Help - Considering A Relo to Gardendale Area (Midland, Odessa: rentals, new home)

[Joesplace]

My wife and I are considering a job in the Odessa area and after searching the internet for days, Odessa area doesn't sound too inviting. Midland sounds a little better but we found a few homes in the Gardendale area that look very good. Being that we are in the SF Bay area, it's hard to get a good feeling about cities so we rely a lot on advise from others. Yes, we have moved 6 times in 12 years and have managed to do pretty good each time.

Can anyone tell more about the Gardendale or north Midland area? Just trying to find a place where we can feel safe, have open spaces and drive to good shopping and food.

thanks . . .

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by Joesplace

My wife and I are considering a job in the Odessa area and after searching the internet for days, Odessa area doesn't sound too inviting. Midland sounds a little better but we found a few homes in the Gardendale area that look very good. Being that we are in the SF Bay area, it's hard to get a good feeling about cities so we rely a lot on advise from others. Yes, we have moved 6 times in 12 years and have managed to do pretty good each time.

Can anyone tell more about the Gardendale or north Midland area? Just trying to find a place where we can feel safe, have open spaces and drive to good shopping and food.

thanks . . .

Gardendale is a very rural area with homes/acreage....there is one vet, a small gas station, and not much else. You'll be driving to either Midland or Odessa for the basics. Most people I have known who lived out there loved it because it is out in the sticks! There are some restrictive covenants, but I am not familiar with them. I liked the area myself, but never lived out there.

One thing you MUST check out is the water situation. I do not know whether there is a communal well/water association or not...or if every property has to be on its own well. There were some problems in several rural areas with wells drying up, and people had to have water hauled in. That may or may not be true for Gardendale, but do investigate.

[Joesplace]

Thanks Cathy4017 - I will be there in a week to check it out . . .

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by Joesplace

Thanks Cathy4017 - I will be there in a week to check it out . . .

I forgot to address the north Midland question!! Midland is still booming (AFAIK; I've been gone a year after having lived and worked there for 30 years). Rentals and housing are sometimes hard to come by, depending on what you're looking for. I lived in NW Midland, and there was only one home available in my subdivision at that time.

Have a safe trip!

[Lucidus]

There is also a new subdivision in Lawndale which is close to Gardendale if you want a smaller more typical lot. It is officially part of Odessa but it is few miles outside of the main part of Odessa. Also there are a lot new homes just up the road around Mission Dorado if you want something a little more upscale. It too is part of Odessa but it some pretty nice homes and is in Midland county. Anyway, good luck with your move and welcome to Midland-Odessa.