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A Look At Abilene From Above.
Photo by: Facebook.com/CityOfAbilene
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Taking into consideration these 'Top 10' reasons I've discovered, over the years. I am so grateful and blessed to be doing what I'm doing and living here in Abilene. This is a great place to call home and for those of us living here, we have a lot to be thankful for.

Here are my 10 reasons I'm thankful to be living in Abilene:

10) Traffic

Abilene's Morning Rush Hour Traffic
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Photo by: Rudy Fernandez

Abilene is one of the top cities in the U.S. when it comes to short commutes. In fact, the average drive to work time in Abilene is about 16.9 minutes. As for traffic jams, those only happen around the Mall of Abilene and near I-20 & Highway 351 during afternoon drive times.
Source: Obrella.com

9) Job Availability

Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images
Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images
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I love the fact that Abilene is made up of both white and blue-collar workers. The unemployment rate in Abilene is a super low 3.4% lower than the U.S. average. Plus the job growth rate for Abilene increases by 5% nearly every year. If you want to work, you'll find a job here in Abilene. The average annual household income is just over $42k. Source: Best Places.net

8) Schools and Education

Photo by Robert Benson/Getty Images
Photo by Robert Benson/Getty Images
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Abilene has been able to get more than a passing grade when it comes to its curricular activities. However, Abilene's three high schools are noted as some of the top high schools, not only in the state of Texas but nationally. Our retention rate is one of the highest in the nation. Besides Abilene's student-to-teacher ratio is around 13:1 and it's 5.4% lower than the state and 20% lower than the National student-to-teacher ratio.
Source: Area Vibes.com

7) Abilene's Awesome Colleges

Photo by: Facebook.com/Abilene Christian
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Photo by: Facebook.com/Abilene Christian

We are very fortunate to have some awesome colleges and universities in Abilene like Abilene Christian University, Hardin Simmons University, McMurry University, Texas Tech University of Health Sciences, Texas State Technical College, and Cisco College. There are other avenues for higher learning like the Hendricks School of radiology and nursing schools. If it's higher learning you want, you'll find it in Abilene.

6) Great Weather

Photo by Joe Raedle/Newsmakers Getty Images
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Photo by Joe Raedle/Newsmakers Getty Images

There's always something going on in Abilene. Whether it's Art Walk every second Thursday, Balloon Fest, the West Texas Fair, rodeos, 5k and 10k's, parades, concerts, car shows, or plays and most are family-friendly. One doesn't have to look hard to find fun and adventure in Abilene. First look at the 'Events Calendar' at the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau.

5) Lots of Local Events

Photo by: Facebook.com/WestTexasFairAndRodeo
Photo by: Facebook.com/WestTexasFairAndRodeo
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There's always something going on in Abilene. Whether it's Art Walk every second Thursday, Balloon Fest, the West Texas Fair, rodeos, 5k and 10k's, parades, concerts, car shows, or plays and most are family-friendly. One doesn't have to look hard to find fun and adventure in Abilene. First look at the 'Events Calendar' at the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau.

4) Low Cost of Living

Housing Sales Decline As Market Cools
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Getty Images

I moved away and learned very quickly how low the cost of living is, in Abilene. I discovered that taxes, housing, gas, and groceries in Kansas were high. Abilene is not known for high wages, however, the cost to live in parts of Abilene is pretty low compared to the rest of the country. Abilene housing is less expensive than 82% of the houses in Texas and 90% of similar homes in the U.S. Abilene is pretty sweet in my book when it comes to the Cost of living.
Source: Neighborhood Scout.com

3) We Have the Friendliest People

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Getty Images

It's been said that Abilene has the friendliest people. To prove that, have your car break down and someone will stop to see if you need help. I know I've done it at least a couple dozen times. Want more proof just ask our Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau which offers "Hospitality Training" to anyone that wants to learn.

2) Abilene Gets an A-Plus in Amenities

Photo by: Facebook.com/TheGraceMuseum
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Photo by: Facebook.com/TheGraceMuseum

When it comes to amenities, Abilene is the place to be. Because we have lots of avenues for groceries, shopping, schools, parks, libraries, public transit, entertainment, museums and not to be forgotten, we have our own zoo. All that combined helps Abilene get an A+, according to Area Vibes.com in the amenities department.

1) A Great Place to Raise a Family

Family Walks Together
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Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Abilene is a fun and safe place to raise a family. When you take into consideration the low cost of living, schools, local events, churches, weather, and a low unemployment rate. I can say with unwavering certainty, Abilene is an awesome place to live and raise a family.

I believe that it's Abilene's "quality of life" that got the 'Key City' named as an "All-America City" in 1990. I am very blessed to live, work and worship in Abilene. With every holiday that passes by, I am thankful to live in Abilene.

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