Searching for nice smaller town near OKC... (Norman, Edmond: fit in, rental)

[carvers wife]

My husband and I are planning to relocate there with our 16 year-old son in the next few weeks.

We are moving from a place where we have some acreage and enjoy our land. My son's an avid dirt bike rider, and my husband does chainsaw carving- We will have to start by renting, but would love to have some room in a place that's within a 30-50 minute drive from the city. Can anyone recommend a nice smaller town that fits what we might be looking for? We like the sounds of the lakes and the trails. Edmond sounds nice, but we'd like to live a little more rustic than the growing suburbs.

Also would appreciate any other info on school districts. It looks like your high schools are bigger on football than soccer? My son's a soccer player. He's not happy about the move, so we'd like accomodate some of his interests if possible. Right now he's in a small private school and we'd like to find something similar for him.

Thanks for the help.
We're looking forward getting there.

[texas2]

Hello ... it is really funny I came accross your post sicne I am looking for the same thing. I have had my kids in Edmond for the past three years and yes the schools are great and the town is good as well. I am searching though to move out some because my kids have dirt bikes and want that lifestyle also and what I have been finding it Jones Oklahoma which is about 20-30 minutes from Edmond is really gaining popularity and does have very reputable schools. It has been discoverd and I know some families from Edmond that have purchased land out there and plan to move out that way. I think you should check into that area there are several kids that ride ATV's that will be moving that way and a friend of mine is actually building a dirt bike track on their acreage which will be fun!!! Anyway hope that helps. I am going to look as well and will need a rental and not sure how hard they are to find out there. Good Luck!

[irriserv]

I am not sure what area you are moving from, however you have to be a little careful not to move to an area that is "too country" You should take a good look at the far north side of Edmond. I think you will find that a lot of people in that area have moved here for outside the state at it is very easy to fit in.

I am sure you son will find it easy to fit in, most everyone is very nice and from what I hear from the 15 year old up the street he has had not problems at all fitting in.

[merryfim]

I sent u a private message that has several links to tracks and information. The admin does not allow post with links in the public forum

[carvers wife]

Thanks for the help. It's always nice when you get other people's perspectives. I'm glad it sounds like there's people who share his interests with the dirtbiking.
My husband has been in contact with his future supervisor from FedEx Freight. He says the easiest way out to the country is east of the city. It's intimidating to look into places you know nothing about, but atleast I should be grateful for this (the internet and this site especially)...A lot of the searches I bring up for towns say "This town's tornado incidence is 322% above the national average..." Should I be concerned about this?
A friend of a friend who lives out there says you just learn to watch the weather, but do these things hit the same places over and over? It's a new concept for me, but I'd hate to end up where that could happen.
Thanks again for the help. He's heading out in May and I'm waiting til June when school's done here.

[Sparticus]

I have "OKC barbies" that I made up that will help you out in deciding which OKC suburb or area is best for you:

AP-Mattel recently announced the release of limited-edition Barbie Dolls
for the Greater OK City market:

"Edmond Barbie"
This princess Barbie is sold only at Penn Square. She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade Handbags, a Mercedes SUV, a long-haired foreign dog named Louis XIIV and a cookie-cutter house. Available with or without tummy tuck and breast augmentation. Workaholic Ken sold only in conjunction with an augmented version, and the Side Relationship Ken sold only in conjunction with tucked, augmented, and botoxed version.

"Moore Barbie"
The modern day homemaker Barbie is available with Toyota Minivan and matching gym outfit. She gets lost in traffic easily and has no full-time occupation or secondary education. Traffic jamming cell phone sold separately.

"Soggy Bottom Barbie"
This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, a Ray Lewis knife, a Chevy with dark tinted windows, and a Meth Lab Kit. This model is only available after dark and must be paid for in cash (preferably small, untraceable bills) ...unless you are a cop, then we don't know what you are talking about.

"Nichols Hills Barbie"
This yuppie Barbie comes with your choice of BMW convertible or Hummer H2. Included are her own Starbucks cup, Panera gift card, credit card and country club membership. Also available for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. You won't be able to afford any of them.

"Quail Springs Barbie"
This Barbie is a working mother, as her husband stays at home with the kids since he was laid off. She spends most of her day from 8 to 6 in her office at the corporate headquarters, most of her morning and evening battling Memorial Road traffic, and most of her weekend shopping at Spring Creek and at Penn Square. She forgot her kids' names a while back ago. She comes with a scale-sized credit card, platinum of course, and a Lincoln Town Car.

"Norman Barbie"
This youthful model makes it into OKC in her Chevy Avalanche pick-up about once a week, while she's busy partying her 20-year old self all over town. She is an OU cheerleader, waits tables at La Luna in Campus Corner, and has a new boyfriend every week. She comes with a poodle named Silly and an endless supply of short skirts with words over her derrière.

