TequilaMockingbird said:

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60 years old, moved to Odessa when I was 8 and have lived here or in Midland all but 3 years of my life since.

First of all, I think you have to lump Midland into the equation as well. You never leave civilization driving from one to the other. It's nothing to live in one and work in the other. A lot of people will claim that Midland is "better" than Odessa. Personally, the only difference between the two IMO is Midland has more multi-story buildings in their downtown. Other than that, it's same circus, different tent.

I might compare Midland/Odessa to Bryan/College Station, without the trees and water.

There are shooting ranges in the immediate area. Don't know anything about them though. Various lakes within 2 hours from here.

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ShouldastayedataTm said:

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So grew up military and did not get to get to Texas until after I graduated HS and started college at A and M. Never been to Odessa and other than being a ways out there and the basis for for Friday Night Lights, I know nothing about the town. I am interested in the outdoors, have shooting as a past time/hobby i am trying to do more of, and want some land of my own where I came do that and not have to worry about it much. So tell me about Odessa....

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• Take a crash course online in Texas History, including legends and myths.
• Memorize all the major characters in Texas History from 1828 through the death of LBJ.
• Memorize the county names of all counties around major cities in Texas.
• Even if you are not in Oil and Gas, be au courant with the history of the oil industry from Spindletop to ahora mismo.
• Many in Texas, including myself have ancestors who worked on wooden drilling rigs where drilling was powered by steam engines. The saying was, the rigs were made of wood and the men were made of iron.
• If you don't appreciate the rugged beauty of the area, learn to appreciate it. I think it will grow on you.