OSU and Stillwater questions (Norman, Howe: houses, rental, work)

[peggydavis]

Originally Posted by ogre

Did you grow up in OK, then live in MD and WI and then later move back, or are you a late arrival in Oklahoma? What part of Wisconsin did you live in? From everything I've heard, it sounds like a really nice state. Every state has its nice areas, but I have to say that Maryland as a whole has never seemed like a state where I would especially want to live, but then, I've never lived there, so I can't know for sure.

The thing about weather I've experienced is that I've lived in Massachusetts most of my life, and I lived in Ohio for nine years, if you count time in college as years I lived there. Over that much time in each of those states, at one time or another I experienced basically any kind of weather you have in Oklahoma, except for heat well above 100, not as many severe thunderstorms, though both those states get some, and of course I've never been anywhere really close to a tornado, which isn't surprising since that's not likely to happen anywhere, though they do happen occasionally in both OH and MA.

As for Oklahoma's two big universities as they would fit with my plans, yes, OSU has a major-league English department, but OU's is very solid. I guess it should be obvious that I think OU's department is good, being that I would seriously consider the possibility of moving halfway across the country to attend there.

Good to get those inside opinions on the towns, the schools, and the departments themselves. Thanks again.

I was a late arrival in OK. In Wisconsin we lived in Milwaukee and Kenosha. Going back for a visit later I was amazed at how much cleaner the area is now, as far as air pollution. If I could live anywhere in the world, and could talk my DH into going, I would live in Green Bay, WI.

I just went back to Maryland for a visit. We didn't go to the DC area where I grew up, but to "rural" southern Maryland where we used to vacation. It was just as crowded as I remember. All in all it is a very pleasant area and I would consider living there, if it weren't so crowded with people. I really like living in OK.

[ogre]

Originally Posted by StillwaterTownie

Lack of employment is no problem in Stillwater, but rather lack of a decent paying job befitting of a college graduate is the problem.

Right now, Quebecor World Press, as pictured below, in Stillwater needs help in getting the nation's supply of Rolling Stone magazine off its presses. Few people in Oklahoma realize Rolling Stone is printed in the state. ESPN magazine is also printed in the same plant. But the pay to work there is low and is rather physically demanding. A fair variety of other industrial work is available in Stillwater

On the brighter side, Oklahoma Technology & Research Park in Stillwater is expanding. It's supposed to help high tech companies get started and will surely need some OSU grads. And as a benefit if the companies succeed and choose to become established in Stillwater they'll need more OSU grads.

Plenty of jobs . . . low-paying jobs. Hmm, sounds like a lot of college towns. A gazillion students working in min.-wage service jobs. Good to hear about the beginnings of some economic diversification. Thanks for all the detailed info you've offered on this thread.

[ogre]

Originally Posted by Goodpasture

NU plays OU every two or three years. The last game they played each other, I was in Nebraska......we blew them out. I heard a lot of "I can't believe we suck that bad" comments.

Nebraska is a good school and they used to play tough. I think they will be again in the near future.......those corn fed boys are big, mean, and hang in there. Once they get their coaching in place the Big 12 will be the place to watch football....between Colorado, Ok, Ok State, Nebraska, Texas, A&M, Tech, Missouri, and those small schools out of Kansas, Big 12 can equal any conference in the county in tough football.


Did Itchy tell? Give me a break.....we do enjoy a lot of beef here though.........

". . . we do enjoy a lot of beef here though . . ." LOL! Sorry, Bevo, it's funny!

[ogre]

Originally Posted by peggydavis

I was a late arrival in OK. In Wisconsin we lived in Milwaukee and Kenosha. Going back for a visit later I was amazed at how much cleaner the area is now, as far as air pollution. If I could live anywhere in the world, and could talk my DH into going, I would live in Green Bay, WI.

I just went back to Maryland for a visit. We didn't go to the DC area where I grew up, but to "rural" southern Maryland where we used to vacation. It was just as crowded as I remember. All in all it is a very pleasant area and I would consider living there, if it weren't so crowded with people. I really like living in OK.

Um, Green Bay. So you'd trade Oklahoma's heat for some weather that's just slightly on the chilly side!

Now actually, Wisconsin sounds nice, from everything I've ever heard. I've never been to "rural" southern Maryland, but I do know that the traffic going between Baltimore and Washington is a beast. Nice pretty landscape around there, though. Still . . . that traffic. Yikes!

Sounds as if OK likes you too, so it all works out!

Thanks for all the thoughts and info you've offered here.

[alterego]

Originally Posted by ogre

The most important question is whether it would be workable to live in Stillwater without a car, which is likely to be my situation at least for a time at the beginning, maybe the whole time, depending on the student budget.

