Odessa

Bellaire Heights doesn’t have the same views or notoriety as the ritzy Los Angeles neighborhood Bel-Air, but it does have plenty to offer. The neighborhood is about 3 miles from downtown Odessa and has friendly neighbors. “People are usually curious and will say hi to each other,” says Chantell Rhea, a Black Orchid Real Estate broker with nearly 10 years of experience. “Odessa is growing quickly while still having that small-town feel.” The neighborhood’s proximity to the Winwood Business Center, recreation options and schools add to its appeal. As potential homebuyers drive down the streets of Bellaire Heights, they’ll primarily see brick and vinyl-sided ranch-style homes built in the 1950s. Houses sit on average lot sizes of around 10,000 square feet, and many include a driveway or garage. Ranch-style homes typically cost between $125,000 for a two bedroom with a carport and around $300,000 for a house with several bedrooms and a backyard. Sidewalks line the streets of Bellaire Heights, with some capital improvements in the neighborhood and throughout Odessa. “They are redoing the roads, and all the infrastructure is being worked on,” says Stacey James, a Broker with The Real Estate Group with over 15 years of experience. Burnet Elementary and Bonham Junior High Schools receive a C-minus from Niche and are within walking distance of the neighborhood. Burnet Elementary has a Colt of the Month, a program to celebrate students with a pizza party and a yard sign to take home. Permian High School earns a C-plus rating and is known for its football program, stemming from the award-winning book and movie "Friday Night Lights." “The area is very sports-driven; many families base where they go on sports,” Rhea says. Nearby Montessori School of Odessa is a private school option that gets a B-minus rating. The University of Texas Permian Basin is a few miles east for those continuing their education. Bellaire Park shares a namesake with the neighborhood and is the lone park in the area. The park features a playground, basketball court and covered picnic tables. A couple of blocks east, Odessa Family YMCA offers various programs and opportunities in fitness, sports and youth development. Inside the Music City Mall -- a few miles east -- is Rink N’ Roll, one of the largest roller rinks in the state. The rink covers over 14,000 square feet and includes bumper cars. On 42nd Street, Bellaire Heights locals will find major chain restaurants, like Jack in the Box and Taco Bell, and big-name retailers like Target and Ross. There is also an H-E-B grocery store. Across 42nd Street, Volcano serves creative Asian fusion dishes, like sushi rolls and pho. Nearby Jack ‘N’ Jill Donuts offers dozens of donuts and morning favorites like coffee and pastries. Aside from the skating rink, Music City Mall also contains several stores and restaurants, and is anchored by JCPenney and Burlington. The Midland Odessa Urban Transit bus system, also known as the EZ Rider, has a couple of stops on University Boulevard near Keystone Drive and provides service into downtown Odessa to Music City Mall. About 10 miles east, travelers can fly out of Midland International Air and Space Port. Maple Avenue South leads to downtown Odessa, around 3 miles away. Odessa Regional Medical Center is a couple of miles south for those needing medical attention.

