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James Patel moving

Moving to Amarillo with kids — good idea?

First post here. We have two kids and Average temperature is around 60°F, so the weather is moderate. With a population of 201K, Amarillo is a mid-size city. Household incomes average around $62,469 in Amarillo. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. What do you all think? The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development.
2 upvotes

1 Replies

Nathan L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a lawyer, 39, moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Eastside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The dating scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.

**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
40 upvotes
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