Is OKC the next "Austin"? (Oklahoma City, Edmond: public schools, to live in)

[tkx7]

There is a lot of speculation about the future of OKC- it is becoming increasingly more vibrant. Since Oklahoma isnt exactly known to be the most artsy/music/progressive state, more people from surrounding towns are moving to OKC to find these things. From what I have been told there seems to be increasingly more emphasis on education and less on religion in OKC. Do you envision an ongoing trend of this nature in the future?

[flyingcat2k]

Despite what some people think, no. OKC is nowhere in the music scene compared to Austin. It lacks cohesion on education. They supported a backwards thinking legislators and State Ed Superintendant. Most OKC public schools are a downright travesty.

[stiffnecked]

I know more people moving out of OKC then into it from the surrounding areas. Just look at the growth in Edmond, Yukon, Piedmont and Mustang. OKC is dated, old and outta touch. You gotta remember not everyones lives revolve around what goes on in downtown OKC. Even when I'm there I don't go to downtown OKC after dark. It's just not safe. And the Oklahoma River? A joke. It's a rock lined canal that has absolutely zero natural beauty.

[dvxhd]

No.

People from surrounding towns may find artsy/progressive things here, but that would be relative to where they came from. OKC is barely a blip on the national radar, and it isn't likely that indie artists, musicians, writers, etc. are flocking here. I will reiterate and emphasize relative because a lot of people dismiss the rest of the country and focus only on OKC and the relative progress it's made. But the reality is that the rest of the country is OKC's competition, and that will be an uphill battle for this town when more established and/or prestigious towns and cities will continue to be a draw. I also want to include locals who may feel stifled here and wish to move to a more reputable area.

[StillwaterTownie]

Originally Posted by flyingcat2k

Despite what some people think, no. OKC is nowhere in the music scene compared to Austin. It lacks cohesion on education. They supported a backwards thinking legislators and State Ed Superintendant. Most OKC public schools are a downright travesty.

The Democrat candidate for state Ed Superintendent is slightly leading in a poll at least. If Oklahoma wants more support for education, it's going to have to go back to electing Democrats. They're a lot less likely to bring up the need to teach creationism in the public schools. And feel our school children are worth borrowing state money for to build them storm shelters in public schools to protect their lives.

[Howest2008]

Originally Posted by tkx7

There is a lot of speculation about the future of OKC- it is becoming increasingly more vibrant. Since Oklahoma isnt exactly known to be the most artsy/music/progressive state, more people from surrounding towns are moving to OKC to find these things. From what I have been told there seems to be increasingly more emphasis on education and less on religion in OKC. Do you envision an ongoing trend of this nature in the future?

Is OKC the next "Austin"? Heck NO!

[_redbird_]

Originally Posted by tkx7

There is a lot of speculation about the future of OKC- it is becoming increasingly more vibrant. Since Oklahoma isnt exactly known to be the most artsy/music/progressive state, more people from surrounding towns are moving to OKC to find these things. From what I have been told there seems to be increasingly more emphasis on education and less on religion in OKC. Do you envision an ongoing trend of this nature in the future?

No. Does OKC want to be the next Austin? No.

[Rubi3]

Why would Austin be a goal? What would be the point of people in Oklahoma City spending time trying to make their place more like a city in Texas? Oklahoma City is Oklahoma City.

[debzkidz]

I certainly hope not. As a native Texan, I wouldn't want to live in Austin. It's nothing but a big city, over crowded with some of the most pompous jerks in the entire state.

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by _redbird_

No. Does OKC want to be the next Austin? No.

^^^
This.