Paradox in the Panhandle - 7/1/2007

This is my second tour in Amarillo, the first was 1979-1984. Like everywhere else, Amarillo changed while I was away. It is truly a paradox; some great things, some horrible things and the normal day to day stuff you find anywhere. First the good; Healthcare is a main employer in the area with continued expansion of facilities, physicians and good care. Baptist/St Anthony's rated as a top hospital. Several local physicians are on the Texas Monthly annual "Top Docs" list. I relocated from central New Jersey this last time; Don't believe what Amarillans tell you about the traffic. There is none to speak of. I can get from the airport (far east) to the mall far west in 10-15 minutes any day, any time. No rush hour to speak of, minor delays for road construction and the like. Summer nights are the best in the world-Cool temps (high 60s-70s) low humindity and often a nice breeze. Sunsets are legendary. If you are a photographer spend one season here and just shoot the myraid of sunsets. Palo Duro Canyon is 18 miles to the south-the best kept secret of the American West is this one of kind canyon environment in the middle of the flat plains. Cool, really cool. Flat plains-few trees, views for miles, either you like it or you don't. It's either very "freeing" or incredibly depressing. Some get "island" fever. Now the bad; Economy is chocked full of service minimum wage type jobs. A year or so ago a consultant warned the city that in 15-20 years the economy would "worsen" significantly because of an uneducated work force and few opportunities. The only bleaker outlook in the state was the Rio Grande Valley. Don't believe the population percentages. Potter County (northern Amarillo) is 47% hispanic. This includes a large hispanic culture of Spanish as primary language. The east end of old route 66, Amarillo Blvd, resembles Tijuana with primarily Hispanic signs and businesses. 20% of the population of Potter County is on food stamps. That lends to job market statistics. Cultural events are limited to local ballet and symphony (hey, they try) and primary chain type eataries (Chili's, Applebee's, Olive Garden, etc, et al). All of the above are fine if you are not accustomed to other opportunities. Housing market is overpriced for job opportunities. Houses are higher for similar size found in Dallas/Ft. Worth. Crime is a problem. Violent crime: murder, rape twice national average. Property crime: twice the national average. High percent

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constant visitor - 4/23/2007

I lived in a town about the size of Amarillo when I was a teenager. Couldn't wait to get out of there because there was nothing to do. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder. I travel to Palo Duro Canyon, close to Amarillo one or two times a week to mountain bike. I've lived in the area for 20 years and was introduced to the canyon by my son. It's a beautiful place with the plants changing in color almost weekly during the spring. My grand daughter and I discovered 11 different creatures in about an hour and a half including the first dung beetle we'd ever seen other than in a book. Of course the outdoors is not everyone's cup of tea, but if you like that kind of thing it's the best in the area.

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Big truck stop - 3/7/2007

have lived here for almost 4 years now and I can't wait to leave. There isn't any entertainment unless you eat out at restaurants or go to the movies. (I have gained weight and seen almost every movie that has come out in the theaters.) The next biggest "town" for entertainment is Lubbock which is a 2 hour drive. Albuquerque is 4 hours away (gambling) OKC is 4 hours the other direction. The pay here is pathetic. Having a bachelor's degree means nothing when you get paid a quarter more an hour that someone doing the same job with a high school diploma. Houses are more expensive here than in DFW metroplex and gas here is notoriously the highest in the state. If you have young kids, it would be a great place to raise a family as there are activities for young children (Discovery Center, Wonderland, a zoo..) There are 4 seasons, which is good. The wind is a constant companion as are the rolling tumbleweeds in the springtime.

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Big truck stop - 3/2/2007

I have lived here for almost 4 years now and I can't wait to leave. There isn't any entertainment unless you eat out at restaurants or go to the movies. (I have gained weight and seen almost every movie that has come out in the theaters.) The next biggest "town" for entertainment is Lubbock which is a 2 hour drive. Albuquerque is 4 hours away (gambling) OKC is 4 hours the other direction. The pay here is pathetic. Having a bachelor's degree means nothing when you get paid a quarter more an hour that someone doing the same job with a high school diploma. Houses are more expensive here than in DFW metroplex and gas here is notoriously the highest in the state. If you have young kids, it would be a great place to raise a family as there are activities for young children (Discovery Center, Wonderland, a zoo..) There are 4 seasons, which is good. The wind is a constant companion as are the rolling tumbleweeds in the springtime.

