Random thought, I'm retired and Household incomes average around $50,533 in Lamesa. Average temperature is around 61--F, so the weather is moderate. The median home value here is around $85,800, which is actually reasonable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Is this normal for Lamesa? The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
5 upvotes
10 Replies
Silas Kelly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 50, moved here 15 years ago from New York. I've lived in Westside and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The traffic situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. improving 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 New York, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
37 upvotes
living_aaliyah51
not my experience at all
33 upvotes
Elijah W.
exactly what I was thinking
25 upvotes
Weston Jones
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 13 years. Moved from Nashville for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
retail is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are tough. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited entertainment options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Aaron Sanders
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
16 upvotes
Ellie C.
underrated comment
14 upvotes
Emilia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 38, moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in South and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. tough 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 Atlanta, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K 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.
11 upvotes
Cameron N.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in finance. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Savannah F.
thanks for sharing
6 upvotes
Charlotte Collins
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 57, moved here 2 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Meadowbrook and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The community vibe situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for couples. 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 Austin, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.