Lubbock vs Amarillo? Need Advice (Abilene, Odessa: crime rate, middle schools, to live)

[momof2busybees]

Hello All,
I am moving to Texas and know nothing about the area so am having trouble deciding between Lubbock and Amarillo. My partner lives right outside Lubbock but was offered a job in Amarillo so I was told to decide where I want to live.
Like I said I know NOTHING about anything in Texas, I have only visited and am a life long New Mexican so I really need advice. What is a better area to raise a family? I have a twelve yr old daughter (middle school) and a 8 yr old son with high functioning autism.
I am very interested in the crime rate, school systems, special education services, ect....
If you could even point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.
I have found out already that Texans are alot friendlier then I have ever seen before so I am excited about the move. I just want to move someplace where my children will get a good education and be safe.


Thanks so much for the advice.

[case44]

Of the two cities, I prefer Lubbock personally, but you also need to be close to where your job is. If it's Amarillo, then you need consider staying in Amarillo because the cities are 124 miles apart. Is there any way that you and your significant other can try to reach some sort of a compromise?

[JamesAbilene]

Amarillo and Lubbock are both equally good towns with similar school systems, values, politics, people. Amarillo is colder in the winter. Lubbock is dustier in the spring and fall. Really, pick the one that is best for you and your partner's job, and you will be fine.

[MarcSellsLubbock]

I think JamesAbilene got it right. I have lived in both towns and they are both good towns. You have to decide what works best for your situation.

Moderator cut: Realtor advertising~screen name is the same as the company~not allowed

[jamesandveybe]

Good idea for a thread, as I am contemplating both cities for their values. I know almost nothing about North Texas, so I will be watching.

[Westerner92]

I don't think you can go wrong with either city, but here are some of the differences I've seen:

Lubbock is Texas Tech and cotton; Amarillo is I-40 and cattle for the most part. Amarillo is older and past its prime, but that doesn't mean it's not growing. Lubbock has yet to reach its prime, and they are trying very hard to reach their full potential. Both cities have great elementary and middle schools, but I would say that Lubbock has better high schools because they are bigger and have more opportunities.(i.e. Lubbock High has one of the best magnet programs in the state.) I think it would be in your best interest to visit both cities before you make your desision, though.

[Amatx]

Well regardless of what the pop signs tell Amarillo metro Is bigger than lubbock but even as a life long amarillo resident And police officer here in amarillo I would pick lubbock based just on the crime rate

[GayleTX]

I've lived both places......I felt safer in Lubbock and found there were more family things to do there.

[ihodtx]

Lubbock is the better choice of the two it's growing faster and just the other day they were talking about Lubbock on CNN as having the 2nd strongest housing market in the nation and I also heard on the news here in Odessa the other day that Lubbock is one of the top 20 cities to weather out the recession.Besides that Lubbock has Texas Tech and is the medical hub of the area.It's a city thats constantly growing and theres alot more places to shop the mall is bigger than Amarillo's.The schools are good and the crime isn't bad but like most city's theres parts of town where the crime is higher.Like you mentioned people in Lubbock overall are very friendly it's a mid sized city but the people have that small town friendliness.Something I took for granted until I moved to Odessa which is 2 hours from Lubbock and the people here are rude and have no manners.I miss walking into a restraunt or a store and being greeted with a hello or atleast a smile or getting friendly service anywhere in general.That's why I can't wait to move back to Lubbock.Hope this helped some.

[WDBD]

Originally Posted by momof2busybees

I am very interested in the crime rate, school systems, special education services, ect....
If you could even point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.

You can find information on crime, schools, housing, climate, etc. at www.citi-data.com . Oh! That is the sight where this forum link is. You are already here.