Can anyone tell me about raising a family in Amarillo or Canyon?

[blueskies49]

Wyo713, I don't know much about Wyoming but I would assume that Texas shouldn't be too much of a culture shock for you (asside from the weather and geography maybe) given that both states enjoy kind of a "cowboy" culture.

[cobolt]

I think you'll like the Ama/Canyon area. I lived there for 13 years and as the previous poster said, it's a very easy place to live and work. People are pretty friendly and yes, it is windy and dusty but there are other things that equal that out....wonderful summer evenings. big sky, affordable. I say go for it. I miss it quite a bit.

[GayleTX]

That part of Texas is still very 'western' but has all modern amenities so you should feel quite comfortable. We just recently moved from near Amarillo, but we enjoyed it there....the summer evenings are cool and very pleasant and people are quite friendly. There is a great medical district there on the west end of Amarillo and one outstanding hospital (BSA). There's a very good museum at the university in Canyon and another in Panhandle (the town) and lots of softball fields all over town.

[cobolt]

Yep. Really great place to live. Some of the best friends I ever made were from Amarillo.

[Wyo713]

blueskies49,

I would have to agree with you that Texas is probably quite a bit like here! A lot of ranches, rodeos and cowboys! So at least there will be that to remind me of home! And actually, it looks like the weather and geography in Amarillo are quite a bit like the area I'm from, so that won't be much of a change!

cobolt,

Thank you so much for your positive thoughts on the area! I am pretty used to the wind and dust so that won't be too bad! I think the area sounds like it has a lot of really friendly people and fun things to do! I have to admit, I was kind of uneasy when my husband first brought up moving, but after all of the positive responses I have received, I am starting to really look forward to going!

GayleTX,

Thank you for your information on the medical district and museums! I am sure that I will find that very helpful! I think the summer evenings would be really lovely down there!

I came up with a few more questions if people don't mind answering them! Are there many lakes or other water recreation areas around that are nice to take the family to? What are the taxes on vehicle licensing like? (Ours are pretty expensive!) Are your electric bills outragous? I had heard stories from people who moved to DFW that the electricity was about twice per kilowatt what ours costs. I have no idea whether that is true or not. Thank you all so much!

[blueskies49]

Wyo, I don't know about our electricity being twice what yours is but in the summer our electric bills are high due to the long summer heat. Now that may balance out your heating bills in the winter if Wyoming gets alot of cold and snow. However, Amarillo being in the panhandle might be a tad different from us here in DFW as far as the length of the summer. They do get more cold than we do.

As far as vehicle registration, I pay $68 annually on a 3-year old Chevy Impala. I don't know what your initial tag cost would be though. Here's the link to TxDOT: Texas Department of Transportation.

[Wyo713]

blueskies49,

I am sure that DFW is quite a bit warmer than here! Our electricity bill usually isn't too bad, it is the gas that gets expensive during the winter. I think the highest I have ever paid a month for electricity was $150. We have a 2400 sq. ft. home. The gas can run as high as $180 a month in the winter and as low as $60 a month in the summer. So combined we probably average about $300.

Oh my gosh, your vehicle registration is drastically lower than ours! I have a two year old Jeep Commander that I paid $600 for tags and such last year! It gets a little lower each year as the vehicle gets older, but is still very expensive! I would definately be quick to license my vehicle in Texas and quit paying the Wyoming prices!