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Luca
living
What's it really like living in Abilene?
OK so Just moved here 14 months ago and The school system varies a lot by neigh
4 upvotes
15 Replies
Allison Davis
it depends on the neighborhood
39 upvotes
Thomas M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Landon Cox
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
32 upvotes
Alexa M.
Came here for family and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
carson_dude
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to San Francisco it's surprisingly good.
23 upvotes
raised_mason11
preach
22 upvotes
Aubrey P.
Came here for family and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The community vibe is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
19 upvotes
Caleb C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Denver about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is challenging.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I'm a writer who relocated here from Denver about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is challenging.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Hunter T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 3 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I've been here 3 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Andrew T.
I work in hospitality here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is tough. Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
John G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Definitely worth checking out..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Aaron M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 39, moved here 8 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Midtown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Raleigh, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 39, moved here 8 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Midtown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Raleigh, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
6 upvotes
Brielle Reyes
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
Nora Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely decent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely decent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
5 upvotes
Isabella G.
Totally agree!
2 upvotes