"Arts District Barbie"
This collagen injected, rhino plastic Barbie wears a leopard print outfit and drinks cosmopolitans while entertaining friends. Percocet prescription available as well as warehouse conversion condo.

"Midwest City Barbie"
This patriotic Barbie is a military mom, and her husband is overseas fighting the War on Terror. She serves on ten differant organizations to support our troops. She home schools her two children, ages 6 and 9, and drives a 2001 Ford Winstar. She worries about money all of the time, because before Ken left for Iraq, they had built a new house when the market seemed friendly, and now she barely gets by with her family supporting her. She prays every night for her husband, and for her family in Oklahoma. This model comes available with an American flag and a "Support our Troops" bumper sticker.

"Texan Transplant Barbie"
This tobacco-chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased beer-gutted Ken out of Speedway Barbie's house. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, and a see-through halter-top. Also available with a mobile home.

"Putnam City Barbie"
This model is happily married, lives in a brick, two-story home on a street with nearly identical homes, all built in the 70s, drives a station wagon, and works at a call center with her husband of 20 years. She's not incredibly rich, but she and her family get by without any financial problems, and live typical suburban lives. She comes with a special-edition Baptist Bible, a Sonic Route 44 at hand, and an endless supply of hideous sweaters and blouses.

"39th Street Barbie"
This doll is made of actual tofu. She has long straight brown hair, arch-less feet, hairy armpits, no makeup and Birkenstocks with white socks. She prefers that you call her Willow. She does not want or need a Ken doll, but if you purchase two 39th Street Barbies and the optional Subaru wagon, you get a rainbow flag bumper sticker for free.

"Heritage Hills Barbie"
This model is well-aged. She's actually in her 60s, but looks more like she's in her 40s. She's married to a top executive in an oil company, and has never held down a serious job in her life. She has flowing light blonde hair, candy apple red lips, and leopard print slipper shoes. This model comes with a larger-than-life diamond ring, and a bright pink, sparkly purse. Chauffeur sold seperately. We don't know who Ken is because he's either hunting, at the golf course, or with another woman.

"Southside Barbie"
This Barbie now comes with a stroller and infant doll. Optional accessories include a GED and bus pass. Gangsta Ken and his 1979 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of the infant. he's always out a'huntin'.

[carvers wife]

It's hard to find what we're looking for without actually being there. Looking on the map, Jones would be in the area and sounds like a possibility. What's the best way to find info on places like:
Fallis, Wellston, Arcadia, Stella, Harrah, Jacktown, Woods, Newalla, Luther, McLoud, Dale, Pink, Bethel Acres, Warwick, Shawnee,...
We are just looking for a nice place with a sense of community to call home with the space to enjoy at home and a good school district.
Again, I appreciate the input.

[okiemoving]

Originally Posted by carvers wife

My husband and I are planning to relocate there with our 16 year-old son in the next few weeks.

We are moving from a place where we have some acreage and enjoy our land. My son's an avid dirt bike rider, and my husband does chainsaw carving- We will have to start by renting, but would love to have some room in a place that's within a 30-50 minute drive from the city. Can anyone recommend a nice smaller town that fits what we might be looking for? We like the sounds of the lakes and the trails. Edmond sounds nice, but we'd like to live a little more rustic than the growing suburbs.

Also would appreciate any other info on school districts. It looks like your high schools are bigger on football than soccer? My son's a soccer player. He's not happy about the move, so we'd like accomodate some of his interests if possible. Right now he's in a small private school and we'd like to find something similar for him.

Thanks for the help.
We're looking forward getting there.

Norman is a great place to live and has really great schools. There are several places east of town where you could find some land for dirt bike riding as well as your husband's hobby. There are also places at lake Thunderbird where your son can ride. My husband rides dirt bikes and he also goes to lake draper (north of town) to ride. Also, OU is in Norman and I loved growing up there.

[okiemoving]

It sounds to me like you are looking at very small towns. My in-laws live in Pink but I don't technically think there is much there to call it a town. If you are looking at these places I would look at Shawnee. It is a great place. My in-laws go there weekly to do their grocery chopping and I have heard that there are great school there. I don't know where you would find out more information about this town other than on this web site.



