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Cross post from West Texas Board, Odessa ?

2,320 Views | 24 Replies | Last: 10 days ago by Pro Sandy
ShouldastayedataTm
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11:33a, 10/30/24
I see most of the names on the board here in Outdoors as well and the last post there was 9 days ago. So long story short will ask here as well. Looking at a job in Odessa, don't know much about the area, anyone want to fill a guy in on what Odessa is like as a home for a new start.
https://texags.com/forums/40/topics/3503525
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FunkyTownAg
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In reply to ShouldastayedataTm • 12:52p, 10/30/24
AG
Hopefully the job pays well so there is at least one benefit of living there
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BiggiesLX
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1:04p, 10/30/24
Good luck. Being from the hill country where there's a bunch to do and all sorts of different people, if you don't find a group of friends up there then you'll want to get out of that place every weekend.

There's a weird rivalry between midland and Odessa but the fact is is that both places offer little to do besides work. Either town has little character and going to Lubbock will feel like a relief. They also have their closed off cliques of locals who are more standoffish than other Texans. Everything revolves around oil so if you're in that industry then there's no escaping that environment.
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Dirty-8-thirty Ag
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1:31p, 10/30/24
AG
No experience living in Odessa but used to work over there all the time. Lived in Midland 4 years, if I was you I'd look at living on the west side of Midland and driving back and forth.

Those new houses by Grande stadium are nice, but stacked right on top of each other. Would be a farther drive, but Greenwood is a nice small community outside Midland that a lot of people seem to really enjoy if you have to be in the Petroplex. Join the Midland A&M club and meet some good Ags to watch games with.

West Odessa is what gives Odessa the bad reputation, the other parts aren't as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Hell some parts east of 349 in Midland are pretty damn rough looking as well.
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chasep2820
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1:37p, 10/30/24
AG
I've lived in Midland for 11 years and married a native Midlander in 2017. I see you don't mention family or children, as that would be the driving factor for my decision. If there's family involved, I suggest living in Midland, the east side of Odessa(Faudree Road area sometimes referred to as Midessa) or Greenwood, and driving to Odessa for work each day. There's a lot of businesses that have Odessa addresses that are actually equidistant to Midland and Odessa, but there's this hell hole known as West Odessa, an unincorporated free-for-all that also registers as Odessa.

You mention land a few times, so if you can swing it, I suggest Greenwood or Gardendale. I know folks who love it out there, and they shoot guns, ride their side-by-side to the convenience store, and get a bit of the country lifestyle. But with the lackadaisical zoning come certain types of folks who turn a 5-acre lot into an all-in-one RV park, frac sand trucking yard, and goat farm.
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Dirty-8-thirty Ag
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In reply to chasep2820 • 1:41p, 10/30/24
AG
chasep2820 said:
I've lived in Midland for 11 years and married a native Midlander in 2017. I see you don't mention family or children, as that would be the driving factor for my decision. If there's family involved, I suggest living in Midland, the east side of Odessa(Faudree Road area sometimes referred to as Midessa) or Greenwood, and driving to Odessa for work each day. There's a lot of businesses that have Odessa addresses that are actually equidistant to Midland and Odessa, but there's this hell hole known as West Odessa, an unincorporated free-for-all that also registers as Odessa.

You mention land a few times, so if you can swing it, I suggest Greenwood or Gardendale. I know folks who love it out there, and they shoot guns, ride their side-by-side to the convenience store, and get a bit of the country lifestyle. But with the lackadaisical zoning come certain types of folks who turn a 5-acre lot into an all-in-one RV park, frac sand trucking yard, and goat farm.


Greenwood > Gardendale, ESPECIALLY if school aged children are in the mix.
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Bigballin
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2:15p, 10/30/24
AG
Never been but one of my buddies who works in drilling always referred to it as "Slowdeatha"
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Mark Fairchild
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2:54p, 10/30/24
AG
Lived in Midland 44 years, it is Odessaltion! Each Sunday we were admonished to 'Repent or go to Odessa'!
Gig'em, Ole Army Class of '70
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Eliminatus
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3:40p, 10/30/24
AG
Native Odessan here. Born and raised. I can't speak to the current conditions there as I haven't visited in over five years (on purpose) but let's just say I knowingly enlisted into the infantry during a war to escape that place. Best decision I ever made.

If you have a good job and are a homebody, you can insulate yourself from a lot of it though. Which I guess is true for most cities. The problem I see is that there just isn't much to do and the infrastructure is just not that great compared to other cities in Texas. Like schools, parks, etc. And the crime is pretty bad there too. You also can't forget that Odessa is tied to roughnecks so during a bust, you will a drastic uptick in crime and overall doom and gloom from those who get stuck there and can't get out.

Also, it's an ugly ass town. Like depressingly so.

Go to Midland. It's better. And hope you don't die on the roads. Good luck.
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Tumble Weed
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4:24p, 10/30/24
I grew up in Big Spring in the 80s. Married someone from Midland.

I have never seen two cities that hate each other as much as Midland and Odessa do.

Wish that I could move back to West Texas. They are the most conservative people that I have ever met. I would much rather live in either Midland or Odessa than any of the big cities in Texas.

Things to note:

Sandstorms can be low visibility. You will experience several every spring.
It doesn't rain much. If you really like trees, probably not the place for you.
Healthcare becomes an issue as you age.
Schools are hit and miss if you have kids.

