QUESTIONs ABOUT MOVING FROM NJ TO ABILENE, TEXAS (Austin, Mesquite: top neighborhoods, renting)

[icom98]

Fellow Forum Members,

It appears that my company will be relocating me to Abilene to take on a new position. I have several questions about this area and hope you can help me with a few answers. Here are my questions.

What is the average cost to register a passenger vehicle and is there a state inspection requirement?

I have several classic & antique cars. Does Texas offer special plates for these. In NJ there is a one time registration fee and renewals are free.

Is trash pickup paid through taxation or is a homeowner responsible to pay a fee? How many times a week is trash collected.

We are interested in the Southwest or Buffalo Gap areas. Is whylie School district covered in these areas?

What are the good and bad points about the areas I mentioned?

I'm concerned about developements that have home owners associations. What are the average fees charged to a homeowner and how involved do they get with what you do with your property? (In NJ most are expensive and very restrictive)

Is city sewer & water available in the Southwest or Buffalo Gap areas? We currently have well water and a septic system.

Thank you in advance for your assistance,
Larry

[Willsson]

Having some familiarity with Abilene, I'll try to answer some of your questions, pending other responses.

A general zip code for Abilene can be 79605 and covers much of the residential and west side areas.

Here's a link to vehicle registration and driver's licensing...
Register your Vehicle
New Residents
Antique Vehicle (http://www.txdmv.gov/vehicles/license_plates/qualifying/antique/antique_vehicle.htm - broken link)

I do not know what it might cost to register a currently owned vehicle but my annual registration is about $60. I believe it's based on weight. Renewal will occur annually, in the same month as the original registration.

Trash pick up - you'll get a water bill which should include charges for trash collection. That could vary in a subdivision with HOA contracts.

Southwest/Buffalo Gap - yes, that is the principle area of the Wylie Schools District, or was when I knew it. Abilene is experiencing much growth in that direction. You'll notice on your map that the Wylie School District HQ is at the intersection of Antilley and Buffalo Gap Road. I think some of the schools as well.

On your google map look far south - to the Wylie area - for a road called Antilley (ant lee) Road (County Rd 314). You'll see Fairway Oaks CC and is a fairly nice subdivision and probably the greenest area in the county. Coming from me, saying fairly nice about anything in Abilene is really humiliating. I believe the area is on city facilities... trust but verify.

Ignore the lake to the east, Kirby Lake. It's a shallow red mud reservoir, I believe originated as a water supply for crops. The dirt in Abilene is red clay. You'll understand when you see it.

I'm not able to comment on HOA's in Abilene.

Pros/cons - I've always said Abilene is a great place to raise a kid, but you wouldn't want to live there. I attended public schools in Abilene, back when a public education was a good thing. Abilene schools were awesome and fully succeeded in the education process. Don't know how they do today, but football remains KING. Abilene schools (not Wylie) are a part of the Friday Night Lights legend, in the same UIL district as Odessa (Permian) and Midland.

Much of Abilene's core has moved to the outlying areas so I think you're wise to focus on the Buffalo Gap direction. I don't think the city government has ever pursued a pro-growth agenda.

Alcoholic beverages are available, an improvement over the days when I lived there.

It appears the Zip Code for Fairway Oaks is 79606

[Willsson]

BUFFALO GAP | The Handbook of Texas Online| Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

BUFFALO GAP. Buffalo Gap is a break in the Callahan Divide just north of the community of Buffalo Gap in east central Taylor County (at 32°17' N, 99°49' W). It was named for the herds of buffalo that trampled a well-defined trail through the gap before the area was settled. The gap, with an elevation of 1,898 feet above sea level, is 400 feet below the nearby summits of the Callahan Divide.

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/o...articles/rjc04

CALLAHAN DIVIDE. The Callahan Divide, named for Callahan County, is a range of hills that extend twenty-six miles from west to southeast through Taylor and Callahan counties and that separate the Brazos River from the Colorado River (the center point of the range is 32°18' N, 99°51' W). The divide begins near the emergence of Cedar Creek, three miles east of Mountain Pass in central Taylor County, proceeds through Buffalo Gap, and concludes near Lytle Gap at the intersection of Farm roads 1178 and 36, a mile north of Dudley in west central Callahan County. Elevations in the range vary from a low of 1,898 feet above sea level at Buffalo Gap to 2,411 at the western end of the Callahan Divide, two miles south of Round Top Mountain.

