Anyone else feel this way? Household incomes average around $62,469 in Amarillo. Homes are going for about $186,800 on average. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Anyone in a similar situation? Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
19 upvotes
36 Replies
Violet Rogers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Kaylee T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 5 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Reagan S.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
Alice Hill
good to know, thanks
36 upvotes
Harper Harris
this is the way
32 upvotes
Declan Cook
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Ryan K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in marketing. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Greyson Alvarez
preach
30 upvotes
Valentina Parker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in retail. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Madelyn Brown
Bought a house here in 2018 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
29 upvotes
Delilah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 6 years. Moved from New York for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is solid - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Can feel isolated. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Hazel Richardson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
28 upvotes
Rylee Wright
literally same
26 upvotes
Benjamin Smith
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Atlanta it's challenging.
25 upvotes
Paisley
noted, appreciate it
24 upvotes
Jose J.
Bought a house here in 2016 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
23 upvotes
Cooper R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 9 years. Moved from LA for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is solid - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Homeless population growing downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Alice Reed
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
21 upvotes
Scarlett Martinez
I've lived in West for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- The weather scene is solid
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Ryan Morgan
Moved here from Houston about 3 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to school system but No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Caroline Stewart
I'm a nurse and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Easton Smith
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
Lily L.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Maya Green
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
Gianna
underrated comment
16 upvotes
Amelia Patel
wish I knew this sooner
13 upvotes
Jace W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from San Francisco about 6 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Julian Lee
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
9 upvotes
Aria Bennett
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 8 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Naomi Young
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The cultural scene is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
9 upvotes
Victoria C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 46, moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Midtown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Raleigh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
7 upvotes
Bella
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Ruby Roberts
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
4 upvotes
Isaiah Price
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 7 years. Moved from Charlotte for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Nightlife is limited. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Bella Thompson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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