittrobinson]

Hey TT Dave,

Can I jump on your offer too? I am a Texas native, but haven't spent any time in the western part of the state. I currently have job offers in Abilene and Midland. If all else was equal, which would be the better place to live and raise a family? Are they about the same terrain-wise (I'm thinking pretty flat, hot, dry, therefore dusty)? I'm a single mom with elementary-age children; would that make a difference in your recommendation? What about nightlife. I love to 2-step and I've missed it a lot during my marriage, so I have some making up to do. Which city would be more desirable in that regard? Thank you!

Julie

[TT Dave]

Originally Posted by juliemerrittrobinson

Hey TT Dave,

Can I jump on your offer too? I am a Texas native, but haven't spent any time in the western part of the state. I currently have job offers in Abilene and Midland. If all else was equal, which would be the better place to live and raise a family? Are they about the same terrain-wise (I'm thinking pretty flat, hot, dry, therefore dusty)? I'm a single mom with elementary-age children; would that make a difference in your recommendation? What about nightlife. I love to 2-step and I've missed it a lot during my marriage, so I have some making up to do. Which city would be more desirable in that regard? Thank you!

Julie

Hey Julie, your in luck because I have lived in Midland before and I now live in Abilene again (native of Abilene), so I should be able to help out. Yes, both cities are about the same terrain-wise, although Midland is a little more "desert-like" overall. It is flat, hot, and dry here in Abilene too but there are a few mesas just south of town that changes up the scenery slightly and it is slightly greener here (a few more trees...LOL). As far as a good place to raise a family goes, both cities would probably be fairly equal on that. Both cities have pretty good public schools too. As far as nightlife goes, I think Abilene has a slight edge on that one. To be fair it has been a while since I lived in Midland (back in the mid 90's) but when I was there it seemed like there weren't as many places to go out to at night as we have here in Abilene. It's been a while since I've gone "2- stepping" but I'm pretty sure there is at least 2 or 3 really good places still here in Abilene for C&W dancing. If you have any more questions just let me know or send me a direct message. Hope this helps!