Odessa/Midland??? (Dallas, Fort Worth: apartment, rent, crime)

[tiny_red_miata]

Hello

I am looking for any information about the area, such as, average cost of nice appartment, average cost of a house, crime in the area, general cost of living, job availability, are there any area's that I should stay away from? Anything you would think a new person moving to your area should know, good and bad. I really appreciate your help
P.S. I will be living in my RV untill I decide what to do, rent apt or buy house. I would appreciate info on campgrounds you would recomend in the odessa/midland area.

Thanks Paula

[Rakin]

It's been years since I was out that way but with the oil / gas prices the economy out there should be exploding. Last time this happened you couldn't find a place to live at any price.

[jeffari-al-texani]

I like Midland...of course, that's because we hate Permian...

[elston]

Stopping in Odessa on a cross country trip from California to Maine.....the stop in Odessa was the only time that I felt uncomfortable and afraid. We stopped at a motel; the room was filthy and the alternative room the desk clerk suggested was even more filthy....we left and went to find something to eat and to decide what to do....the neighborhoods were characterized by grafitti, security grids over store fronts; everything was desolate...isolated and dirty .my impression based on just on that brief experience was that Odessa was the worst place we went on our 5 day trip. I didnt realize how much I hated it until I read the opening post of this thread.

The only thing that made any positive impression was that the refinery had a strange beauty the way it was all lit up like a christmas tree.

[case44]

Originally Posted by elston

Stopping in Odessa on a cross country trip from California to Maine.....the stop in Odessa was the only time that I felt uncomfortable and afraid. We stopped at a motel; the room was filthy and the alternative room the desk clerk suggested was even more filthy....we left and went to find something to eat and to decide what to do....the neighborhoods were characterized by grafitti, security grids over store fronts; everything was desolate...isolated and dirty .my impression based on just on that brief experience was that Odessa was the worst place we went on our 5 day trip. I didnt realize how much I hated it until I read the opening post of this thread.

The only thing that made any positive impression was that the refinery had a strange beauty the way it was all lit up like a christmas tree.

You need to try Midland next time, elston. Lots of great places on Loop 250, up towards the northwest side of town. I strongly recommend that area if you're ever in M/O next time. Write to me when you can; I'll get you some great ideas. Sorry about your bad experience in Odessa. I hope you don't get a false impression about Texas. We do have a great state.

[elston]

Originally Posted by case44

You need to try Midland next time, elston. Lots of great places on Loop 250, up towards the northwest side of town. I strongly recommend that area if you're ever in M/O next time. Write to me when you can; I'll get you some great ideas. Sorry about your bad experience in Odessa. I hope you don't get a false impression about Texas. We do have a great state.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the long drive across Texas. I especially liked the countryside around Dallas/Fort Worth; I seriously doubt I will ever be back in the area....but one never says never.

Your friendly response to my gripe, is the proof that my first impressions were wrong. I was only passing through, and was tired. The area where the hotels and motels were located....was seriously blighted and we couldn't find anything open in what appeared to be "down town." We would have paid premium for a room that felt secure and sanitary...we couldnt find one.

[case44]

Originally Posted by elston

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the long drive across Texas. I especially liked the countryside around Dallas/Fort Worth; I seriously doubt I will ever be back in the area....but one never says never.

Your friendly response to my gripe, is the proof that my first impressions were wrong. I was only passing through, and was tired. The area where the hotels and motels were located....was seriously blighted and we couldn't find anything open in what appeared to be "down town." We would have paid premium for a room that felt secure and sanitary...we couldnt find one.

Because I live in this state and have been to many places in Texas, I can help you out, elston. Let me know next time you come here. I can lead you to some good places where you will feel safe. You'd be better off making a reservation in advance and planning your itinerary so you can stop at better places and know where to go. That would be better instead of struggling to get any kind of a room on a whim. My first choice would be to stay in Midland rather than Odessa.

You are always welcome back in the state of Texas, and I will personally roll out the red carpet.

[case44]

Originally Posted by tiny_red_miata

Hello

I am looking for any information about the area, such as, average cost of nice appartment, average cost of a house, crime in the area, general cost of living, job availability, are there any area's that I should stay away from? Anything you would think a new person moving to your area should know, good and bad. I really appreciate your help
P.S. I will be living in my RV untill I decide what to do, rent apt or buy house. I would appreciate info on campgrounds you would recomend in the odessa/midland area.

Thanks Paula

I haven't checked the apartment situation, but the north and northwest sides of Midland have new houses being built. That is a nice area and you should be able to find what you're looking for there. Great amenities on North Loop 250.

[elston]

Originally Posted by case44

Because I live in this state and have been to many places in Texas, I can help you out, elston. Let me know next time you come here. I can lead you to some good places where you will feel safe. You'd be better off making a reservation in advance and planning your itinerary so you can stop at better places and know where to go. That would be better instead of struggling to get any kind of a room on a whim. My first choice would be to stay in Midland rather than Odessa.

You are always welcome back in the state of Texas, and I will personally roll out the red carpet.

Thank you so much for the hospitality. I am sure your recommendation of Midland is a wise one. We were traveling with two well behaved dogs...but that did limit our options.... and we were pushing it, driving 13 - 15 hours a day.....so it was hard to anticipate where we would end up. (one of the motels that accepts dogs....any self respecting dog wouldnt stay there).

We did find one southern motel franchise that accepted dogs and was really nice......that was after the Odessa disaster....and we chose them thru Mississippi and Tennessee until they faded from the possibilities. Next time would plan our trip around them.

Thank you for the recommendations and hospitality.

[JamesAbilene]

Originally Posted by elston

Thank you so much for the hospitality. I am sure your recommendation of Midland is a wise one. We were traveling with two well behaved dogs...but that did limit our options.... and we were pushing it, driving 13 - 15 hours a day.....so it was hard to anticipate where we would end up. (one of the motels that accepts dogs....any self respecting dog wouldnt stay there).

We did find one southern motel franchise that accepted dogs and was really nice......that was after the Odessa disaster....and we chose them thru Mississippi and Tennessee until they faded from the possibilities. Next time would plan our trip around them.

Thank you for the recommendations and hospitality.

I too am sorry about your experience in Odessa. The newer, safer parts of both Midland and Odessa are north of the downtown areas. The Interstate 20 area is not the best area of either city.