[KittenClaws]

What always surprised me about this area are the vast stretches of empty land and how the neighborhoods are so crowded with such small lots! Probably the water problem. I always advise any family moving anywhere to rent for the first year. The advice about understanding that thus is high prairie and a very different landscape is good.

---

I've lived in Odessa since 1983.

The open space and flat landscape can be disconcerting if you are used to trees, mountains...mole hills. LOL!

I'm not sure about the crowding and small lots, some of the homes slapped up during the boom in the 80’s were like that, as are the majority of houses in the lower income neighborhoods. Plenty of homes have quite nice large yards with plenty of space between dwellings. That is, if you can find a house!

We are experiencing a drought, which is usually manageable, but for all the new arrivals in town. The traffic has become a nightmare.

[ErnBatavia]

if you are used to trees, mountains...mole hills. LOL!

We grew up in the hills of SoCal; my brother moved to Chicago for a year or two and said if a dog takes a dump, the locals break out their skis.

[Bikkuri]

You forgot to mention the BIGGEST jackrabbit (hare) in the world ;)
(and home of the jackolopes ;))