Curious what people think. With a population of 114K, Odessa is a mid-size city. The unemployment rate is 3.8%, which is pretty low. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Would love some local perspective. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
44 upvotes
18 Replies
Quinn Gomez
Totally agree!
40 upvotes
Austin Gonzalez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 8 years. Moved from LA for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are hit or miss. 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. Winters are long and cold. Not very walkable outside downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Savannah Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 2 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Gianna W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 37, moved here 9 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Sunset and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The nightlife situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Portland, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
34 upvotes
Jameson Allen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in legal. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Hannah Wilson
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Theodore Richardson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 44, moved here 6 years ago from Miami. I've lived in North and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Miami, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
22 upvotes
Henry
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Old Town) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
21 upvotes
stlguy2024
spot on
20 upvotes
delilah_native
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Fairview area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Maverick Long
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
17 upvotes
Cooper Alvarez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 24, moved here 1 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Eastside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- West: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Portland, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
16 upvotes
Mason Collins
literally same
14 upvotes
Stella
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Noah J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 13 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Weston Rodriguez
I've lived in Lakewood for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- The healthcare scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
Christian Sanchez
I work in healthcare here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is better than expected. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Anna Allen
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great seafood places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
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