[Rubi3]

Originally Posted by StillwaterTownie

Technically or not, I think there's a huge amount of difference between town and country, or rural.

Not sure how you mean that... Do you mean difference between, say, Ardmore and the country areas which would be rural? Because that's what I think.

By the way, to the lady in Michigan, yesterday a woman told me her daughter and husband live in Ardmore and really like it.

[Johnhw2]

I wonder how this one turned out....did she got or did she stay? If living in Ardmore give us some feedback on how its going.

[okcelijahsmom]

I was curious to see what she chose as well! I grew up in Ardmore and can give som advice, but think I am a little late to this post. Wonder if she took the plunge??

[RandySurles]

From the research I've done, Ardmore seems to be a decent choice for a guy like me: Age 63, living on a small SSDI income (Disability), willing and able to work about 20 to 25 hours a week.

Obviously, I'm in need of an inexpensive apartment and a low cost of living. I'm able to swim (Does the lake there offer clean water for swimming?) and like to see a movie or play some pool occasionally.

My wife and daughter are with me now in the Philippines, where they were born. I plan to send for them when the visa process is completed, but need to come back to the states first myself to re-establish residence and earn a little more money so I can qualify to sponsor them.

I was living in a big city before (Jacksonville, FL) and don't care for the hectic pace or crime such places offer. Would Ardmore be a good choice for me and (later) my family?

My wife is a 51 year old polio victim. She is ambulatory. She was a Receptionist with experience in Human Resources and later an Elementary School Teacher for 16 years before being promoted this year to Regional Supervisor. Our daughter is a 21 year old soon-to-be college graduate (Dean's List) with a Bachelor's Degree in Broadcast Journalism. Both are very flexible in choosing a career. Are there any decent full time positions for ladies such as them available in the Ardmore area?

We wish to live together for the foreseeable future, at least until our daughter gets antsy for a career in the "big city". My wife and I hope to make this move to a place we'd be comfortable with for many years, on into her retirement years.

We are very low-profile and a conservative Christian family. Do you all think Ardmore would be a good choice for them? Would they face racism, being from the Philippines? They are both fluent in English.

Thank you in advance for your kind and considered responses.

[Johnhw2]

Consider Durant as well. Durant is 55 miles east of Ardmore and has a great economy. Similar to Ardmore and with a casino and other manufacturing companies in town, the job situation is great. Its a nice place to live and low cost of living and open to many with the Choctaw Nation's HQ there as well as some great Asian food places. Both Durant and Ardmore are close to Dallas which benefits their economy but they are far enough away to be nice small towns in and of themselves. Durant as SE Okla. State University in town which adds some things to do and to the economy as well.

[RandySurles]

Thanks for the heads-up re: Durant. We'll check that out as well. Does SE Okla. State offer a football program? That could offer a nice diversion. I'm a bit confused (nothing new there; lol), but is there a casino in Ardmore or only in Durant? It seems a casino might offer some additional employment options, but what about crime? Thanks again; your input is really appreciated.

[Johnhw2]

Originally Posted by RandySurles

Thanks for the heads-up re: Durant. We'll check that out as well. Does SE Okla. State offer a football program? That could offer a nice diversion. I'm a bit confused (nothing new there; lol), but is there a casino in Ardmore or only in Durant? It seems a casino might offer some additional employment options, but what about crime? Thanks again; your input is really appreciated.

The Casino near Durant is about 3-5 miles south of town, its closer to Dallas and Tx that way. The crime level in Durant is not high, its a safe family friendly place to live. There is a casino well south of Ardmore near the Tx border in Thackerville, I believe it is more like 25-30 miles south of Ardmore. Both are considered good safe communities to live in. The Casino near Durant has been a very community friendly place and a good citizen. They use funds to provide quality services to the native American Community of Choctaw Nation located in Durant, which is the HQ for that organization. The tribe has also provided funds to build a community recreation facility for the entire community and made improvements to the foodball stadium at SE OSU. This stadium was and I believe is also used for high school games. The Durant High school is in a new facility opened this year, it was expanded to handle the growth Durant is seeing.

