Pro's and Con's of Oklahoma City

[scootertrash61]

this is neither pro or con, just a memory of okc that will stick w/ me till my end of days. in 1980 a friend and myself left seattle and hitch hiked down south to " get rich in the oilfields ". after picking up a car in ark. we ended up in okc. on our 2nd night there we were sleeping in our car in a large vacant lot across the street from a temporary labor business [ there was about 50 or 60 other out of state cars full of people in that lot!!! ] , at about 2 in the morning i awoke to someone on a really loud pa system preaching " repent repent, ask god to forgive your sins " etc. etc. i sat up, looked out the back window and IT WAS AN OKLAHOMA CITY COP GIVING US A FRIGGIN SERMON AT 2 AM IN HIS COP CAR!!! i looked back at my buddy in the front seat [ who grew up in arkansas] in shock and between uncontrollable bouts of laughter he says " WELCOME TO THE BIBLE BELT BOB!! " anyway i spent about 2 yrs in ok and considering how overrun it was w/ out of staters looking for oil work, i found oklahomans to be very friendly and welcoming. i guess this was a " pro " afterall. have a good one

[goddessnna]

Originally Posted by shadow42

I am originally from Long Island, NY and now reside in So. CA. We will most likely be moving to OKC and from all the research I have done, will look for a home in Edmond. The homes are beautiful there. My question has more to deal with the people. I am wondering if it is hard to meet people and make friends. This has been very difficult here in California. The people are very friendly and nice out here, but friendships are very superficial and it really gets to me. I also have two young boys, ages 3 and 21months, so I am sure I will meet people once they go to school. Any suggestions on how to meet people once we arrive would be great.

Hi, I'm actually originally from New Jersey (but lived in Boston for the past year) so not too far from where you lived originally, and moved to OKC about 6 mths ago (wow has it been that long?!) I was completely terrified, hearing things about it being the Bible belt, fear of people being racist (I'm not white), thinking everyone here would be backwards and redneck and just every other stereotype you could think of.

I never ever thought (especially as a die-hard, Bon Jovi loving Jersey girl :lol that I would ever ever say this -- but I love Oklahoma. I never want to leave. It's nothing like I thought it would be.

The thing that sealed the deal for me here are the people. I actually started attending religious services shortly after arriving here, and maybe cause we're a young couple, everyone invited us into their homes like family, we've been to so many family parties since we've been here, got to know (beyond superficial -- in fact one of the families I met here, I consider them like my adopted parents in OK now). So for me that was huge, since everyone in Boston was self-involved and superficially friendly. Also have gotten to know some of my husbands co-workers and they're also really chill people.

I like in OKC right now, but am planning to move into a house closer to the Edmond area, possibly in Edmond itself, if not definitely Northwest OKC to be close to where our friends all live.

So I guess for suggestions -- keep your heart open, this is a totally different place than the east or west coast. If you're religiously inclined, thats a great place to start, the second place would be work (yours or a spouses if u have one), and from there you tend to meet friends of friends at parties or whatever -- there's always plenty of holidays.

As far as OKC in general goes, well like I said I lived in Boston for a year and before that lived in NJ with easy access to the turnpike or NJ Transit so I was constantly in Philly or NYC, so thats one thing to adjust to, there is no reliable mass transit system, I mean they have buses but the whole time I've lived here I've seen like 3 city buses and I live at a complex serviced by the bus. :lol: So we definitely bought a second car out here. The malls are actually great, they have the typical NJ mall stores plus things I wasn't expecting like Coach.. and Dallas isn't too far if u miss the city feel. OKC does not have a city feel. Not even downtown. It's very suburban. But I actually don't mind that, I was completely burnt out from Boston, getting my car stolen, having horrible neighbours, all that junk.

Hennyways hope that answers ur question...

[shadow42]

Goddessna, thank you so much for your post. I have been reading so much about the friendly people in Ok and I am ready to go (never thought I would say that). Just need to get my hubby on board. It is nice to see such a positive post about OKC. There are lots of negatives written, so it always gives me cold feet when I read them. Thanks again. I am glad you are happy with your move.

[jessikeown]

So, my friend and I are bored, we're underage, and we are looking for something to do.
Any suggestions?

