Lawton or Grove? Which is better? (Bell: travel, jobs, hospital)

[designer]

I have been considering a move to Oklahoma but I live in the west
and I like the mountains. I can't seem to find out much about the
city of Lawton and the wichita mtns. but it sounds like Grove has a lot
going for it. I guess Grove is a small town where Lawton is about
80,000 population.

Thanks

[Jammie]

YES~my fave town in OK is Grove. It is a small town. I believe the population is about 7,000 or so. It's just so cute and it's built around Grand Lake. It doesn't seem to have a lot of employment opportunities right now, but that will probably change once they get the hospital built and once the new resort is up and running.

I've never been to Lawton so I guess I can't compare the two, but I'll bet some of the Okies can.

[flintysooner]

Whether one is better than the other seems to me to be subjective to your desires. They are certainly different in every conceivable way. I lived at Fort Sill in Lawton during my AIT many years ago. I personally appreciate that area of Oklahoma. I've enjoyed visiting Grove but I'm not so much a lake and tree person so I probably wouldn't live there.

It might help if you outlined what you are hoping to find. But best luck regardless.

[nmnita]

Of course both areas do have pros and cons. We recently spent time in Ok looking for a re-location area and I feel in love with Grove. Hubby liked it, but not as much as I did. the people are friendly, the area is beautiful and you can be near a lake or away, depending on what you like, you can have a sloped lot or choose to go with a flatter piece of property. Even only there are only about 7000 people they have all kinds of organizations for one to become active in, they have lots of churches if this is your thing, are building a new hospital and property can be purchased in almost every price range.

All that being said, we have decided to re-locate to Bella Vista AR. The reason, long story but our two daughters offered us a deal we could not refuse.

Nita

[Kurt]

I think I have this right, but there is a lake out there that is really beautiful and you can build on it. I considered it but I like more trees. There is definitely some topography out there that you do not have in Grove. If you like the West I think Lawton is a better choice as it is drier with more open spaces and some interesting canyons and rock formations. I have never been but have seen pics. I have a friend who has been and he loved it. Check out that lake. It looks really beautiful. I just checked and it is Quartz Mountain Lake. Looks cool!

[jsherman9901]

Originally Posted by Kurt

I think I have this right, but there is a lake out there that is really beautiful and you can build on it....... If you like the West I think Lawton is a better choice as it is drier with more open spaces and some interesting canyons and rock formations....... Check out that lake. It looks really beautiful. I just checked and it is Quartz Mountain Lake. Looks cool!

Ummmm... Quartz Mountain State Park is 75 miles from Lawton and as far as I know, there are no houses built on the lake. It is used for irrigation, so the level fluctuates greatly.

The best thing that Lawton has going for it is the Wichita Mountains, just a few miles north and west of town. The wildlife refuge is spectacular. Other than that, Lawton is a seedy, dirty Army town with crime higher than the national average. I would not live there.

[Manhattan-ite]

How "cute" Grove is certainly dependes on your definition of "cuteness". My brother-in-law lives there and when I visit, I can't help but think that Grove is this run-down place with empty storefronts, lots of trailer homes and friendly rednecks.

The people are nice and the lake is nice if you like fishin' and sailin', but "cute", well, I don't think so...

No jobs to speak of in Grove (mostly retired folks and rich guys having a house in Patricia Island they rarely visit) and not much to do other than the lake thing. Restaurants are few and far in between. There used to be a number of antique stores, but most have closed.

The hospital is already built and working, and "the new resort" Jammie mentions, I don't know what that is. But Grove could certainly use something new, shiny and sleek-looking!

I think.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Manhattan-ite

How "cute" Grove is certainly dependes on your definition of "cuteness". My brother-in-law lives there and when I visit, I can't help but think that Grove is this run-down place with empty storefronts, lots of trailer homes and friendly rednecks.

The people are nice and the lake is nice if you like fishin' and sailin', but "cute", well, I don't think so...

No jobs to speak of in Grove (mostly retired folks and rich guys having a house in Patricia Island they rarely visit) and not much to do other than the lake thing. Restaurants are few and far in between. There used to be a number of antique stores, but most have closed.

The hospital is already built and working, and "the new resort" Jammie mentions, I don't know what that is. But Grove could certainly use something new, shiny and sleek-looking!

I think.

totally wrong hospital; yes, they have one now, a very small one. Ground is being broken if it hasn't been in the past few weeks for a much larger, new facility. I beleive it is due to open around Dec of 2008. As for the resort, they need to have deposits from just a handful more to finalize it as well. this was as of last month.

As for the downtown area, I think you have overstated the empty stores etc. Some are empty, there are not a whole lot of great restaurants, but what would you expect in a town of barely 7,000? I do have to admit my hubby didn't like the area as much as I did, that being said, and we all have our opinions, I think you have come down a little hard on the town.

Nita

[peggydavis]

Unfortunately, some people are on this forum just to trash Oklahoma at every opportunity. I don't know why, but some snobby people from certain areas get a kick out of picking on OK and other states in the south. I suppose it makes them feel superior or something.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by peggydavis

Unfortunately, some people are on this forum just to trash Oklahoma at every opportunity. I don't know why, but some snobby people from certain areas get a kick out of picking on OK and other states in the south. I suppose it makes them feel superior or something.

The same with the Arkansas forum. It is a feeling of superiority they think makes them seem more important. It blows my mind. As a travel agent I get the same about certain cruise lines. Some people just don't understand why anyone other than the lowes creatures could stoop to cruise on certain lines. I have always said, class snobbery has to be worst kind of snoobery there is. NIta