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Things You Should Know Before Moving to Midland, TX

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Located in the petroleum-laden Permian Basin, this oil boom town boasts affordable living, famously tall skyscrapers, and a number of ways to stay entertained--from historic attractions, to theatre, to live music!

If you are planning or considering a move to Midland, read on for some information about this historic and culturally-rich city to ensure that it is the right place for your relocation.

Midland Climate

Midland has a semi-arid climate, with long, hot summers and brief, moderate winters. Temperatures range from the 90s in the summer to the 30s in the winter, so be sure to pack a varied wardrobe. The city is sometimes subject to cold waves during the winter, but temperatures rarely dip below freezing for extended periods of time. Conditions exceed 100 degrees about 16 days a year.

The region is considerably dry, experiencing only 15 inches of precipitation per year--most of which falls during the summer months.

Snowfall is uncommon, but can occasionally occur. The region receives approximately 5 inches of snow a year.

Midland Neighborhoods

Before choosing a part of the city to live, be sure to conduct thorough research on the cost, convenience and crime rates in the area. The city is home to a variety of diverse districts, each with something unique to offer.

Expense is an important factor to consider. Some of the city's wealthiest residents live in the affluent areas of North Big Spring Street, Bluebird Lane, North Midkiff Road, North Midland Drive and Cardinal Lane. If you are relocating with a family and safety is your primary concern, the sections of the city with the lowest rates of crime include Route 158/West County road area, Greenwood, Spraberry, and the North Garfield Street/Neely Avenue region.

Registering Your Car

Upon your arrival in Texas, you will have to update your registration within 30 days to avoid being charged a penalty. You will first need to have your vehicle inspected, at any certified Texas Department of Public Safety inspection station. Be sure to bring proof of Texas auto insurance. You are required to have coverage of $30,000 per injured person, up to a total of $60,000 for everyone injured in an accident, and $25,000 for property damage in the state. To get your plates and registration, you will need proof you own the vehicle (such as a title or previous registration), your proof of insurance, and inspection papers. Non-resident college students attending school in the state and active members of the U.S. Armed Forces are not required to register their vehicles in Texas.

The Texas DMV does not issue driver's licenses. You will have to transfer your license at the Department of Public Safety, no more than 90 days after you move to the state.

Midland Schools

If you will be relocating to the city with children, it is imperative that you find out more about the educational opportunities in the region. The Midland Independent School District operates public education in the city, with 35 facilities and about 22,000 students enrolled. There are also several private schools located in the municipality, including Hillcrest School, Midland Classical Academy, Midland Christian School, Midland Montessori, St. Ann's School, and Trinity School of Midland.

For options in higher education, Midland College offers over 50 associate's degree and certificate programs such as health sciences, information technology, and aviation, including a pilot training program. The community college is also one of the only in the state to offer a bachelor's degree program in applied technology.

Midland Employment

Located in the Permian Basin, Midland's economy relies heavily on the production of petroleum. The basin contributes to about

No matter where you relocate, the pressure of finding a job can be quite stressful. If you are moving to the city without secured employment, you can visit the Workforce Solutions website for job-hunting assistance and resources for the Permian Basin region. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, you can contact the Midland Chamber of Commerce for information on how to start a business in the city. You can also apply for city jobs at the Midland Government official website.

With any luck, you'll find a job in Midland in no time. Top employers in the city include the Midland Independent School District, Warren Equipment Companies, Midland Memorial Hospital and Medical Center, Dawson Geophysical, Midland College, City of Midland, Patterson Drilling UTI, Midland County, AT&T Wireless, and Key Energy Services.

Living Costs in the City

The cost of living in Midland is low, at eight percent below the national average. Housing costs are reasonable, falling one percent below the rate of the average American city. The median home price in the city is listed at about $239,900. If you are planning to rent rather than buy, an apartment in the district can range from about $800 to $1,600 depending on the size and luxury amenities available.

Other typical costs in Midland are reasonable as well. Utility costs are 12 lower than average, and healthcare is five percent lower. A trip to the grocery store will cost you about ten percent less than most other American cities, and transportation costs are about four percent lower than the national rate.

Midland Moving Resources

There are many moving and storage companies located in Midland that are waiting to help you relocate to your new home. Be sure to do your research and obtain estimates from several different services before choosing one for hire. You can compare online quotes from many different moving companies and other services to aid you in your move, whether you are coming from the next city or overseas. Visit the following pages here at Movers.com to get fast quotes for the following services:

Midland Transportation

If you will be moving to the city without a vehicle or will have limited access to one, you will need to familiarize yourself with mass transit. Public bus service in the city is operated by E-Z Rider, which serves both Midland and the nearby community of Odessa. The system features fixed bus routes as well as a door-to-door paratransit service for elderly and disabled residents. The buses run from 6:15 a.m. until 6:10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8:15 a.m. until 4:10 p.m. on Saturday.

Culture and Contemporary Life

There are a variety of ways to stay entertained in the city, including historic museums, art galleries, theatre, and live music. Visit the McCormick Gallery at Midland College to admire rotating exhibits by students and local artists, enjoy sounds of the orchestra at the Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale, catch a concert at the Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center, or see a show at the famous Chateau Club on Wall Street. All summer long, the vaudeville-style fundraising event Summer Mummers is held at the historic Yucca Theatre for fans of old-time melodrama and olio numbers common in the "Roaring 20s".

If you are intrigued by the history of the locale, pay a visit to the Petroleum Museum to learn more about the role of the oil industry in the region. Other options include the Southwest Museum, a historic mansion that features an art gallery, sculpture gardens, a planetarium and a children's museum; or the American Airpower Heritage Museum, a perfect spot for any WWII buff. The facility features wartime memorabilia and artifacts, including a collection of authentic nose art panels from military aircraft.

Midland Relocation Tips

  • Midland has a subtropical climate, with very high temperatures and high humidity in the summer months. Luckily, the city's utility costs are below the national average to help keep your energy bills manageable.

     

  • Get moving quotes from several movers in the city before choosing one to hire. You can start today right here at Movers.com.

     

  • Temperatures can vary greatly in the region, reaching frequent highs of 95 in the summer and lows of 30 in the winter. Be sure to pack a varied wardrobe, complete with light clothing, shorts and sleeveless tops for the summer and sweaters and coats for the winter.

Nicole La Capria  Posted by Nicole La Capria on July 24, 2013

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