So, you’re moving to Amarillo.

First of all—congratulations. I think you’re going to love it here.

I’ve lived in Amarillo and the surrounding area my entire life, and after years of helping people buy and sell homes here, I’ve learned that newcomers usually arrive with one of two ideas about the Texas Panhandle:

Either they picture nothing but cowboys, cattle and tumbleweeds...

Or they have absolutely no idea what to expect.

The truth is somewhere in between.

No, everyone here does not wear boots. Some people don’t even own a pair.

But you also shouldn’t be terribly surprised if you see a cowboy on horseback going through a McDonald’s drive-through. And occasionally you’ll sit down at a restaurant next to someone who came straight from working cattle and is still wearing his spurs.

Chances are, he’ll also hold the door for you, tip his hat and say, “Howdy, ma’am.”

And honestly? It’s pretty great.

Amarillo May Not Be Pretty in the Traditional Sense

I’m just going to say it.

We don’t have mountains. We don’t have an abundance of trees. And water views are... limited.

What we do have is a distinct kind of beauty.

The land is incredibly open. We joke that you can practically see the curvature of the Earth from here, but all that open sky gives us some of the most spectacular sunsets you’ll ever see.

We also get four distinct seasons—which occasionally all make an appearance during the same week.

And then there’s the wind.

Oh, the wind.

After living here my entire life, I still haven’t learned to love it.

The National Weather Service actually describes the Texas Panhandle as one of the windiest regions in the United States, with our strongest winds most common in winter and spring.

Those of us who live here require fewer meteorological details.

We just call it Tuesday.

Amarillo, Bushland or Canyon?

One of the first conversations I have with relocating buyers is about what they’re actually looking for in a community.

Amarillo, Bushland and Canyon are close to one another, but they offer very different experiences.

Amarillo

If you want city conveniences and the widest variety of housing styles and ages, Amarillo gives you plenty of options.

You’ll find everything from established neighborhoods with mature trees to brand-new developments. You’re also close to shopping, restaurants, healthcare, entertainment and many of the area’s major employers.

Bushland

Head west and things start opening up.

Bushland has more of a small-community feel while still being very close to Amarillo. You’ll see newer development, larger lots in some areas and considerably fewer mature trees.

For many people, it offers a nice middle ground between living in the city and moving farther into the country.

Canyon

Then there’s Canyon.

If someone asked me to picture the classic version of a small Texas town, Canyon would be pretty close.

There’s a historic town square with local shops and restaurants, West Texas A&M University, established neighborhoods and quite a bit of new residential development.

WT is an important part of the community and has particularly strong ties to agriculture, including animal science and pre-veterinary education.

Canyon also sits near Palo Duro Canyon, so the landscape starts changing as you move toward the canyon rim.

When I’m helping relocating buyers compare these communities, my job isn’t to tell them where they should live. It’s to help them understand the differences, give them the information and resources they need, and let them decide which area feels most like home.

Usually, it doesn’t take long before they know.

If You Visit Before Moving, Don’t Just Tour Houses

When someone comes to town for a relocation trip, I don’t want them spending the entire visit inside houses.

I want them to understand where they’re moving.

I’d take you around Loop 335 and show you where Amarillo is growing and where new residential development is happening.

Then we’d head down Historic Route 66 along Sixth Avenue to see some of the eclectic side of Amarillo—historic buildings, antique shops, restaurants, murals and plenty of personality.

We’d drive through downtown and Polk Street and see places like Hodgetown and the Amarillo Civic Center.

Then we’d head west toward Bushland so you could actually feel the difference between living in Amarillo and living outside the city.

And finally, we’d head south to Canyon.

We’d drive around the square, through the university and past some of the newer developments. If we had time, we’d head toward Palo Duro Canyon and take in a little of the landscape that makes this part of the Panhandle so special.

And if I planned our day correctly?

We might just finish somewhere with a glass of wine and watch that enormous Texas sky turn pink and orange.

Because you really should see a Panhandle sunset before you make up your mind about us.

What Should You Know About Buying a House Here?

Once you’ve decided the Amarillo area feels like home, then we can start talking houses.

One of my first questions will be whether you’re looking for a traditional neighborhood with city utilities or whether you want some land.

If you’re looking at acreage, wells and septic systems may become part of our due diligence.

We’ll also pay attention to the roof.

We get hail.

Roof age, condition and insurability matter here, and those are things I want my buyers thinking about before—not after—we fall in love with a house.

We’ll also pay attention to signs of movement and settling. Our soil conditions can contribute to foundation movement, and while some settling over the life of a home isn’t unusual, anything that concerns us is something we investigate rather than guess about.

That’s why I believe strongly in good inspections.

I don’t expect my buyers to know what they’re looking at. That’s what the professionals are for. A good inspector can help us identify potential issues so we can make informed decisions about what needs additional evaluation or what repairs may need to be addressed.

New construction can mean less immediate maintenance, but it also tends to come with a higher price per square foot.

If you’d rather have more space for your money, an older home that has been thoughtfully updated may be worth considering. With older properties, we’ll pay attention to things like previous updates, major systems, drainage, foundation movement and even mature trees planted too close to the house.

There isn’t one correct answer.

There’s the house that works for you.

But Here’s the Part of Amarillo I Can’t Put in a Listing Description

It’s the people.

That’s probably what I would want you to know most before moving here.

Neighbors still introduce themselves.

Families tend to stay connected. Friends have a funny way of becoming family.

And when something happens to someone in this community, people show up.

They bring food. They raise money. They make phone calls. They take care of each other’s kids. They find some way to help.

I’ve lived here my whole life.

I still complain about the wind.

I still wish we had more trees.

And there are definitely days when I’d happily trade a tumbleweed for an ocean view.

But this is home.

And there’s something pretty special about getting to help someone else make it theirs, too.

Thinking About Moving to Amarillo?

I’m DeeDee Bennett, a Realtor with The Homestead Property Group, and I’ve spent my life in the Texas Panhandle.

If you’re considering a move to Amarillo, Canyon, Bushland or the surrounding area, I’d be happy to help you get to know the area before we ever start looking at houses.

Because finding the right home starts with finding the place where your life fits.

Every Home Tells a Story — Let me help you write your family’s next chapter.