The glorious state of Texas has no shortage of things to boast about. From the sights such as the Alamo to the tantalizing barbeque, the Lone Star state truly has it all. Among these offerings, tucked amid Western Texas, is the historic city of Odessa. Located along the southwest border of the Llano Estacado, Odessa is a beautiful city with a rich, Texan culture. The southerner love of soccer, the great country music, and the world-famous western cowboy spirit make Odessa a truly fantastic place. However, whilst maintaining its old-world history and charm, LIVE IN ODESSA has evolved to offer modern amenities and features that allow its citizens to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Odessa was initially a railroad stop in the 19th century that slowly evolved into a city after it became home to oil fields. Although the city is located far from any major cities, it has no shortage of entertainment options from several parks, museums, and other cultural establishments. At the same time, Odessa remains a quiet and safe city, which is perfect for families. If you’re currently planning to or are considering moving to Odessa for work or with your family, you’re in for a great experience. Read on to find out why Odessa is a great place to live!
1.) Affordable Housing
Living in a small town has many benefits, but none of them beat the affordable housing options. With unstable economies around the globe, rental rates are skyrocketing in big cities. However, the internal ecosystem of Odessa remains majorly unaffected. For instance, the average rent in Odessa is a little over $1,000! While if you’re looking to move for work, there are great affordable workforce lodging options that offer temporary housing in Odessa TX, such as Iron Guard Housing. This disparity is partly due to the city being far from major economic hubs and partly due to its internal economy being primarily dependent on the oil business, which is always booming. Either way, in Odessa, you will find great living arrangements for a fraction of the cost!
2.) Lucrative Job Opportunities
The city of Odessa is home to several major oil rigs. The energy sector is an extremely rewarding and lucrative industry, and the job opportunities in Odessa are enviable. Well-known and reputed companies such as Anthem Oil and Chevron have a presence in the city, with several employees working from Odessa. Additionally, Odessa also has a prominent manufacturing and transportation industry. In 2022, the median household income in Odessa is over $84,000, which is significantly higher than the national average. At the same time, the cost of living is 6% lower than the national average. The higher pay, coupled with the lower living costs, makes Odessa a great place to live.
3.) Family-Centric Atmosphere
A great thing about small towns is that their environment is much more suited for raising families as opposed to big cities. With a more relaxed pace of life, better living standards, and safe and homely communities, Odessa is the perfect family city. There are many great neighborhoods with excellent school systems and low crime rates that are perfect for families. Additionally, if you’re worried about your little ones moving away from the nest for college, Odessa has another feature up its sleeve. With two colleges located within Odessa, the University of Texas Permian Basin and the Odessa College, your child can find a great program within the city itself.
4.) Great Weather
Winters in the United States are a difficult time. With inches and inches of snow piling up every night, the shoveling itself is an exhausting task, not to mention the dangers of driving or walking on frozen/ icy roads. In LIVE IN ODESSA, you can put your worries to rest. With an average of 15 inches of rain per year and only 2 inches of snow, the city’s weather is generally pleasant. In fact, you can spend most of the year outdoors as most days get plenty of sunshine and clear skies. This allows you to engage in fun-filled activities with family and friends all year round. Be it a November picnic or a February cycling session in Odessa, everything is possible! Just be sure to buy plenty of sunscreen and a nice pair of shades for the long summers!
5.) Rich Culture & Heritage
As part of the Old South, Odessa has an enviable history, with many landmarks to show for it. You can visit the Parker House Museum, which is a piece of western Texas’ cattle and ranching history preserved in time. Or, if you have an interest in the natural sciences, you’d love to know that Odessa is home to the Odessa Meteor Crater. There are plenty more sights for you to see in Odessa. However, if you’re just looking for a good time with friends or family, maybe check out the local entertainment and restaurants. Odessa has some of the best restaurants in western Texas, which offer gorgeous, juicy meats. Also, if you can visit the Ector Theatre and find an event that interests you, the shows at the Ector get fantastic reviews, and we’re sure you’ll find yourself enjoying the experience!
6.) Friendly People
Texans are known for their hospitality and friendliness. The locals of LIVE IN ODESSA are no exception. Home to a diverse mix of people from different backgrounds and ethnicities, the environment in Odessa is very inclusive and accommodating for new people. You can be sure to have a neighbor visit you with a lovely pie within your first week of moving! Once you’re settled in, you’ll quickly be drawn into local communities and groups which interest you. From football to food, southerners need an excuse to get together with friends. As part of the Odessa community, you will surely have a great social experience!
Final Words
Moving cities is never easy as you are not just giving up on a familiar and comfortable environment. You are leaving your place in a community where you have friends and where you know which restaurant has the absolute best burger. This can be a heartbreaking task. However, you have to move forward in your life, and for that, sometimes, a change is required. The good part is that with your move being to Odessa, you can be sure that you’ll be able to adjust well. At the end of the day, life is full of experiences. Why not add one more feather to your hat by experiencing life in the beautiful city of Odessa?
