Communities
Living in Abilene, Texas
June 5, 2026 • 1 min read
Abilene is the anchor of this part of West Texas. It is big enough to have the services, employers, and amenities people expect from a city, and small enough that getting across town is not an ordeal.
The feel of the place
Wide skies, dry warm weather, and a practical, community-oriented pace. People who move here from larger metros tend to notice the shorter commutes and the amount of space they get first.
How the housing differs by area
Older parts of Abilene offer established streets, mature trees, and homes with character. Newer areas on the edges of the city lean toward contemporary Texas and modern ranch construction on larger, cleaner lots. Just outside the city limits, acreage becomes realistic.
The surrounding communities
Tuscola, Merkel, Hawley, and Clyde each have their own character and are all within a reasonable drive of Abilene. For many buyers, the right answer is one of these rather than the city itself.