Get to Know Best in Midland

About Best

Best feels like the Midland that locals actually use day to day: close enough to grab coffee at Far West Coffee or Leyenda Coffee & Tequila, swing by the Central YMCA, and still be home before the West Texas sun really settles in. In the 79701 ZIP, you’re never far from the civic core either, with the Midland County Courthouse roughly a mile away and the Midland Police Department close by—part of why the area reads as “in-town convenient” rather than suburban removed.

The neighborhood’s character is shaped by being surrounded by established pockets like W C Barber, Weyman, Highland, and Progress Park, all within a few blocks. That cluster creates a steady, lived-in rhythm—more about practical routines than planned showpieces. You see it in where people run errands, too: Fiesta Foods and Lowe’s Mercado sit under a mile away, while Tall City Meat Market and Midland Meat Company make it easy to shop like a local instead of defaulting to big-box every time.

Housing here tends to appeal to buyers who want a foothold in Midland without stretching into luxury pricing. With an average home value of $214,700 in the area, Best often lands on shortlists for first-time buyers and long-term owners who’d rather put money into improvements over time than overpay for a new address. The homeownership rate around 67% gives the streets a more settled feel, where neighbors recognize each other and the same families show up for school drop-offs year after year.

Schools are part of the neighborhood’s identity because there are so many options nearby in Midland ISD. Families talk about A-rated campuses like Carver Center, Sam Houston Collegiate Preparatory EL, and the Young Women’s Leadership Academy, while older students may look toward Early College High School at Midland College. That mix of programs and school styles helps explain why the median age sits at 32.9—there’s a noticeable presence of young adults building careers and households.

Best draws people who want Midland close at hand: quick coffee runs, practical grocery stops, and schools with recognizable names, all in a ZIP with a population of 27,131 that still feels neighborly block to block.

Living in Best Day to Day

Daily life in Best is built around being able to get out the door quickly and have choices within a short drive. Morning routines often start with a caffeine stop—Far West Coffee shows up as a repeat favorite with multiple nearby locations, and River Coffee Co. and Cpl. Ray’s Midland are close enough to rotate depending on where your day takes you. If you’re trying to stay consistent with workouts, the Central YMCA is only about a third of a mile away, and spots like MMA Gym and Midland’s Martial Arts & Kick Boxing Center add variety beyond standard treadmills.

Housing in the area tends to attract buyers who want value and staying power. The average home value of $214,700 sets expectations for what many shoppers come here for: a manageable monthly payment compared to pricier pockets, with room in the budget for updates. With roughly 60.7% of housing units owner-occupied and 29.9% renter-occupied across the ZIP, the neighborhood balances long-term residents with newcomers—often people relocating into Midland and renting while they learn the city.

Errands are very “Midland practical” here. You can shop smaller and specialty—Bernard’s Tortillas Factory is close enough to make fresh tortillas a regular thing, and Monarch Produce and Sundown Market keep quick dinner plans from turning into a big trip. When it’s time to do the full cart, United Supermarkets is nearby, and the Walmart Supercenter is an easy fallback. For a treat or a break, Snofficial Shaved Ice is right in the mix, which becomes especially popular when the weather heats up.

Schools are a major part of how households choose where to settle. Midland ISD anchors the area, with A-rated options like Carver Center for grades 01–06 and the Young Women’s Leadership Academy serving grades 06–12. Families also look at pathways like Early College High School at Midland College, which can change the conversation for college-minded students. Other nearby campuses like James Bowie Fine Arts Academy and Midland Academy Charter School broaden the feel of “there’s a program that fits” rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Commuting reflects Midland’s car-first reality. In the ZIP, about 77.0% of workers drive alone, and only around 6.1% work from home, so the neighborhood tends to clear out in the mornings and come back to life in the late afternoon. Evenings often end up close to home—maybe a casual night at Hot Shots or Lone Star Bar, or a meet-up at The Patio Drafthouse—before heading back to a neighborhood where people tend to keep an eye on their block and recognize familiar faces.

Things to Do Near Best

Best sits in a pocket of Midland where your options are close enough that plans don’t feel like a production. For coffee, you can keep it simple with Dutch Bros Coffee or 7 Brew Coffee, or slow down at The Oaks Coffee & Creative Co. when you want to linger. If you’re building a routine, the Central YMCA being about 0.3 miles away makes it realistic to actually go before or after work instead of talking yourself out of the drive.

Food and nightlife are similarly easy to work into a weeknight. The Patio Drafthouse is a common “meet in the middle” spot, while places like The Bar, Lone Star Bar, and Hot Shots give you low-key options close to home. For quick groceries and local staples, Fiesta Foods and Lowe’s Mercado are both under a mile, and Bernard’s Tortillas Factory is the kind of nearby stop that changes how you stock your kitchen.

Neighborhoods Near Best

Best is surrounded by a tight ring of established Midland neighborhoods, which is part of what gives it a grounded, local feel. W C Barber, Weyman, Highland, and Progress Park are all about a tenth of a mile away, so the lines between areas feel more like gradual transitions than hard borders. That closeness matters when you’re house hunting, because a few blocks can shift which schools feel most convenient or which daily routes make the most sense.

A little farther out, neighborhoods like Richardson's Abilene Street, Moran, Carol Magee, and W. W. Harris create additional options for buyers and renters who want to stay in the same general part of town. Areas like SW Estes, Edwards, Russell High, and Atrium help round out the choices nearby, whether you’re prioritizing being closer to a particular campus, wanting a slightly quieter pocket, or just trying to stay near the core services around downtown Midland.

