"Abilene, Abilene/ Prettiest town I ever seen. / Folks down there don't treat you mean / In Abilene, my Abilene." - From "Abilene," recorded by American country music artist George Hamilton IV.
The inspiration for many western movies and cowboy songs, this railhead town is located at the end of the historic Chisolm Trail, about 95 miles west of Topeka. Though it might be known as the "Queen of the Kansas Cowtowns," Abilene's biggest claim to fame isn't that its town marshall was once Wild Bill Hickok. The town on the I-70 corridor is also the boyhood home of former President and Word War II hero Dwight D. Eisenhower, and is the location of his presidential library. In fact, Abilene has so much to offer, Smithsonian named the town one of "The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2013." And no, they didn't mean Abilene, Texas. With plenty of culture, outdoor recreational opportunities and a neighborly atmosphere, many people find Abilene an ideal place to live.
Abilene, the county seat of Dickinson County, is located 2
"Abilene, Abilene/ Prettiest town I ever seen. / Folks down there don't treat you mean / In Abilene, my Abilene." - From "Abilene," recorded by American country music artist George Hamilton IV.
The inspiration for many western movies and cowboy songs, this railhead town is located at the end of the historic Chisolm Trail, about 95 miles west of Topeka. Though it might be known as the "Queen of the Kansas Cowtowns," Abilene's biggest claim to fame isn't that its town marshall was once Wild Bill Hickok. The town on the I-70 corridor is also the boyhood home of former President and Word War II hero Dwight D. Eisenhower, and is the location of his presidential library. In fact, Abilene has so much to offer, Smithsonian named the town one of "The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2013." And no, they didn't mean Abilene, Texas. With plenty of culture, outdoor recreational opportunities and a neighborly atmosphere, many people find Abilene an ideal place to live.
Moving to Abilene
Abilene, the county seat of Dickinson County, is located 2.5 hours from Kansas City and 1.5 hours from Wichita. Residents of Abilene have easy access to amenities and business services not only in town, but in nearby cities such as Salina and Junction City. Many residents work in these neighboring communities, but choose to make Abilene their home for its small-town lifestyle. But while it has easy access to these extra shopping, dining and job opportunities, Abilene doesn't have public transportation, so access to your own wheels are a must.
Abilene's proximity to Fort Riley, "Home of the Big Red One" (1st Infantry Division), also means there are many rental properties in Abilene, but both prices and availability can fluctuate due to troop strength, so begin your search early or you might get shut out of what you thought was an available rental apartment or home. Just bring the usual documentation, like proof of income, and if you are looking for pet friendly apartments, be prepared to pay an extra security deposit. Available apartments are listed on line and also in the web edition of the daily newspaper, The Abilene Reflector-Chronicle. If you are interested in renting a home, check with local realtors for updated listings.
Neighborhoods
Abilene doesn't have distinct neighborhoods, but most rental properties are found in one of two areas. Your search for apartments or rental homes in Abilene should begin in the City Center, where you can find studio and 1 to 3 bedroom apartments for rent. Much of the housing in central Abilene was built prior to WWII, so here you can find places with historic charm, such as the restored Sunflower Hotel, on the National Register of Historic Places, which has been converted to a mixed use apartment/commercial center.
To the south and west of the city center, the area known as Sand Spring is considered the "suburbs" of Abilene. Here you can find rental homes of many sizes, from farm houses in country settings to maintenance-free duplexes and triplexes in subdivided communities, most with spacious yards and peaceful views of the surrounding farmland.
Living in Abilene
Abilene may have gotten its start as a stop on the stagecoach line, but its residents are proud of its rich history and culture and find many ways to celebrate it. In fact, Smithsonian described Abilene as "a cultural oasis amid the farm fields and silos of central Kansas." Five world-class museums are located within a four square block area, centered by the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, Visitors Center and original Eisenhower family home -- you'll certainly get your fill of culture. The Dickinson County Historical Museum shows what pioneer life was like on the plains, and the American Indian Art Center is dedicated to promoting native American artists in the region. Locals enjoy the Great Plains Theater, the only professional theater between Kansas City and Denver, and visits to the Carnegie Library. For dining, the Brookville hotel is the winner of the 2007 James Beard American Classic award for its family-style chicken dinners (we're not talking fast-food style fried chicken here). Your out of town guests will love the reconstructed "Old Abilene Town," an authentic replica of the cattle capital as it was during its heyday. Additionally, the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railway provides excursion tours of the Smoky Hill River Valley six days a week from May through October.
For outdoor recreation, Abilene also can't be beat. Milford State Park, on the banks of the 16,000 acre Milford Reservoir, is just 30 miles away, offering the best in fishing, camping, boating, biking, and bird watching opportunities. In town are several parks, baseball diamonds and a community swimming pool, and residents can enjoy a round of golf at one of Abilene's two public courses.
The song might be right. If you are looking for a town with quiet, rural charm and multiple amenities and conveniences, Abilene just might be the "prettiest town you've ever seen."
