Broken dreams - 11/7/2019

Having a low cost of living does not mean MOVE HERE! It should be a warning sign for what is wrong with this place. Bestplaces.net has Temple included with this assessment. I would agree that Temple is a nice area, but the areas nearby are not great. Im talking about Killeen/Harker Heights, and Coperras Cove. They have crime issues, no housing appreciation. I have been here 10 years. Still waiting for it to slighly gain with the national average. Do I appreciate the lower cost of living, yes... But when will it even increase for the area?

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Welcome to the Great Place II - 11/1/2019

Our family moved here from Ft Worth looking for a smaller city, slower pace, and friendlier people. Plus we wanted to be near to an active military base that serviced veterans. Boy did we get it all- in spades! People here complain about crime. They don't know what crime is! People here, overall, are quite friendly and helpful. There is a homeless population but its NOTHING compared with what we had in Ft Worth! I love Killeen and hope to never have to move!

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GREAT PLACE TO RETIRE FROM THE MILITARY - 9/27/2019

I've lived in Killeen since 1998 when I was assigned here in the Army and loved it so much me and my wife decided to retire here from the Army in 2001. My wife likes the large community of her fellow Koreans here with a big Korean supermarket especially. Before we started collecting Social Security and Medicare having commissaries and all the Army medical facilities like the pharmacy where we still get all our drugs for free are also a big plus for retirees along with Olympic sized swimming pool on base I've used from time to time. The low cost of living though is hard to beat. My sister and her teenage daughter just moved here from Dallas where they were paying twice the rent for a smaller apartment with no yard like they have here. As an RN she got a job here at the local civilian hospital here pretty fast and loves it. I grew up in one of the wealthiest suburbs in Connecticut but I'd have to be crazy to try to live there on a military pension with the housing costs there so much higher. With two Army divisions it's a very diverse military friendly town to be sure with a lot of celebrities stopping by to do benefit concerts and stuff for the troops.

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NO, not for me. Texas was not for me either. - 1/22/2018

I really did not like Texas. I am a sensitive person, trying to honestly (honestly) rebuild my life after tragedy a few years ago. And Texas was so "in your face" about everything! I just hated the attitude and thought I would never make it out! Its so big - took me FOREVER to get out of the State. That was anxiety producing for me. Killeen was high crime. Texas driving an traffic itself was an experience. I got used to it, but never liked it. A lot of problems happened to keep me from settling in. But the high crime and things that I saw, made me give it up. I wasn't treated too badly really. I will give it that. If I ever did go back (which I won't), I would do a number of things differently. Live and learn. I stayed in some temporary housing and found out a Prostitution ring was being run out of it! OY! I was out of there in a flash! So, I think there are better places in Texas ( so I have been told). But I just didn't care for it. I'm a small town gal too and all the mega cities around just weren't pleasing to me. Humidity I did not mind, but did not stay for summer (which I was told was just oppressive). Best thing I liked were flowers in February (got a kick out of that!). And on Sunday mornings, you got up, it was really quiet - not many people out. And many times the humidity was so that you could feel and smell it - and I liked it. It had this feel that I can't explain - and then the plants were weird to me and looked like Mars - and I did enjoy that! I told somebody the first tarantula I saw - I would be gone in a flash! I never saw one (thank God!). But I just did not care for Texas. On my way out, I stopped over in Waco, and heard a disabled boy was beaten to death for picking up a paycheck - and I thought what a horrible thing that was! Can't stay anyplace like that. Oh, one plus: I am not Baptist at all (but was Roman Catholic) but the Catholics were just mean to me (I am serious - really). So I attended an African American Baptist Church there. Could those folks sing! And they said "Honey, you just come on in here with us! Sweet! I want to say that as a big positive! Oh one more positive: I had the BEST ITALIAN food ever there! Italian - really - excellent!

