Amarillo is a 200k population city, growing fast, and has a good economy, but you can still buy a three-bedroom, two-bath home for under $150k. If you’ve never been to Texas or haven’t been in a long time, you’ll be shocked to see the growth, but unlike Cali, the state where lots of people are coming from, it’s still within reach of most Americans, and plenty of immigrants, to buy a home. 

Also, it has the highest volume of helium in the world. That's kind of weird and cool. 

On the other hand, Amarillo is hot, with no shock there – over 100 degrees through many days in the summer. What does surprise though, is the wind. Amarillo is windier than Chicago and has the highest average wind speed of any city in the U.S. That wind, combined with the dust and flat topography, means you’re going to feel the pain of the conditions here. 



LookyLOO Review of Amarillo

Amarillo, like many Texas cities, has great food, including the obvious Mexican/Tex-Mex options but also new highly rated other fare. It also has tons of breweries to wash down those eats. It has a groovy shopping district on 6th Street and a great performing arts center. What most people rave about, though, is hiking through Palo Duro Canyon. Given the flat terrain, a cool hilly climb is the right way to get a break on the weekends. 

Check out the city [**calendar of events**](https://www.visitamarillo.com/events) to get a sense of local activities.

We highly recommend visiting Amarillo and staying in the community in a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [partnership with Expedia](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.


Lifestyle 

Two of the largest industries in Texas include Energy and Food Processing. While oil is still big business, it should be no shock that with that insane wind, Amarillo is also home to massive manufacturing and installation of wind turbines. Amarillo operates one of the largest meat-packing areas in the United States (lots of cattle in Texas). Growth is coming from those two industries, but also some interesting manufacturing with Osprey Helicopters built here and Pantex, the only nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly facility in the country, a major employer. All of these areas are seeing growth, so the mix of jobs and low costs make it a desirable location. 


Worklife

If you’re raising a family and looking to buy a home at a price you can afford, then Amarillo is a great choice. You’ll be hard-pressed to find another city with an economy doing as well as Amarillo with prices as low. 


It's the Money, Stupid

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**Odd-Psychology-7899**
7mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

Long time Amarillo resident here. Have also lived in larger cities. It’s overall a good place to live. Good food, everything is convenient, easy to get around. There are some really nice neighborhoods with lots of trees (not everywhere is ugly and brown, although those areas do exist) and it’s easier to afford a nice home here than in larger cities for sure. Palo Duro Canyon is awesome. Fairly short drive to the mountains but still in Texas with good public schools and no state income tax. Some annoying things about living here include - more windy days than most other places in the US, and it can get ugly/dusty on those days, the occasional feedyards smell when the wind is coming from that direction. Those annoyances aren’t enough to be too dramatic about though. We have lots of nice days too. Most people are heavily Christian/conservative. As someone who tends more liberal, that doesn’t bother me a bit though. I think it’s fine to be around people who think differently than you. I’d say the people are generally friendlier than most people in larger cities.

For more reviews of what living in Amarillo is like from locals, check out [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/amarillo/reviews).




Reviews of Amarillo from Locals

As with most small to mid-sized cities Downtown is where the young professionals and some retirees live. Restaurants, microbreweries, music clubs, jazz bars and dance clubs are pretty plentiful here and so if your thing is going out and living a walk from the scene then the apartments and condos downtown will work for you. There are also several outdoor parks and plazas in the area, providing a place for the youngsters (or retirees) to throw a frisbee or just enjoy the outdoors. 

One of the most interesting and perhaps bizarre landmarks in downtown Amarillo is the Cadillac Ranch, an art installation featuring a row of vintage Cadillacs partially buried nose-first in the ground. Other cultural options in the area include the Amarillo Museum of Art, the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, and the Amarillo Civic Center, all of which play host to live music, art shows and theater productions throughout the year. 

 



Young Professionals / Retirees

Downtown

If you’re single or a couple but looking to get a breather from downtown then take a peek at historic Wolflin Village. Filled with 1920’s homes along tree-lined streets, the whole neighborhood is going through a restoration. The walk score here is excellent with boutique shopping and restaurants all within range. It also has a strong community vibe with plenty of block parties and events throughout the year, making it feel like its own little town. 



