Abilene

Ranch and West Texas-themed subdivisions feature large lots over an acre in Airport-Loop 322, an area located 5 miles from downtown Abilene. Subdivisions like Vaquero Ranch and Carriage Hills are maintained by HOAs and are part of the Wylie Independent School District. Notably, home to the Abilene Regional Airport, while the sounds of aircraft are frequent, this community offers moments of peace with access to a public golf course that stands separate from a large lake where anglers and boaters spend afternoons on the shore. Airport-Loop 322 is 10 miles from Dyess Air Force Base, the top employer in town. "Many military families live here," says Robbie Johnson, Realtor and team lead at Texas Lifestyles Group powered by Epique Realty. "You can find homes in the $200,000 range while being in the desirable Wylie ISD." Kirby Lake is a nearly 800-acre reservoir on the eastern side of U.S. Route 83. Locals gather to fish for largemouth bass, catfish and bluegill along the shores. The reservoir features a nature play area, two boat ramps and a fishing pier. It's also home to the Wylie Little League, which has connected youth with sports since 1It's Northeast of the lake is Diamondback National Golf Club, a public course that opened in 1999 and has hosted senior PGA tournaments. "They've been a Green Jacket winner, which is huge. However, this area is close to the Abilene Country Club, and many people are members. It's a real great community," Johnson says.  Daily highway noise and aircraft sounds are familiar in the community. Visitors flying into Abilene must pass through Dallas before landing at Abilene Regional Airport, which offers multiple connecting flights to DFW. Hendrick Medical Center South is on the left side of U.S. Route 83, just across from Kirby Lake. Without public transportation, locals primarily commute by car. "You can get anywhere in 20 minutes. We love to tell people if you sat through a light twice. You sat through our rush hour," Sites says. Major thoroughfares include Loop 322, U.S. Route 83, and Texas State Highway 36. Abilene's growth is mainly due to Dyess Air Force Base, a central employer located 10 miles away. While called Airport-Loop 322, the area isn't just an airport. This south Abilene locale has several subdivisions, including Lone Star Ranch and Lytle Shores South. "I call the houses in Lytle Shores South the college streets. They were all named after "prominent universities. These were built throughout the 1980s and 2000s and start in the $200,000 range," Johnson says. On Prado Verde Drive, Vaquero Ranch is a 50-acre gated community featuring two bronze horses at the entrance, maintained by the Vaquero Ranch Homeowners Association. The neighborhood has 32 lots with custom-built Spanish-Revival style homes and contemporary stone-faced houses reminiscent of Tuscan villas, complete with horseshoe driveways. Larger homes range from $475,000 to over $1 million. Next to Wylie East Elementary, Carriage Hills is one of the most sought-after subdivisions in Abilene. It is also carefully maintained by an active HOA that enforces deed restrictions. Unlike Vaquero Ranch, Carriage Hills has sidewalks and features cookie-cutter, gray brick new traditional homes around 1,600 square feet. "Carriage Hills was built around 2017, much of the city doesn’t have sidewalks but it was a requirement for them here," Johnson says. Residents within Airport-Loop 322 can drive just 5 miles in any direction to find shopping districts for errands and dining. West of Lake Kirby, Sam's Club is conveniently located for groceries, while the Mall of Abilene offers big box retailers. Copper Creek Restaurant in the neighborhood is a cozy lodge-like steakhouse with taxidermy decor, serving prime grilled steaks and seafood. South of Abilene Clay Sports, Mad Coffee & More specializes in Texas-roasted coffee and breakfast bites. About 5 miles north, Downtown Abilene offers a growing cultural scene with museums, long-standing eateries, antique shops and boutiques. Wylie Independent School District serves Abilene's southside and provides liaisons for military-connected students. Wylie East Elementary School has an A grade, and Fourth graders move to Wylie East Intermediate School, which scores 6 out of 10 on GreatSchools. Wylie East Junior High is the top middle school in Taylor County with an A grade. Wylie High School is a National Blue Ribbon School with an A-minus rating. It features a performing arts facility, STEM programs, and career education courses. Cisco College, located on Industrial Boulevard, is known for its nursing program. "My daughter went to Cisco for two years before transferring to McMurray University, a Methodist four-year university. It's common to do that," says Sylvia McMillan, A Realtor with Coldwell Banker Apex and a long-time local. Just 2 miles north, The Taylor County Expo Center is a hub for local events and rodeos. The expo center hosts the annual West Texas Fair & Rodeo, showcasing bull riding, barrel racing and live music. "The Texas High School Rodeo State Finals is also a huge thing," says Pam Sites, Director of Visitor Services for The Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau. "It brings in millions of dollars. Young athletes come to Abilene every June for state finals."  Long-time locals know Perini Ranch is the place to take newcomers just 10 miles south, but it is worth the drive. Reservation-only and set on a working farm, this West Texas spot greets visitors with longhorns grazing, mesquite-grilled steaks and Judge's fried chicken on Sundays. "Buffalo Gap was the county seat, and a judge sold it to Abilene without the citizens knowing. He fled, leaving his livestock and the remaining chickens were fried right on his property, and they had a feast, giving us Judge's fried chicken," Fulkerson says. Due to its location near Kirby Lake, the area can be prone to flooding; however, because Abilene is so dry, it rarely rains. "It gets really dry here. Sometimes we have to go on water restrictions that dictate how much we can water our lawns," says Suzanne Fulkerson, owner and team lead of The Fulkerson Group Brokered by Real. "I remember we didn't see rain for a long time. The church came together and prayed for rain. We had to thank the lord because a few days later, it rained."