Local Resources Around Best

Living in Best keeps you close to the services you actually use when you own a home or manage a busy household. Midland ISD has offices about a mile away, which is convenient for transfers, enrollment questions, and district updates. For library access, the Midland County Public Libraries system is nearby, with a Midland County Public Library location about a mile away and additional branches within roughly three miles—easy to work into an after-school stop.

For government and public safety needs, the Midland County Courthouse is less than a mile away, and the Midland County Sheriff is close as well. The Midland Police Department sits about half a mile from the neighborhood, and Midland Fire Department Station 3 is also nearby, which many residents appreciate for response-time peace of mind. If you ever need emergency care, Midland Memorial Hospital-ER is roughly 1.7 miles away.

Homeowners handling property questions will also want to know the Midland Central Appraisal District is about 4.1 miles from Best, and Midland County tax services are around a mile away. Day-to-day recreation and programs often route through Parks & Recreation, which is close enough to keep youth activities and fitness plans from becoming a cross-town commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best

Is Best a good place to live?

Best works well for people who want to live close to the day-to-day Midland essentials instead of far out on the edge of town. In the 79701 ZIP, the population is 27,131, so you get a real neighborhood feel without losing access to core services like the Midland County Courthouse and Midland County Public Libraries nearby. Housing also tends to feel attainable by Midland standards, with an average home value of $214,700, and the area’s 67.0% homeownership rate contributes to a steadier, more established block-by-block vibe. The median age of 32.9 lines up with what you see locally: plenty of young adults, growing households, and busy school schedules tied to Midland ISD.

Is Best safe?

Specific crime statistics aren’t provided, but Best benefits from being close to key public safety resources, including the Midland Police Department about 0.5 miles away and Midland Fire Department Station 3 about 0.5 miles away. That proximity tends to support a more “watched over” feel, especially in an area where about 67.0% of residents are homeowners and people tend to know their neighbors. In practical terms, residents often lean on common-sense habits typical for Midland—locking vehicles, keeping exterior lights on, and staying aware around busier corridors—while appreciating that help isn’t far if something does happen.

How are the schools in Best?

Schools are one of the strongest practical advantages near Best because Midland ISD offers several nearby, well-rated options. Families often talk about A-rated campuses like Carver Center (grades 01–06), Sam Houston Collegiate Preparatory EL (EE–06), and the Young Women’s Leadership Academy (06–12), all within about a mile and a half. For older students, Early College High School at Midland College (09–12) is another A-rated choice within roughly 2.5 miles, offering a different pathway than a traditional high school. There are also additional nearby Midland ISD campuses with B and C ratings, so families can compare programs and fit rather than relying on a single option.

What is the cost of living in Best?

Best sits in an area where everyday costs often compare favorably to the national average. The cost of living index for all items is 91.9, and since 100 represents the US average, that suggests overall costs run lower than many parts of the country. Housing stands out most with an index of 66.7, which points to housing expenses that are notably below the national benchmark. Goods come in at 93.7 and utilities at 95.2, both still under 100, so typical shopping and monthly bills also trend a bit lower than the US average. Property taxes are a meaningful part of the monthly picture in Midland. The city property tax rate is $0.3480 per $100 valuation, the county rate is $0.1214 per $100 valuation, and Midland ISD’s school district tax rate is $0.8415 per $100 valuation, bringing the combined estimated property tax rate to $1.3109 per $100 valuation. While property taxes can feel significant, Texas has no state income tax, which many households factor in when comparing total cost of living and take-home pay.

Is Best good for families?

Best can be a solid fit for families who want schools and everyday services close by. The area has a noticeable family presence, with about 20.4% of the population under 18, and a median age of 32.9 that matches a lot of young-parent households. Midland ISD options are a big draw, including A-rated Carver Center and the Young Women’s Leadership Academy nearby, plus Early College High School at Midland College for teens planning ahead. For after-school routines, having the Central YMCA about 0.3 miles away makes it easier to keep kids active, and being close to libraries and civic services helps families handle the practical stuff without driving across town.

What is Best known for?

Best is known more for its central, lived-in Midland convenience than for being a master-planned enclave. It’s the kind of area where locals measure distance by familiar stops—Fiesta Foods and Lowe’s Mercado for groceries, Bernard’s Tortillas Factory for staples, and the Central YMCA for workouts—rather than by gated entrances. The neighborhood also sits in the middle of a dense cluster of established pockets like Highland, Weyman, and Progress Park, which gives it a very “local Midland” identity. With Midland ISD schools close by, including several A-rated campuses, Best is also known as a practical place to settle when school access is part of the decision.

What are things to do near Best?

Near Best, most plans are simple because so many spots are within a couple miles. Coffee runs are easy to rotate between Far West Coffee, River Coffee Co., Dutch Bros Coffee, and The Oaks Coffee & Creative Co. For casual nights out, residents often pick places like The Patio Drafthouse, Lone Star Bar, The Bar, or Hot Shots depending on the crowd and the night. If you’re focused on fitness, the Central YMCA is very close, and you’ve also got options like MMA Gym and Midland’s Martial Arts & Kick Boxing Center nearby. For low-effort errands that still feel local, Fiesta Foods and Bernard’s Tortillas Factory are the kinds of stops that become part of the weekly routine.

What ZIP code is Best in?

Best is in ZIP code 79701. That ZIP covers a population of 27,131 in this part of Midland.

Interested in Homes in Best?

If you’re considering Best, it helps to compare a few streets and nearby pockets like Highland or Weyman to see what fits your routine best. Reach out when you’re ready, and I’ll help you narrow down homes, school options in Midland ISD, and what to expect with taxes and monthly costs in 79701.