DINKs/SINKs / Retirees

Wolflin Village

La Paloma Estates is a first choice for those who want to live the high life. The homes are huge with big lawns and the local public schools are excellent. It also has the Tascosa Golf Club, with golf, tennis, swimming pool, walking trails and a restaurant. Many of the families in La Paloma use the club as a community center.
If you’re craving a more city-centric neighborhood with lower prices then check out W 34th Ave/S Washington St. Decidedly middle-class but also with nice homes and low crime, this established,  older neighborhood is near the center of the city for those craving something closer to the action. 
- La Paloma Estates
- Tascosa Estates
- Lake Tanglewood
- W 34th Ave/Washington St. 


Families

La Paloma Estates

Amarillo

**Odd-Psychology-7899**
7mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

Long time Amarillo resident here. Have also lived in larger cities. It’s overall a good place to live. Good food, everything is convenient, easy to get around. There are some really nice neighborhoods with lots of trees (not everywhere is ugly and brown, although those areas do exist) and it’s easier to afford a nice home here than in larger cities for sure. Palo Duro Canyon is awesome. Fairly short drive to the mountains but still in Texas with good public schools and no state income tax. Some annoying things about living here include - more windy days than most other places in the US, and it can get ugly/dusty on those days, the occasional feedyards smell when the wind is coming from that direction. Those annoyances aren’t enough to be too dramatic about though. We have lots of nice days too. Most people are heavily Christian/conservative. As someone who tends more liberal, that doesn’t bother me a bit though. I think it’s fine to be around people who think differently than you. I’d say the people are generally friendlier than most people in larger cities.

**DRogers372**
7mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

I’ve lived in Amarillo my entire life and, mostly, love it. I will say that if you’re into the outdoors, you’re going to have a better time. The Canadian river is fun and Palo Duro Canyon is a nationwide destination. There is a decent art museum at Amarillo college and the museum at WT in canyon is really decent as well. If you like sports, hitting hodgetown during baseball season is a lot of fun. My wife and I are foodies and Amarillo has a lot of really good food. Especially Mexican and Thai. If you have kids, cinergy is fun here and there but does get to be a little much too often. This goes into the outdoorsy part but there is a lot of camping around here without much of a drive. Lake Mackenzie and lake fryer, Palo duro, as mentioned, caprock canyons, lake Meredith. It, basically, comes down to what you’re into. We also like that were centrally located in the US and it’s fairly easy to jump in the car and be to the mountains in 5 hours, Dallas in 5 hours, okc in 3.5 hours, Albuquerque in 4.5 hours, a beach in 8. I’m biased, for sure, but I find Amarillo to be a great place to live and work and have a family.

**slowlike_honey3_33**
6mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

I don’t think Amarillo is a terrible place to live, but as someone who relocated here a couple years ago for family, it’s been a massive adjustment. I love outdoor activities and Amarillo doesn’t have much to offer outside of Palo Duro Canyon, which is definitely a beautiful state park to visit. There are several bars that do trivia nights and have live music, but you don’t get a ton of big music acts that come through. You really have to seek out any type of entertainment and/or events here.

Depending on what type of industry you’re in(outside of the job you’re being offered) there may not be a lot of other lucrative opportunities here if that job didn’t work out. This part of Texas doesn’t pay well compared to other places (at least in my industry).

Keep your expectations low and you might be pleasantly surprised by this place.

**Boongado**
2mo ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

I have been here all my life, (54 years) it really is what you make of it.. I personally Love my town, not too big and not too small, I have always lived in the NE area, which a majority of people would think it's 3rd worst area to live in.. but I grew up in that area.. their are definitely a whole lot better areas to live in... Life here is slow, not that busy busy busy vibe like the BIG CITIES... be sure to explore everything we have to offer.. people think it's boring, but you have to be willing to try anything and everything we have to offer.... its what you make living here out of it.. be sure to look at Facebook events, Amarillo Happenings, My High Plains.com and the best weekend trips you can take..we are definitely a great central place to visit New Mexico, Oklahoma and Colorado!! I LOVE YOU travel and explore.. I also go car camping when I can... if you ever want to know about place to go, places to see and kid friendly places.. just message me.. I have so much information on where to go.. Safe Travels and Welcome to the Panhandle when you get here

Amarillo, Texas

Helium Hollow

Looklyloo Score: 82