[jonny13]

I graduated from Bethany High School, which is often overlooked because of its size. I had a graduating class of 65 in 1990. It's still a rather small school compared to most in the surrounding areas such as Putnam City Central, PC North, PC West, and others. I am partial to it because I really enjoyed the smallness; no clicks to get mixed up in and all the teachers knew you by name. I say it's at least worth a look for your daughter. Only a 20 minute commute to TAFB for your husband and shopping in all directions for you. However, to be quite frank, Bethany housing is aged a bit - so you might look at living somewhere in the NW OKC area but have your daughter transfer to Bethany. That's bumps your husbands possible commute time to around 30 minutes in NW OKC, but increases your shopping footprint to practically right outside your door. Good luck!

[liem336]

Oh, my goodness, it has been awhile since I have been here. Thank you all for such great tips and advice.
I was in OK last month (March) and let me tell you.....the traffic is unbelievable and the roads are a bit to be desired. I was shocked that the on and off ramps leave no room to decelerate or accelerate, accidents waiting to happen!! you get on, you get off...don't spend time thinking about it! And the roads through town were narrow (no sholders)
On a lighter note, we did end up purchasing a home in Choctaw, on Greystone Lane, very nice. The school was a bit run down for my taste, but staff seemed friendly enough. My daughter will be one of 200 students in her class, so that is a bit scary! She is one of 30 right now, and top of her class!! I was impressed with the skating program, she will be skating at Blazers, she loves to skate and is happy to continue with that. I had fun in downtown OKC and you have to check out the fondue restaurant..YUMMY! (I can't remember the name off hand)
My fiance has been in OKC since Feb and my daughter and I will be moving in June. I am still so scared and will feel out of my element for quite some time I am sure...I would really like to meet people and get involved, just not real sure where I will fit in yet.
Maybe if you all are in the area, we could meet?
Thank you,
Lisa

[katofstone]

Welcome to Oklahoma Lisa and family!

I grew up in rural southern Kansas and currently live on the edge of Midwest City and Spencer. I was active duty airforce overseas and got out to finish college and joined the reserves almost three years ago. I work at Tinker as a jet engine mechanic when I do my reserve duty. I am currently working a couple of part time jobs and finishing up at Park University college and real estate school.

This IS a really nice area to live, in my opinion, and I believe that Choctaw was a good choice if you like quiet, rural, living (I sure do!). I have really enjoyed meeting a lot of great people here and everyone has really been quite helpful and friendly. There are TONS of great restraunts for every taste. The downtown OKC metro area has been growing and is really fun and beautiful. There is something for everyone downtown or in the area. I love to go to the art museum and your daughter might enjoy signing up for activities there during the summer. The Cowboy Hall of Fame is something else your family might want to check out and my favorite movie theater in town, Tinseltown, is just south of that. There is a GREAT zoo and omnidome theater in this same area that you must visit! The zoo has a new exhibit that just opened I haven't gone and seen yet but I heard it's really nice. If you like gambling, horseraces, and the casino scene there is plenty of that around as well. All the local hospitals are very reputitable and you can get any kind of care you need from allergy specialists to psychologiest. Downtown and at the Zoo amphitheter there are tons of musicians, comedy tours, the ballet, plays, and other traveling acts that visit on a regular basis which my husband and I enjoy going to as well. There area also lots of local lakes and woodlands if you like watersports, fishing, jogging, or hunting. I know it may seem like you are out of your element at first but I know you will find your place soon and fit right it! So, don't worry there is something for everyone here. You will have to excuse the driving around here though because there is a lot of traffic congestion at certain times of the day in certain areas, and for some strange reason no one uses their blinkers in Oklahoma... I see that you already got a taste of that um unfortunate local flair.

The base has some great resources for meeting people and they have a lot of family activities to participate in. I personally am not really thrilled with the bx or commissary and shop elsewhere but they are newly remodled. The church on base has all different religious services, so I have heard. I believe that the military, and the Air Force in particular, take good care of the military families and anything you need you will be able to find somone to help you during your transition.

If there is anything I can personally do to help you out, such as show you around the area, I would be glad to do so! Feel free to contact me and leave a message if I do not answer and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
(405) 517-1477 or you can email me for more information if you would like to do that as well (katofstone@yahoo.com)

If anyone else is ever interested in moving to the area I know some great real estate agents! Also I will, hopefully, be getting my liscense in June as well.

[sgreen]

Have you considered Meeker, OK. It is a llittle further than Harrah. It is a small community. It takes about 20-30 minutes commute to Midwest City TAFB. I have house and 10 acres available for sale. It is 2 miles west of Meeker and easy access to 1-40. Just minutes from Meeker Lake.

[Jager7]

I have lived in Oklahoma my entire life. I graduated from Choctaw and I grew up there. I would not consider Choctaw a small town anymore. It's really close to the city and it's growing larger. The school is considered a 6A school, and that is the largest in Oklahoma. It's a good school. Choctaw HS feeds from 2 different Jr. High Schools. Nicoma Park JR, and Choctaw JR. So depending on where in Choctaw you live your daugher could be at Nicoma Park or Choctaw and then she'll eventually end up at Choctaw HS.

