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I too think you'll like oklahoma. if your car broke down here, you'd have a half dozen people pull over and help you fix it.
most okies are kind, friendly, helpful and unpretentious and very down to earth.
now it is true if you're politically left leaning or not a protestant christian, you'll be in the minority and its best to avoid political and religious discussions, but that can be true anywhere with sensitive topics like that and not exclusive to oklahoma. say being a republican in Portland Oregon. LOL
Thank you for the nice comments and warm welcomes. I like y'all already!
Hopefully, my comments about Minnesota were not too scathing but I wrote these comments with thoughts fresh in my mind. Minnesota does have 10,000+ lakes, the largest mall in America and decent weather 3 months of the year so if you have the opportunity to come up, don't miss out on it. However, as an outsider, I would not want to live here.
Going back to my broken down SAAB on the highway, it really hurt that not a single person came to help (not even my coworkers who were less than 2 miles away) so I was stuck on the highway for 2 hours waiting for a tow truck, in blistering heat, in a tight suit waiting for help. What bothered me the most was that ppl honked, cheered and laughed like they were trying to hasten my mire. While there is a community here, there isn't a community to help. Recently, in the Star Tribune, a politician was beaten and robbed in a Starbucks Cafe. He pined that no one helped him as he was bloody and bruised. I understood what he felt.
Realistically, my other choices after graduating are:
1). Stay in Minnesota...absolute last resort.
2). Go home to Hong Kong...finding a job in my field would be difficult.
3). Move to Atlanta...working for the CDC but I do yearn a smaller town feel.
4). Move to OKC...after doing the research, I feel OKC is the place I want to be with a low cost of living (housing paid for), intriguing culture (never been to the South) and friendly people.
I will definitely make note of the cultural norms in OKC and do my best to fit in.
Minnesota nice, you don't mention a family, so I'm thinking you are single. I lived in Oklahoma City many years and never went to church there, so there are plenty of people who won't be thinking you should be going to church. Since I was also single during many of those years, I did sometimes attend meetings for singles which were sponsored by churches, but no pressure was ever put on me to also attend their church. In one group there were two fellows from Asia and they were very well liked. I think one was a physician or maybe in training.
I very much appreciate your information about your experiences in Minnesota. My visitors were especially critical of the topography of the small area they saw.
Thank you for the nice comments and warm welcomes. I like y'all already!
Hopefully, my comments about Minnesota were not too scathing but I wrote these comments with thoughts fresh in my mind. Minnesota does have 10,000+ lakes, the largest mall in America and decent weather 3 months of the year so if you have the opportunity to come up, don't miss out on it. However, as an outsider, I would not want to live here.
Going back to my broken down SAAB on the highway, it really hurt that not a single person came to help (not even my coworkers who were less than 2 miles away) so I was stuck on the highway for 2 hours waiting for a tow truck, in blistering heat, in a tight suit waiting for help. What bothered me the most was that ppl honked, cheered and laughed like they were trying to hasten my mire. While there is a community here, there isn't a community to help. Recently, in the Star Tribune, a politician was beaten and robbed in a Starbucks Cafe. He pined that no one helped him as he was bloody and bruised. I understood what he felt.
Realistically, my other choices after graduating are:
1). Stay in Minnesota...absolute last resort.
2). Go home to Hong Kong...finding a job in my field would be difficult.
3). Move to Atlanta...working for the CDC but I do yearn a smaller town feel.
4). Move to OKC...after doing the research, I feel OKC is the place I want to be with a low cost of living (housing paid for), intriguing culture (never been to the South) and friendly people.
I will definitely make note of the cultural norms in OKC and do my best to fit in.
Thank You
After looking at the data, it looks like Minn/St Paul has a larger asian community than does Oklahoma City, but OKC has a larger asian community than does Atlanta.
It's important to note that most of the OKC asians are Vietnamese. The original group came in 1975 after the fall of South Vietnam. They are now on their 3rd generation here and have prospered in OKC. The 3rd generation are in their 20s and are assimilated fully.
One good thing about the Asian district is that it is in about the best part of OKC for access to the rest of town, so if you want to live there you can get to downtown easily, or points north/northwest where the majority of the activity is. However, you could probably live in any part of OKC and people would be welcoming.
All in all, OKC is nice in that you have some big city stuff without as many of the headaches. Tulsa occasionally has some activities that are interesting and it is less than 2 hours away. If you want to go to the Twin Cities version of this part of the world then DFW is about 3 hours away.
There's A Termendous Need For Asian Architecture In OKC And Tulsa Oklahoma
Quote:
Originally Posted by minnesota nice
Hello!
This is my first post ever on this board after years of lurking. I currently live in Minnesota and having completed my Master's education, have received a job offer in Oklahoma. I have done a lot of research and listened to a lot of advice about life in Oklahoma and much of it sounds good from low cost of living and less busy pace of life.
My question is simple and hopefully, it will not seem ignorant. Are Asian people well tolerated in Oklahoma City? I am Asian from Hong Kong.