So..yeah...
OKC...
-nod-
thanks

[Emery'sMommy]

Originally Posted by bobcat07

I will be relocating to obtain a teaching job next summer and I am interested in the Oklahoma City area. What are the schools like? How is the real estate market? And lastly what are some fun activities to do in Oklahoma City? Any responses or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Oklahoma in general is really needing teachers but the pay is one of the lowest in the nation. Fortunately, Okc is fairly inexpensive to live in.
Okc school district is definitely underfunded, I'd stick to Putnam City, Edmond, Moore (specifically Westmoore), or Mustang. There are quite a few nice private schools here as well.
The real estate market is definitely a buyer's market- houses will sit for sale for MONTHS here but usually the good ones at good prices go quicker. Depending on where you live in the city, decent starter homes range from $70k to $120k. There are several community with brand new homes starting at $110k in the Yukon area (although in Mustang school district).
Although if you're relying on a teacher's salary alone, you may want to start out with an apt and save $ for a home.
As far as fun activities go, I love visiting Lake Hefner as well as the zoo, downtown has a decent art museum, beautiful botanical gardens, and Bricktown if you're looking for good restuarants and clubs.
And Okc in very central within a few hours of many outdoor activities, Tulsa, and just 4 hours to Dallas.

As far as meeting people goes, I've most most of my friends at church. I'm sure being a teacher you will meet a lot of people that way as well....don't be afraid to chat with strangers here, almost everyone is extremely friendly.

[_redbird_]

CON: Our friend took a teaching position in OKC. It is inner city and she absolutely hated it. The kids were very disrespectful. So word of caution, pick your teaching job with care.

I worked in OKC for about 2 years. Made a 60 miles/one way commute four days a week! An awful lot of people commute into OKC from all four directions. And the commute can be tiresome, but its worth it to me.

I used to hit I-40 and from Shawnee to OKC was always packed. I always felt sorry for the folks who lived south of OKC down I-35, as that is always congested.

PRO: The worst day of traffic in OKC is a cake walk compared to L.A. or Denver, etc. OKC is really growing, so be prepared to find a changing city.

[happytown]

Pro-
Okc maps projects have had a lot of success. I think 3 different forms have been passed. This has increased the standard of living a lot.
One that I feel is really important to me is the major improvements to OKC school district. It has already destroyed 5 terrible schools and has built new ones for these. I think 1 billion has been generated for this effort.okc maps for kids.
Has become a model city for other major cities for overall improvement.
The ability to pass tax projects and master plans-expensive major designs to improve over all life.
Entertainment is robust all around the city including bricktown.
Diversity of its people from many different nations adds to the culture.
Has huge old beautiful mansions and homes in well known neighborhoods that are abundant within the area. All have inner city parks with lots of trees and natural creeks.
Change of image within 5 years
Was once third tier and has changed to 2nd tier now because of all the rapid changes.

People are humble and nice. Not snobby and over- rated.

Okc attracts more large companies that invest and major retail than anywhere in the state of oklahoma.
Called- "Crossroads of america"- has more interstates than most cities in the region- for growth.
Amtrack,new bus terminal, trolleys and eminent light rail soon.
Has 670 plus sq. miles to work with- means big expansion that is typical of large major cities. Example- Tulsa has 170.
Has local business leaders that can buy NBA teams- sonics. And has proven to be in the major leagues with the hornets.
Massive private investment- renovated highrises that were empty are now condos. Expect dual city skylines when the master plan is completed that will push I-40 south to create large blvd. and huge green way and parks for development around parks. Designs for city skyscrapers are in place for business because the current highrises are condos now.
Easy to navigate- grid design.
Capital of Oklahoma.
Biggest research university in OK, that is down the road with law and MD schools- the only in oklahoma.
Heartland of america.
Best charter schools and private in oklahoma.
Great food in all cuisines. Large asian, hispanic, black, communities in oklahoma.
Economic powerhouse of the state.
Has fantastic small and large towns within the metro.
Great hores racing and one of the top zoos in the country.
Dramatic population increase.
One of the largest underground conncourses in the world.
Has the largest sculpture/monument in the world which is the land run.
Great air polution control standards for a city its size.
Largest market in state and gets all the attration first for development.
Has actual concrete sidewalks.


Con-
Needs better roads, but this is all of oklahoma.
School system still needs improvement.
Needs ten years to catch up with major cities.