Hey, I relocated for work and Crime rate is something to consider — Amarillo sits at 719.8 per 100K. It's a a mid-size city city with about 201K people. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Would love some local perspective. Thanks in advance!
55 upvotes
5 Replies
Dylan Jones
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Kaylee Martinez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Denver about 12 years ago. The main reasons were work and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Henry Wilson
wish I knew this sooner
22 upvotes
Mackenzie Kim
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 28, moved here 9 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Oak Park and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. excellent 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 Houston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
Harper James
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely better than expected and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (South) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
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