Need info on Borger and surrounding areas-possible move (Amarillo, Panhandle: for sale, crime)

[texasnewbie123]

We may be looking at a move to the Borger area (north of Amarillo) and I'm trying to find info on the town and possibly other surrounding towns. I've never been to Borger but have been to Amarillo several times. We currently live in North TX. We have 4 children and ISD's are going to play a crucial role in the town we move to. My husband will be working in Borger, if he accepts the job, but doesn't mind a small commute. I'm having trouble finding many homes for sale in the area and info on the towns. We would like a town that is large enough to have grocery stores/walmart etc. But I don't mind going into Amarillo to do clothes shopping etc. Also, our oldest son will be starting high school and does track, cross country and band. Some of our other kids play soccer/base ball. Please help me find some information...I don't want to uproot the kids and not have some idea what we are getting into. Thank you very much.

PS, I'm from SE New Mexico, originally, so the flat, dry, windy terrain won't be too much of a shock to my system.

[bluescreen73]

I've been through Borger a handful of times and let me just warn you that there's an oil refinery on the west side of town and the smell isn't very pleasant.

[texasnewbie123]

Also, I forgot to ask about the crime in the area. Thanks!

[GayleTX]

There were 2-3 lengthy threads regarding Borger area last summer....you might do a search.

I am familiar with Borger....lots of relativs there, , lived 20 miles down the road until 3 years ago. Borger has a WalMart and two grocery stores...the United is very nice, has a good deli. There are 3-4 good places to eat. The schools leave a lot to be desired....there is a lot of turnover in students because of the large population of oil field workers that come and go. Crime is not toobad, but it's not anywhere you want to get out and walk at night. Because of the oil boom the last couple of years there are very few homes available. There's been very little building there in many years, downtown is pretty empty. Borger was a boomtown in the 40's and that's when most of the homes and business buildings were built. Most of the stable population are older people on social security or living on their pensions from 40 years at Phillips Petroleium there. Most of the young people leave. Borger does have a hospital and some doctors, though.

However......if your husband has a job there, there are some good alternatives - Panhandle, TX is within commuting distance, has excellent schools, active churches, a stable population, young families with good jobs (mostly in Amarillo and at the Pantex plant near there) and nice housing options. We lived there 5 years, never locked our doors, never took the keys out of the car.

Another option is Fritch, sort of a bedroom community for Borger and it's closer than Panhandle. It's on Lake Meredith but the lake is in bad shape and is not open to the public unless things have changed in the past year or so. There are newer homes there, though, and some younger people. Most of them work in either Borger or Amarillo.

[texasnewbie123]

Thank you for the information. I did search for threads on here about borger, but I only found two or three posts that had any real info. For someone who knows very little about the area, I'm getting a little worried. We want to come out and look but we are still a few weeks away from being able to.

[GayleTX]

You said you'd been to Amarillo.....Borger looks very different than Ama - it's hilly, lots of gullies, not as clean looking or smelling and not as well laid out and modern as Amarillo is - and certainly much smaller and slower moving. If you are living in North Texas now it will definitely be a change....that's where we are now. I think the people there are friendlier than they are here....not sure I'd want my kids growing up there, though. I would suggest looking at Panhandle (the town) when you go visit up there....entirely different atmosphere and people than Borger.

[texasnewbie123]

Thank you for the information!