OSU offers a free bus service to students, staff, and faculty of OSU. Because there is only one bus service in town, it's simply call THE BUS. There are several different bus routes that takes you all around campus and Stillwater with many stops to local stores and restaurants. More info about THE BUS: The Bus -- General Information

and THE BUS routes: THE BUS --Schedules & Maps

Stillwater is also very bicycle friendly. You should be fine without a car in Stillwater. Many students do just fine without a car there.

[ogre]

Originally Posted by alterego

OSU offers a free bus service to students, staff, and faculty of OSU. Because there is only one bus service in town, it's simply call THE BUS. There are several different bus routes that takes you all around campus and Stillwater with many stops to local stores and restaurants. More info about THE BUS: The Bus -- General Information

and THE BUS routes: THE BUS --Schedules & Maps

Stillwater is also very bicycle friendly. You should be fine without a car in Stillwater. Many students do just fine without a car there.

This is some good info. Good to see that a couple of these routes run fairly late at night, which could be helpful at times. Do any of these routes cover areas where there's less of a student population, so it's on the quiet side? I'm older than the typical student, and would like to avoid living in Party Central. I notice that the green route goes up to a lake on the north side of town, Boomer Lake. There appears to be a park along one side of it. Nice place to hang out? Any walking trails in that park? Can you swim in the lake?

[tmarlin65]

Originally Posted by ogre

This is some good info. Good to see that a couple of these routes run fairly late at night, which could be helpful at times. Do any of these routes cover areas where there's less of a student population, so it's on the quiet side? I'm older than the typical student, and would like to avoid living in Party Central. I notice that the green route goes up to a lake on the north side of town, Boomer Lake. There appears to be a park along one side of it. Nice place to hang out? Any walking trails in that park? Can you swim in the lake?

You could get a place behind Walmart (about 1 mile east of campus) and walk or ride the bus on inclimate days. As for Boomer I have never seen any swim there, but it has a great walking trail and plenty of trees and grass. There is also alot of benches for outdoor realxation and reading. Boomer is about 3 miles from walmart. If you were looking for a place to rent in a really wuiet ollder community look for a rental around Stillwater has atleast three nice parks you will probably enjoy.

[alterego]

Originally Posted by ogre

This is some good info. Good to see that a couple of these routes run fairly late at night, which could be helpful at times. Do any of these routes cover areas where there's less of a student population, so it's on the quiet side? I'm older than the typical student, and would like to avoid living in Party Central. I notice that the green route goes up to a lake on the north side of town, Boomer Lake. There appears to be a park along one side of it. Nice place to hang out? Any walking trails in that park? Can you swim in the lake?

I've seen people fish at Boomer Lake, but never swim (it is a man-made lake). The park areas are pretty nice around the lake. Many people go walking, jogging/running, and bicycling there. The trail around the lake is just a little over 3 miles and just shy of a full 5K.

Stillwater is small and is very centered around OSU. Except for the very outlying areas and very upscale neighborhoods, you will see students almost everywhere. However, most of the rowdiness only happens closer to campus and around the frat & sorority houses. I would also avoid the areas near the bars and restaurants that surround the campus as well as the areas right by the basketball arena and football stadium. Other than those areas, you should be alright. When students live in residential, single-detached houses, the rowdiness and parties are fairly minimal because they are all mixed in with the non-student residents of Stillwater.

I'm not sure what your budget is or if you are looking for a house vs. apartment, and so therefore it makes it harder to recommend where to live.

[StillwaterTownie]

Originally Posted by tmarlin65

You could get a place behind Walmart (about 1 mile east of campus) and walk or ride the bus on inclimate days. As for Boomer I have never seen any swim there, but it has a great walking trail and plenty of trees and grass. There is also alot of benches for outdoor realxation and reading. Boomer is about 3 miles from walmart. If you were looking for a place to rent in a really wuiet older community look for a rental around Stillwater has at least three nice parks you will probably enjoy.

Ah, Boomer Lake is a wonderful place to get away in Stillwater. I don't think Norman has anything like it. A long time ago it was where Stillwater got it's water supply. The southwest side of the lake with fountain is pictured below:



Tourist attractions at Boomer Lake are the Payne County Veterans' Memorial and the grave site of David Payne, both
pictured below:

[ogre]

Originally Posted by tmarlin65

You could get a place behind Walmart (about 1 mile east of campus) and walk or ride the bus on inclimate days. As for Boomer I have never seen any swim there, but it has a great walking trail and plenty of trees and grass. There is also alot of benches for outdoor realxation and reading. Boomer is about 3 miles from walmart. If you were looking for a place to rent in a really wuiet ollder community look for a rental around Stillwater has atleast three nice parks you will probably enjoy.

Thanks for the info. The park next to Boomer Lake sounds like a good spot to take a walk on a nice afternoon.