The Surprising Realities of Relocating to Amarillo, Texas

I'm considering a move to Amarillo; those words get posted every other day in Facebook groups or on the local Subreddit. The post usually includes some story about how someone got a job offer and they're considering moving across the country to settle in our little slice of the Texas panhandle. For you who are wondering, here is the truth about moving to Amarillo, Texas.

People Say There's "Nothing To Do" In Amarillo, Texas

Amarillo honestly has plenty to do if you know where to look. There's a pretty steady schedule of different types of entertainers coming into town to perform at the Globe-News Center or Civic Center. We have our own Double-A baseball team, the world-famous Sod Poodles. Hodgetown, where the Sod Poodles play, is a ridiculously nice ballpark and the games are usually a pretty good time.

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We're close enough to Palo Duro Canyon that you can go hiking almost any time you want. If you enjoy fishing or spending time at the lake, Lake Meredith is nearby and they have free first-come-first-served camping. It's a pretty nice lake and one of the places my family spends the most time in the summer.

There are several parks where you can spend an afternoon. If you have young children, there is plenty for them to do, like spending time at the Don Harrington Discovery Center. There's more to do in Amarillo than you see at first glance.

Supposedly, Amarillo, Texas Is Just A Really Big Small Town

Who would want to live in a place where church is still the most exciting thing that happens on Sundays? Why would you want to live in a place where almost everything is still closed by 10 PM?

It's true. Amarillo is a really big small town, or a really small big town; however you want to look at it. It's the kind of place that has a lot going for it but still goes crazy anytime a celebrity is spotted. Word still travels fast, and if you get involved in any kind of activity you're prone to make friends pretty quickly.

Amarillo is like an over-sized slice of Americana in a lot of ways. You get some of the big city perks, like an actual airport and we still have a mall, without a lot of the big city drawbacks.

They Say Traffic Is Horrible In Amarillo, Texas

Who would want a slower pace of life? Who would want to live somewhere that doesn't have all the hustle and bustle of Dallas or Houston? Imagine being able to get where you want to go in about 15 minutes on average.

The horror.

Sure, there are plenty of people who act like they're driving with their eyes closed in Amarillo, but you find those jerks everywhere. It doesn't matter where you go, you're going to be surrounded by drivers who aren't as cool behind the wheel as you. Another complaint is the road construction that's always going on.

The city is growing. Things are getting repaired. Deal with it. Construction is awful anywhere it happens. You suck it up, and once it's finished talk about how nice it is. That's how it works everywhere in the country.

While it may not have the most illustrious club scene or some of the most up-to-date attractions, there is still plenty in Amarillo for someone to enjoy. You just have to know how to open your eyes and look around a little bit.