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Enjoying Killeen So Far - 2/10/2017

To be honest, I was in shock especially at the traffic and driving when I first arrived. But, in time I met some friendly, great people - and to me, as a single lady, that makes up 85% of my satisfaction with an area. Killeen is busy at times. I find navigation difficult. But I have caught on a lot in just a couple of weeks. I am looking for work and have had a couple of interviews. However, even that is pretty good and the managers I interviewed with were impressive. I was mostly happy with my interviews. I think I could be happy in the area with 2 provisions: That I find good work (and I'm working on it), and I find some country areas to hike in when I just need a break from the rat race. Otherwise I so far cannot say enough for Texas as a State - it is the happiest State -and yes, friendliest State I've so far been in. My disclaimer is that I have only been here 2 weeks so far. The other thing is that some places have been short and rude with me - but its the exception so far. I also have not found a place of worship yet, but that's because I'm older, single and without children which makes a welcoming church a rarity - so that's a problem personal to me (and another story altogether). I have not explored surrounding cities but I'd like to. I may post another review later after I've been here longer. I've been trying to find a place where I can call home. So if I end up being a fan and permanent resident, that will be a huge compliment to the city! One last thing, its quite diverse here, but I enjoy and probably need that too.

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MILITARY - 8/4/2015

The thing that makes Killeen great is the sense of camaraderie; this is a military base city, whereas every 2 out of 5 people are military affiliated via spouse or Service Member. The crime rate is very low and traffic is not bad; with the exclusion of construction. The city is really developing in multiple areas such as business and real estate wise and therefore will grow the city. Unfortunately, I like bigger cities with more social activity whereas I don't have to wait for an event to come around; for example, a comedy show. I would have to drive to Austin or surrounding areas of an hour or more.

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Opinion about Killeen, TX - 6/16/2014

I have lived in Killeen since 1994. It is the last place we thought we would live after retiring from the Army. However, we have discovered that Killeen should not be compared to a metropolitan area nor should it be compared to other places we have lived. Instead, we choose to look at the positive aspects of this community. Every community has its challenges but when you look at the cost of living, access to military benefits, competitive jobs, proximity to metro areas etc, it's a nice place to live. We've lived in better places and we've lived in worse places. It's all about what you make of it and we have embraced the area. Everyone is entitled to their opinions but if you focus on the positive assets of this community, you'll find it's better than the negative things you read and hear about in the media.

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too many hoods - 7/26/2012

way too many out of town hoods. relatives come here with their soldier relatives and immediately resume break ins car thefts, rapes DOPE just like they were doing in whatever ghetto they came from.it is for the most part, 1 race doing most of the crime. not nearly enough cops

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trashy, very poor quality of life... - 4/21/2012

KIlleen is a crime infested area, the cost of living calculator online is grossly underestimated the costs unless you life in a project, ( realistically add 30% ) if you want to live in a "safe" area. Lots of traffic problems, crime everywhere, little entertainment, few parks, no dog parks.

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a trashy town - 2/14/2012

We have had to live in killeen for about 4 years now and although there are some nice looking areas, the people here make it not so nice. In our first apartment, we had 3 break in attempts, one while we were home. We also liked to say that we enjoyed watching cops when we got bored...and then we went inside and turned on the tv after we got bored of that. But in all neighborhoods, there is always some hoodlum going through the trash, stealing your mail, breaking into cars, getting dv calls, or calls about drunk drivers. Anybody who says they never see this in killeen can afford to pay extra in rent per month to live in what I'd consider decent housing. The rest of Killeen is just projects. If you dont have to move here, dont.

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Killeen - 11/28/2011

Cheap houses, a mixing pot of pretty women,different nationalities. The bad over crowding, Military brat gangster wannabees who live in 4 bedroom houses in nice neighborhoods and end up killing somebody, getting killed or goes to prison for heavy drug movement or for carrying an AK 47 in the back of their vehicle, gang invested, purple drank sippin, Ecstasy, or xanax popping confused individuals.But if u stay away from the previous its a pretty nice city (I would suggest Harker Heights)