I do know there is not a large (or as large of when comparing to other parts of the USA like the East/West or even Midwest) Asian footprint down south but that is not a concern for me. I just hope to interact well with the locals and have a nice time.
Minnesota nice, you don't mention a family, so I'm thinking you are single. I lived in Oklahoma City many years and never went to church there, so there are plenty of people who won't be thinking you should be going to church. Since I was also single during many of those years, I did sometimes attend meetings for singles which were sponsored by churches, but no pressure was ever put on me to also attend their church. In one group there were two fellows from Asia and they were very well liked. I think one was a physician or maybe in training.
I very much appreciate your information about your experiences in Minnesota. My visitors were especially critical of the topography of the small area they saw.
You're welcome! I appreciate your question about Minnesota. I am single. I live in the United States alone as my family resides back in Hong Kong.
Quote:
Originally Posted by eddie gein
After looking at the data, it looks like Minn/St Paul has a larger asian community than does Oklahoma City, but OKC has a larger asian community than does Atlanta.
It's important to note that most of the OKC asians are Vietnamese. The original group came in 1975 after the fall of South Vietnam. They are now on their 3rd generation here and have prospered in OKC. The 3rd generation are in their 20s and are assimilated fully.
One good thing about the Asian district is that it is in about the best part of OKC for access to the rest of town, so if you want to live there you can get to downtown easily, or points north/northwest where the majority of the activity is. However, you could probably live in any part of OKC and people would be welcoming.
All in all, OKC is nice in that you have some big city stuff without as many of the headaches. Tulsa occasionally has some activities that are interesting and it is less than 2 hours away. If you want to go to the Twin Cities version of this part of the world then DFW is about 3 hours away.
The Asian community in Minnesota is strange. Since I am Chinese (from Hong Kong), there are few outlets for me anyway since Hong Kongers are rare in the Midwest, and the Asian community here is mostly composed of a few Chinese restaurants here and there, Vietnamese and Hmong establishments but not really an actual strip of Asian-themed stores.
The closest thing to an Asian theme street, though not really Asian themed, is Eat Street in Minneapolis but it is a bit scattered and dangerous to walk, due to the traffic mainly. I am used to living without an Asian community but glad to know there are easily accessible Asian outlets in OKC. Who knows! I might actually like pho (noodle soup).
Thank You Howest2008 for all these links! Everyone here has been so helpful, I am actually quite moved. I truly look forward to meeting real Oklahomans when I move over! I was afraid, initially, to reveal I was Asian because I thought there might be some adverse reaction to it but fortunately, you have all proven me wrong! (In the best way possible)
One of my favorite physicians is Chinese, but I don't know from where. I must ask him. I once asked how old he was when he realized he was more intelligent than most. He just laughed. I don't know how he ended up here, but there are many Asian physicians in my town. I think the majority are Korean. All are specialists in various areas. My town is fortunate to have many medical specialists, although some people still travel to Tulsa.
I do so hope your experience in Oklahoma is not disappointing and will be looking forward to hearing about it. About when does your new job start?
You have a great attitude and a zest for life. You will do well in Oklahoma. About the only thing you need is a smile and friendly word. There is a Methodist Chinese-English speaking church in Edmond, OK.
A real Chinatown is sadly lacking in mid-America. Chicaoo is the second oldest after the California exodus. SF is Pan-Asian which you probably already know. Chinatown in Chicago is an authentic Chinese community with banksr, church, druggist, real esate agents, homes, grocer, and touristy things. It is the real deal. I've been there many times and eaten authentic food and loved it. It is about 800 miles from OKC. The upside is you can stay in downtown Chicago and catch a ride on the Water Taxi to Chinatown except in the winter season when it is docked.
I am not a particular fan of Chicago but it offers an awesome architectural cruise on the lake, and nearby Oak Park is home to the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright in the world. The 60 ton Picasso is at Daley Plaza; you don't want to miss it. And you definably want to have dinner at least once on the 95th floor of the Hancock Building. The food is good, and the view is spectacular. The Buckingham Fountain in Grants Park is beautiful at night. The colored lights change with the music. It's free. The water taxi is $5. Hancock Tower dining is upscale cuisine. Oak Park is quirky and fun. FLW is a walkabout unless you want a guided tour. If you are there on the last Sunday you can attend the Chinese Methodist Church, or the Church of Beethoven. Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago is free all the time. You can have a lot of fun in Chicago without mortgaging the house to do it. Chicago does have an excellent transit system. Union Station down town is over 100 years old.
To get back to OK, there are a couple of things you might enjoy. The dam on Grand Lake in NE OK is the longest multiple-arch dam in the world; 52 gates. You can have a tour inside. The Splitlog Church was built before OK became a state. It is he only church in America build by an Native American and paid for with his own funds. Chief Mathias Splitlog built for his Catholic wife. Today it is non-denominational and open all year on Sunday. The Cowboy Church is on the other end of the lake. Spurs, ropes, hats and saddles are optional. OK has a lot of secrets it is willing to share.
You keep asking, and we'll keep telling.
Quote:
Originally Posted by minnesota nice
Hello!
Thank you for the nice comments and warm welcomes. I like y'all already!
