10 Things To Know About Living in Lubbock, TX

Lubbock is situated in the open landscapes of West Texas. Nestled in the South Plains, the Texas Panhandle is to the north and the New Mexico and Oklahoma borders lie just a few hundred miles away. Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University enroll tens of thousands of students annually and these two institutions are economic engines for the city. The roots of agriculture and ranching in the region date back to its early settler days in the late 19th century. A mid-size city with more than a quarter million people, Lubbock offers unique characteristics for newcomers, residents and visitors.

Here’s what to know about living in Lubbock, TX:

1. What is great about Lubbock?

The Lubbock region boasts excellent health care, a cultural history rooted in music and the cowboy life, and a diverse regional economy. Each adds a unique element to the community vibe in this Texas college town. Agriculture helped define the city, and as this industry evolved, Lubbock invested resources in new methods. The region grows nearly all of the state’s wine grapes and has a robust food technology sector.

2. What’s the climate like in Lubbock?

Lubbock enjoys a cool semi-arid climate, and it can get about 18 inches of rain and 7 inches of snow annually. In the summertime, you can expect averages of 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with a few days when temperatures can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters can be colder in the mornings especially, when temperatures can dip below freezing, but afternoons are sunny and mild.

Whether it’s winter or summer, make sure your household items are protected against the highs and lows of temperature and humidity. Keep seasonal items, additional furniture, clothing and appliances in a climate-controlled unit in Lubbock, as it’s the best place for these items – they have the best chance to stay in tip-top condition in this kind of environment that controls both temperature and humidity.

A white gazebo and benches in downtown Lubbock, TX in spring

3. Health care access in Lubbock

The city’s University Medical Center is the only Level 1 trauma facility within 300 miles. This world-class hospital provides services for anyone requiring emergency surgery, specialized doctors, and a quality of health care more commonly found in larger cities. The health care industry is a big employer and serves more than a million people in northwest Texas. Lubbock has been considered a good city both for raising families and for older adults.

The medical center can benefit from access to self storage for storing medical devices or paperwork. These kinds of items can sit in a storage unit until they’re needed. Thus, the medical center can make better use of their main space, while storage units can serve as an extension of the main premises as they temporarily house these kinds of items.

4. What’s the economy like in Lubbock?

A former Air Force Base was converted into the Reese Technology Center, a research and business park for the city’s burgeoning technology industry. The city’s international airport and surrounding land is a certified foreign-trade zone, making it easier to export goods. In 2018, Lubbock exported more than half a billion dollars’ worth of products to other countries. The majority of these exports are agricultural-related, with cotton considered the top crop in the region.

Research facilities and tech companies can easily turn to self storage to aid their daily operations. Additional paperwork, office furniture and much more can sit in a storage unit to assist in making better use of the main premises. Instead of cluttering the space with these items, both research facilities and tech businesses can turn to this service to help them with their storage needs. Moreover, small businesses – whether they’re brick-and-mortar or e-commerce ones – can also benefit from the service. Excess inventory can sit in storage until it’s ready to hit the shelves or be delivered to customers.

5. Arts and culture

For residents and visitors alike, the city highlights and promotes its history and culture through museums and events. Lubbock’s downtown is the first cultural district in the state, and it hosts an Art Trail on the first Friday of every month. If you enjoy public art and museums, Texas Tech University’s collection is considered one of the best in the country.

6. What is Lubbock famous for?

Lubbock considers itself to be the “original” Live Music Capital of Texas. The city and many of its local venues tout their role in launching the careers of famous musicians like Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, The Chicks and Waylon Jennings, among others.

Agriculture and ranching are two interrelated industries to which Lubbock owes its founding in the late 1800s, and these two sectors still dominate today. About a quarter of the United States cotton crop is grown in the fields surrounding Lubbock. The National Ranching Heritage Center has its home on the Texas Tech campus. It highlights the importance of beef cattle to the U.S. and the world’s food supply.

Reconstructed stone house at the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock, Texas

7. What does the moving process to Lubbock, Texas, involve?

Lubbock’s location requires a household to own a car. As you drive from places like Houston, Phoenix or California, double-check the size of your gas tank and the locations of gas stations.

