Curious what people think. We have two kids and With a population of 114K, Odessa is a mid-size city. Homes are going for about $208,000 on average. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
18 upvotes
2 Replies
Andrew Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Austin about 11 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is decent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Kathryn H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 14 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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