Lived in Midland for almost 10 years after going out there thinking it would be more like 4-6 years. It is 100% what you make of it. Some people love it, others want out after a few months. It's not everyone's cup of tea.
It is a phenomenal place to start a career in the energy industry. Now having worked alongside others my age who have not spent time out there, it is obvious that as far as O&G goes, Midland experience >>> anywhere else. The technical diversity of the Midland & Delaware Basins along with the CBP cover almost any onshore operating environment outside of bone-dry gas production.
Also made some life-long friends. Out of the dozen or so of us, only one is still there as we have all moved away for various reasons. The community is there if you look for and open yourself up to it. Yes, most of the people that grew up in Midland and graduated from MHS or LHS stick together and are not really looking for outsiders who do not see Midland as the center of the universe.
Now living in a major city, I do have to say the educational and medical offerings in Midland are severely lacking. Public golf is a joke (don't get me started on Hogan or Ratliff versus public options in any major city in TX), so if you do not want to shell out $40k for Greentree or $80k+ for MCC you are kind of SOL. You are far away from everywhere plus there is a Midland premium on airfare. Personally, I disliked the dry air, wind and dust the longer I was out there.
While there is no amount of money that would get me to move back, I respect what my experience did for my life. You don't have to have others agree with you to validate your opinion. Life would be pretty damn boring if we all agreed on everything.
It is a phenomenal place to start a career in the energy industry. Now having worked alongside others my age who have not spent time out there, it is obvious that as far as O&G goes, Midland experience >>> anywhere else. The technical diversity of the Midland & Delaware Basins along with the CBP cover almost any onshore operating environment outside of bone-dry gas production.
Also made some life-long friends. Out of the dozen or so of us, only one is still there as we have all moved away for various reasons. The community is there if you look for and open yourself up to it. Yes, most of the people that grew up in Midland and graduated from MHS or LHS stick together and are not really looking for outsiders who do not see Midland as the center of the universe.
Now living in a major city, I do have to say the educational and medical offerings in Midland are severely lacking. Public golf is a joke (don't get me started on Hogan or Ratliff versus public options in any major city in TX), so if you do not want to shell out $40k for Greentree or $80k+ for MCC you are kind of SOL. You are far away from everywhere plus there is a Midland premium on airfare. Personally, I disliked the dry air, wind and dust the longer I was out there.
While there is no amount of money that would get me to move back, I respect what my experience did for my life. You don't have to have others agree with you to validate your opinion. Life would be pretty damn boring if we all agreed on everything.