Moving from Louisiana to OKC - big difference? (Oklahoma City, Tulsa: apartments, house)

[Lillywhite]

Hi everyone. I've just finished a Ph.D. in Lafayette, La, and am considering taking a job at the OU Health Sciences Center in OKC. I just have a few questions that I'm hoping some of you might be able to help me with.

1). I'm a young, male, originally from England and have found it extremely difficult to settle in Louisiana. I have found the culture to be insular, the politics to be extremely non-progressive, and have encounted racism, sexism, and general bigotry. The state as a whole also seems to be very poverty stricken, and the general scenery is bleak. I'm really hoping that it will be a different story in OKC. When I visited for interview I was impressed but was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on this.

2). Given that I'd be working at OUHSC, where would anybody recommend for a first apartment. I'm 25 but want somewhere fairly peaceful for about 6 months until I can find somewhere more permanent to live.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[happytown]

Nawlins is a special place that is obviously recovering from a huge disaster. Louisiana had problems before katrina and now is ten times worse. So Oklahoma will seem like an oasis. Prepare for a culture shock because OK/OKC isnt London. You might have to buy some tight fitting wranglers, boots and some kind of super nice cowboy hat that needs to be clean at all times. Oh yeah, lots of OU shirts/stuff and maybe a gun rack. Im just kidding but you will find these people in OKC/Tulsa/Oklahoma because it is simply part of the culture.
You will find OKC a progressive, diverse city with a future that has a focus on more outdoor recreation and parks. Many projects are currently being built and lots of significant improvements to the quality of life are being made. Its a great place now and is a major up and coming city with massive future plans. OUHSC is a very large nice campus with current construction on impressive buildings now and has many in the works for the next couple of years. Great house market and economy.

Look over the Places to see and do threads at the top of the forum. There should be plenty of links to downtown living and things to do/see which is soaring because OKC is becoming more urban in the core of the city.
There are tons of apartments near bricktown/midtown/downtown which is very close to OUHSC that are great and would be perfect for someone in there mid twenties. Good luck.

[peggydavis]

Hi Lillywhite

I spent a night in Lafayette not long ago. I thought the area was very pleasant. In traveling around Louisiana though, I thought there was a lot more poverty there than in Oklahoma, and not many prospects for improvement.

I think people in OKC have a positive outlook on life. I can't say much for our politics, but people here are more welcoming to people of other cultures. We don't have the unique Cajun and Creole, or old South cultures to preserve here. People here are generally looking forward to the future, not backward to the past.

The Regency Apartments, and Deep Deuce Apartments are 2 apartments I would look at.

[Synopsis]

You'll find OkC loads different from Lousiana. I second what Happytown and Peggydavis. I think you'll love it in OkC.

[jteezcj]

Prepare for a culture shock because OK/OKC isnt London. You might have to buy some tight fitting wranglers, boots and some kind of super nice cowboy hat that needs to be clean at all times.

lol that is almost classified as a stereotypical statement! Oklahoma City is not all cowboy'd out like the surrounding suburbs. I don't think I have ever worn a pair of boots or cowboy hat or wranglers...lol (it made me laugh though)!:0

We are a wonderful city, of course we have our political problems as do any other cities, but we are growing in a major way so that is to be expected. So far all the growth has been wonderful for the economy here. The cost of living is average, it is going up everywhere so it is hard to compare. Oklahoma City has alot to offer a 25 year old single Doctor! and of course it has alot to offer families. OUHSC is a wonderful place, I hope you take the position and it turns out good for you.

[happytown]

Yeah, I was actually totally kidding. Many times you will find more Goth, Punk, Gay or other lifestyles before a complete redneck cowboy in the OKC city proper.

[jteezcj]

Originally Posted by happytown

Yeah, I was actually totally kidding. Many times you will find more Goth, Punk, Gay or other lifestyles before a complete redneck cowboy in the OKC city proper.

Yep, your right about that!..lmao! There is a very wide variety of people here! The cowboys all got smart and got the H*&% out of the metro! Just think what it is going to be like when they finish downtown and we have an NBA team transplanted here! If your a people watcher, downtown is certainly the place to be!

[Lillywhite]

Thanks *very* much for your opinions. It sounds like OKC will be much more to my liking than Lafayette. When I visited for interview it seemed very clean compared to Louisiana, and OUHSC was extremely impressive. I didn't get to see much of downtown/bricktown, but I will visit again shortly.

Thank you again.

[TU 'cane]

You will enjoy OKC more than Louisiana. OKC is hopping right now when it comes to development and OKC (with Mick Cornett anyway) is showing some very progressive signs. Scenery wise, well for the most part it's flat. But there are certain areas where it's really hilly. Lake Hefner is a real nice place to visit. And the entire medical district is hopping right now, and I think you'll like the OUHSC. Bricktown is growing, and is a place that someone your age will like due to all the bars and things. I think overall you'll like a lot more of Lafayette. I hope you enjoy it here and good luck!

[wasteofpaint]

I work at the OU Health Sciences center. I've been there for a year and a half. It's a really great place to work. Are you going to be on the academic side or medical side?
I have a grandma, cousin, sister, and two of my best friends who all started working here because I recommended it.
There is a lot of new construction in this area and they are spending a lot of money to make it more beautiful. The 13 story OU Children's Physicians is going to be gorgeous and have a glass atrium connecting it to the entrance of Everett Tower. (The Children's Hospital) and they are building a new cancer center as well.
It's really the best place I have found to work so far.