Relocating from West Virginia (Tulsa, Stillwater: insurance, wages, jobs)

[igloo]

Need help from any Oklahoma residents who know anything about the following areas. Looking at buying small ranch property in small community of Terlton, OK (population 86 per city.data). Also, considering Tryon, Cushing, or Kellyville. Trying to stay within 35-40 miles of Stillwater so my son can attend Architecture classes at OSU. I have 1 adopted Eskimo/white son (age 10) and 1 adopted mixed race (black/white with great tan skin) age 4. Don't know much about attitudes towards mixed race kids in Oklahoma areas, especially the smaller rural areas I mentioned above. Any help would be appreciated from you folks as to attitudes. I know it's hot in OK, not like the climate in the mountains of southern West Virginia, but we want to give OK a try.

[Sooner-On-The-Move]

I don't believe that the racist attitude is a serious problem here. As long as the child purports himself as an intelligent person, he will be respected for who he is, not his heritage.

I know that I, personally, do not see people as having colors to their skin or strange cultures. When I speak to someone, I think, "Is this someone I want to spend time with, or is he acting like a jerk?" As long as he's reasonable and doesn't DEMAND that I recognize that he is different than me, I don't generally think about it. And I believe that most of Oklahoma is leaning that way, as well.

You'll find it particularly easy to raise children in the Stillwater area, I think. The attitude there is more liberal while family-oriented, by which I mean that families of any type, so long as there is love prevalent, are accepted. Kudos to you, by the way, for giving to those who need it and taking into your home those who would otherwise not know the love you can give.

The only thing that I can tell you (and this is sad) is that you might encounter difficulties in certain church communities. If you subscribe to a particular religion, you might try for acceptance there. But a "mixed" family is better accepted at one of the many non-denominational churches that abound here. I know that's terrible to say, but I believe that the primary place where your children might encounter racism would be in a Southern Baptist church. This, I know from experience. Imagine walking into church with your husband, stepson, and his mother, all as a "family" who stays near each other for the sake of the child. The wrong assumptions are generally made in the churches, but nowhere else in the community.

[igloo]

Thanks for the info. My 2 sons are very intelligent and do present themselves well and are also well mannered. We normally attend a non-denominational church and find, as you state, that our kids are readily accepted. I hope we can find some rural property as close to Stillwater as possible, but will settle for anything within 30-40 miles. Thanks again for your help.

[Sooner-On-The-Move]

Buddy, ain't nothin BUT rural property in this area! Look to the North of Stillwater on I-77, towards Ponca City. You might be pleasantly surprised.

[Griffis]

Yeah, there is a lot of land around those parts. And if anyone ever gives your family any trouble, just gimme a call. I'm a B I G ol' boy, seriously.

People in OK are generally a little more open minded and friendly than you'll find in the deeper South, but sadly there is some racism and some redneckism.

Overall, I think it would be more of a novelty to people in most small towns than a problem, but there are some towns that...let's just say they like the fact there isn't a lot of diversity in their community and aim to keep it that way. Unfortunately I can't comment on any of the towns you mentioned specifically, but I've spent a lot of time in Stillwater. I wouldn't live there personally, but the area it's in isn't too bad, scenically speaking, as far as OK goes.

I will say that the scenery gets prettier and more hilly the further NE you go in OK.

If you don't mind me asking, what prompts you to leave West (ByGod) Virginia? That was a state my family and I were thinking of moving to, but we don't know which of the larger towns to look at or avoid and the more rural areas seem ike they'd be hard to find a job in.

[igloo]

Griffis: Thanks for the info. We used to live in Mtn. Home, Arkansas and visited the Tulsa area several times. It's nice there, but OSU has the Architectural Engineering program that will be the eventual program my family wants to pursue. Since we are somewhat familiar with OK, then the Stillwater area, or one of the towns I mentioned would be feasible for us.

As far as West Virginia, it's OK, but home, health and car insurance are more expensive than in Virginia (a mile from my house). Charleston is the capital as you know, but I wouldn't want to live there. However, it's the best place for jobs. As you mentioned, the rural areas are hard pressed for jobs, and believe me unless you are an Engineer or some other high demand occupation, the wages are not great. We live in Bluefield, WV where you can buy some pretty nice homes for a good price if you don't mind the wages and higher insurance costs compared to Virginia (which is what I compare it to) since we live right next door to VA. Climate is good without real hot summers. We don't have air conditioning and use fans on any hotter days which are normally in the mid to upper 80's. Humidity is good which helps. Good luck on relocating if you finally do it.

[Sooner-On-The-Move]

My uncle lives in Mtn Home, AR! That's one heck of a beautiful place.

[LBurry]

Originally Posted by tigerfan

Need help from any Oklahoma residents who know anything about the following areas. Looking at buying small ranch property in small community of Terlton, OK (population 86 per city.data). Also, considering Tryon, Cushing, or Kellyville. Trying to stay within 35-40 miles of Stillwater so my son can attend Architecture classes at OSU. I have 1 adopted Eskimo/white son (age 10) and 1 adopted mixed race (black/white with great tan skin) age 4. Don't know much about attitudes towards mixed race kids in Oklahoma areas, especially the smaller rural areas I mentioned above. Any help would be appreciated from you folks as to attitudes. I know it's hot in OK, not like the climate in the mountains of southern West Virginia, but we want to give OK a try.

While bigotry does exists among some groups (as it does everwhere), most Okies do not display an open attitude towards others. Most people here will judge you based on your integrity and honesty. Hate crimes are almost unheard of even in the big cities. You shouldn't have any trouble with your family.

Oklahoma is known for ranches and oil. Many of the ranches here are large corporations that raise and manage tens of thousands of head. And there are many small ranchers who do well for their family as well. You shouldn't have any problem making a start whether you buy your own place or hire out to a large ranch company. There are many realtors who specialize in ranch and rural properties. Look in Stillwater for one and it may be a good start. Best of luck with your move.

[igloo]

Originally Posted by LBurry

While bigotry does exists among some groups (as it does everwhere), most Okies do not display an open attitude towards others. Most people here will judge you based on your integrity and honesty. Hate crimes are almost unheard of even in the big cities. You shouldn't have any trouble with your family.

Oklahoma is known for ranches and oil. Many of the ranches here are large corporations that raise and manage tens of thousands of head. And there are many small ranchers who do well for their family as well. You shouldn't have any problem making a start whether you buy your own place or hire out to a large ranch company. There are many realtors who specialize in ranch and rural properties. Look in Stillwater for one and it may be a good start. Best of luck with your move.

LBurry: Thanks for the information. I figured as much about the Okies since I heard some nice things about them.