The Chimney Rock Area, located just south of Abilene's downtown, comprises a collection of neighborhoods. Established in 1881, Abilene's culture and commerce have strong ties to the military due to the presence of Dyess Air Force Base. According to Robbie Johnson, a Broker and Realtor at Keller Williams Realty, "People working at the Air Force base just have to leave Chimney Rock and take a left on Buffalo Gap, and it will take them to the base." Johnson, whose office is in the neighborhood, highlights that Abilene is known as "The Home of the 15-minute commute." She adds, "You can get from South Abilene to North Abilene quickly." In addition to convenience, Chimney Rock is also home to a country club that winds through residents' front and backyards, providing easy access to golfing. Chimney Rock consists of several subdivisions built mainly in the 1980s and 1990s, split by Buffalo Gap Road. Residents value privacy, as most neighborhoods lack sidewalks, preventing through traffic. On the right side of the road, Woodlake features brick, new traditional, and contemporary single-family homes with red-tiled roofs around the Abilene Country Club's south course. Fairway Oaks is a collection of brick townhomes along Fair Oaks Boulevard. Turning right onto Pinehurst leads to larger detached homes, including new constructions. South of Vaughn Camp Park, Canyon Rock Court offers lakeside homes on half-acre lots and modern houses over 3,800 square feet. Homes near the golf course and lake range from $400,000 to upwards of $1 million for custom builds. On the left side of Buffalo Gap Road, ranch-style homes backed against farmland range from $215,000 for 1,000 square feet to $485,000 for over 3,000 square feet. The area around Kirby Lake and Buttonwillow Creek can be prone to flooding. Grocery shopping in Chimney Rock is convenient, with Sam's Club on South Clack Street and Market Street near the Mall of Abilene on Buffalo Gap Road. The Mall of Abilene is still active and also houses the Abilene Public Library - South Branch. Nearby shopping centers include Target. Statesman Coffee Company offers a local cafe experience with an outdoor patio, and Oscar's Mexican Restaurant provides a homey feel with colorful murals. Heff's Burgers, a Texas chain, and Sharon's BBQ & Catering, known for traditional Texas barbecue and live music, are popular local spots. Vaughn Camp Park is a quiet lakefront park in the neighborhood and a popular spot for birthday parties and family gatherings. It features a playground, sports fields, and grills. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the private Abilene Country Club - South Course on Fairway Oaks Boulevard, which offers two 18-hole courses. Johnson mentions, "Steve Martin used to live right on the course as he was getting famous." Kirby Lake, home to the Wylie Little League, is next to the neighborhood, and additional recreation is available at the YMCA of Abilene in Redbud Park. The area also includes Abilene Clay Sports, a shooting range and sports club established in the 1950s. The community in Chimney Rock actively participates in neighborhood events. The annual Fourth of July Parade at the Abilene Country Club features decorated golf carts and antique cars. The Fairway Oaks Homeowner Association also organizes a Holiday Lighting Contest in December, fostering a tight-knit community atmosphere. The Abilene Independent School District serves around 15,000 students and has a B-plus rating from Niche. Recognized by the Texas Education Agency for its dedication to military-affiliated students, the district includes seven Purple Star Campuses. Bowie Elementary on Jeanette Street has a B grade, Madison Middle School on Barrow Street earns a B-minus, and Cooper High School on Sayles Boulevard has a B-plus rating. Cooper High School offers a range of Career & Technical Education courses in fields like agriculture, technology, health sciences and business. Interstate 84 and I-32 run along Chimney Rock's eastern edge. Though there is no public transit, downtown Abilene is less than a 20-minute drive away. The neighborhood is also home to Hendrick Medical Center South, which provides emergency care and Windmill Animal Hospital. Abilene Regional Airport is 10 miles northeast and offers six daily flights to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

