I am considering a move there with my son, who will be starting school soon. Can you tell me anything about the town--crime problems, areas to avoid, what the town is really like, etc. Please do not provide a link to the city hall or the convention bureau, I have already seen those. I want a true persons impression. The final towns in the running to move to ( for comparison) are: Ames, IA--Iowa City, IA--Lancaster, PA--Concord, NH--Silver City, NM--Santa Fe, NM--Lincoln, NE
2007-03-12 02:40:49 · 5 answers · asked by operaphantom2003 4 in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
Abilene is a great place to raise a child. The school districts here are expceptionally well and the area is great. Crime is low and the cost of living is low as well. The town is pretty quiet for the most part. Just like any city, there are certain areas to avoid...like a few blocks on the north side. Abilene has roughly 115,000 civilians and still has the small town feeling of smaller cities. Dyess is here and is a very large base making Abilene very military-oriented.
Just curious as to why Abilene is one of your options? I take it that this is a choice because of work? Depending on where you live, maybe you can make a weekend trip down here and check it out. I would be more than happy to make a few suggestions on things to do or see with your son.
2007-03-12 03:34:44 · answer #1 · answered by Lance 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love Ames IA.
My dear friend moved there and is the happinest she has ever been in her entire life. It has a small time feel and lots of family stuff. Perfect for a single mom and son.
I have family in CederRapids and just love it up there. It has all four seasons and each hold different challenges and excitement.
I love SanteFe as well, yet I could not live there, its too dry for me.
I'm from Houston and unless you have a great job or family, please don't go to Abilene....its just a cattle/oil town and has a very "small town" opnion on outside people. I love that city, yet its not a great haven for a single mom, its the bible belt.
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Let's add some more to the mix! Come to Houston! We love it and its a wonderful place to live. Its a big city and tons to do.
Hey you might consider Houston. Its a great place, lots of opportuinty and cheap housing, great job market and depending on where you live, great school. Very diverse people (colors, race, cultures and social classes). Its not a "cowtown" at all. Just has that rep. Most folks will "show ya where to go" instead of telling you.
Think about it.
Subs- (W) Sugarland, (S)Friendswood, (SE)Clearlake, (N)Woodlands, (NW) Katy, (50miles N) Conroe and I love (SE)Pasadena (folks assume its redneck and they are so wrong, but that's okay! I have a 4/2 house on 1/2 acre and got it for $125K and the taxes are low and the neighborhood, schools and shopping is great!] We own 40 acres in central texas near Austin area, and we love our Pasadena home just as much. YOU CAN AFFORD TO LIVE A GOOD LIFE with out credit cards in this town! For real. Can you imagine being a "cash only" living? Having a savings account? And kids have all they need and you too? Amazing huh?
Best wishes
FYI- we have Grand Opera and Incredible Ballet here too!
2007-03-12 02:52:55 · answer #2 · answered by Denise W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've not lived in Abilene, but I've been through there on business. My impression is that it's a hole. I never want to subject myself to doing business there again. I can't imagine having to live there. Ugh!
I don't know what your criteria for moving are, but the Clear Lake area just SE of Houston is very nice. Essentially it's a conglomeration of small cities established around a brackish lake that empties into Galveston Bay: Check out League City, Webster, Seabrook, Kemah, and Clear Lake City*.
The school district is Clear Creek Independent School District, which is renowned. The cost of living is very fair - houses run from $70-110 per square foot, depending on location and age. Property taxes are a little high, but all of Texas is without state income tax. Rentals are easy to find. Crime is extremely low and everything is within reach. I rarely go into Houston itself (maybe once a month).
*Houston (city limits) stretches into the Clear Lake area too - this part of Houston used to be Clear Lake City before it was annexed some time ago. Really it's geographically separate from the rest of Houston, so people still call it Clear Lake City. It's several miles outside the outer loop (Beltway 8), which most people consider an unofficial border to the big city.
2007-03-12 02:49:52 · answer #3 · answered by CPT Jack 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I live nearby, its a little quiet town , dont know too much about it,
2007-03-12 02:45:25 · answer #4 · answered by sourgirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm areas to avoid: ABILENE.
Seriously, I concur that it is a hole.
2007-03-12 03:13:46 · answer #5 · answered by jenni_bu2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