What will Oklahoma become? (Kansas, May: transplants, employment, houses)

[Nameless]

I've been saying many threads on here lately of people considering moving to our state. It's been growing steadily for many years, although mostly just in the metro areas. Are people finally realizing what a good life we have down here or is the fact we're on the edge of the Sun Belt that has people coming here?

I ask this because growing up here you're told by the rest of the country that you're pointless and worthless and that there's nothing but dust and tumbleweed out here. You'll hear stuff said like, "Kansas and Oklahoma, what's the difference?" But lately it seems like everyone wants to leave those "glamorous" places for "unglamorous" Oklahoma.

I'm 17, so believe me I'm all pro-growth and such, but there's something about the generally simplicity of Oklahoma that I love and would want my kids to experience as well. The fact that you can build a brand new 2,000 sq ft house on an acre of land, 10 minutes from the city for under $250k.

So is Oklahoma just going to turn into a Texas while truck loads of transplants? Will it continue growing? Will it stay the same? What do you think?

[Synopsis]

I understand your concern. I think a lot of the growth is coming from the outrageous land and home prices in other states. Also, I think a lot of people are frankly tired of the rude, rat race mentality that has come into being in their home states and they are looking to simplify things somewhat. I certainly hope that all of the people coming to Oklahoma don't change it from what it is, but I suppose in time it will happen; we can only hope that it's way, way, way down the road.

[jessaka]

I like new people coming in to experience Oklahoma as I have, but at the same time I don't like the large houses being built. They are doing the same in Calfornia and have been for years. And I hate to see farm land turning into tract homes.

I think the economy here is bad enough to prevent too many people from coming. I think most people that come here are retirees, but I could be wrong. I read that 4,000 people a week are moving to the coastal lareas, and I can't imagine that many people moving here in a year, but what do I know?

I think our bad reputation of being "Okies" in a negative sense keep many from moving here. I know when I grew up and lived in CA being from Oklahoma or Arkansas was negative, as if you were not smart and were dirt poor. I can hear my mom saying when I was young, "You look like a dumb Okie." And yet, some in her family were from here. I wonder what she would say if she were alive today, knowing that I live in Oklahoma? When I told people where we were moving, they gasped. This is a good thing. It may slow down growth.

[Synopsis]

That's why we want to use the Goodpasture method of presenting this great state. Maybe from now on all I will say is bad things about Oklahoma and post that way on other forums. No, that probably wouldn't work as I'd be lying, but hey it's worth a thought!

[jessaka]

I think we just need to screen people to see if they are worthy of coming here, and if not, then we direct them to my Bugs and other Scary Things thread. I know my own brother would never move here because of the bugs, but he is a good person.

[Choctaw2]

That's why we want to use the Goodpasture method of presenting this great state. Maybe from now on all I will say is bad things about Oklahoma and post that way on other forums. That's why we want to use the Goodpasture method of presenting this great state. Maybe from now on all I will say is bad things about Oklahoma and post that way on other forums. No, that probably wouldn't work as I'd be lying, but hey it's worth a thought! but hey it's worth a thought!

You're right, it wouldn't work for anyone who has ever lived there or done their homework and looked at the wonderful pictures here on this forum. I would take drastic measures to make me turn away from my life long dream.

I know my own brother would never move here because of the bugs, but he is a good person.

I'm confident I would pass your test and bugs can be taken care of by the Orkin man.

Besides, I have never met a person from OK who was selfish or unfriendly.
I've been called an Okie all my life and it has never bothered me. No one ever called me that in a mean way and I am very proud people think of me as an Okie.

[peggydavis]

I think a lot of people move here to retire, but a lot are moving here because they have new employment here. I doubt whether our population will break 4 million in the next 20 years, though.

If people believe all the negative stereotypes about Oklahoma, they should not move here anyway. So we should all keep up the negative stereotypes, and then we can keep the narrow minded people out.

[Choctaw2]

So we should all keep up the negative stereotypes, and then we can keep the narrow minded people out.

That is a good idea. People, Like myself, who truly love Oklahoma will still follow their dream. You have no idea how hard I tried to convince DH to move to OK instead on NM. At least he didn't insist on going back to his home state of PA. I was there one time and though it is a beautiful state it just did not grab my heart.

[TheComputerGuy]

Originally Posted by Nameless

I've been saying many threads on here lately of people considering moving to our state. It's been growing steadily for many years, although mostly just in the metro areas. Are people finally realizing what a good life we have down here or is the fact we're on the edge of the Sun Belt that has people coming here?

I ask this because growing up here you're told by the rest of the country that you're pointless and worthless and that there's nothing but dust and tumbleweed out here. You'll hear stuff said like, "Kansas and Oklahoma, what's the difference?" But lately it seems like everyone wants to leave those "glamorous" places for "unglamorous" Oklahoma.

I'm 17, so believe me I'm all pro-growth and such, but there's something about the generally simplicity of Oklahoma that I love and would want my kids to experience as well. The fact that you can build a brand new 2,000 sq ft house on an acre of land, 10 minutes from the city for under $250k.

So is Oklahoma just going to turn into a Texas while truck loads of transplants? Will it continue growing? Will it stay the same? What do you think?

We had that actual event happen in rural NH over the last few years...
That's why we're looking at OK.

If you look at my thread (Is OK okay for us?)... You'll see that I asked all you Okies to make OK sound perfectly awful to outsiders...
I don't want it to get spoiled anymore than you locals... Otherwise, I'd stay in NH.

BTW... That's a VERY mature outlook for a 17 year old... I commend both you and your parents....

I promise NOT to try to change anything when I get there.
(Otherwise I'd just stay in NH.)

M.

[TheComputerGuy]

Originally Posted by jessaka

I think we just need to screen people to see if they are worthy of coming here, and if not, then we direct them to my Bugs and other Scary Things thread.

Yes, I agree with you all on this...

Sure hope I end up passing the screening process....
(BTW... I read that thread, and I'm still looking towards OK.)

M.