how do you move from nyc to odessa/midland? (San Antonio: RV park, extended stay)

[Canine*Castle]

Oh, I just read that someone answered your question about the roughnecks. Might I add...don't make fun of southerners, but let them make fun of you. That's just the way it is in Texas. It was like that with my ex-husband too. He could dish it out, but he couldn't take it.

You'll love Texas. It's an experience all its own. Enjoy!!

[GoingHome2TX]

Originally Posted by awecelot

That might be the best piece of advice I've ever seen written on this board. There ain't nothin' like a good Texas woman.

Except for many good Texas women talented in the culinary arts indigenous to our state.

And the original poster is going to have a massive shock in store. I can already picture a life-long NYC resident in complete disbelief at the open landscape of West Texas.

Just don't pet the rattlers, don't annoy the locals, and if you find yourself south of the Rio Bravo Del Norte, don't drink the water. Follow these three rules and you will be perfectly fine.

Oh, and if someone offers you a trip to go snipe hunting, take 'em up on it. It is some of the finest hunting in the state, and doesn't even require a firearm!

[Eliza08]

Really good suggestions for you infinite, see how helpful and friendly Texans are? I'm going to make the move myself from Ohio to Texas soon and have decided to not put too much thinking into it or I'll scare myself off! Working in accounting I like my organization and tend to overthink, but I'm going to throw a little caution to the wind with this move. I grew up in Ohio but moved to San Anton and spent 16 yrs there before moving to Germany. Then back to San Anton, then to Colo Spgs, now in Ohio for 6 years. By the way, visited NYC 2 yrs ago for Thanksgiving, loved it! Walked everywhere and what great restaurants, people were nice. I gotta have grass under my feet though wherever I live. Anyway, what I've found out after moving back to Ohio is that culturally I *fit* with the Texans. I have felt out of balance here in Ohio and can't wait to get back out west. It will be a culture shock for you, but what a great way to truly experience people in another part of the country. I like to step back, watch and see what the locals do. Always respect your new area and you'll be fine. So back to logistics, I've got a lot of stuff I want to take, so I think I'll just have some of my *beefy* friends load a uhaul and I may just drive it down, trailing my Camry on a trailer. It's wide open so you'll do fine driving and jimbo is right, check your gas gauge. LOL! I'm going to take a weekend trip down to check out houses (don't care for apts) firsthand and job hunt prior to the move, get the *feel* for the area. I've been to Tx several times lately but I'm still aware of the differences in culture and terrain. Well good luck with your move. I see my move as finally going home!

[cobolt]

My biggest lessons when I moved to Texas: frito pie is a staple dish at any potluck. So is brisket, and MAN do I love brisket. And any kind of softdrink is a coke. Example: "You want to go to the Sonic to get a coke?" Coke can be Dr Pepper (the Texas table wine, well that and iced tea), 7up, whatever.

Texas is a great experience. Wide open spaces, wonderful evening summer walks, and sunsets.

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by infinitecore

7) are there accents here? if so, what do they sound like?

Lemme think for a second...

"Hay brah, you gotta peeyin?" *excuse me brother, do you have a pen?*

"Ewe tawlk funney. War ewe frum?" *I do not recognize your accent; from where might you originate?*

"Dammit boah! Ah gotta flat tar!" *This flat tire causes me great consternation!*

"Sheeyit!" *alternate 1: Just like it sounds. alternate 2: Oh I beg to differ, sir! alternate 3: You, sir, are certainly correct in your most recent assertion.*

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by cobolt

My biggest lessons when I moved to Texas: frito pie is a staple dish at any potluck. So is brisket, and MAN do I love brisket. And any kind of softdrink is a coke. Example: "You want to go to the Sonic to get a coke?" Coke can be Dr Pepper (the Texas table wine, well that and iced tea), 7up, whatever.

Texas is a great experience. Wide open spaces, wonderful evening summer walks, and sunsets.

Actually, I think it's all Coke unless it's Dr. Pepper.

[cobolt]

Originally Posted by jimboburnsy

Actually, I think it's all Coke unless it's Dr. Pepper.

yeah...you're right about that. Dr Pepper is like the nectar of the gods or something.

