We're a young couple and With a population of 201K, Amarillo is a mid-size city. The unemployment rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. TIA! People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
22 upvotes
30 Replies
Benjamin Stewart
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely pretty good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (East) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
40 upvotes
Josiah T.
preach
39 upvotes
Mateo Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 29, moved here 11 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Springfield and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The weather situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Austin, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
39 upvotes
Claire Roberts
haha yep pretty much
39 upvotes
Jonathan J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 1 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Camila T.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
kennedy_life
not my experience at all
36 upvotes
Jameson M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Ryan Roberts
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 13 years. Moved from Austin for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is decent - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are average. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Dating scene is rough. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Isaiah Lee
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Old Town) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
31 upvotes
Charlotte A.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Mateo J.
exactly what I was thinking
29 upvotes
Jackson
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Mexican places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
28 upvotes
Easton C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
Benjamin Miller
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
26 upvotes
wild_ezekiel89
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Midtown area are improving. Kids love it here.
24 upvotes
Isaac Phillips
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much wild but now it's better than expected.
23 upvotes
Roman Watson
Moved here last year, no regrets.
22 upvotes
Andrew Cooper
couldn't agree more
22 upvotes
Eleanor Taylor
Totally agree!
21 upvotes
Margaret R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Denver 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 East. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Arianna Allen
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Tampa it's solid.
17 upvotes
Gianna Robinson
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
16 upvotes
Lillian Wright
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Seattle about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is decent.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Leonardo P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from San Diego about 5 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Katherine J.
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much wild but now it's improving.
7 upvotes
atlgirl2026
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Aurora Perez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is improving in most areas.
6 upvotes
Alexa Ramirez
thanks for sharing
5 upvotes
Henry Brown
I've lived in East for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cost of living scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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