[Sunshine required]

I am going to be moving from Minneapolis, Minnesota next year in the fall when my son graduates high school and I would like to move back to a small town. Cities are nice for cultural experiences but I would love to go back to a small town. I am looking for a town with a population of around 5,000 or less where you could walk amost anywhere, I don't mind having to drive to work if I have to work in a city but I don't want to live in/near one anymore. I am looking into either Oklahoma or North Carolina areas. It would only be myself and my son moving and he likes rock climbing and running for activities, and I like gardening and biking. We are ok with a little snow every now and then, if none at all that's ok too, but I would prefer mostly sunny days. He is taking a college course now for small engine repair and really likes it and is excelling in his class, I myself have working in offices and factories, but I prefer to work with my hands on machines than I do in offices. Please let me know any recommendations in these two states.

[LBurry]

Have a look at Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Not a small town but nor is it a big city... population around 35000. Depending on where you live, you may have a five to ten minute drive to most places in town. It's safe, sane, modern, and has a modest cost of living. You'll find almost everything you need there but in the event that you have an urge for the big city, drive 45 minutes south to Tulsa. Here is a link to their Chamber of Commerce website: http://www.bartlesville.com/

If you make a trip to scout this area, have a look. We lived there for years and loved it!

[Johnhw2]

Durante Okies another option to consider. It's bigger than your 5000 but smaller than bartlesville. It's a great small town but close enough to a major city should you need it, Dallas is an hour amd a half away that is downtown the burbs are closer. Welcome to ok, great choice

[Sunshine required]

thank you both I will be looking into these, is there anywhere good to go rock climbing for my son?

[justanokie]

5000 or less I would look at some of the mid size OK cities that have good work opportunities and then look at smaller towns about 30 mins away. Most people that live in these smaller towns commute and work in larger cities. Look for work in these cities....

1. Oklahoma City 599,476
2. Tulsa 391,906
3. Norman 110,925
4. Broken Arrow 98,850
5. Lawton 96,867
6. Edmond 81,405
7. Moore 55,081
8. Midwest City 54,371
9. Enid 49,379
10. Stillwater 45,688
11. Muskogee 39,223
12. Bartlesville 35,750
13. Shawnee 29,857
14. Owasso 28,915
15. Ponca City 25,387
16. Ardmore 24,283
17. Duncan 23,431
18. Yukon 22,709
19. Del City 21,332
20. Bixby 20,884
21. Sapulpa 20,544
22. Altus 19,813
23. Bethany 19,051
24. Sand Springs 18,906
25. Claremore 18,581
26. McAlester 18,383
27. Mustang 17,395
28. Jenks 16,924
29. Ada 16,810
30. El Reno 16,749
31. Chickasha 16,036
32. Durant 15,856
33. Tahlequah 15,753

And then look at living in a smaller town nearby.

[debbie at bouontiful]

OK is pretty rural just a mile or two out of town. I live in an area of just a few hundred but 20 miles out from a town of 18,000 called Mcalester.

I find Stillwater a very nice city and would love to live outside of it because it is very rural after about a few miles out in any direction. I have a daughter who lives there and Stillwater not only has jobs but lots and lots of stuff to do with OSU being there.

[eddie gein]

If rock climbing is a high priority then I would look at Elgin, or Cache. The jobs would be in near by Lawton but are accessible to the Wichita Mountain wildlife refuge which has the best rock climbing around.

[linicx]

Grove, OK population is about 5,000. It has a community college, a very decent hospital and doctors, a 33-acre park to bike and hike. It is located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountain Range. Surprisingly it has big stores such as Walmart and Lowe's. Restaurants range from drive thru to dining, to buffet, to pizza and deli-sandwich. The movieplex theater offers the latest movies. Grove is surrounded on three sides by Grand Lake, and all the things nature offers from the tiny white cattle bird to the white pelican, deers, wild turkey and more.

If you like gardens Lendonwood Garden on 13th, is filled with Japanese plants and offers the Tea House, footbridges, small waterfall and Koi. The nearest mall to Grove is in Joplin, MO., where you find Kohl's,large retailers and several grocers.

Grove is about 45 minutes from three mountain ranges in Western Arkansas and a nature center in Joplin. If you miss the big city Tulsa is about 90 minutes. OK is home to more federally recognized Native American tribes than any other state. Eastern OK border is home to the Nine Tribes and the Cherokee Nation, and perhaps some tribes I am not aware.

OK is okay and NE OK is great place for families and retirees.

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by Sunshine required

thank you both I will be looking into these, is there anywhere good to go rock climbing for my son?

Look to the western half of Oklahoma if you gotta have the rock climbing.

Weatherford, Clinton, Watonga, and Altus are all neat towns. My personal favorite hiking area is Red Rock Canyon.

Red Rock Canyon State Park | TravelOK.com - Oklahoma's Official Travel & Tourism Site

[debbie at bouontiful]

Grove is very nice and close enough to Tulsa for work. Forgot about Grove. I drive through it all the time to visit my parents in Bella Vista, Ar where they retired to.