Need information about Odessa TX (Midland, West Odessa: apartment, crime rate, safest area)

[bigmove09]

I am moving to Odessa TX for a healthcare job from the midwest. I've been there apartment-hunting but want to make sure I gather the right data and choose a safe area.

Even though I heard that Midland is a safer place ( and that crime rate in Odessa is high) the drive will be too much for me, so I picked east Odessa. Can anyone explain please elaborate on the crime situation?

Which areas in Odessa are bad or to be avoided? Which areas should I generally not hang out or go for a walk? Is east Odessa near the music center mall a reasonably safe area? How about midway between Odessa & Midland, near the country club/airport?

Thanks so much for your input!

[Lucidus]

Originally Posted by bigmove09

I am moving to Odessa TX for a healthcare job from the midwest. I've been there apartment-hunting but want to make sure I gather the right data.

I heard that Midland is a safer place ( and that crime rate in Odessa is high) but the drive will be too much for me, so I picked east Odessa.

Which areas in Odessa are bad or to be avoided? Is east Odessa near the music center mall a reasonably safe area? How abour midway between Odessa & Midland, near the country club/airport?

Thanks so much for your input!

I think the idea that Midland is safer is somewhat overstated. In fact a few years ago there was a report showing that Odessa actually had a lower crime rate. A Midland police officer made a total fool of himself by implying that half of Midland's crimes were committed by Odessans.

Anyway, back to Odessa. The area around MCM is a safe area and the area between Loop 338 east and the airport is probably the nicest and safest area in Odessa.

Areas to avoid would be the south side of Odessa and possibly some areas of West Odessa. Not west Odessa, but West Odessa proper. Those are Odessa's bad areas but compared to other cities they are pretty tame.