Cardinal Glass, which makes Glass for one of the high end window makers in the US has a relatively new 5 acre under room facility just west of Durant, this brought a number of higher paying jobs into the area. Cardinal chose Durant over North Tx locatinos like Sherman and Denison because of the well educated workforce available as a result of SE OSU and the good public schools which was key to relocating management to Durant from Illinois. Big Lots also has a large warehouse facility located in Durant.

SE OSU has football, basketball, baseball etc and also has a good fine arts program where concerts and plays and musicals are put on year around and very reasonably priced for local residents. Reba McIntire attend college here and sang in some of the plays when she was in school. Dennis Rodman played college basketball in Durant and a couple of professional baseball players have come out of the program there.

Durant is a nice sized town with a small town attitude but the job opportunities of a bigger city and the good restaurants due to the casinos that are numerous for a town its size. Its hilly around Durant and the Lake Texoma is 10-13 miles west of town which offers summer recreation.

Unemployment was very low last time I checked in Durant as the Casino added 600 jobs when they expanded a few years ago. The casino brings in big name stars as entertainment if that is your thing too.. Charlie Daniels Band is coming soon I noticed last night when driving up to see a high school basketball game from DFW.

Its a good place to consider given what I know of your needs.

[eddie gein]

johnhw2. Excellent synopsis on Durant. I think it is one of the nicer small towns in the state.

The only things that Ardmore has on Durant is easier access to OKC and a few more amenities due to size.

However Durant has access to Sherman Dennison which has more than Ardmore and is a straight shot into Dallas, so you really don't need OKC.

[Johnhw2]

Growing up in Durant, we went to Dallas 20 times for every time we went to OKC. OKC is about 3 hrs from Durant and Dallas is less than an hour and a half...... and Dallas is a much larger town so you are right, not a big need for the amenities of OKC. I admit I felt under privileged to grow up in Durant.. also said it was a good place to be from.. but over time it has gotten a lot better. Durant benefits from its proximity to Dallas but its low tax Ok location. Its a nice small town with nice people and a good economy for this global mess we find ourselves in.

Thanks for the comments.....and I encourage OP to consider Durant..as well as Ardmore

[RandySurles]

Thanks Johnhw2 and Eddie Gein! You've both provided lots of useful info, especially regarding Durant.

I feel compelled to tell you that one reason I was considering Ardmore over Durant is the businesses listed on the city-data site. It appears Ardmore might offer more businesses which might employ someone like myself on a part time basis. BTW - I won't rule out a full time opportunity if I can handle it physically (8 stents due to clogged arteries; related issues). I've improved, though, and feel confident in my ability to work. I'm good with people and enjoy helping others, even if that means working as a cashier or in retail sales. I'd be happy to give up my disability income from SSA if I find I can find full time work I can physically handle. I've never been the type to accept hand-outs or be on the government dole. I'd hate to be reliant on the government if there's some way I can support myself without that income from SSA!

One way or the other, it's imperative that I find two things quickly when I arrive at my destination. I must find work, either part or full time, within a couple of weeks (very small amount of money to start off with) and I'll need a small, inexpensive apartment (hotel room would do for awhile) when I arrive. I'm experienced in many fields of work. My background includes working as a driver/delivery man, sales, retail management, customer service and more - both outside and inside, in person or over the phone. I must admit I prefer outside work; I love to be outdoors. But at my age I know I can't be too choosy.

Football and the other sports at SE OSU sounds like a winner, as does the casino. I'm sure I'd also enjoy the plays, concerts, etc. Again, my priority is getting myself a place to live and a job. Forgive me for being repetitious, but I want to be sure to get my thoughts out there; I want to be clear: Extracurricular activities are secondary to work and a place to hang my hat at this point. I'm sure you understand.

Your experience with the area and your willingness to help are just what I need. If the folks around these towns are as nice and helpful as you guys, I think I'm gonna love Oklahoma! Again, your advice is well taken and greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.