My mother works for Choctaw Schools. She also works with Jones, Luther, Harrah too. If you are looking for a smaller community I would pick Harrah. It's still close to Tinker and the city. The town of Harrah is very small. Just "Mom & Pop" stores and places to eat. Not very much shopping. Choctaw is growing a little, but still nothing too good.

The housing in Choctaw is starting to skyrocket. So it would be a very good place to invest in living. You won't have any problems in selling when you do go to sell. Try this website-www.openhouseok.com It's a very good site for looking at homes to buy.

Nicoma Park is just right outside of Choctaw. There is not much housing to live in there and the houses tend to be much older. But you could still live in Choctaw and your daughter end up going to Nicoma Park Schools. They are good schools. They are just the same as Choctaw schools.

SE Oklahoma City is nice too. Just make sure that your daugher will be going to Carl Albert, and not Oklahoma City Schools. Carl Albert is a very good school. They are a 5A school, but still pretty large.

I don't know of any iceskating places. The big "things" for girls here is Cheerleading, softball and basketball. No cold weather sports.

If you have any questions just ask and I can direct you in the right way...I don't mind. I work here at Tinker and live in Midwest City. If I had a choice right now I would move to Choctaw or SE Oklahoma City.

Thanks...

[peggydavis]

Hi Jager 7

I used to live in Harrah, and I remember how exciting it was when we got a Dollar Store. I think now there is a Family Dollar there now too.

[liem336]

Hi,
Nice to meet you, we ended up moving to Choctaw, my hubby bought a house here in March and my daughter and I joined him in July. The school was a bit run down for my taste, but my daughter seems to be adjusting quite well. She was in volleyball and made team captain. I was surprised that the school gym didn't have airconditioning, even North Dakota, which is cold for 8 mths. out of the year, has airconditioning! Anyway, we love the area, just surprised with all the "farm" animals that people have and it's not seperate from the "city".
We found skating at Blazers and my daughter skates there on Tues. and Thurs.
I'm happy that shopping is convenient and Starbucks is close!! )

Originally Posted by Jager7

I have lived in Oklahoma my entire life. I graduated from Choctaw and I grew up there. I would not consider Choctaw a small town anymore. It's really close to the city and it's growing larger. The school is considered a 6A school, and that is the largest in Oklahoma. It's a good school. Choctaw HS feeds from 2 different Jr. High Schools. Nicoma Park JR, and Choctaw JR. So depending on where in Choctaw you live your daugher could be at Nicoma Park or Choctaw and then she'll eventually end up at Choctaw HS.

My mother works for Choctaw Schools. She also works with Jones, Luther, Harrah too. If you are looking for a smaller community I would pick Harrah. It's still close to Tinker and the city. The town of Harrah is very small. Just "Mom & Pop" stores and places to eat. Not very much shopping. Choctaw is growing a little, but still nothing too good.

The housing in Choctaw is starting to skyrocket. So it would be a very good place to invest in living. You won't have any problems in selling when you do go to sell. Try this website-www.openhouseok.com It's a very good site for looking at homes to buy.

Nicoma Park is just right outside of Choctaw. There is not much housing to live in there and the houses tend to be much older. But you could still live in Choctaw and your daughter end up going to Nicoma Park Schools. They are good schools. They are just the same as Choctaw schools.

SE Oklahoma City is nice too. Just make sure that your daugher will be going to Carl Albert, and not Oklahoma City Schools. Carl Albert is a very good school. They are a 5A school, but still pretty large.

I don't know of any iceskating places. The big "things" for girls here is Cheerleading, softball and basketball. No cold weather sports.

If you have any questions just ask and I can direct you in the right way...I don't mind. I work here at Tinker and live in Midwest City. If I had a choice right now I would move to Choctaw or SE Oklahoma City.

Thanks...

[peggydavis]

Well, if you want to have a little farm but still live in the city, Choctaw is a great place to live.

[PinkMagnolia]

I have lived in Harrah for 8 yrs its a really nice place to live, schools are good.
We have a few events that take place at the park.
And there are a few place to eat, they just opened a place called New China and let me tell its always busy.
And Olivers pizza they have good pizza and Gyro's.
The BarbQ place that is next to where the piggly wiggly(best yet) use to be is good.
And for the most part the police don't give you hard time unless you ask for it, like speeding .
Its about 15-20 miles to Midwest city which is growing my leaps and bounds.
And the schools are good.
Not much more you can ask for.
Have a good one.
They did try to get a dog park in Choctaw but a bunch of the senior citizens said why do you need a dog park parks are for kids not dogs.
So that was shot down. But there is a dog park in Del Ciy right off the interestate.
We do have a couple places to take your pets for check ups. But I don't suggest Harrah Vet not for dogs, or cats they seem to care more about big animals like horses then dogs. At least they use to maybe they have new vet now sure.
And Country boy gas station if you are a woman and alone they will pump your gas for you and Country boy they will carry your groceries to the car for you.
I like it here even though we are not right next to a Wal-Mart to me that is a good thing because when you bring in too much big companies along comes the violence etc along with it.
We have couple doctors office in town and place to get your meds filled.
IMO it's a nice place to raise a family.
Have a good one.

[peggydavis]

One thing I liked about Harrah was when the kids won something in state school competitions, they got to ride around town on the fire truck, with a fireman driving of course. Do they still do that?

Olivers Pizza was always the best.