Named for confederate general John Bell Hood, Fort Hood, Texas was originally created as a testing area for World War II tank destroyers. Today, it's home to one of the nation's largest military installations and is the headquarters for nearly 65,000 soldiers, as well as a large civilian population.
Fort Hood, Texas is one of those places you've probably heard of but you don't know anything about, other than the fact that it's home to one of the largest military bases in the country
Named for confederate general John Bell Hood, Fort Hood, Texas was originally created as a testing area for World War II tank destroyers. Today, it's home to one of the nation's largest military installations and is the headquarters for nearly 65,000 soldiers, as well as a large civilian population.
Fort Hood, Texas is one of those places you've probably heard of but you don't know anything about, other than the fact that it's home to one of the largest military bases in the country. Located in the city of Killeen, Fort Hood is home to the III Corps, the 1st Cavalry Division, the First Army Division West, the 13th Sustainment Command, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 41st Fires Brigade. It's also home to a population of 29,589 (2010 U.S. Census data) who love being there just because it's a great place to live. It has plenty of great housing and beautiful parks, and it's just 60 miles from the big cities of Austin and Waco, so you're close enough to metropolitan life without having to put up with the hassles of uber-urban living.
Whether you're interested in home rentals, studio apartments or 3 bedroom houses for rent in Fort Hood, you're sure to find something that suits your lifestyle. You'll find plenty of places to live in, thanks to its proximity to the military base.
Rental properties are in demand here, however, so don't expect to find all bills paid apartments, since most renters are used to paying for their own utilities. Likewise, you may find a furnished home or apartment if you're lucky, but most places come unfurnished.
To help you find what you want, the best thing you can do is take a scouting trip to the city and drive around the different neighborhoods, where you're sure to find a "For Rent" sign or two along the way. You can also check online sources and apartment locators, but once you've found what you're looking for, don't hesitate too long, or you may lose out on it. Also, be prepared to pay first and last month's rent, plus a security deposit of several hundred dollars. Some landlords will waive some of this down payment if they think that they're getting a reliable, responsible tenant, so bring your best bargaining skills to the table. The good news is that there's no real renters season in Fort Hood, so rental prices and availability stay pretty consistent throughout the year.
Fort Hood has a number of residential areas with plenty of available housing. Here are some of the most popular:
Chaffee Village: This centrally-located neighborhood features hundreds of detached and duplex-style homes and is within walking distance to area shopping centers.
Kouma Village: This residential subdivision boasts lovely multi-level houses and is located within walking distance to shops and services
Comanche One: Located next door to the Clear Creek Golf Course, Comanche One is a beautiful residential community that has one of the longest walking trails in the city.
Trimmier Road: This area has a number of beautiful modern apartment complexes and is close to local amenities.
Wainwright Heights: Located at the east side of Fort Hood, this residential community boasts a large number of newly-built homes and is within walking distance to community pools and tennis courts.
Toledo Dr: This neighborhood has beautiful condos for rent at a wide variety of price points.
Pershing Park Village: This popular residential area is home to nearly 700 duplex-style homes and also features paved walking paths, basketball courts and its own convenience store.
Fort Hood has one of those great Texas climates, so you can enjoy the outdoors pretty much all year round. Winter lows hover around the 40s, with highs in the 60s and 70s. Summers, however, can be hot, with temps in the mid-to-upper 90s, so invest in some sunscreen to protect you from that hot Texas sun.
Fort Hood is serviced by the Hill Country Transit District, known rather quaintly to locals as the HOP, so you can easily get your shopping and errands done by bus. The Fort Hood/Killeen region is a pretty large area to get around in, however, so it really does help to have your own wheels.
When it comes to dining in Fort Hood, think casual. In addition to a proliferation of the usual fast food joints, you'll also find a number of informal-type restaurants specializing in everything from comfort food to tacos and burgers. One local favorite is Las Margaritas Bar & Grill (412 N Fort Hood St), where you can enjoy huge enchilada platters and taco specialties, all washed down with spectacular margaritas. Another popular place is the Buffet Palace (800 W Central Texas Expy), where you can enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet that includes sushi, lo meins, homemade soups, egg rolls and teriyaki-style grilled meats.
Since this is Texas, you can expect to find at least a couple of top-notch barbecue places in every town, and Fort Hood is no exception. One of the best is Petty's BBQ (1104 Kathey Dr), where you can get fantastic sauce-slathered ribs, brisket and decadent desserts such as banana pudding cheesecake. Just a few minutes away in Belton, you'll also find Miller's Smokehouse (208 N Penelope St), where you'll find great wings, humongous sandwiches and smoked-and-sauced meats at all levels of spiciness.
Fort Hood is also home to a number of popular local watering holes (of the drinking variety), including Legends Pub (24th & Wainwright Dr), which also offers dartboards, TVs, pool tables and great patio decks. If you're looking for something a bit more unusual, check out Sportsmen's Center Bar & Grill (53rd St and Murphy Rd), a hunting-themed bar that also has its own skeet shooting range and pro shop, as well as a boarding stable for horses.
You'll find plenty of things to do in Fort Hood, including markets, festivals and year round outdoor activities. If you love to get a bit of fresh air while you do your shopping, visit the Green Avenue Farmer's Market (717 N 2nd St, Killeen), where you can stock up on fresh produce from local farms throughout the spring and summer months. There's also the awesome Killeen Arts & Activities Center (802 N 4th St), which offers everything from concerts and theater performances to craft seminars. Half an hour away in Temple, you'll also find the Cultural Activities Center (3011 N 3rd St), which offers a regular roster of live music performances, dances and other special events throughout the year.
Fort Hood has gained a reputation as something of a golfer's mecca, thanks to The Courses of Clear Creek (battalion Ave at Clear Creek Rd), a state-of-the-art private country club with a superb, beautifully landscaped 27-hole course. If you prefer to take your exercise in other ways, there's a great Recreation and Aquatics Center (E Stan Schlueter Loop) just down the road in Killeen, where you can enjoy first-class gym and pool facilities.
Fort Hood has the advantage of being centrally-located in an area where there's always a lot going on, but it still retains its own identity as a tight-knit, close community of friendly, welcoming locals. It's the kind of place where you feel like everyone knows each other--and even if they don't know you, they'll always give you a friendly greeting.
