Small-town Ballinger (pop. 3,619) offers a charming, walkable downtown of historic 1800s stone buildings, a restored Carnegie library, Lake Ballinger and roomy parks — a friendly, affordable place with local events and a community vibe that makes multi‑week stays comfortable and interesting.
For weekend or day‑trip variety, San Angelo is a quick ~36‑mile drive with riverside trails, restaurants and regional services, and Abilene (~70 miles) provides larger‑city shopping and entertainment — so you get quiet, community living without feeling isolated.