Copperas Cove is a quiet, small-city base with a family-friendly, suburban feel, easy access to parks and lakes for off-duty outdoor time, and enough services and short-term rental options to make multi-week stays comfortable and low-stress.
Nearby Killeen (minutes away) supplies big-box shopping, restaurants and nightlife tied to Fort Cavazos, while Austin (roughly 70–75 miles) is a doable weekend escape for live music, diverse dining and larger-city amenities.