Fairfield Glade
Crossville, Tennessee
Abilene, Texas
What It Is Like to Retire in Abilene
Abilene, Texas, is a city located in both Taylor and Jones County, and is the county seat of Taylor County, with a diverse population of 123,420 (2019). Established in 1881, by cattlemen as a shipping point for stock, the town is now home to the Dyess Air Force Base (since 1942), along with six colleges which including Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University, and McMurry University. Abilene is considered the "Buckle of the Bible Belt" as many evangelical churches are also located here. The Abilene zoo is home to hundreds of species of animals, and the town also boasts parks, museums, and of course, rodeos. Pictures of Abilene City Hall and picture of the Paramount Theatre (established in 1930), courtesy of Wikipedia and Michael Barera, picture of Abilene Zoo Entrance sign courtesy of Wikipedia and Keithimus, Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0/
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Where to Retire in Abilene and Home Prices
According to Zillow, the median home value was $153,283, in mid-2021.
What Is Special about Abilene
Abilene is proud of its military history and home of Dyess AFB. It is also a college town and offers a low cost of living. More than 25 parks within the city offer many types of outdoor recreation. It is also home to a zoo that hosts educational and summer programs, an Expo Center, several libraries, three athletic complexes, and a regional airport.
What Is Not Special about Abilene
Abilene gets very hot during the summer months with temperatures in the 90's. The town is not near any large city, with Ft. Worth being the closest, approximately 150 miles away.
Who Will Like Retirement in Abilene
Those who want to live in a Bible Belt college town with many sporting and cultural events to attend would enjoy Abilene. There are festivals, libraries, parks and a medical center.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Education and Health care drive the economy. The largest employer is Dyess Air Force Base with over 8,000 employees.
Climate and Physical Environment
January's average is 45 degrees, and July's average is 83 degrees.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
You will find many restaurants in Abilene, along with a cafe, pub, and a wine bar. Culturally, there are events hosted by the city and the local universities. The Grace Museum, The 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum, the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, and the Paramount Theatre are all located here, as are several other popular attractions. An annual 10-day event is the West Texas Fair and Rodeo held in mid-September, and the Western Heritage Classic hosted each May, which features a ranch rodeo, campfire cook-off, and a Western art show. The Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau provides several special-interests conventions throughout the year.
Crime
The violent and property crime rates are high.
Medical facilities
Hendrick Medical Center is a large 500-bed hospital located here, along with many other health care facilities.
Transportation
Abilene is not considered to be a walkable or bikeable community. CityLink Transit provides public bus service for the city. The Abilene Regional Airport offers flights to Dallas/Ft. Worth and surrounding areas several times a day. Dallas/Ft.Worth is the nearest large airport, about 175 miles away.
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