[jmarcus3]

Seriously considering a move to Atoka, OK, where my childhood bff lives. Would like any input I can get. I'm pushing 60 still working full time (not by choice) as a unit secretary in the emergency room. Are there jobs in my field in Atoka or nearby? How much can I expect to make per hour? Apartments? Basically I need to know anything and everything there is to know about the area..........and should I even make the move?

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by jmarcus3

Seriously considering a move to Atoka, OK, where my childhood bff lives. Would like any input I can get. I'm pushing 60 still working full time (not by choice) as a unit secretary in the emergency room. Are there jobs in my field in Atoka or nearby? How much can I expect to make per hour? Apartments? Basically I need to know anything and everything there is to know about the area..........and should I even make the move?

Are you prepared for culture shock?

Otherwise I think you'll be fine. Welcome to Oklahoma.

[eddie gein]

Atoka is pretty small and pretty countrified. They do have a small hospital however you are more than likely to look at Durant (approx 30 miles) and Mcalester (45 miles) for employment.

The same road goes both places and is a good road (HWY 69). Both cities have mid sized hospitals that are excellent facilities and you would obviously be a good candidate for them considering your background.

Depending on where you live in Mesa and where you work in the Phoenix area (assuming that's where you are) your commute might actually be easier than what you have now.

I decided to live in a small town after being a suburbanite for many years and it is the best thing I ever did.

Atoka is close to some beautiful country and McAlester has some of the best itialian food in middle America. Durant has a beautiful little college in it and has been one of the more prosperous towns in Oklahoma for the last 15 or so years.

[debbie at bouontiful]

I live in the country outside of McAlester and it was and still is a culture shock for me. We were transferred here 14 years ago and I do love my ranch and it doesn't bother me to drive to McAlester, which is what you would have to do but McAlester hasn't much to offer anyone. Yes, they have a few Italian restaurants which I will be taking a vistor from England to on Friday but at 14.00 bucks a plate it should be good. Now if you drive south to Sherman, Tx which shouldn't be more than 1 hour and 1/3 you'll have lots of stuff to do and see and buy.

[nightbird47]

I moved here from socal, having lived in nothing but suburb all my life and love it. I'm finally, going on four years, getting to where I don't just stare at the open space in wonder, but I came wanting a slower pace, some distance from the crush, and a chance to breath air that wasn't brown. I'm even used to the Oklahoma sense of 'soon', and trying to educate my sil who moved here on it. Be warned, 'soon' can mean next week or a few or maybe more. "When we have time" can be anywhere from tomorrow to six months from now. Of course, aside from work on the house its really refreshing that people aren't in a blind rush to get there 24/7.

I can't advise you about work, but so long as you are ready for something slower and sparcer and don't mind not having every store, its a good place to be. I have had nothing but good relations with the locals either, even coming as one of the refugees from surbia.

[StillwaterTownie]

Originally Posted by debbie at bouontiful

I live in the country outside of McAlester and it was and still is a culture shock for me. We were transferred here 14 years ago and I do love my ranch and it doesn't bother me to drive to McAlester, which is what you would have to do but McAlester hasn't much to offer anyone. Yes, they have a few Italian restaurants which I will be taking a vistor from England to on Friday but at 14.00 bucks a plate it should be good. Now if you drive south to Sherman, Tx which shouldn't be more than 1 hour and 1/3 you'll have lots of stuff to do and see and buy.

Well, heck, in Stillwater at the Texas Roadhouse you can get a 6 oz sirloin steak dinner for a bit over $11 during bargain time with all the hot rolls and peanuts you can eat. After bargain time it's only a little over $13.

[Johnhw2]

Originally Posted by eddie gein

Atoka is pretty small and pretty countrified. They do have a small hospital however you are more than likely to look at Durant (approx 30 miles) and Mcalester (45 miles) for employment.

The same road goes both places and is a good road (HWY 69). Both cities have mid sized hospitals that are excellent facilities and you would obviously be a good candidate for them considering your background.

Depending on where you live in Mesa and where you work in the Phoenix area (assuming that's where you are) your commute might actually be easier than what you have now.

I decided to live in a small town after being a suburbanite for many years and it is the best thing I ever did.

Atoka is close to some beautiful country and McAlester has some of the best itialian food in middle America. Durant has a beautiful little college in it and has been one of the more prosperous towns in Oklahoma for the last 15 or so years.

I was born and raised in Durant and it definately has made progress since the 60's when I left. I moved to Plano Tx and can get up to see my mom and sister and her family in less than an hour and a half. Use to live in Houston but now can do day trips up to see the sisters girls play basketball or to surprise mom with a visit sunday after church. It has some good BBQ places and one good Italian in DT along with a nice steakplace downtown and near the casino. The casino has been more positive for the town than negative from what I can see. Its a nice little town not far from a big city and nice rolling hills

[debbie at bouontiful]

I prefer the Texas Roadhouse in Stillwater to Pete's Place. I thought there food was pretty good.