[Lucidus]

Originally Posted by infinitecore

I have some more questions:

1) do I find a place to rent before or after I move there? what do you think of finding an apartment online and moving there right away without physically seeing the place beforehand?

I would definitely find a place to to stay at least temporarily before you come. The housing market is still tight and the oil show is this year I believe. If you never heard of the oil show, it is fairly large. If you come during it, all of the hotels will be booked in Odessa, Midland, and many of the smaller towns in the area as well. I was just talking about it with a friend of mine yesterday, and he was saying that his company will be flying people in on daily basis because they have nowhere to stay.

New homes and apartments are being built but many of them already have long waiting list even before they are completed.

The prices will be cheap compared to NYC, but just finding something could be a problem.

So anyway, make sure you have somewhere to sleep before you come or may be sleeping in your car.

Originally Posted by infinitecore

2) I've had a driver's license for more than 10 years but I'm used to driving only in local neighborhoods. I know I'm not good at parallel parking. As for driving on freeways, I don't know, as I haven't driven long distances in a while. Would a person of my driving skills get around in Midland/Odessa fairly comfortably? By any chance, is it realistic for me to drive all the way to Texas?

You will not have any problems in Midland-Odessa, as traffic is typically light and the locals are not particularly aggressive drivers. The freeways in M-O are small and not congested. You will not find any Houston style freeways with 12 lanes of traffic in each direction in M-O. The worst part of your trip will probably be the big cities back east, Once you get into West Texas, driving is a breeze.

Originally Posted by infinitecore

3) as someone here mentioned, there are supposedly roughnecks living here. Are these people comparable to dwellers in Harlem and Flatbush of NYC? Is there anything or any place I should avoid doing or watch out for?

Don't worry about roughnecks. They are just decent hard working folks who won't trouble you if you don't trouble them. There are some areas of both Midland and Odessa that should be avoided. Mostly on the south side of each city. This is where most of the criminal element is located, but again, if you don't trouble them, they won't come looking for trouble with you.

Originally Posted by infinitecore

4) during the broad daylights and the early evenings, are there generally people walking and standing out on the streets ? I'm asking because I'm a walker myself and I prefer not to drive.

Most people don't walk here unless they have no other choice. There is a public transportation system that might get you where you need to go depending on where you live and work. I don't use it because it would make my 12 minute commute a 1 hour commute, but you may have better results. Bear in mind though that there is no bus line between Midland and Odessa, so if you have to get from one city to the other, you will need a car.

Originally Posted by infinitecore

5) what type of people live there, and why?

Mostly blue collar working class people. They live here because they can make a good salary with little education and provide a better life for their children. There is also a professional white collar group that move here from all around the country and even the world. You won't be the only transplant from a large city.

Originally Posted by infinitecore

6) I understand the disparity in culture. But my life will ONLY involve working all day, playing video games when at home and not working, and going to the gas station, auto mechanic, barber,pizza parlor, malls, supermarkets, laundromats, and that's it. I don't intend to have fun outside and I'm used to being alone. Will I still have a difficult time in this region?

Based on what you said there, you should be ok with M-O. M-O mainly lacks outdoor activities. There are no lakes or mountains nearby and the hot weather can be a limiting factor. There are a couple of malls, and the one in Odessa has an ice-skating rink if you seek some relief from the heat. Everything else you mentioned are basic amenities that can found easily.

Originally Posted by infinitecore

7) are there accents here? if so, what do they sound like?

Mostly southern with a little twang.

Originally Posted by infinitecore

8) from what I'm asking and how I sound, do I seem prepared to move and have a life down there?

You will be fine. If you have any trouble making friends or just get bored, DM me. If you like playing Texas hold 'em, I can hook you up with a weekly low stakes game.

Originally Posted by infinitecore

I know these are a lot of questions but I don't know anyone in Texas and so I would highly appreciate some feedback and suggestions.

No problem. I am willing to answer any questions that you have that I can. Welcome to Midland-Odessa.

[NOTAM]

Yall have given him some good advice. I have only one thang to add: Order the book "Fixin' To Be Texan" from Amazon.com to brief yourself on Texas culture

[Eliza08]

So do you have dates for this oil show? I don't want to get caught with my pants down when I come to visit. What about Big Red? My daughter got hooked on that when we lived in San Antonio!