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Amarillo, Texas, is famous for its rolling plains and cattle ranches– but it also boasts an unusual mix of urban and small-town vibes. Vibrant cultural offerings, cheap living costs, and a property market on the up make the city an attractive option for anyone keen to put down roots or make money in the High Plains area.
The Appeal of Amarillo
Located in the Panhandle area of Texas, Amarillo is often called “The Yellow Rose of Texas” because it sits close to the Palo Duro Canyon. This canyon is the United States’ second largest.
Amarillo has a population of about 200,000 people and growing steadily. Although it continues to expand, Amarillo has managed to retain an atmosphere of community closeness– so residents can enjoy big-city amenities while still feeling at home.
Quality of Life
The superior quality of life is a major attraction in Amarillo– and it shows. The city scored 695 out of a possible 1,000 on Livability’s Quality of Life LivScore. Amarillo performed particularly well in areas such as housing, environment, and transportation.
When compared to other urban areas, those living here get more bang for their buck thanks to low costs and inexpensive real estate: With median house prices well below the national average, first-time buyers (as well as investors) find the market very attractive indeed.
There are also great educational prospects for Amarilloans; not only do residents benefit from strong public school systems, but there are multiple colleges within city limits, too.
Additionally, Amarillo has lots of green spaces (parks, etc.) that offer recreational options; if you fancy something more adventurous, then Palo Duro Canyon State Park is nearby, which is a perfect hiking/camping territory.
Economic Opportunities
It’s no surprise that Amarillo– which belongs to the 4th largest U.S. state, Texas– boasts a strong and diversified economy. Key sectors driving growth here include agriculture, energy, healthcare, and tourism. Indeed, a quick look around town reveals headquarters or major facilities for top companies such as Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Tyson Foods, Pantex (nuclear weapons), and Amarillo Machinery Co.
In addition to being home to these and other firms, Amarillo also does well when it comes to jobs: The unemployment rate (2.6%) is typically lower than both the national and statewide averages (approx. 4%).
While median household income levels in this part of Texas ($60,628) lag slightly behind the U.S. average ($74,000), experts believe they may rise further if current trends continue due to an uptick in employment!
The Real Estate Market in Amarillo is on the Rise
Affordability and Value
Amarillo’s affordable housing market makes it an attractive place to live. Compared with other Texan cities, houses are cheap– great news for anyone thinking of investing in property or buying their own home.
There is a wide range of properties on the market at any one time, from brand-new builds with all mod cons to charming older houses in well-kept historic districts. This means people on different budgets and with different lifestyles can all find something suitable in Amarillo.
The city is split into lots of different neighborhoods, each with its own feel and selling points. Some of the most popular are:
- Wolflin: Beautiful tree-lined streets characterize this part of town, where some of Amarillo’s most expensive homes are found. It’s often thought to be the wealthiest area in the city.
- Downtown: If you like having plenty to do on your doorstep, Downtown could be for you. Apart from shops, bars, and restaurants, there are also cultural attractions, including the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts.
- Mesa Verde: Do you love the idea of living close to Downtown but don’t want to pay its high rents? If the answer is yes, consider Mesa Verde. From here, it’s just a short drive (or even a walk) into the city center, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby.
- Soncy: If you’re looking for a recently developed area with lots of modern housing, Soncy could be the place for you and your family. It’s still being expanded, but there are already parks and schools– plus, it’s only a short drive from Downtown Amarillo.
Real Estate Market Insights
In Amarillo, the real estate market has experienced substantial expansion lately. Median house prices have risen steadily– about 5% annually since 2016– suggesting a robust and expanding market. An Amarillo home typically costs $201,483, up 4.3% in the past year. Houses here go under contract in roughly 22 days.
There is a steady demand for homes and a somewhat tight supply compared with bigger Texas cities such as Houston and Dallas. This could make Amarillo a good place both to sell a house and to buy one!
Living in Amarillo
Cultural and Recreational Activities
Living in Amarillo offers a special mix of Texan friendliness and surprising cultural experiences.
There are various museums in this city, such as the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum and American Quarter Horse Museum, which allow you to learn about its past. If you like classical or modern music, then don’t miss live performances by Amarillo Symphony Orchestra or Opera.
Siding culture vultures, Amarillo provides loads of things to do for people who like being active outdoors. For example, Palo Duro Canyon State Park is perfect if you fancy a walk in the countryside– or even going camping there! There are also lots of parks where you can play sports, including golf, plus sports centers with swimming pools.
Food lovers will find plenty of choices, too: Apart from traditional Texan food (BBQ anyone?), there’s also an array of craft breweries and international cuisine, thanks to the diverse population!
Education and Healthcare
Most of Amarillo’s students are served by a slew of top-rated schools within the Amarillo Independent School District. Some of these include:
- Ascension Academy
- Highland Park High School
- Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School
- Amarillo High School
- Belmar Elementary School
For individuals who wish to pursue further education, there is Amarillo College, which provides academic and vocational programs; alternatively, West Texas A&M University is located just 20 minutes south of Canyon.
In terms of healthcare provision, there are multiple facilities; indeed, with such a choice, residents can expect excellent service from any provider. Northwest Texas Healthcare System and BSA Health System are among the largest such organizations serving this region— they offer high-quality care to people living not just in town but also in surrounding areas.
Community and Lifestyle
The community and lifestyle of Amarillo render it such a special and appealing place to live. With its amiable locals, fascinating history, and varied amenities, this city in the Texas Panhandle has something for everybody.
You just have to look at the packed schedule of local events– whether the well-known Route 66 Festival or the monthly First Friday Art Walk– to see how strong the sense of community is here.
When you’re feeling hungry, Amarillo certainly won’t let you down. Fans of authentic Texan grub should make tracks for legendary eateries such as The Big Texan Steak Ranch or Coyote Bluff Cafe.
If you prefer international cuisine, why not check out Indian Oven or Sakura Japanese Steakhouse? And if you fancy a spot of retail therapy, head to Downtown Amarillo’s historic quarter or Westgate Mall for their cute independent stores and big-name brands.
Amarillo’s community is also keen on getting involved with good causes close to home; it’s got a lot of heart.
Whether you want to help out local farmers by shopping at the Golden Spread Farmers Market or give some time to non-profit organizations like High Plains Food Bank or Habitat for Humanity, there are plenty of ways to make a difference here!
Transportation and Accessibility
Located near Route 66 and Interstate 40, getting to Amarillo by car is easy. If you want to fly somewhere from Amarillo, Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport has daily flights to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and other big cities.
Amarillo’s public transport isn’t as good as in some larger cities– but you can still catch buses with PACE (Panhandle Regional Transit System) or with Amarillo’s own ACT (Amarillo City Transit)!
Overall Conclusion on Living and Buying Real Estate in Amarillo
Residing in and purchasing property in Amarillo offers people a reasonable cost of living, various chances to make money, and a feeling of belongingness. The city’s real estate sector is expanding steadily; it has a stable economy plus one-of-a-kind cultural draws– all of which pull newcomers annually.
Think about moving to Amarillo: you could find it makes good sense both financially and socially whether you want somewhere to live or an investment opportunity!