Posted: 9/3/2014 1:26:07 PM EDT
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So, can you tell me about relocating to Midland? I've been doing some light Googling, and I've read mixed reviews.
Rent prices seem to be insane, but I guess they are in our town too. I don't think you can get an apartment for less than $1k in our town, which is crazy. It sounds like the base price for an apartment is $1500. Is it pretty easy to sell a house there? I have a project truck. If we weren't to get a place big enough to work on it, are there any decent places you can rent some garage/shop space? |
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So, can you tell me about relocating to Midland? I've been doing some light Googling, and I've read mixed reviews. Rent prices seem to be insane, but I guess they are in our town too. I don't think you can get an apartment for less than $1k in our town, which is crazy. It sounds like the base price for an apartment is $1500. Is it pretty easy to sell a house there? I have a project truck. If we weren't to get a place big enough to work on it, are there any decent places you can rent some garage/shop space? Are you bringing your family? (if you have one.) |
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Are you bringing your family? (if you have one.) Quoted:
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So, can you tell me about relocating to Midland? I've been doing some light Googling, and I've read mixed reviews. Rent prices seem to be insane, but I guess they are in our town too. I don't think you can get an apartment for less than $1k in our town, which is crazy. It sounds like the base price for an apartment is $1500. Is it pretty easy to sell a house there? I have a project truck. If we weren't to get a place big enough to work on it, are there any decent places you can rent some garage/shop space? Are you bringing your family? (if you have one.) Right now it's just the wife and I, with our two dogs. $100 for a Motel 6 is nothing in Anchorage in the summer, but hopefully we wouldn't have to live in a motel. 
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Midland is booming like CRAZY.
A single bedroom apartment I had in 2003 now rents for over $1000. I was paying $300 11 years ago. Housing will be tough no matter what you do. If you prefer a place sort of out of town, look at the Greenwood area. Temporary housing will be expensive also. Even places to put a camper are expensive. Midland is small enough (or was anyway) to still have a bunch of the small town kind of feel. And big enough to provide all the standard entertainments. Lots of wealthy people. Lots of middle class people. If you have any specific questions I am happy to answer them. |
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How about Midland? How about no. This, going through an insane oil and gas boom, once over everybody will leave and there will be nothing and everything will crash. I have a few friends who live in midland that hate it with a passion. Only there because that is where their employer put them. Where in Colorado are you at? |
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This, going through an insane oil and gas boom, once over everybody will leave and there will be nothing and everything will crash. I have a few friends who live in midland that hate it with a passion. Only there because that is where their employer put them. Where in Colorado are you at? Quoted:
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How about Midland? How about no. This, going through an insane oil and gas boom, once over everybody will leave and there will be nothing and everything will crash. I have a few friends who live in midland that hate it with a passion. Only there because that is where their employer put them. Where in Colorado are you at? We're in Castle Rock, which is a lovely place. We're looking at a potential job relocation, which would probably be an excellent career move. |
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We're in Castle Rock, which is a lovely place. We're looking at a potential job relocation, which would probably be an excellent career move. Quoted:
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How about Midland? How about no. This, going through an insane oil and gas boom, once over everybody will leave and there will be nothing and everything will crash. I have a few friends who live in midland that hate it with a passion. Only there because that is where their employer put them. Where in Colorado are you at? We're in Castle Rock, which is a lovely place. We're looking at a potential job relocation, which would probably be an excellent career move. Lived in castle rock for four years, before that I lived in Roxborough and went to school in castle rock. Wish I was still there |
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Be aware that the oil business, which is obviously driving the economy in Midland is cyclical, and has major boom/bust events. While it may appear that there will be no end to the current boom, I'm sure people in past booms thought the same thing. Bottom line is that while housing prices are insane there right now if the economy craters that can turn around quickly and those who bought high will find themselves upside down. Sometimes the drop can be worse than the climb too, because during the boom there will be a tremendous amount of building which will make the next bust that much worse.
