I'm a teacher here and The median home value here is around $208,000, which is actually reasonable. Household incomes average around $73,030 in Odessa. Rent is about $1,322/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $208,000 on average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Is this normal for Odessa? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
50 upvotes
7 Replies
Michael Bennett
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
33 upvotes
Clara Martin
I'm a accountant and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
30 upvotes
orlandopapa2025
I've lived in Highland for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- The nightlife scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Olivia Sanchez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Portland about 13 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is decent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Jameson Patel
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
Logan Mitchell
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
5 upvotes
Ralph F.
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 10 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to school system but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
All Countries