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not for me - 2/21/2010

I grew up in killeen(unfortunately)due to being a military brat. I joined the military, did 3 years and returned. Thankfully I now have a job where I leave killeen almost on a weekly basis, but I do plan on leaving the town all together in a couple of years. The only good things I can mention about Killeen is the low cost of living, and the wonderful worship services offered to the community. Other than that I ask where is the corporate businesses? where is the great recreation for children and adults? where is the culture? where is the big career opportunities? and where is the ambition and drive in the people of killeen. I have a great paying job that sends me to all kinds of locations. Upon visiting GREAT places such as NYC, I realized almost everyone here just "settles". Seems almost every womans goal in life here is just to marry a soldier, and many people here simply do not strive for greater success. I refuse to live here any longer and have my four year old son grow up thinking that the Army is the only opportunity for him. Unfortunately that seems to be the thought process for many people here when there is much more this country has to offer. Like I said, I have been in and out of this town for years but now is the time for me to move on to a place of greater opportunities, adventure, and people who are driven in life! Peace out K-town

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Great Place to live - 7/23/2009

Killeen has a reputation for lacking authenticity. Part of this goes with the transient nature of military towns. People see a bunch of chain restaurants and big box stores and cry foul. But there are several dozen ethnic restaurants. Killeen has the 2nd highest Korean population in Texas. There are also German bakeries, an Asian market, and loads of community groups dedicated to the diversity the military brings. I am not in the military nor did I grow up a military kid. But I did grow up overseas (Southeast Asia). I really enjoy the out of the way features of Killeen. Also, growing up as an American overseas I really enjoyed how quickly the international community assimilates people. When you are only going to be somewhere for a couple of years you learn to make friends fast. Killeen is really good at this - because its survival depends on it. So you have a choice. You can look at the town and see all of the chain restaurants and big box stores. Or you can get a little creative and find the diversity and culture that makes Killeen great.

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Hot Summers! - 5/6/2009

Not much here to see.

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It's an overall alright place! - 10/13/2008

There is a lot of military here and not that much to do besides eat, go to the movies, or go to the mall. However, the cost of living is very low.

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Life is Good - 6/9/2007

Yes Killeen is a military town, that is why I ended up here and we stayed. Our children have recieved a wonderful education. I walk outside my home and I do not worry. Killeen is growing and of course there is more problems but I still feel very safe here, even have left my door unlocked. The only thing I wish would change is that we need more grocery stores with only HEB and Wal-Mart, then of course the Commissary on Post you do not have much choice. It is a good town. Our children call this their home town, yes they have seen friends come and go as I have but that is apart of living close to a military town. There are good people here, the city has a wonderful program for kids of all ages, there is also the Boys and Girls Club here. Great churches, which also have differfent programs. Again Killeen has wonderful people and a great atmosphere.

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Killeen, Texas - 5/26/2007

Not a family friendly place.

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mostly military - 10/30/2006

You will find most of the population is military or related to it somehow. It seems to be growing recently and become more independent of the base. There are lots of resturants nearby (chains like outback, TGIFridays, etc.) There is a nice movie theater, chuckie cheese, walmart, target and a small mall with the basics. There are small colleges that you can get a few degrees with and those seem to be expanding. I wouldn't say it is the safest place on earth. I lived there for 7yrs and I did run early in the moring or late at night but I did also have my house broken into twice. So get a dog or an alarm. As far as culture you will have to take a ride to Austin or san antonio. We went to austin all the time it is only an hour away and Austin has just about anything you could want. All and all not the worse place to live but I wouldn't retire there.

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New to town - 5/30/2006

Killeen is a up and coming town. It is built on the military and is growing because of it. Its a great place to start building a life here in killeen.

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Yankee living in TX - 10/11/2005

My husband and I have been living in Killeen for about a year and a half now. The best thing I can say about it is that national stores (such as Target, Gap, Old Navy, Walmart, and Lowe's) and chain restaurants (Outback, Olive Garden, Texas Road House) are only a short drive away. But there's not much of a community here. Most residents are transient (it's a military town), and there is some gang presence. You won't see many people out exercising on the streets... to find locals, you'll have better luck hanging out at one of the MANY fast-food restaurants in town. I was able to find one organized activity to participate in with my infant son: Kindermusik. I consider myself lucky to have been able to find such an excellent program in Killeen. In order to take sign language classes or to visit a children's museum, we will have to drive to Austin, about an hour away. I would not recommend living in Killeen; however, if you do end up here, chances are that it's only for a short time. Plan as many trips as possible to Austin, Salado, and Dallas, and you'll survive.

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