Amarillo, the county seat of Potter County, Texas, is the largest city in the Texas Panhandle. “Amarillo”, which means yellow in Spanish, boasts numerous thriving industries, good schools and a vibrant culture. This scenic, historic city offers a good balance of rural and urban amenities. There are a variety of entertainment options, numerous job opportunities and a rich local culture.
If you’re planning to move to Amarillo, here’s what you need to know:
1. How big is Amarillo?
It is located about 120 miles north of Lubbock, on I-40 and the iconic Route 66. The city encompasses over 100 square miles, most of which is land with a small amount of water. The revitalized downtown area is the center of activity in Amarillo. There are several attractive neighborhoods, with several buildings and homes featured on the National Register of Historic Places.
2. What’s the weather like in Amarillo?
Amarillo is situated on the prairies of the Texas Panhandle. As a result, it experiences irregular weather patterns, with large daily temperature fluctuations, strong winds anddroughts. The area has four seasons and even three inches of snow annually. January and February are the coldest months of the year. Since it is the third windiest city in the United States, it gets cooling breezes during the summer and is the perfect location for wind farm development.
Amarillo’s frequent temperature and humidity changes, make it a great location to turn to self storage to protect some of your belongings that you don’t use every day. Instead of putting them in your garage or your attic – where they’re exposed to the influence of outdoor temperatures. Alternatively, a climate-controlled self storage unit in Amarillo is a much better alternative for protecting items such as furniture, appliances, clothing, books, musical instruments and other items from damage.
3. What’s the job market like in Amarillo, TX?
The meat packing industry is one of the largest employers in Amarillo, producing around a quarter of the U.S. beef supply. Other major industries include health care, retail, agriculture and manufacturing. This ensures an attractive job market. The most common occupations include office and administrative, sales, and management.
4. Transportation options in Amarillo, TX
Amarillo is served by Amarillo City Transit (ACT), which operates bus services throughout the city. Nevertheless, over 83% of commuters in Amarillo drive alone to work, with less than 1% using public transport. However, the average commute time of 17.4 minutes, is significantly lower than the national average.
5. What are the education options in Amarillo, TX?
There are five school districts that serve Amarillo. The Amarillo Independent School District is one of the largest, providing public education for around 35,000 students. There is a total of 11 high schools, 20 middle schools, and 60 elementary schools in the city. There are several colleges and universities in the city, including Amarillo College and Wayland Baptist University.
College students in Amarillo can have limited living space, especially if they live in a dorm or share an apartment with roommates. A solution to this lack of space is to put little used items, such as seasonal clothing and outdoor gear, in a climate-controlled unit when they aren’t being used. Your possessions can also be kept in the storage unit during summer break, so you don’t need to move them back home. They can be retrieved when you return for the fall semester.
6. Entertainment options in Amarillo, TX
Amarillo has many scenic attractions for outdoor enthusiasts. The Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers more than 30 miles of hiking, cycling and horseback riding trails, as well as camping spots. There are also several museums and art galleries celebrating Amarillo’s local culture. Families will enjoy the Wonderland Amusement Park and there are numerous community events and festivals throughout the year.
Lighthouse trail in Palo Duro Canyon State Park
7. What is Amarillo, TX, famous for?
Amarillo is a unique city where the Old West meets the 21st century. Surrounded by working ranches, the city, known as “Cow Town”, is one of the largest U.S. beef producers. This culture is celebrated through regular events, including rodeos and fairs.
8. What does the moving process to Amarillo, TX, involve?
Once you’ve found your home in Amarillo, the proper planning should make the moving process smooth and care-free. This can be facilitated by hiring a professional, top-rated moving company.
Moving fees are typically highest during the summer when the movers are busiest. Therefore, if possible, it’s best to plan your move for another time of year, especially since temperatures be lower and the moving process less of a struggle.
Renting a storage unit can reduce the stress of moving. It will provide a safe place to store your belongings before, during, and after the big move. This will ease the moving process and provide a plan B in case of delays.
9. Is Amarillo a good place to live?
Amarillo has a friendly atmosphere with of cowboy culture that retains a small town-vibe. It is popular with both retirees and families. There are numerous educational opportunities as well as a booming economy with excellent job opportunities. It is the regional economic center for the Texas Panhandle region. Here are some of the most popular moving routes to Amarillo, TX:
Moving to Amarillo, TX, from Phoenix, AZ
When you move from Phoenix, AZ, here, you will enjoy a much lower Amarillo, TX, cost of living. There are numerous job opportunities with several large employers, such as Texas Tech University, Texas A&M University, Siemens Government Technologies and others located here. There is also a strong artistic community and you get to enjoy the four distinct seasons here.
Moving to Amarillo, TX, from San Diego, CA
Relocating from San Diego, CA, to Amarillo, TX, has several advantages, including a much more affordable housing market. Your dollar will stretch much further here. Amarillo also has a tight knit community where art, education and community come together under “Yellow Rose of the Texas Panhandle” umbrella. If you’re used to enjoying the outdoors in San Diego, Amarillo also has ample opportunities for hiking, biking, zip-lining and horseback riding.
10. Finding your home in Amarillo, TX, and how self storage can help
Amarillo has a wide variety of housing options, with architecture ranging from Spanish Revival to French cottages. If you’re considering apartment living, the downtown area is probably best suited to these needs. You’ll probably need to be mindful of your living space, as you’re likely to contend with a smaller home compared to single family living. In this case, a self storage can come to the rescue providing a temporary home for seasonal items, whether they’re clothes, outdoor gear or decorations. This will allow you to keep your apartment as an uncluttered living space.
Aerial view of downtown Amarillo, TX in summer
The Pucket West, Sleepy Hollow, Plemons-Eakle or Belmar communities have numerous amenities in a family-friendly setting. Even if you live in one of these housing developments, you can also benefit by using self-storage. If you’re remodeling your home, you can store items during construction in a storage unit to avoid overcrowding your home. Storage units are also helpful if you’re moving in with your extended family to form a multi-generational household. They can be used to store furniture, appliances and family heirlooms that can’t fit into the new residence. Another instance when self storage can help is if you’re working from home – items displaced from the home office can find a temporary home in a storage unit until you can use them again.
11. What are the storage options in Amarillo, TX?
There are plenty of facilities locally, it should be easy to find your ideal Amarillo unit. Look for one close to your home in your neighborhood. Next, think about amenities you might need such as climate control, drive-up access and vehicle storage.
Unit size is also important when choosing your storage unit. Most people rent a 10’x10’ unit, but 5’x5’ or 5’x10’ units are usually adequate for clothing or smaller outdoor gear. If you’re renting a storage unit to keep the small belongings from a small apartment, a 10’x15’ unit might work. Upgrade to a 10’x20’ or 10’x30’ unit if you’re moving from a three- or four-bedroom home. A 10’x30’ unit is also ideal for boat storage.
You can check out the Amarillo storage options on the StorageCafe portal.
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