[TT Dave]

In Texas you have to re-register your vehicles every year. The annual fee for my car has averaged about 75 dollars per year. You'll also have to renew your vehicle inspection each year (it's only about 15 dollars per vehicle for that one). The city of Abilene handles trash pickup and city water fees so those fees are all included on one monthly water-refuse bill. Trash is picked up twice a week. Inside the city limits all of those services are offered. Outside the city limits it varies on the location and how far you are from the city. For example, some developed areas just outside the city limits of Abilene receive city water, sewer, and trash collection services and others do not. Generally speaking, the farther south you go the more likely it is you will have rural water supply. The majority of the newer subdivisions outside the city limits between Abilene and Buffalo Gap are served by the Steamboat Mountain water cooperative and Taylor Electric (a rural electric cooperative). Some homes outside of the newer subdivsions may have septic/well water, etc. The Wylie school district covers far southwestern and southern Abilene and beyond the city limits to the south. Before buying or renting a home be sure to verify what school district the home is in with your realtor, especially if the home is inside the city limits of Abilene. Buffalo Gap is in the Jim Ned school district and the schools in that district are located in nearby Tuscola. The good thing about living in the Wylie school district is that you will live in a newer home in a nice subdivision with great schools. Wylie is the best school district in this entire area. The bad thing is that school taxes in the Wylie district are higher than AISD taxes. The Abilene schools are a mess right now for too many reasons to go into here, so if I were you, I would pay the extra taxes to have your kids attend the Wylie schools. The Jim Ned schools down in Buffalo Gap/Tuscola are pretty good too. I'm not totally sure about the HOA's. I know some people that live in those newer subdivisions to the south and haven't heard any of them complain very much so most of the HOA's here probably aren't as bad as the ones you've already experienced.

[icom98]

Thank you to those that commented on my questions. Please keep the information & comments comming. I really appreciate your time.

[lonestar9918]

Larry - I'm originally from Austin, TX and my wife is a native Abilenian. I have lived in Abilene for about 7 years. Here is a little "hit-list" of points I would like you to know.

Wylie ISD is absolutely the ONLY acceptable school district for literally hundreds of miles around. And it is quite a good district. (This from someone who is a bot "snobby" or picky about schools for my 4 kids. Do NOT let anyone tell you that Abilene ISD or Jim Ned ISD (Which serves Buffalo Gap, Tuscola, and other outlying rural areas.) is anything but BAD.

Lots of low-rent, derelict, run down areas in town itself. The Wylie area is a bit of a safe haven with a semi-bubble around it. There are a couple pockets closer in that are nice but they are AISD. (Lytle Shores, Canterbury Trails, Old Elmwood)

Get ready for culture shock - This is the most conservative place in the world it seems. People are very in your face about religion and social issues. It is vehemently racist and intolerant of ANYONE different. We blend in well...(people dont realize we are liberals lol) They will literally treat you poorly if you are not of like mind.

Top neighborhoods in Wylie - varying price ranges - Fairway Oaks, Saddle Creek, Mesquite Forest, Bella Vista, Twin Oaks to name a few. You can typically get a great house for anywhere between 130k+. Many newer homes are only 250k.

Buffalo Gap - scary. The local rag has the word "SOCIALISM" printed on it with a circle around it and a slash thru it. ie. "No socialism". It is HARDCORE conservative to a fault and dang proud of it too. lol

If you stick to the Wylie area your safe, but just going to wal-mart can be an adventure..lots of low-class trashy ppl (not just talking money here)...and tons of obvious meth addicts.

I'm sorry to bombard you with this info in such an un-eloquent fashion but i am trying to give you a crash course without writing a novel...

what else you want to know about?

[icom98]

lonestar99,

These are some of the actual questions I have, but wasn't sure how to ask. It seems like Buffalo Gap was a good pick. Anyone with additional information or comments will be appreciated. Thank you for your input.

icom98

[Felixmp]

By the way, you'll have to fill up your own car at the gas station. My parents live in Twin Oaks subdivision - no HOA as far as I know and they like the neighborhood. Right near Wylie high school and good mix of middle class folks.

[icom98]

New Jersey is the only state I know of that it is unlawful to pump your own gas! Prices seem to be about the same in Abilene as in NJ. Another thing different about New Jersey vs. Texas is that you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a Police Officer here. Don't get caught in this state doing a moving violation because it will cost you a small fortune, raise your insurance rates, and if found guilty in court, pay one or more surcharges. NJ has the highest property taxes in the nation. I discussed this topic with the locals in Abilene and in most cases I pay more a month than most do in an entire year! The slower lifestyle is great and I hope my transfer becomes a reality.

[Willsson]

If a slower lifestyle suits you then you may do well in Abilene. It's a pretty quiet place. History tells me the city government does NOT pursue growth. Much of what was a strong inner city has moved to the 'burbs, mostly northeast to the ACU area or southwest towards the Wylie area.

Abilene has movies and malls, highways coming and going and most all the amenities any city in the U.S. has and some local theatre. I learned long ago that you can cross only one street at a time, unless that street has two names.

Should you get the transfer then just be prepared for culture shock... big time. No traffic delays, not much of anywhere to go. No one in your face or telling you how to live. Some people may pay attention to your life, at least until someone new comes along.

The part I like best about Abilene is the B1 bombers charging up their jets at 6 a.m. Nothing says security like the roar of a B1 bomber taking off.