[boris63]

I'm contemplating a possible move to eastern Oklahoma pending the outcome of a job interview next week. The company I may go to work for has plants in many areas and I may have some choice in which plant I get to work out of. I'm not very familiar with the area, but by doing a bit of research, I've narrowed my preferrence to the following towns:

1)Sapulpa
2)Wagoner
3)Chandler
4)Bartlesville
5)Claremore
6)Pryor
7)McAlestar
8)Grove
9)Muskogee
10)Mannford

I definately want to live in a rural area outside of one of these towns. I love the country, but want to be within 20 minutes of work. I prefer a wooded hilly area to flat open spaces. Living near a lake might be nice, but I could probably not afford to live right on one.

I would rather live near an older town with old historical buildings rather than subdivisions and strip malls. I'm also a part-time musician and prefer to be close to someplace where I could continue to play live music semi-professionally.

I come from modest means and will be making about $30k a year, so a reasonable cost of living is important.

It may sound like I'm expecting alot, and I know I can't have it all. I'm just not going to have time to visit each and every town before I make my decision and want to try and make the best choice possible for my future happiness.

Any suggestions or advise would be greatly appreciated!

[Nameless]

What are some of the locations of the plants? There is quite a distance between some of the towns on your list. For example, Chandler is good but if the plant is in Muskogee then that wouldn't work and vice versa.

[boris63]

Each one of those towns actually has a plant in it. I'm not sure if all the plants will be hiring. The main office that I'll be interviewing at is in Tulsa and talking to my potential boss, it sounds like, if I'm hired, I'll be able to choose from any one of the plants that may need help. I just kinda wanna have a 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice etc. so I can have an idea of which of the available plants to choose from.

I'm only gonna have 3 days to scope out the area, so any advance info I can get on any of those towns would be very helpful.

Thanx much.

[peggydavis]

Chandler is nice. It has all sorts of historic older buildings, and is in an area of hills and trees. The housing costs are low there. Will you be renting or buying?

[boris63]

Originally Posted by peggydavis

Chandler is nice. It has all sorts of historic older buildings, and is in an area of hills and trees. The housing costs are low there. Will you be renting or buying?

We'll be buying eventually, but wanna get to know the area first before rushing in to anything. I'm seriously thinking of just buying a cheap mobile home at first, taking my time finding the "perfect" home and then hopefully selling the trailer and getting my money back.

Renting is an option too, as long as there's no long term lease and it's affordable.

[Jammie]

Boris, Grove is my favorite area of eastern OK. But it's probably the most expensive of those you mentioned even though I'm not familiar with all of them. It's a nice little resort town built around Grand Lake. It doesn't really have the big old historic buildings that you're looking for either.

I'm interesting in knowing what type of plant is in all of those towns if you don't mind sharing.

[Nameless]

I had typed a long post but my computer auto updated on me So I'll leave this short.

Pryor, Wagoner, Chandler and Mannford I'd say. Cheap real estate, pretty areas, nice lakes, close to cities.

Claremore, Sapulpa and Bartlesville are nice but are too suburban I'd think.

McAlestar, and Grove are too isolated although in pretty areas.

I haven't heard many people say anything good about Muskogee, but who knows...

[boris63]

Originally Posted by Jammie

I'm interesting in knowing what type of plant is in all of those towns if you don't mind sharing.

Ready-mix concrete. I drive a concrete truck and have an interview Friday 2/22 with a big Oklahoma company.

I was sorta leaning toward working in the sapulpa plant if given the option. Just how "suburban" is Sapulpa? I would probably not want to live right in town, but was considering checking out the area west of there. Maybe by Heyburn lake. What's that area like?

Thanx to everyone for the advise.

[briansgi]

Grove, Grove, Grove!!

[Nameless]

*sigh* Grove is nice but it sure is isolated. Quite a distance to drive anywhere for music. The way I see it, Sapulpa is the runaway favorite.