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Nice Weather - 12/16/2006

four seasons

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Amarillo or Lubbock? - 11/5/2006

I am considering moving to either Amarillo or Lubbock. I have family in New Mexico, and want to be closer to them. I want to pick the best place for a single female regarding decent job market, housing, good weather, social activities, low crime rate, friendly people etc. I would really appreciate any information anyone can provide.

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Great place to live - 9/24/2006

I've lived in Amarillo twice for a total of 35 years, but now live in Dallas due to a job change. I would move back to Amarillo if I were able. You get 4 seasons for the most part. It usually snows several times in the winter, sometimes as early as early Nov and as late as April. Most of the time it is only a few inches but every few years you'll get a foot or more. But usually melts off quickly due to the abundance of sunshine. The northers that bring snow blow in quick and leave quick. Fall and spring are beautiful. The least desiraeable part of the weather is the wind. Winds can be very annoying in spring and sometimes in fall. Summers are pleasant with highs in 90's but evenings and mornings cooling into the 70's and sometimes 60's due to the high elevation and low humidity. Amarillo is flat, farm and ranch country. Oil, gas, and cattle play a big part in the economy. Bell Helicopter is a large employer in Amarillo as this where they assemble the Osprey for the military. Owens Corning fiberglass has a large plant there, as well as Iowa Beef Processors has a large slaughter/process facility there. Pantex is located about 15 miles east of Amarillo and is another large employer, where nuclear weapons are disassembled, put back together , stored, etc.. (Nobody can really tell you.. secretish you know). Anyway I like Amarillo. The low humidity and mild weather allows me to tolerate the wind and occasional cold spell. Palo Duro Canyon is about a 40 minute drive away and is a nice place to mountain bike & camp. It is a nice place to raise a family and is fairly conservative in a good sort of way. However there are a percentage of people who move here who feel uncomfortable with the lack of trees, mountains, and the fact you can see about 30 miles when you get outside of town. My advice... try before you buy. ;)

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Get me outta here!!!! - 9/9/2006

Out of all the places that I've lived in the U.S., this is the worst. This city is stuck out in the middle of nowhere on extremely flat land. The natives here will readily admit that there is nothing to do and nowhere to go except church. Crime is high for such a small town; auto accident deaths are a daily occurence. Housing is expensive considering there is nothing to do here. The summers are dry and extremely hot; the winters are cold, icy, & very windy. Everyone here is sure to tell you that the people are nice and it's a great place to raise a family. Neither of these statements are true. These are probably the most close-minded, Bible thumping, people that I have ever met. If you follow the local newspaper's online blog, you will see that they have no tolerance for others opinions. They put emphasis on sports than academics, in the schools. We plan on leaving in a year when my husband retires. P.S. Jobs are few and salaries are poor.

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Amarillo Gold - 7/13/2006

I have a love/hate relationship with this town.Most people "pass through" but never spend any time off I-40 and don't get a good feel of what this area has to offer. I moved here in the late 80's while in nursing school. I continously plotted how to "escape" this arid, treeless, windy, boot scootin' menatlity infested town. As a travel nurse, I have left here NUMEROUS times for what seemed the greener pastures. And each time I have returned to the quieter, easier life style that Amarillo affords. I have lived in many cities in many states. I have found many things in all of the places I have lived, for an extended period of time, that I loved and miss. I miss Houston's music,food and variety of things to do.But I don't miss the humidity and the traffic. I miss the Old New Orleans,but don't miss the humidity or high crime. I never felt safe moving about by myself. Its true that some cultural activities are in short supply, but our unique blend of culture is here as we have folks move here and share their culture.So really we are multi-cultural. What draws me back to Amarillo every time I have moved, is the vast sunshine and the rugged terrain. In any direction of town, you can drive and soon will see a deep canyon that breaks up the flat plains and has a different type of beauty. And an individual doesn't have to conform to all the social mores entirely as he/she does in a more populated area. I can go to Wal Mart at 3:00 in the morning and not be afraid of being mugged or someone knocking me off my motorcycle and taking it. As a female, that is important to me. I purchased 3 acres North of town and plan to build a house soon. So Amarillo is going to become my permanent home, after almost 20 years. Oh, and we do have an International Airport. That's when the notion to go somewhere hits for some "culture",I can get there. Come see us!!!

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Best than you think - 5/30/2006

The area getts a bad wrap for its weather but the truth is we have four great seasons and lots of sunshine.

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nature - 10/10/2005

the closeness to the Palo Duro Canyon and other canyon lands make the Amarillo are a hikers paradise.

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