I'm a college student here and It's a a mid-size city city with about 201K people. The unemployment rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $62,469 in Amarillo. The median home value here is around $186,800, which is actually reasonable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What would you do? Cheers. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
35 upvotes
11 Replies
Olivia F.
Can confirm, been here 15 years.
40 upvotes
Aria Kim
spot on
37 upvotes
Ellie
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 52, moved here 2 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Eastside and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The public transit situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Houston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
32 upvotes
Elijah R.
I'm a sales manager and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
Piper Robinson
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Southern places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
20 upvotes
Genesis Myers
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely tough and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Westside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
17 upvotes
David Allen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 54, moved here 12 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Pine Hills and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Boston, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$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.
15 upvotes
minneapolis_isabella
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely challenging and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
8 upvotes
Evelyn Ramirez
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The food scene is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Piper W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 54, moved here 7 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Downtown and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K 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.
3 upvotes
Dylan Ortiz
Moved here from Nashville about 13 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to safety but Definitely worth checking out..
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