Killeen/Fort Cavazos - Temple, TX

Regaled as a tale of two cities, the area dates back to 1882 when William "Wild Bill" Scoggins used his lariat to draw in the railroads. The second "city" didn't arrive until the 1940s when Fort Hood, then Camp Hood, emerged. Through various shifts in population levels, the area eventually settled into one of the nation's biggest and best military towns. In May 2023, Fort Hood's name was changed to Fort Cavazos.

Several museums, the 1st Cavalry Division and 3rd Cavalry museums, make their home on the Fort Cavazos base and house military history and artifacts from as far back as 1855. The Vive Les Arts Theatre offers residents live theatre with a revolving offering of shows. The CenTex Race Series also gears up once a month for rotating themed 5K and 10K races throughout the Killeen area.

Plenty of chain restaurants dot the landscape, especially on "restaurant row" along East Central Texas Expressway. Choose from barbecue, Australian-style and upscale Italian chain eateries here. When locals crave ethnic cuisine, they flock to any number of establishments scattered throughout Killeen that include tastes from all over the world.

Don your sombrero for authentic Mexican-American grub at Las Brazas. As the go-to place for enchiladas, the restaurant serves up everything fresh, right down to the tortilla chips. Try the pollo asado for moist, flavorful chicken with just the right mix of seasoning. For a larger meal, dive into the Gigante burrito. Whatever you order here, prepare to take some home due to the large portions.

Local love for Tham Rab Thai Restaurant comes from its strong, authentic flavors and a knack for being on-point with spice levels. For a sweet-and-sour delight, start off with the papaya salad as an appetizer. The Panang curry stands out as a favorite entrée, but opt for the tom yum with shrimp and pad Thai for a perfectly balanced array of spices.

For a simple and bold Mediterranean-Hungarian menu, visit The Gyro Nook. Gyros here arrive at your table overflowing with ingredients, especially the GyroZilla stuffed with lamb, chicken and veggies of your choice. Opt for the fry upgrade or the seasoned version; just remember that devouring a full order happens pretty easily here.

Head to Billy Bob's Burgers for some of the best burgers in Killeen. Try the Cowboy Deluxe if you're feeling adventurous. This two-patty burger comes loaded with onion rings and a corn dog split in half. Round out your meal with seasoned fries and a milkshake made from real ice cream, both of which top the list for locals.

Killeen doesn't skimp when it comes to nightlife, thanks in part to the massive military installation. The mix of bars, pubs, lounges and wine bars ensure residents stay entertained any way they choose. For live music, locals flock to The Crescent Lounge on East Elms Road or Jokers IceHouse Bar & Grill to the west by the airport. Try Shilo Restaurant Killeen for relaxing, upscale evening drinks at the cigar and sports bar. Live it up at MJ's Bar & Grill, where residents jam, dance, shoot pool and sample the unique mix of specialty liquors.

Killeen/Fort Cavazos residents have a few options for getting around and enjoy easy access to a number of major roads. With Killeen being a car-dependent city, residents typically drive as most errands require a car. You can find parking fairly easily – both free and metered parking.

For those without a car or who prefer not to drive, eight bus routes run throughout Killeen. The HOP routes connect to nearby Harker Heights, Copperas Cove and Temple. Cabs are also available, and while you might get lucky hailing one at the mall or along Restaurant Row, you're better off with calling for a ride. Uber also services the area. Business Loop 190 and U.S Highway 190, better known by locals as Veterans Memorial Boulevard and CenTex, respectively, run right through Killeen, as does State Highway 195. Fort Hood's main gate also connects with Spur 172, and for out-of-town trips, you can access I-35 just 16 miles away in Belton.

While the less commercial streets offer the safest walking and biking areas because of the slower traffic flow, residents also hit the Andy K. Wells Hike and Bike Trail to connect to Veterans Memorial Boulevard right behind the Killeen Community Center.

Free parks blanket the Killeen area, including many village parks on-base. The Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area off-base is a favorite among military members, but it does charge a small fee per vehicle. BLORA provides ample opportunities for enjoying the great Texas outdoors, from water sports to fishing, swimming and hiking.

Situated centrally off Business 190, Conder Park remains a community favorite right in Killeen. Whether you need a spot to curl up in the shade with a new book or want to feed the ducks with your kids, this park provides ample outdoor space. Try your hand on the disc golf course, or let the kids live it up in the skate park. Open play areas, a fishing pond, picnic areas, and basketball and tennis courts ensure something appeals to everyone.

For a dedicated dog park, you need to head to nearby Harker Heights, but the Lions Club Park welcomes canines on its lighted hike and bike trail that loops around the park of the same name.

Head to Green Avenue Park for Food Truck Fridays, where you find plenty of community spirit and edible goodies.

Residents of Killeen pay a cost of living that runs parallel to Temple but sits about 8 percent lower than the Texas average and 20 percent lower than the national. A one-bedroom unit rents for roughly $611, and a bus ride on The HOP costs $1 for a one-way ticket in and around Killeen. Residents pay approximately 10 percent less, on average, per gallon of gas than the national cost. Expect to shell out only around $3 to $4 for a pint of beer.

Most of Killeen/Fort Cavazos' off-base shopping lies in discount chain stores, such as Walmart, Family Dollar and a host of others, dotting the city and a good selection at the Killeen Mall, including Dillard's, Burlington Coat Factory and JCPenney. While the area lacks non-chain, high-end boutiques, a few local specialty shops offer residents something unique.

Stop in the Pink Crush to deck yourself out for a night out or a special occasion. Don't be deceived by the window displays that suggest it's only for formal wear. The inside houses plenty of casual and trendy dresses, colored contacts, leggings and varied items for everyday wear, too.

For throwback sneakers or treads with attitude, explore the inventory at Doublelaced. This place reigns as a sneaker heaven thanks to its collection of old-school Air Jordans, Vans and other top-shelf relics from the past. Sport some funk with a custom pair of shoes with one-of-a-kind airbrushed designs you cannot find anywhere else.

For groceries, residents enjoy a fairly large mix of chains and specialty shops. An IGA Foodliner, Save-A-Lot and Walmart Supercenter are an easy drive from anywhere in town, and the O-Mart tops the local list of Asian markets – don't leave without picking up bulgogi from the meat counter. Locals also pick up fresh produce at one of several farmers markets, including Tara Farms and Cosper's Farm Fresh Produce on Elm.