Amarillo Info!? Newbie coming your way... (Canyon, Highland Park: ski resorts, apartment, crime rate) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

misshelicopter · 03-17-2009, 02:51 PM

My husband & I are relocating to Amarillo in a few months. We are young and are just going to stick with an apartment for a few months so where are good communities? By the summer though we will probably be looking into homes near good schools, any recommendations? No kids -- yet -- but want to find somewhere to live for a good 5-10 years. My husband got offered a job there which is why we're moving. Is the town really all country like the photo's I've seen online? Is it a small town or pretty good size? Anywhere in the area I shouldn't move to?

GayleTX · 03-17-2009, 03:53 PM

There are a number of threads on here about Amarillo and the Panhandle area......suggest you do a search for them and see if you can get some of the info you need. After that if you have specific questions I know someone here will be glad to help you if they can. There have been lots of inquiries about Ama lately....must be something exciting going on there!!

As for parts of town.....the best, safest, most convenient to shopping, medical, etc is the south and west. Stay away from the north and east for sure!!

Smileonlife13 · 03-18-2009, 03:14 PM

Hi my husband I are relodating to Amarillo from the Florida Keys, Looking forward to exploring the west with our RV. We want to know where not to buy a home. We want a great neighborhood that people know each other, maybe get together for BBQ's. We are relocating April 2009. Also I have two little dogs and like taking them to parks any ideas? Can you out any where, ( outside Dinning ) and have your dogs with you? Our kids are grown but we are only 50 years young. What are the best meat markets and farmers market. Thanks

GayleTX · 03-18-2009, 05:49 PM

Miss Helicopter......just noticed your screen name! Our business in Ama adjoined the heli factory property there....I used to sit on the back porch of my office and watch them come out the big blue back door with the Osprey when they were building them and experimenting with their flying. Very impressive place!

If you are going to live right in Ama you will want to live clear on the opposite side of town from the factory.....the east side of town (where the factory is) is not a desirable place to live (or even to be after dark!). Since our business was right there, we chose to live in a small town 20 miles east of there......Panhandle. (it was a quicker commute than driving clear across Ama thru traffic). Wonderful place, nice homes, good schools, good people. Lots of the people at Bell Heli and Pantex (government facility) live in Panhandle so it is very accepting of outsiders (moreso than most of the other little towns).... the streets and city services are much better and it has a great library and an outstanding museum. (If you go over there, don't judge it by driving thru on the highway!! You have to go off the highway to the north and drive around downtown and in the west part of town.).

Best wishes.....

bwauer · 03-19-2009, 07:48 AM

I lived in Amarillo for 10 years and the ONLY reason we moved is my husband was relocated for his job.

Amarillo is an awesome place to raise a family. It has, like any city, a couple of spots that are less than desirable, however it truly is a great place. Crime rate is very low, community is just out of this world on "todo's", too much to list....

If you have any questions you can DM if you like.

There are 6 major highschools..Tascosa, Amarillo High, Palo Duro, Caprock, HIghland Park and River Road. Highland Park and River Road are smaller and on the outskirts of town and thus have thier own ISD. The others are in the Amarillo ISD.

Take Care!

cobolt · 03-19-2009, 10:42 AM

I lived in Ama for 13 years. I regret the day I left and am trying to get back now. DM me if you need any info.

ddgross25 · 04-02-2009, 09:11 AM

I noticed there are some smaller mountains nearby.

Does Amarillo have any Ski areas in or around the area?

Or am I dumb to think that enough snow would accumulate to be able to do such a thing?

GayleTX · 04-02-2009, 09:49 AM

"nearby"??? Well, if you figure 6 hrs away 'nearby', the answer is yes....Red River New Mexico and Angel Fire New Mexico are wonderful ski resort areas - and nice summer camping areas....many people in the Panhandle have second homes there or vacation there. There are some smaller ski areas in Ruidoso NM (about 5 hours). Ski resorts in Colorado (Estes Park, Durango, etc) are 6-8 hours away in the Rocky Mountains. People from all over Texas go there regularly.

turkeytrot · 04-02-2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddgross25

I noticed there are some smaller mountains nearby.

Does Amarillo have any Ski areas in or around the area?

Or am I dumb to think that enough snow would accumulate to be able to do such a thing?

Just the opposite, If you drive to Canyon, only fifteen minutes south of Amarillo go east on 4th Ave you will be in Palo Duro canyon State Park.
Plenty to see and in the summer months the play "Texas" is performed in an outdoor amphitheater. A very good play!!

GayleTX · 04-02-2009, 01:16 PM

The OP was asking about SKI mountains.....Palo Duro Canyon is a big hole in the ground.....it's lovely but not a ski area.