The residential neighborhood of Beverly Heights is conveniently situated about a mile north of downtown Odessa and close to East Business Loop 20, connecting the city with Midland. “Many people move here to work in the oil fields,” says Carrie Shaver, a broker with Carrie Shaver Realty LLC with over a decade of experience, adding that “house prices are more affordable here than other [areas of Odessa].” The median sales price for a home in Beverly Heights is $125,000, compared to $349,000 for the city of Odessa. Midcentury bungalow and ranch-style homes, usually with fenced backyards, typically range between $135,000 and $200,000, with some investment properties and land lots going for $100,000 or less. “There aren’t too many houses that hit the market,” Shaver says. “Anything under $200,000 goes quick.” Wide streets offer enough space for street parking without restricting traffic, while narrow sidewalks provide a path for a stroll through the neighborhood. Beverly Heights is entirely residential, but there are shopping and dining options a short drive away in downtown Odessa. Stars Drive-In serves hamburgers, hot dogs and chili. A few blocks further west, down 8th Street, is Café San Blas, which offers Mexican cuisine like tortas and montaditos. United Supermarkets and El Rancho Supermercado grocery stores are east of North Dixie Boulevard. A few miles north along 42nd Street are big-box retailers like Walmart and Target. While there are bus stops on North Dixie Boulevard near 13th Street, Beverly Heights is a primarily car-dependent neighborhood. Downtown Odessa is about a mile to the south, with Odessa Regional Medical Center about half a mile away. Midland International Air and Space Port airport is 12 miles east on Interstate 20. Education may begin at Burnet Elementary, a C-minus-rated school by Niche. The next stop may be Bonham Junior High School, which also receives a C-minus. High schoolers can attend Permian High, earning a C-plus rating. Permian is known for its football program and garnered national recognition from the acclaimed book and movie Friday Night Lights. First Odessa Christian Academy, in nearby downtown Odessa, offers private education for Pre-K through 8th-grade students and does not have a rating from Niche. There are a number of holiday celebrations held in downtown Odessa. Every Independence Day, the 4th of July Fandango attracts thousands with a combination of vendors, a car show and fireworks. Other festive celebrations include a parade of lights and Christmas tree lightings during the holiday season. Dan Hemphill Central Park is adjacent to the neighborhood along Center Avenue. The basketball courts fill up with local kids and adults playing pick-up games. The playground features swings and a slide on an artificial grass surface. A block from Central Park is Purple Sage Park, which includes an open field with a few benches and walking paths. A couple blocks east of Dixie Boulevard sits the 4Kidz Fun Park, an indoor amusement center. The colorful facility includes several slides, obstacle courses, games and toys for kids to burn off some energy indoors.

The Brentwood neighborhood offers lower prices than several other areas in Odessa while being just a couple of miles from downtown. "It is a very good place for a first-time homeowner," says Chantell Rhea, a Black Orchid Real Estate broker with nearly 10 years of experience. The oil boom in West Texas makes the gas and oil fields in the Permian Basin a prominent employer, but it doesn't always mean people staying for a long time. "It is a great place to live and make money," Rhea says. Ranch-style homes with brick or vinyl siding line the streets of Brentwood. Most houses include a garage or a driveway on lots ranging from, on average, 6,500 square feet to 7,500 square feet. Houses in the area cost between $100,000 for a cottage built in the 1950s and $170,000 for a mid-century ranch with a backyard and front porch. "The housing market is pretty stable, mostly benefitting sellers right now," Rhea says. Sidewalks along the neighborhood streets make it easy to go out for an afternoon stroll. As Brentwood is primarily a residential neighborhood, residents leave the area to dine out or go shopping. Just north of East 31st Street is One Energy Square, a shopping mall with a few retailers like Harbor Freight Tools and Big Lots. A few miles south on Highway 385, Chaotic Wings serves chicken wings, hamburgers and other American food classics. Head west on University Boulevard and there are grocery store options, like United Supermarkets and Super Mercado Mexicano. Traveling east on 42nd Street leads to Highway 191, which offers several other restaurant and entertainment options. Cinergy Odessa Featuring Epic is an entertainment venue with bowling, laser tag, and a movie theater. For kindergarten through fifth grade, children may attend Sam Houston Elementary School, which earns a C from Niche. Students may move to Bonham Junior High School – which is rated a C-minus – for sixth through eighth grades. Students, teachers and parents participate in various school activities, like food drives and pep rallies. Permian High School receives a C-plus and is the subject of the top-selling book and movie “Friday Night Lights”, based on the 1988 football team’s run toward the state championship. For students continuing their education, Odessa College is 1 mile away, and The University of Texas Permian Basin is about 3 miles east. Brentwood locals may drive south down North Dixie Boulevard or Highway 385 for about 2-and-a-half miles to downtown Odessa. Bus stops along East University Boulevard are part of the EzRider bus system, providing service into downtown Odessa and around the University campus to Music City Mall. Travelers heading east on Interstate 20 for about 11 miles will reach Midland International Air and Space Port. Those needing medical attention can access Odessa Regional Medical Center about 2 miles south. Bellaire Park is a prominent park in the Brentwood area that features a playground with turf grass, a basketball court and picnic tables. Casa Bella Park, in the southeast of the neighborhood on East University Boulevard, has swings, a slide and open green fields where young kids have flag football practices. Polyantha Park offers a small greenspace with a few trees and some grass off North Muskingum Avenue. A few blocks east is the Odessa Family YMCA, the local recreation center offering fitness, sports and youth development programs and opportunities.

