Midland (Texas)

Midland is a city in the Permian Basin region of Texas with a population that just passed the 100,000 mark. Named among the 150 best U.S. cities in which to live for the past twelve years, its warm climate, friendly people, and central location are the primary reasons for the city's popularity. Twenty minutes to the west is Odessa, with a population of about 100,000. Nearly a quarter of a million people reside in the Midland/Odessa metropolitan area.

Understand
Midland was founded in 1885 as a railroad stop on the barren west Texas plains, and named for its location midway between Fort Worth and El Paso. Since then, Midland has served as a center for agriculture, ranching, and transportation for the southern plains.

Midland was a relatively small town until the discovery of oil in the 1920s, when it was quickly transformed into the administrative hub of the Permian Basin. One of the world's largest petroleum-producing regions, today the basin supplies nearly 20 percent of the country's oil and gas output, and thousands of people are employed locally to extract it.

Nowhere is the oil influence more visible than downtown, where the streets are lined by high-rise office buildings constructed by oil companies. The Bank of America Building is reputably the tallest building between Fort Worth and Phoenix, and the Wilco Building is only a little shorter. The Petroleum Building is a beautiful example of architecture from the Roaring Twenties, while Claydesta Center (a business park of several 5- & 6-story buildings) showplaces the splendour of the heyday of Midland's Oil Business.

The oil crash in the late 1980s dealt a firm blow to the area, and Midland fell into a bit of disrepair, but has since bounced back and is chugging along. Notable former residents are George W Bush and Laura Bush, in their younger years.

By car
Midland is on I-20 between Fort Worth and El Paso. Other highways connect Midland to San Angelo, Lubbock, Andrews, and Fort Stockton. Midland is just over two hours south of Lubbock, and four to five hours from both El Paso and Fort Worth.

By bus
Midland is served by Greyhound. The bus station is on Front St, near downtown.

By car
The easiest way to get around Midland is by car. Car rentals are available at Midland International Airport. Midland is laid out in a grid surrounded by Loop 250 and I-20. Traffic is generally light, with some very high congestion possible during peak hours. Parking is readily available across the city. Downtown, the streets are lined by free two hour parking places. You can park in some parking garages for longer periods of time for a fee.

By bus
The EZRider bus system provides affordable access to most of the city. Bus stops are located near most shopping centers and hotels. Fares normally run $1. The main bus stop is located downtown behind the Midland Center. A parking lot is located at this stop for bus users.

Stay safe
Midland is a very safe city. Violent crime is rare, while muggings and pickpocketings are practically unheard of. Midland police are available by dialing 911.

During heavy rainstorms, Midland's streets are prone to flooding. These floods have been known to wash away cars in the past, so be careful of driving across a flooded road.