I live in Temple. Last year I worked in Killeen and this year I was transferred to Temple. It's about a 30 minute drive. I'd say the nicest places to live are in Belton or Salado. Both smaller towns with pretty good school systems and some nice areas. Both are kind of between Temple and Killeen. Belton is closer to Temple and Salado is a bit farther away. If I could choose between Temple/Belton or Killeen/Harker Heights/Copperas Cove I would definitely live in Temple/Belton. There is a lot more crime in Killeen and there are a lot of gangsta types. The middle school that I was working at in Killeen used to have a severe gang problem...that was just the middle school.
There aren't any really great gunshops around to be honest but I guess it's passable. In Temple you have Weber's, Love's Guns, Academy Sports and Outdoors and the pawn shops. Weber's has a pretty good selection and I know a guy there who's a nice guy but they tend to be overpriced and they do not haggle (period) on gun prices (at least not on new guns...never tried with used). Love's is good people and they are nice but they are small and selection is limited. However, that's your place for any transfers if you order from somewhere...they only charge 15 bucks. Academy is overpriced with slim selection but a good place to buy supplies. I've never had need of a gunsmith here but Weber's does that.
Killeen has limited shops as well but they have a couple of well-stocked places. One is Action Pawn on Ft. Hood Street right at 190. It's a fully-stocked gun store. They have a lot of guns, especially AR-15 style rifles and lots of pistols too. They are overpriced as far as the price tags but I assume they must haggle...never bought a gun from them but have bought holsters. They have the full Bianchi line with some Uncle Mike's and other stuff mixed in. Lots of ammo but that's kind of high too. It's a fun place to look. They must buy a lot of guns off the soldiers from Ft. Hood. If you drive south for a few miles on Ft. Hood St. then you'll see Guns Galore on the left. They have a large selection of pistols and rifles. I don't usually go there though because last time I was in there, although I had a good experience with a really nice young sales guy, the owner was kind of a loud mouth guy and was making racist comments. That kind of turned me off of Guns Galore.
As far as Shooting Ranges go I feel like it's kind of limited here but there are a few places. See this thread:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59564
It fully covers that subject. One that wasn't mentioned there is an indoor range in Cameron called Aaron's Guns or something like that. 25 yds 10 dollars per hour. Haven't been there but I might visit soon.
There are plenty of communities in the outlying areas of the towns. Those are usually the nicest ones. I can't really help you there though. I've only lived here for about a year and a half and I live in an apartment.
There's not much to do in Temple or Killeen really. Austin is an hour or so up the road and Waco is 40 minutes or less from Temple so those are always options if you don't mind driving.
This really is a fairly nice, conservative place to live but I can't wait to get out. I like to have more options in restaurants, shopping and activities and I'm kinda looking forward to moving this summer (my wife is starting residency). We think we're going to be placed in Waco but we aren't sure.
Good luck in your move and welcome to Texas! It's a great place and I wouldn't want to live in any other state! Call me a snob if you want but it's true.
brad cook
Come on down, the waters fine and the beers cold. 