Cobb Park's namesake green space was donated in the early 1900s by the Cobb family, who were encouraged to contribute the land for a city park in Abilene. Located just west of downtown Abilene and 8 miles from Dyess Air Force Base, the park has seen notable changes. Recently, it was announced that the park's recreation center will be demolished and rebuilt as part of a $28 million bond proposal for new recreation centers across town. The surrounding community has grown alongside Abilene and features narrow streets lined with prewar homes. Many of these homes are being remodeled, though some still show signs of needing a bit more attention. “We currently don’t have too much development happening in the area,” says Chris Katz, Manager of Philpott Florist and Greenhouses for the last four years. “But, we are like six blocks from downtown. You can easily walk downtown or bike.” Cobb Park is less than 2 miles from Downtown Abilene, a cultural hub with museums, small businesses and the Abilene Farmers Market on Thursday mornings. "Downtown is great. It has lots of cool things like The Parmount Theater. I just wish they'd extend some of that art down this way. There's a lot of cool sculptures down there I wish we had," Katz says. Downtown's dining scene features long-standing favorites like Cypress Street Station and Beehive, known for savory steaks and intimate dining rooms adorned with black-and-white photos. Newcomers like Grain Theory, an innovative brewery with bar bites, and The Local, offering contemporary Mexican cuisine, add fresh flavors to Abilene. While Cobb Park lacks a retail district, it hosts a few locally owned shops. Philpott Florist and Greenhouses has sold fresh bouquets on North 1st Street for over 100 years. “We just celebrated our 104th year. We have our own greenhouse, so we have lots of green plants,” Katz says. “We are located in in a good sport. I just wish we had a few more things in the area like coffee shops and stores.” The neighborhood also has several corner stores, churches and non-profits. Dollar General on North Mockingbird Lane is convenient for last-minute groceries, and United Supermarkets to the west and south are less than 2 miles away. Cobb Park comprises older homes and remodeled construction surrounding a city park. Many of the neighborhood's prewar Craftsman and Colonial Revival houses still stand, though they often need a bit of love and some infrastructure updates. Walking through the neighborhood shows weathered bungalows and minimal traditional homes on medium-sized lots dotted with mesquite and oak trees. Most houses range from 1,500 to 2,100 square feet. Properties typically sell for around $100,000 to $220,000, with some larger homes reaching a bit over $300,000. Many residents don't have driveways and instead use carports or alleyways leading to backyard sheds, or they rely on street parking. Sidewalks are scarce, which is typical for many Abilene neighborhoods. Fortunately, this area isn't located in Abilene's flood zone, so flooding during rain is less of a concern here. Initially owned by the Cobb family, the land that is now Cobb Park was donated in the early 1900s to create a city park in Abilene. By 1919, this vision became a reality, and by the 1950s, Cobb Park was a community hub with a bandstand and pavilion. These days, Cobb Park spans 14 acres and features a small playground and the Cobb Recreation Center. In 2024, it was announced that the center would be demolished and rebuilt due to a $28 million bond proposal to upgrade recreation centers around town. The loss of the center is a significant blow to the community, as it has been a vital resource for parents, offering summer camps, before—and after-school programs and sports leagues. South of the neighborhood, Oscar Rose Park is home to Adventure Cove, an outdoor water park. The popular green space park also hosts the Rose Park Senior Activity Center and the Abilene Community Theatre, which stage plays throughout the year. Key City Dance Co. on North 6th Street is a favorite spot for local families. Here, kids can take hip-hop, jazz, and ballet lessons. The studio also hosts several recitals throughout the year. A bit further south on North 2nd Street, Play Faire Park is Texas' oldest mini-golf course. The park prides itself on being an outdoor play museum, complete with colorful murals on the course and live local music on Fridays and Saturdays. Students in the Abilene Independent School District (AISD) have several school options depending on where they live in the neighborhood. In the northern part of Cobb Park, children attend Martinez Elementary School, which has an A-minus rating on Niche, and Craig Middle School, rated B-minus. The southern section of Cobb Park may send kids to Eugene Purcell Elementary School, which has a B-minus rating. With its B-plus rating, Abilene High School offers Air Force JROTC and a competitive sports program, highlighted by its spirited rivalry with Cooper High School. Cobb Park is also home to AISD's Summer Nutrition Program, where kids can enjoy free breakfast and lunch during the school break. Cobb Park is just a mile west of downtown Abilene and about 8 miles from Dyess Air Force Base, the city's largest employer. In the southern part of Cobb Park, a railroad line runs through, with trains passing daily—residents often hear them coming before they see them. The area is conveniently located within a 5-mile radius of U.S. Route 277, Texas Loop 322, and U.S. Route 84, with CityLink bus stops spread throughout the neighborhood. For medical care, Hendrick Health is Abilene's leading healthcare facility just 2 miles north.