Just 3 miles west of Downtown Odessa sits the neighborhood of Briarwood. “It has great access to Interstate 20, and you can get anywhere in Odessa in 15 minutes,” says Thomas McDonald, a Realtor with Starz Realty and a resident of Odessa. “It’s close to Walmart, close to HEB, close to Route 338.” Homes here are mostly brick ranches that have sold in the mid-to-high $100,000s. “These are mostly 1,200 square foot houses that sell for between $120 and $155 a square foot,” McDonald says. “It’s more affordable than a lot of other neighborhoods in Odessa.” The accessibility and affordability of the neighborhood, paired with its nearby parks and restaurants, have made it appealing to those looking in west Odessa. As would-be homebuyers drive around Briarwood, they’ll see wide streets and sidewalks lined with brick ranches, small front lawns and short fences. The average lot size is just over 3,200 square feet. Townhouses are also an option and have sold for the mid-$100,000s. Most homes in the neighborhood sport driveways, some with one- or two-car garages. Residents primarily use their cars to get around because the neighborhood's Walk Score is just 2 out of 100. The Midland Odessa Urban Transit District, otherwise known as the EZ Rider, offers service to downtown from its stop on the corner of 16th Street and Alameda Avenue. The Midland International Air & Space Port is 15 miles away, utilizing Interstate 20. Those seeking medical attention can access Medical Center Hospital 3 miles east of Briarwood. Briarwood children attend schools in the Ector County Independent School District, which prides itself on its bilingual programs. Over 7,000 students in the district are identified as bilingual. For kindergarten through fifth grade, children attend Noel Elementary, which earns a C-minus grade from Niche. From there, students move on to Crockett Middle, which receives a C from Niche. In ninth grade, students continue their education at Odessa High School. Graded a C by Niche, Odessa High has a well-regarded band program. Nearby St. John’s Episcopal School is a private school option and serves kindergarten through sixth grade. Niche has yet to grade the school. While shopping and dining are nonexistent within Briarwood's residential boundaries, there are several spots in nearby downtown. “Rosa’s Café is a very popular Mexican food chain,” McDonald says. Rosa’s is known for its Taco Tuesdays, where all taco plates are discounted. True Texas BBQ is 2 miles north of Briarwood and is popular for its variety of well-marinated meats. The restaurant also has a full-service bar. Mario’s Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar is just southeast of the neighborhood and serves a variety of hibachi and sushi roll options. For a weekend shopping trip, residents can head to the Music City Mall, which is anchored by JCPenney and Dillard’s and has a variety of dining and entertainment options. Walmart is just 1 mile north of Briarwood for everyday essentials and groceries. The mall is 7 miles away. When residents want to get outside, they head to Floyd Gwin Park, east of Briarwood. Whether they prefer tennis, basketball or baseball, there’s space for them. There’s also a playground for children and a pool, which is open during the hot summer months. San Jacinto Park has 9.3 acres, a playground and a 0.4-mile pedestrian loop. Western Manor Park is another nearby spot with a walking path and playground. The Comanche Trail, 3 miles southeast of Briarwood, is a 2-mile route perfect for bikers and runners alike. Holidays are a big deal in Odessa. “Downtown, they have fireworks and festivals for the holidays,” says Wendy Sparks, a Realtor with Turnkey Realty and lifelong resident of Odessa. For Independence Day, Odessa hosts its 4th of July Fandango, which includes a car show and a combination of market and food vendors for visitors to enjoy. The Odessa Chamber of Commerce sponsors an annual charity cornhole tournament called BBQ, Bags & Boots. As the name implies, eventgoers wear boots while enjoying some barbecue and friendly games of cornhole.