QUOTE=carvers wife;564357]It's hard to find what we're looking for without actually being there. Looking on the map, Jones would be in the area and sounds like a possibility. What's the best way to find info on places like:
Fallis, Wellston, Arcadia, Stella, Harrah, Jacktown, Woods, Newalla, Luther, McLoud, Dale, Pink, Bethel Acres, Warwick, Shawnee,...
We are just looking for a nice place with a sense of community to call home with the space to enjoy at home and a good school district.
Again, I appreciate the input.[/quote]

[shad8974]

Originally Posted by Sparticus

I have "OKC barbies" that I made up that will help you out in deciding which OKC suburb or area is best for you:

AP-Mattel recently announced the release of limited-edition Barbie Dolls
for the Greater OK City market:

"Edmond Barbie"
This princess Barbie is sold only at Penn Square. She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade Handbags, a Mercedes SUV, a long-haired foreign dog named Louis XIIV and a cookie-cutter house. Available with or without tummy tuck and breast augmentation. Workaholic Ken sold only in conjunction with an augmented version, and the Side Relationship Ken sold only in conjunction with tucked, augmented, and botoxed version.

"Moore Barbie"
The modern day homemaker Barbie is available with Toyota Minivan and matching gym outfit. She gets lost in traffic easily and has no full-time occupation or secondary education. Traffic jamming cell phone sold separately.

"Soggy Bottom Barbie"
This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, a Ray Lewis knife, a Chevy with dark tinted windows, and a Meth Lab Kit. This model is only available after dark and must be paid for in cash (preferably small, untraceable bills) ...unless you are a cop, then we don't know what you are talking about.

"Nichols Hills Barbie"
This yuppie Barbie comes with your choice of BMW convertible or Hummer H2. Included are her own Starbucks cup, Panera gift card, credit card and country club membership. Also available for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. You won't be able to afford any of them.

"Quail Springs Barbie"
This Barbie is a working mother, as her husband stays at home with the kids since he was laid off. She spends most of her day from 8 to 6 in her office at the corporate headquarters, most of her morning and evening battling Memorial Road traffic, and most of her weekend shopping at Spring Creek and at Penn Square. She forgot her kids' names a while back ago. She comes with a scale-sized credit card, platinum of course, and a Lincoln Town Car.

"Norman Barbie"
This youthful model makes it into OKC in her Chevy Avalanche pick-up about once a week, while she's busy partying her 20-year old self all over town. She is an OU cheerleader, waits tables at La Luna in Campus Corner, and has a new boyfriend every week. She comes with a poodle named Silly and an endless supply of short skirts with words over her derrière.

"Arts District Barbie"
This collagen injected, rhino plastic Barbie wears a leopard print outfit and drinks cosmopolitans while entertaining friends. Percocet prescription available as well as warehouse conversion condo.

"Midwest City Barbie"
This patriotic Barbie is a military mom, and her husband is overseas fighting the War on Terror. She serves on ten differant organizations to support our troops. She home schools her two children, ages 6 and 9, and drives a 2001 Ford Winstar. She worries about money all of the time, because before Ken left for Iraq, they had built a new house when the market seemed friendly, and now she barely gets by with her family supporting her. She prays every night for her husband, and for her family in Oklahoma. This model comes available with an American flag and a "Support our Troops" bumper sticker.

"Texan Transplant Barbie"
This tobacco-chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased beer-gutted Ken out of Speedway Barbie's house. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, and a see-through halter-top. Also available with a mobile home.

"Putnam City Barbie"
This model is happily married, lives in a brick, two-story home on a street with nearly identical homes, all built in the 70s, drives a station wagon, and works at a call center with her husband of 20 years. She's not incredibly rich, but she and her family get by without any financial problems, and live typical suburban lives. She comes with a special-edition Baptist Bible, a Sonic Route 44 at hand, and an endless supply of hideous sweaters and blouses.

"39th Street Barbie"
This doll is made of actual tofu. She has long straight brown hair, arch-less feet, hairy armpits, no makeup and Birkenstocks with white socks. She prefers that you call her Willow. She does not want or need a Ken doll, but if you purchase two 39th Street Barbies and the optional Subaru wagon, you get a rainbow flag bumper sticker for free.

"Heritage Hills Barbie"
This model is well-aged. She's actually in her 60s, but looks more like she's in her 40s. She's married to a top executive in an oil company, and has never held down a serious job in her life. She has flowing light blonde hair, candy apple red lips, and leopard print slipper shoes. This model comes with a larger-than-life diamond ring, and a bright pink, sparkly purse. Chauffeur sold seperately. We don't know who Ken is because he's either hunting, at the golf course, or with another woman.

"Southside Barbie"
This Barbie now comes with a stroller and infant doll. Optional accessories include a GED and bus pass. Gangsta Ken and his 1979 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of the infant. he's always out a'huntin'.

LOL- that says it all-(except for a few wild details) post is nothing bad or good- just how it is. I have lived in this area for a long time. Using barbies is very funny. He/She speaks the truth/ although it might seem like a post to stay away from, because it is strange.