[Rubi3]

Originally Posted by lfgirl85

I didn't think to mention it in my first post but, no, I'm not a fan of country music.
After reading the replies here and reading stories in the online newspapers about topics such as the damage that Roe vs Wade has caused, the drugs, the bill to allow store owners to refuse service to gay people, teenagers throwing dogs off of bridges, a police officer shooting a docile dog and then saying how it was "awesome", etc., I'm thinking that I would most likely be unable to adapt to such a "culture".

Nevermind. I've erased my original post. Not worth it.

[601halfdozen0theother]

What are we going to do about SE OK? It's so very beautiful that it should be a joy to live there. I think that it really is one of the most beautiful places in America. But some of the people who live there are just so astoundingly creepy!

I keep imagining this giant flea comb which would come down from above and comb the fleas all out.

But really - what can be done about SE OK? Maybe a huge influx of immigrants from Asia or Africa settling in the area would help.

[Rubi3]

For those who are constant complainers regarding their lot in life: send them to Southeast Oklahoma for rehabilitation.

[StillwaterTownie]

Originally Posted by 601halfdozen0theother

What are we going to do about SE OK? It's so very beautiful that it should be a joy to live there. I think that it really is one of the most beautiful places in America. But some of the people who live there are just so astoundingly creepy!

I keep imagining this giant flea comb which would come down from above and comb the fleas all out.

But really - what can be done about SE OK? Maybe a huge influx of immigrants from Asia or Africa settling in the area would help.

There's nothing that can be done. Not many people like to locate in small towns that are a long drive to a major metro area, especially if there are no decent paying jobs to be found. But surely the bigger towns like Ada, Durant and McAlester aren't all that bad. At least they are not going downhill in population.

[601halfdozen0theother]

Well you know that it isn't the "small town" nature of the place that drove the OP away from wanting to settle there. Lots of people want to live rurally - just spend some time on the "rural and small town" forum on CD and you'll find many who long for that life. I myself would never live anywhere but a rural area.

It is the preponderance of extreme fundamentalist very poorly educated Christians combined with a high amount of drug abuse (interesting correlation, huh!) and a long history of social isolation (that's an important point) that makes SE OK a poor choice for most outsiders. As I said in a previous post, it's the sociocultural conditions there that are bad.

Rubi - I'm not a complainer, my life is pretty wonderful! I sincerely do pity the people who seem stuck in a certain kind of life in SE OK. Bless Their Hearts! At least they do live in a very beautiful place.

I really do think that bringing in a large number of people with different ethnic and religious backgrounds might be a good step towards improving life in SE OK.

[Goodpasture]

Originally Posted by 601halfdozen0theother

I really do think that bringing in a large number of people with different ethnic and religious backgrounds might be a good step towards improving life in SE OK.

I think painting all the buildings lavender and orange would work as well.....

I like that part of the country and would be willing to move there in a heartbeat. I don't care much for people......the more people I meet the more I like dogs. I like country music, but I don't go out to hear it. I like beer, but not in taverns or bars. I like scotch but at $30 a bottle at home, not $7 for a single in a bar with loud music and obnoxious drunks. When people find themselves in church I can be found under a tree or in a meadow. I love to read but have Kindle on my computer and tablet. I like sitting on my front porch with a rifle.......amazing how many squirrels have sacrificed themselves for my dinner. I don't mind driving to get to a supermarket.......I only go every couple of weeks. Haven't seen the inside of a movie theater this century.

Tell me again why someone would not like SE Ok?

[Rubi3]

Originally Posted by 601halfdozen0theother

Well you know that it isn't the "small town" nature of the place that drove the OP away from wanting to settle there. Lots of people want to live rurally - just spend some time on the "rural and small town" forum on CD and you'll find many who long for that life. I myself would never live anywhere but a rural area.

It is the preponderance of extreme fundamentalist very poorly educated Christians combined with a high amount of drug abuse (interesting correlation, huh!) and a long history of social isolation (that's an important point) that makes SE OK a poor choice for most outsiders. As I said in a previous post, it's the sociocultural conditions there that are bad.