Prior to your move, identify a few of the requirements you have for a house or apartment: the neighborhood, proximity to work or university, ratings of the local schools, etc. Find a few housing options that meet most or all of your criteria. Remember, you do not need to have the “perfect” place selected prior to your move.

Keep enough of your belongings with you to support living in a space temporarily until you find the house or apartment that is best for you. To help make your moving process easier, you can send your belongings to Lubbock prior to the moving day. Have them sent to a storage facility. This way, when moving day comes around the corner, you can retrieve your items from the storage unit at your own pace so you can better organize your new home.

What are the costs of moving to Lubbock, Texas?

This region in North Texas draws students, young professionals, families and retirees. Some of them move to Lubbock from other Texan cities, like Houston and El Paso, while many others move in from other states. The economic opportunities and lower cost of living in Lubbock encourage people to leave more expensive places in Arizona and California for this Texas city. To move from California to Lubbock, your costs could range from $1,900 to $4,500, if you’re moving a 2-3-bedroom home.

8. Is Lubbock a good place to live?

With Lubbock emerging as fast-growing mid-size city, it is shaping up to be an attractive place for many people. Let’s take a look at some common moving routes that lead to Lubbock:

Moving to Lubbock from Boston

When you’re moving from Boston to Lubbock, you get plenty of perks. The Texan city is much more affordable than its Massachusetts counterpart, which means selling your Boston home can help you get an even bigger home here. Moreover, you get to enjoy many of the big-city-life perks here – Lubbock boasts a thriving cultural and social scene thanks to its cultural arts district and flourishing music industry.

Moving to Lubbock from Dallas

Dallas is a much bigger city than Lubbock, but moving from the former to the latter could help you enjoy a greater sense of community at the fraction of the cost. The cost of living in Lubbock is low and the city offers plenty of employment opportunities in tech, health care, education and other sectors. If you’re used to being out and about in Dallas, Lubbock is also a great place to enjoy the outdoors too – you can hit the trails, canoe, go tubing or camp at the local parks.

9. What are the housing options in Lubbock?

When you move to Lubbock, you also have to think about your housing options. If you’re looking to rent and to be closer to the city buzz, you’re more likely to find a place to live in or around downtown. Apartment living usually comes with less space – so, to make the most of it, you’re better off renting a storage unit to keep seasonal and bulky items. This way, you keep your home uncluttered and you can retrieve the stored items when you’re ready to use them.

Auburn, WA apartment

If you’re looking for a single-family home, consider Primrose Point or Lake Ridge, with the latter featuring a golf course if you’re interested in this hobby. Living in a single family home does come with more space than apartment living, but you can still clutter your home with all your belongings. To better manage them and your living space, you can put seasonal clothing, hobby gear and décor in storage until you need them again. Taking on a home improvement project is another instance when you can turn to the service. For the duration of the project, household objects from the area under construction can be put in a storage unit to avoid cluttering the rest of the home.

Moreover, homeowners can also use self storage when they move in with their parents to form a multi-generational household. As two households merge, additional furniture, appliances and family heirlooms also need a home until they’re ready to be used again. Self storage is an excellent solution in this case too.

10. What are the storage options in Lubbock, Texas?

If you are a student or you are new in town, it can be economical to live in a small apartment and rent a storage unit in Lubbock, TX. This approach lets you test out the city, and storage unit costs are reasonable here.

If you are a retiree, renting a storage unit after downsizing provides more time to work out how to best use the space in your new home. Most storage facilities are located on the western and southern sides of Hub City.

Next, you should decide which unit size you need. If you’re only putting some clothing and small hobby gear in storage, a 5’x5’ unit is perfect for you. For slightly larger items, you could probably use a 5’x10’ unit. If you’re planning on storing furniture, appliances and more besides, you should consider a 10’x10’ or a 10’x15’ unit. For the contents of an entire home, a 10’x20’ or a 10’x30’ unit can come in handy. If you’re unsure which unit size is best suited for your needs, you can consult this storage unit size guide.

Check out the StorageCafe search portal to find more storage options.