Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a teacher here and With a population of 134K, Midland is a mid-size city. Median household income is $91,169, which feels pretty solid for the area. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
29 upvotes
11 Replies
Waylon Taylor
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely average and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Riverside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
39 upvotes
Jacob Phillips
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 14 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Serenity Gomez
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
37 upvotes
Sophia Hernandez
as a local I can confirm
34 upvotes
Dominic Carter
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Hudson N.
spot on
31 upvotes
James O.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 8 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Aaron Watson
same here
17 upvotes
Austin K.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely solid and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Midtown) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
16 upvotes
Edward C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 10 years. Moved from Boston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited shopping options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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