All that said... the opportunity, even if short term, may be worth it if you can make enough to afford the high cost of living and put away enough $$$ to be able to relocate when the bust happens or when you are ready to get off the ride. Planning, discipline... and being aware of what is going on... all important. |
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Be aware that the oil business, which is obviously driving the economy in Midland is cyclical, and has major boom/bust events. While it may appear that there will be no end to the current boom, I'm sure people in past booms thought the same thing. Bottom line is that while housing prices are insane there right now if the economy craters that can turn around quickly and those who bought high will find themselves upside down. Sometimes the drop can be worse than the climb too, because during the boom there will be a tremendous amount of building which will make the next bust that much worse. All that said... the opportunity, even if short term, may be worth it if you can make enough to afford the high cost of living and put away enough $$$ to be able to relocate when the bust happens or when you are ready to get off the ride. Planning, discipline... and being aware of what is going on... all important. THIS. |
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THIS. Quoted:
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Be aware that the oil business, which is obviously driving the economy in Midland is cyclical, and has major boom/bust events. While it may appear that there will be no end to the current boom, I'm sure people in past booms thought the same thing. Bottom line is that while housing prices are insane there right now if the economy craters that can turn around quickly and those who bought high will find themselves upside down. Sometimes the drop can be worse than the climb too, because during the boom there will be a tremendous amount of building which will make the next bust that much worse. All that said... the opportunity, even if short term, may be worth it if you can make enough to afford the high cost of living and put away enough $$$ to be able to relocate when the bust happens or when you are ready to get off the ride. Planning, discipline... and being aware of what is going on... all important. THIS. I agree that it would make me nervous to buy a house there because of the boom/bust. Unfortunately, rent rates are so high that it might be difficult to rent. We really like where we are, and like the house we're in. We definitely couldn't afford anything like it there. It would probably require significant downsizing for us in short order. We just bought this house and moved here about a year and a half ago. My current company treats me well, I've been with them for several years now, but I am a contractor to the operator on a different field. This would be a direct-hire position. I don't know about the compensation yet. I wouldn't have even been looking if it weren't for the sale of assets and my position going away. They've tentatively found a new position for me, but can't give me very many details so there is still some uncertainty in the future--but much less than there was. |
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I've worked in Midland a fair amount over the last 2 years and have no issues working out there. If I woke up in Midland on my days off and maintained my permanent residence out there, I would have a big problem.
If you've never been out there, be sure to make a trip and see the area first so that you know exactly what you're getting into 
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How old are you and your wife? Late twenties or early thirties?
If you end up in Midland please let me know. We can meet for a drink the next time I am there, which is semi-regularly for work. The above post re the boom / bust cycle is exactly right. I was in high school in Midland when oil was $8 a barrel. If you were lucky you got a pay cut. If you were unlucky you got let go or went bankrupt. Today, the folks who gritted their teeth and stuck it out through the late nineties are glad they did. Many are now set for life... as long as they don't risk it all. |
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I've worked in Midland a fair amount over the last 2 years and have no issues working out there. If I woke up in Midland on my days off and maintained my permanent residence out there, I would have a big problem. If you've never been out there, be sure to make a trip and see the area first so that you know exactly what you're getting into Quoted:
I've worked in Midland a fair amount over the last 2 years and have no issues working out there. If I woke up in Midland on my days off and maintained my permanent residence out there, I would have a big problem. If you've never been out there, be sure to make a trip and see the area first so that you know exactly what you're getting into Yeah, I've never been out there, but I can imagine. I'm used to working in desolate places and it doesn't bother me, but it's usually stupid cold instead of stupid hot, and I only stay for work--probably similar to your situation. It would be different living there, though. Quoted:
I bet your wife will hate it. Probably. She was born in, and spent most of her life on the wet side of the Pacific Northwest. However, she's willing to consider it, and recognizes that it could be a good move. If she found work there, we could direct deposit her checks into savings.
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How old are you and your wife? Late twenties or early thirties? If you end up in Midland please let me know. We can meet for a drink the next time I am there, which is semi-regularly for work. The above post re the boom / bust cycle is exactly right. I was in high school in Midland when oil was $8 a barrel. If you were lucky you got a pay cut. If you were unlucky you got let go or went bankrupt. Today, the folks who gritted their teeth and stuck it out through the late nineties are glad they did. Many are now set for life... as long as they don't risk it all. Early 30's. Very kind offer--I will definitely let you know if we make it out there! |