Seriously thinking of moving to Oklahoma...advice needed. (Edmond, Stillwater: tornado, for sale)

[shadow42]

I, too, am currently living in southern CA (originally from Long Island) and my family (myself, DH and two young boys) will be moving to Edmond early June. I am also sick of the high cost for everything here. But, mostly, I want to live in a place where people are warm and friendly. I have lived here 10.5 years now and have wanted to leave for the past 3-4yrs. Finally, I have convinced my husband and we will be out of here this summer. : )
I am nervous and excited at the same time and hope to meet lots of wonderful folks out there in OK!! Hoping to go out there soon to look around at homes/neighborhoods. Can't wait. Good luck to all of you newbies out there. I will be joining you all shortly.

[colleeng47]

Originally Posted by Blue Skies

I may be doing the dumbest thing in my life....or the happiest. I am hoping for the latter.

I am so done with high taxes, traffic, gangs, crime, grafitti, illegal immigration, $3.68 a gallon gas, $4.05 a gallon milk, insane frivilous lawsuits, celebutantes, etc.

Good for you Blue Skies. I am very excited for you. This is a wonderful adventure that I'm sure you'll be very happy about.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by shadow42

I, too, am currently living in southern CA (originally from Long Island) and my family (myself, DH and two young boys) will be moving to Edmond early June. I am also sick of the high cost for everything here. But, mostly, I want to live in a place where people are warm and friendly. I have lived here 10.5 years now and have wanted to leave for the past 3-4yrs. Finally, I have convinced my husband and we will be out of here this summer. : )
I am nervous and excited at the same time and hope to meet lots of wonderful folks out there in OK!! Hoping to go out there soon to look around at homes/neighborhoods. Can't wait. Good luck to all of you newbies out there. I will be joining you all shortly.

Shadow 42,
So you and your family are also part of the "Cal Clan" inflight to join the "Okie Clan". just like myself, LadyRobyn, Cali_Okie_Girl and many many others on(and off) this forum
Congadulations, you've made the right dicision and you won't regret it. You may miss the mountain alittle like I did, but I got over it fast.
One difference you will notice is Oklahoma is a very clean state compared to CA. No furniture along the roads, no trashy streets,roads, highways or properties. Illegal Immigrants are little to none and counting down.
The people here are very nice and always willing to help.
Beware........every store you enter,, you will be greeted, so be prepared.
I just can't say enough for Ok. and the people.

Just thought I'd warn you

[gdblauvelt]

I find it really interesting that as a lot of families moved to California, during the dustbowl, now lots seem to be moving back. I just think it is really ironic! Hope everyones return "HOME" is great.

[shadow42]

Those tornadoes, though.....boy do they freak me out!!!!!! I think I will be a nervous wreck when I hear my first tornado warning.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by shadow42

Those tornadoes, though.....boy do they freak me out!!!!!! I think I will be a nervous wreck when I hear my first tornado warning.

Yep, there are usually up to 5 tornadoes a day per square mile in Oklahoma - totaling in the millions per day, especially throughout the Spring.

Chances of surviving are nil, that's why Oklahoma's population is so low. The tornadoes act as a Darwinian force to weed out those stupid enough to not live underground..

j/k.. Your chances of being killed in a tornado are far less than being in a plan crash. The ultimate irony is if you were in a plane that was struck by lightning, veered into a tornado, and then crashed. THAT would be bad luck.

[verynicebecky]

Actually it is pretty exciting when the siren goes off...your adrenalin starts pumping.
I moved from Las Vegas, Nevada to Laverne, Oklahoma back in 1987. I flew in and my husband (who is from Pawhuska) drove us home (to Laverne, on the other side of the state from Pawhuska). It was about a three hour drive and I swore that he was driving us back to Vegas. Life in rural Oklahoma was very hard for me. I had to drive to OKC to the VA hospital to doctor. It took me about 8-9 yrs to get used to driving long distances to get anywhere. I lived in OK for 11 yrs and did another 4 just across the state line into Kansas. I am appreciatve for the things that I learned during that time and there are things that I do miss but all in all, knowing what I know now, I wouldnt do it again.

[mkfarnam]

What`s the difference?
Your in "Earth Quake Valley" This is "Tornado Alley",...... +"The Bible Belt" and "The Great Plains" all in one.
The odds really aren't that much different exept that tornados are more seasonal, eathquakes strike year round. Even small tremors out there aren't felt that frequent.
I lived on top of the "San Andreas" fault for 26 years in San Bernardino County. Oklahoma has more + differences compared to California that, no matter what mood swing mother natures in, you'll be happy that you moved to OK.

[redbird4848]

Driving long distances is the norm for us rural folks. I have 215,000 miles on my '03 Honda Accord. You better get used to driving 60 miles to see a movie or 40 miles to shop.

The grocery store in Hooterville is pretty high. So we go there when we just need a couple of things. But to really stock up we have no problem going to OKC which is closer to 90 miles one way.

[arkcitynative]

Hi Blue Skies-

Congratulations! Currently, I live in New York City but I lived in the area that you are mentioning. I was born in Ponca City, grew up in Arkansas City and went to school in Stillwater, OK.

My husband and I are planning a move back to AC for basically the same reasons that you listed. My mother owns a building in downtown Ark City and we are planning on renovating and living there.

You might consider an arrangement like that if you are on a somewhat fixed income. I know of at least one building in downtown ark city that has a loft space with retail that you could rent out. It was at one point for sale but I am not sure if it still is. I also saw a couple of 2 unit apartment buildings for sale that might be perfect you.

They are planning to put in a hike and bike trail along the river and have recently done a several million dollar downtown renovation. It is really nice and only about a 5 minute drive from the Casino. I just read today that they will be hiring between 400 and 500 people for the new Casino they are building. My husband is going to apply there but that is down on his list of places to work.

Anyway, we are moving in September, too. If you need any advice I would be happy to help you out.