Hopefully, my comments about Minnesota were not too scathing but I wrote these comments with thoughts fresh in my mind. Minnesota does have 10,000+ lakes, the largest mall in America and decent weather 3 months of the year so if you have the opportunity to come up, don't miss out on it. However, as an outsider, I would not want to live here.
Going back to my broken down SAAB on the highway, it really hurt that not a single person came to help (not even my coworkers who were less than 2 miles away) so I was stuck on the highway for 2 hours waiting for a tow truck, in blistering heat, in a tight suit waiting for help. What bothered me the most was that ppl honked, cheered and laughed like they were trying to hasten my mire. While there is a community here, there isn't a community to help. Recently, in the Star Tribune, a politician was beaten and robbed in a Starbucks Cafe. He pined that no one helped him as he was bloody and bruised. I understood what he felt.
Realistically, my other choices after graduating are:
1). Stay in Minnesota...absolute last resort.
2). Go home to Hong Kong...finding a job in my field would be difficult.
3). Move to Atlanta...working for the CDC but I do yearn a smaller town feel.
4). Move to OKC...after doing the research, I feel OKC is the place I want to be with a low cost of living (housing paid for), intriguing culture (never been to the South) and friendly people.
I will definitely make note of the cultural norms in OKC and do my best to fit in.
You have a great attitude and a zest for life. You will do well in Oklahoma. About the only thing you need is a smile and friendly word. There is a Methodist Chinese-English speaking church in Edmond, OK.
A real Chinatown is sadly lacking in mid-America. Chicaoo is the second oldest after the California exodus. SF is Pan-Asian which you probably already know. Chinatown in Chicago is an authentic Chinese community with banksr, church, druggist, real esate agents, homes, grocer, and touristy things. It is the real deal. I've been there many times and eaten authentic food and loved it. It is about 800 miles from OKC. The upside is you can stay in downtown Chicago and catch a ride on the Water Taxi to Chinatown except in the winter season when it is docked.
I am not a particular fan of Chicago but it offers an awesome architectural cruise on the lake, and nearby Oak Park is home to the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright in the world. The 60 ton Picasso is at Daley Plaza; you don't want to miss it. And you definably want to have dinner at least once on the 95th floor of the Hancock Building. The food is good, and the view is spectacular. The Buckingham Fountain in Grants Park is beautiful at night. The colored lights change with the music. It's free. The water taxi is $5. Hancock Tower dining is upscale cuisine. Oak Park is quirky and fun. FLW is a walkabout unless you want a guided tour. If you are there on the last Sunday you can attend the Chinese Methodist Church, or the Church of Beethoven. Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago is free all the time. You can have a lot of fun in Chicago without mortgaging the house to do it. Chicago does have an excellent transit system. Union Station down town is over 100 years old.
To get back to OK, there are a couple of things you might enjoy. The dam on Grand Lake in NE OK is the longest multiple-arch dam in the world; 52 gates. You can have a tour inside. The Splitlog Church was built before OK became a state. It is he only church in America build by an Native American and paid for with his own funds. Chief Mathias Splitlog built for his Catholic wife. Today it is non-denominational and open all year on Sunday. The Cowboy Church is on the other end of the lake. Spurs, ropes, hats and saddles are optional. OK has a lot of secrets it is willing to share.
You keep asking, and we'll keep telling.
Ha! I love American people. They are so curious and friendly, helpful and interesting to talk to. I especially appreciate how courteous people are on this region of the forum. True, in Minnesota, I have not had a nice time. However, elsewhere in the United States, I have had a wonderful time.
It is a funny coincidence that you should have mentioned Chicago because I was there this March for work purposes. True to form, my Minnesota colleagues told me horror stories about the traffic, grit, crime in the north or south (can't remember) and the general unfriendliness of Chicagoans. I found that to be untrue! Chicagoans are more direct, helpful when you look lost (and caring enough to walk you to the correct stop because I constantly got lost) and are very "right down to business" kind of people. That might sound cliched but I appreciated how helpful that trait was when working with them on our project. I stayed in the Theater district of the Loop but traveled to Chinatown so I vaguely recall some of the points of interest you mentioned. The most vivid memory...eating gai mei bao...Chinese coconut bread which you cannot get in Minnesota.
Oh, and one thing came to my mind. How are the driving conditions in Oklahoma when it snows? I know, in Georgia, according to my coworker, traffic comes to a standstill. In Minnesota, it is passable with heavy snowstorms causing some slowdown. How does snow affect traffic in OKC?
Thanks for your candid description of your experience. You seem open minded and fair, so I might suggest- I think that as you increase your sample size, sometimes your experience will "regress to the mean", and you will find that "people are people" pretty much everywhere. Or else I might be wrong, and you are really on to something, maybe Minnesota really is worse in the ways that you described.
Oklahoma people are amazingly unpretentious, and don't generally put on airs. They are quite honest and friendly. More so out of the big cities but Tulsa is a fairly friendly large-ish city.
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There's A Termendous Need For Asian Architecture In OKC And Tulsa Oklahoma
