We are looking to move to Midland (Austin, Odessa: apartments, renting)

[Former Odessan in Austin]

Originally Posted by WillysB

Then you might recall that Midland, Odessa, Abilene and San Angelo participate in the same UIL district. Or did, for at least fifty years, until last year. Might be the reason I listed those cities in my reply.

I mean, you don't think Permian developed that legend by not playing football, do you?

Permian developed that legend for the most part when the Midland teams were doormats. The only legend Midland is famous for is spawning the man who detroyed Armerica, GWB.

[Former Odessan in Austin]

Originally Posted by WillysB

Then you might recall that Midland, Odessa, Abilene and San Angelo participate in the same UIL district. Or did, for at least fifty years, until last year. Might be the reason I listed those cities in my reply.

I mean, you don't think Permian developed that legend by not playing football, do you?

Besides the city teams you mention were usually cake walks before the playoffs when Permian dominated that district.

[thecatwilbotd]

Originally Posted by Former Odessan in Austin

Permian developed that legend for the most part when the Midland teams were doormats. The only legend Midland is famous for is spawning the man who detroyed Armerica, GWB.

Really are you that much of a sheep. Do a little homework on your annotated one. He was givien a trainwreck from your buddy the liar before him. Wake up and relise the they are nothing more than a puppet for the party. Too many morons bought in to what he was selling and now we are about to be like the mid 80s russa. I wish that Texas would just leave the union and become its own country. We dont need anyone to tell us how to live. We are just fine not buying in to the crap that washington is selling us.

[thecatwilbotd]

On a side note we dont have the pointless unions and we are ok. I would like to have someone in office with the balls to stand up to the corrupt crap that is going on. I personally will be stuffing a matriss with gold so I have something when it all falls down

[Former Odessan in Austin]

Originally Posted by thecatwilbotd

Really are you that much of a sheep. Do a little homework on your annotated one. He was givien a trainwreck from your buddy the liar before him. Wake up and relise the they are nothing more than a puppet for the party. Too many morons bought in to what he was selling and now we are about to be like the mid 80s russa. I wish that Texas would just leave the union and become its own country. We dont need anyone to tell us how to live. We are just fine not buying in to the crap that washington is selling us.

This is the perfect example of what you can expect from the people of Midland, mindless and uneducated. The town does have a few national chain restaurants but they are franchises operated locally and run with locals, hygiene is not good. I refuse to eat out when I am there at this point as it is a health issue. There is only one movie theater and they had to close at one point because of safety issues and according to locals health issues. See the link below for a local forum discussing those health issues at the movie theater, just be aware before you go, Midland is a nasty place to live.
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]http://mywesttexas.com/articles/2009/01/19/news/top_stories/doc4970f8d4a5b05363349042.txt[/SIZE]

[thecatwilbotd]

Originally Posted by Former Odessan in Austin

This is the perfect example of what you can expect from the people of Midland, mindless and uneducated. The town does have a few national chain restaurants but they are franchises operated locally and run with locals, hygiene is not good. I refuse to eat out when I am there at this point as it is a health issue. There is only one movie theater and they had to close at one point because of safety issues and according to locals health issues. See the link below for a local forum discussing those health issues at the movie theater, just be aware before you go, Midland is a nasty place to live.
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]http://mywesttexas.com/articles/2009/01/19/news/top_stories/doc4970f8d4a5b05363349042.txt[/SIZE]

Sorry I forgot that we have one of the highest college educated populations in the country.

[WillysB]

Originally Posted by pammybear

Hi Jillbeme, I just wanted to say that I was in your same position two years ago. Dh accepted a job in the Midland area and moved here for 3 months before I came with the kids (7 yr old and 1 yr old twins!) People on the forum here had me believing that I was moving to some desert wasteland and I would be miserable. Thank goodness some decent people sent me personal emails then hooked me up with a moms group and let me tell you, when I did finally move to Midland I was pleasantly surprised! It is a nice place to live and plenty of things to do especially if you have young children. I have written many posts about the lists and lists of things there are to do here. Of course we can always use more and new businesses are opening up right and left here! Someone mentioned the two highschools in Midland and there are at least 3 private ones: Midland Christian, Midland Classical and Trinity. Please feel free to email me any questions you have. I don't want to start a debate on the pros and cons of living in Midland and this is apt to happen if we begin a discussion on this forum and it usually turns nasty (sad but true) That's what happened to me and it was so unhelpful especially since the decision was already made to move here. I was determined to focus on the positive and there are a lot of positive things that I can tell you about and yes, I do actually live here now and moved here from out of State so hopefully I can be a good resource for you! Best wishes on your move!

Pam

Good post, Pam. Living in west Texas is what you make of it. Good luck to Jillbeme. Grow with the parts that are good, support that growth with the parts that are not so good.

[Former Odessan in Austin]

Originally Posted by thecatwilbotd

Sorry I forgot that we have one of the highest college educated populations in the country.

Better research that factless claim again. Just saying it doesn't make it true. Texas only has one city in the top 20 most educated cities in America, and it is not Midland, its Austin and Austin ranks number 5. See the link below for the list of the most educated cities in America.

Most-Educated Cities in the United States - MSN Encarta

Also you might want to check the high school drop out rate before moving to Midland.

[Rottnboys]

Originally Posted by jillbeme

I have looked on the internet, there isn't much information. Can you tell me about Midland... How are the high schools there... I am an office administrator will I have a hard time finding work.. This is scary as I have never been there yet my husband may be transferred there... Thanks for any information

Jillbeme - we lived in Midland for almost 6 years (transferred in/transferred out) and our oldest son & dil are there as 'permanent' residents - they love it.

That said - I think - Midland can feel like a place where you either bring your life with you, or you don't have one. But - if you are inclined to find ways to become part of life in West Texas - you will likely LOVE living there! The people are friendly - the water is pretty lousy and it's hard to grow grass - but living in West Texas was a good time in our life. Our boys both went to Midland Lee - "Go Rebels" - and the cross town rivals with both Midland High and Odessa schools are enthusiastic and most often harmless.

I don't know if you will have difficulties finding employment with the school district or not - people who live/work out there are 'lifers' to some degree and the schools are a great place to work in my opinion. Good luck there!

West Texas can feel somewhat like an island - without the water Everything is a pretty good drive if you want to 'go somewhere' - Lubbock is 2 hours, Dallas, El Paso, San Antonio, Amarillo are all about 5 hours away. But, if you like sticking close to home - you won't have any reason to treck out because Midland/Odessa is very self-supporting.

The Oil Industry causes a great flux feeling there I think - when times are good - that area is bustling/thriving and you can see/feel it when there. When times are less than good - you can also feel the area pulling back.

Good luck to you and your family on your move. Listen to the comments of others - but remember - 1/2 of what you read/hear is likely a bit over the top, or simply not true - I think Midland is what you make it - really no different than any other city you could be transferring to.

Oh - one more thing - the weather there can be extreme - we weren't prepared for that and it did catch us by surprise - all SIX years we were there Everything from blistering heat, ice storms to snow to hail to lightning to raining mud....

Keep an open mind - you may just find you are "home" when you get there!

[jillbeme]

Thanks everyone for your responces