Located roughly 2 miles from downtown Odessa is Buchanan. This neighborhood is primarily residential and is an attractive opportunity for homebuyers seeking significantly lower-priced homes compared to the rest of the city. “You can come in and buy a house at a reasonable price and start building equity,” says Realtor Virgil Trower, owner of Trower Realtors, Inc., who has worked in the area since 1971. Location is another draw, with all of downtown's restaurants and amenities only a short drive away. Odessa is also known for its prominent oil and gas industry, as it is part of the Permian Basin, which is rich in petroleum, natural gas and potassium. Buchanan is only a few miles from some of the city’s major employers, including Halliburton and Cudd Energy Services. 1PointFive, part of Occidental Petroleum, chose Odessa as the location of its $1 billion carbon capture project. On their way to the neighborhood park, folks often see residents sitting on the front porch of their midcentury modern ranch styles. Green bushes and a smattering of oak and mulberry trees decorate grassy lawns. The sidewalks line wide roads that allow room for two-way traffic and street parking, although most houses have a one-car garage or carport. Almost all the homes were built in the 1940s and 1950s and have vinyl, stucco or brick exteriors. Prices in Buchanan are trending lower than those in the rest of Odessa. A two-bedroom can fall between $125,000 to $150,000, while three- to four-bedrooms can range from $150,000 to $200,000. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, some properties are within Special Flood Hazard Areas. Flood insurance is recommended for everyone and required for anyone with a federally backed mortgage. While the neighborhood is almost entirely residential, plenty of dinner options are nearby. “They’ve got several Mexican restaurants that are good food and locally owned on West County Road,” Trower says. Taqueria El Gallo De Jalisco is only one of those options and has been serving the community since 1990. Most other eateries are chains, including Sonic Drive-In and Taco Bell. Downtown Odessa is about 2 miles away. Cade San Blas is open for breakfast and lunch, with dishes such as huevos rancheros, and Rooster’s Diner is known for its Asian fusion. United Supermarket and H-E-B are the closest grocery stores. Walmart is about 2 miles away, while Lowe’s and Target are about a 5-mile drive. Whether heading to a Wranglers game at Odessa College or attending a celebration put on by the city, there are plenty of opportunities for people to come together. Trower says sports are a big deal in Odessa, so folks often support the school. “They have basketball, track and baseball, which draw large crowds,” he says. The city also puts on events throughout the year, including Movies in the Park on Saturdays throughout the summer and Starbright Village, a holiday lights display at McKinney Park. Ector County Independent School District serves Buchanan. Burleson Elementary School and Bowie Junior High School receive a C-minus from Niche. Odessa High School, which earns a C, offers the International Baccalaureate program. High schoolers can enroll at Odessa Career and Technical Early College High School, with programs such as Cosmetology and Business Academy. Odessa College is a community college less than 1 mile outside the neighborhood, with over 120 associate and certificate degree programs. “It’s a really good school,” Trower says. “It’s more of a trade school. When you graduate from there, in truck driving or mechanics or any of that, you’re guaranteed a job.” Buchanan residents have plenty to do with parks, libraries and museums nearby. Buchannan Park sits in the middle of the neighborhood, with a swing set and an open field where kids can run around. While this is one of the smaller parks in the city, people can find larger ones nearby. “We’ve pretty well got parks all over town,” Trower says. San Jacinto Park has a volleyball court, walking trail and jungle gym. The Ector County Library is in downtown Odessa. Patrons can explore an extensive catalog of books, study in quiet rooms and participate in programs and events. Read to Felix is every Thursday, and it lets kids practice reading with a wire-haired therapy dog. The community is mainly car-dependent, and there are several major roads nearby. State Route 450, which locals call Kermit Highways, connects with Interstate 20 and State Route 338. EZ-Rider does have some bus stops along University Road. “There’s getting to be a little more all the time, but mostly, everybody wants to drive themselves,” Trower says. Most people fly out of Midland International Air & Space Port, about 14 miles away. The closest emergency room is at Odessa Regional Medical Center, about a 2-mile drive. The city of Odessa has experienced an increased number of water main breaks. This has been attributed to the age of the pipes, which were build in the mid-1950s, and the change in temperature. There is an open request for proposal for contractors to come in and test the integrity of the water system, which will allow the city to make any necessary repairs.