Rubi - I'm not a complainer, my life is pretty wonderful! I sincerely do pity the people who seem stuck in a certain kind of life in SE OK. Bless Their Hearts! At least they do live in a very beautiful place.

I really do think that bringing in a large number of people with different ethnic and religious backgrounds might be a good step towards improving life in SE OK.

601 (if I may call you that...),l at no time was my post directed to you. But. while I'm here, it always strikes me funny for people to refer to Southern Baptists as extreme fundamentalists. I yearned for my parents to be SB, instead of Assembly of God. SB services are so dignified and tame. Those churches where snakes are part of the schtick... that's what I consider extreme, well maybe a few others not as weird.

[nightbird47]

Originally Posted by Rubi3

I could probably live in Tishomingo and feel at home, but I don't go to church. I'm sure I would be invited to various denominations, but I wouldn't go. Over the years people ask where I go to church, but they don't pursue if my response is that I don't. It would be better not to get into such a discussion since politics, sex and religion are better to as topics, in my opinion. I don't know if they have a library, but many small Oklahoma towns do.

If you are a fan of country music, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert have a ranch near Tishomingo. I think she has a store in town, "The Pink Pistol."

Yes, that's the best response. I'm wiccan, and don't hide my necklace. Nobody has had a problem. I'm not pushing my views on anyone else and I do respect that we are free to disagree. And I generally keep out of politics, except maybe the cities latest way to raise revenue.

Ironically where I used to live in socal, the evangelicals are very agressive and I did get cornered once in a while with some stranger telling me I had to be saved. I'd ignore them if they didn't push it or tell them to get lost and leave if they didn't. It isn't what most expect from socal but you can't blanket describe anywhere. It was very hard to find like minded groups there since they would come and do their thing so you had to know someone to be trusted an invitation.

What matters more is being willing to accept that people can have their own view and I've found if you do that they don't make it an issue. And to me the biggest adeptation for the OP will be the pace of things. There is no 'quickly' here. And after a while if it works out (did for me) you get to appreciate that.

As for lifestyle, it all depends what your looking for. If you are relocating to a different kind of place you have to know it will be, and the things you like may not be there, but you should give it a chance and see if you appreciate what is more.

As for meth, I came from a city where the users wander the streets at night, and camp out in vacent lots. Nobody even notices them. The apartment I lived in raised the rent to high and half the people moved, but the methheads snuck in to stay the night. I know it is a problem here too, but I don't see any of that. If someone comes from a city, they are probably used to the visible part already. I feel a lot safer here than I ever did in socal.

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by Rubi3

601 (if I may call you that...),l at no time was my post directed to you. But. while I'm here, it always strikes me funny for people to refer to Southern Baptists as extreme fundamentalists. I yearned for my parents to be SB, instead of Assembly of God. SB services are so dignified and tame. Those churches where snakes are part of the schtick... that's what I consider extreme, well maybe a few others not as weird.

Truth a 100x over.

Anyone who's ever had the "experience" of going to a charismatic service (there are many, especially in rural Oklahoma).....well, you know that Big Ol' Bully Southern Baptist ain't all that weird compared to that Pentecostal/Charismatic crud.

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by Goodpasture

I think painting all the buildings lavender and orange would work as well.....

I like that part of the country and would be willing to move there in a heartbeat. I don't care much for people......the more people I meet the more I like dogs. I like country music, but I don't go out to hear it. I like beer, but not in taverns or bars. I like scotch but at $30 a bottle at home, not $7 for a single in a bar with loud music and obnoxious drunks. When people find themselves in church I can be found under a tree or in a meadow. I love to read but have Kindle on my computer and tablet. I like sitting on my front porch with a rifle.......amazing how many squirrels have sacrificed themselves for my dinner. I don't mind driving to get to a supermarket.......I only go every couple of weeks. Haven't seen the inside of a movie theater this century.

Tell me again why someone would not like SE Ok?

I've got a house in Le Flore county and I love it out there. The front porch of that place is about my favorite spot in all of God's Green Earth. It's a great escape from the city-life.

I don't think our friend from Philly would make it out there though.