Conservative mindset.
Good restaurants in the area if you don't mind spending some money.
Relatively low cost of living for Texas.
I think that the people are friendly, but I am biased because I know quite a few people out there.
Pretty good arts scene at the Wagner Noel and Midland Community Theater.
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ShouldastayedataTm
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4:31p, 10/30/24
Kids are all grown and gone and doing their own thing, so it is just me now. Not much of a people person so not worried about cliques, how is it for a jumping off point to explore that area of Texas? Have not spent any time further west really than I-35 so would love to use it as a jumping off point to explore that part of Texas.
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Tumble Weed
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In reply to ShouldastayedataTm • 5:00p, 10/30/24
ShouldastayedataTm said:
Kids are all grown and gone and doing their own thing, so it is just me now. Not much of a people person so not worried about cliques, how is it for a jumping off point to explore that area of Texas? Have not spent any time further west really than I-35 so would love to use it as a jumping off point to explore that part of Texas.
I love Big Bend National Park and Big Bend State Park. We go out there once a year. Also have the Guadalupe Mountains that are not too far.

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JD05AG
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5:25p, 10/30/24
AG
Lived in mitland for about a decade. Told my folks I'm never moving east of abilene again. I'm a little different situation because I have access to a lot of land due to relationships and customers. But no I would look at Gardendale, not Odessa.
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Milwaukees Best Light
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5:29p, 10/30/24
AG
If you are done paying for kids and don't have some serious debt or some desperate need for money, don't do it. Go be a hermit somewhere prettier.
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ShouldastayedataTm
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In reply to Milwaukees Best Light • 6:53p, 10/30/24
Well not having a lot of luck with jobs elsewhere in the state, have had some bites outside of Texas whick would be fun too, but this is the best opportunity in the state so far. Have a couple of niblles from Temple and Tyler, but nothing beyond you cleared the automated scan of your details and the hiring team will review your stuff and reach out if interested from thsoe two. I know the Tyler area well enough and Temple also but have only flown over West Texas.
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mts6175
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7:17p, 10/30/24
AG
Lived in Midland for 5 years, left when Covid hit and just travel back for work now from DFW. If you have a family, it's great. It's a bunch of middle aged people trying to make the best of a work situation and brings a strong family atmosphere. If you single, be prepared to travel a lot if you want to have a social life outside of work. The population of Midland-Odessa grows to the size of Houston during the week and empties on the weekends.

It's not a bad place to be, but personally while most of my work is centered there, I wouldn't go back to live there. Be prepared to get sucked in for work though.....
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ConstructionAg01
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In reply to ShouldastayedataTm • 9:00p, 10/30/24
AG
What line of work are you in?

Please say building construction…
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C1NRB
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9:07p, 10/30/24
AG
I lived in Midland from 2006 - 2020.
If you want "land," live in Gardendale (cheaper) or Greenwood (expensive-er).

For what it's for, I can't stand the place. Unlike me, if you take the job, start your exit strategy immediately.
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ShouldastayedataTm
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In reply to ConstructionAg01 • 11:31p, 10/30/24
ConstructionAg01 said:
What line of work are you in?

Please say building construction…


Unfortunately not, since it sounds like you have a job available. I am an RN and healthcare informatics expert. I can get a job back in patient care but don't want to of it don't have too.
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Ogre09
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7:02a, 10/31/24
AG
If kids are grown and you need the job, it's a fine move. Go out there, make some cash, then retire.

If you're the church type, then that's your in for meeting people and making connections outside of work.

Everything is far apart out there. Nothing is a close easy drive. You get used to it.

Midland >>>>>> Odessa
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TXAG 05
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7:28a, 10/31/24
AG
I have a buddy from Odessa, he claimed they have the worlds largest Mr Gattis, so there is that.
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AggieOO
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9:46a, 10/31/24
i spent 6 years going out there for work. there are some good restaurants. there are surprisingly mountain bike trails in both midland and odessa. i became good friends with some of my customers who live out there. there are some good people in the area. That said, its a ****hole.
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ShouldastayedataTm
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2:09a, 11/1/24
Thanks everyone for the info so far. Sounds like maybe need to ask for the higher end of the range to make living there more tolerable.
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LoneStarBQ
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In reply to chasep2820 • 12:50p, 11/1/24
AG
chasep2820 said:
I've lived in Midland for 11 years and married a native Midlander in 2017. I see you don't mention family or children, as that would be the driving factor for my decision. If there's family involved, I suggest living in Midland, the east side of Odessa(Faudree Road area sometimes referred to as Midessa) or Greenwood, and driving to Odessa for work each day. There's a lot of businesses that have Odessa addresses that are actually equidistant to Midland and Odessa, but there's this hell hole known as West Odessa, an unincorporated free-for-all that also registers as Odessa.

You mention land a few times, so if you can swing it, I suggest Greenwood or Gardendale. I know folks who love it out there, and they shoot guns, ride their side-by-side to the convenience store, and get a bit of the country lifestyle. But with the lackadaisical zoning come certain types of folks who turn a 5-acre lot into an all-in-one RV park, frac sand trucking yard, and goat farm.
Greenwood also has a good school district for when that time comes.
LoneStarBQ Fightin' Texas Aggie Band Class of 89 Midland, TX
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Pro Sandy
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10:06p, 11/1/24
AG
Lived in Midland as a 23 year old single male for a few years. Not much for someone like that. Ran with a girl I met from UTPB.

Great place for families but not much on the dating scene.
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