[Carolinemoveswhere?]

I love reading the diversity in experience. (with the exception of the DMV and the friendliness...gotta love that!)

Not that I want to start anything, but I really am interested to hear the negatives of your experiences, too. As my Oklahoma cousin says, "Nothing bad ever happens in Oklahoma!" Well, I was born at night, but not last night. It can't be completely perfect, can it? With good humor of course, please describe the challenges.

Thank you!!!

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by Carolinemoveswhere?

I love reading the diversity in experience. (with the exception of the DMV and the friendliness...gotta love that!)

Not that I want to start anything, but I really am interested to hear the negatives of your experiences, too. As my Oklahoma cousin says, "Nothing bad ever happens in Oklahoma!" Well, I was born at night, but not last night. It can't be completely perfect, can it? With good humor of course, please describe the challenges.

Thank you!!!

You've been reading the challenges, but in positive ways

[FutureCntryBumpkin]

Originally Posted by karibear

I can go one better. I had to call the social security office in McAlister today, and the lady I spoke with was so nice I had to double-check just to make sure I got the right number!

Kari:

You mean WA was mean? Here the SS is pretty nice if you go the old folks route, but it is always very crowded. Most of the crowd for other stuff, so when you get your number called, it's fairly decent. I was impressed, but I know it'll be better there. So far have only had to go in twice.

[karibear]

Originally Posted by FutureCntryBumpkin

Kari:

You mean WA was mean? Here the SS is pretty nice if you go the old folks route, but it is always very crowded. Most of the crowd for other stuff, so when you get your number called, it's fairly decent. I was impressed, but I know it'll be better there. So far have only had to go in twice.

Not WA specifically, but every single one I talked to on the 800 number was pretty cold - unless they had a southern accent. Those were always polite. The one in McAlister was not only nice, she asked me how I'd picked OK to live in, and welcomed me to the state. the ones in WA weren't precisely rude, but they'd never have done that.

[FutureCntryBumpkin]

Originally Posted by mkfarnam

Like I've said,, there's been times that I've had to remind myself that I was no long in CA.

Ahhh shucks, it can happen anywhere, but the chances are less in OK from my experience, which was limited.

[FutureCntryBumpkin]

Originally Posted by karibear

Not WA specifically, but every single one I talked to on the 800 number was pretty cold - unless they had a southern accent. Those were always polite. The one in McAlister was not only nice, she asked me how I'd picked OK to live in, and welcomed me to the state. the ones in WA weren't precisely rude, but they'd never have done that.

Ahh ha! I never have called the 800 number. I pulled the plug on the land line and got a prepaid and won't waste my minutes on a computer. I go in instead, when needed.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by FutureCntryBumpkin

Ahh ha! I never have called the 800 number. I pulled the plug on the land line and got a prepaid and won't waste my minutes on a computer. I go in instead, when needed.

Set up an appointment online first.

[caligirl2008]

I lived in Cali for 23 years. I've also lived in Ohio and Washington as well. Therefore, I have a good understanding of what a city can offer and what it cannot. I've spent the last 6 years of my life in the Tulsa Metro areas. As you know, there are pros and cons to every area. You've specifically asked for the bad, so I'll give them to you.
1- The roads (city and rural) are horrific (pot holes). Struts are a common item that needs replaced on vehicles, along with tires.
2- The inter-states will nickel and dime you to death. There are toll-roads EVERYWHERE in Oklahoma.
3- Tornados! However, I'd take a tornado anyday over an Earthquake. At least you have advanced warning with tornados
4- Fiddle-backs. Enough said. Spiders that can drop you dead if you don't get medical attention immediately. They can be found everywhere in Oklahoma, but preferably like dark spaces that don't get much interaction, such as an attic or closet. They terrify me.
5- The heat. There's nothing like an Oklahoma summer. I dread them every year. Unless you love 100+ degree weather, plan on spending much of your summer indoors.
6- Poverty. The average income in Oklahoma is relatively low, whereas the cost of a home is significantly rising. Draw your own conclusions.
7- FLAT! No more mountains. Period.
8- NO MORE OCEANS!
9- Unfortunately, racism of both color and nationality. It's still strong here. I don't know why, but it's ridiculous. I don't tolerate it.
10- Two cities to choose from. That's it. It's either Tulsa or OKC. Any other towns outside those areas are commonly referred to as "Yeah, I live in 'Po-Dunk'".

Well, those are my top-ten "cons" of Oklahoma. I love it here, but I could live elsewhere. However, I don't know if "elsewhere" I could buy a home for $110 per square foot. You need to weigh the good with the bad and make a decision based on what's best for your future. Retiring in California, unless independently wealthy, is next to impossible.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by caligirl2008

I lived in Cali for 23 years. I've also lived in Ohio and Washington as well. Therefore, I have a good understanding of what a city can offer and what it cannot. I've spent the last 6 years of my life in the Tulsa Metro areas. As you know, there are pros and cons to every area. You've specifically asked for the bad, so I'll give them to you.
1- The roads (city and rural) are horrific (pot holes). Struts are a common item that needs replaced on vehicles, along with tires.
2- The inter-states will nickel and dime you to death. There are toll-roads EVERYWHERE in Oklahoma.
3- Tornados! However, I'd take a tornado anyday over an Earthquake. At least you have advanced warning with tornados
4- Fiddle-backs. Enough said. Spiders that can drop you dead if you don't get medical attention immediately. They can be found everywhere in Oklahoma, but preferably like dark spaces that don't get much interaction, such as an attic or closet. They terrify me.
5- The heat. There's nothing like an Oklahoma summer. I dread them every year. Unless you love 100+ degree weather, plan on spending much of your summer indoors.
6- Poverty. The average income in Oklahoma is relatively low, whereas the cost of a home is significantly rising. Draw your own conclusions.
7- FLAT! No more mountains. Period.
8- NO MORE OCEANS!
9- Unfortunately, racism of both color and nationality. It's still strong here. I don't know why, but it's ridiculous. I don't tolerate it.
10- Two cities to choose from. That's it. It's either Tulsa or OKC. Any other towns outside those areas are commonly referred to as "Yeah, I live in 'Po-Dunk'".

Well, those are my top-ten "cons" of Oklahoma. I love it here, but I could live elsewhere. However, I don't know if "elsewhere" I could buy a home for $110 per square foot. You need to weigh the good with the bad and make a decision based on what's best for your future.

Now the last one there's no argument.

Most of the con's are just as true. It's just that some people can handle it and some can't. Myself, I don't let any of this bother me. There's too many thing's in my life that;s more imortant.
It usually takes a city slicker to down play the small town way of life. Small Towns have many more options for survival that the Big Cities.
But it takes a positive attitude to know all of this.
Some of those con's will only be found in the big city.
The heat in OK. is nothing compared to the dry hear in CA.

[karibear]

Originally Posted by caligirl2008

I lived in Cali for 23 years. I've also lived in Ohio and Washington as well. Therefore, I have a good understanding of what a city can offer and what it cannot. I've spent the last 6 years of my life in the Tulsa Metro areas. As you know, there are pros and cons to every area. You've specifically asked for the bad, so I'll give them to you.
1- The roads (city and rural) are horrific (pot holes). Struts are a common item that needs replaced on vehicles, along with tires.
2- The inter-states will nickel and dime you to death. There are toll-roads EVERYWHERE in Oklahoma.
3- Tornados! However, I'd take a tornado anyday over an Earthquake. At least you have advanced warning with tornados
4- Fiddle-backs. Enough said. Spiders that can drop you dead if you don't get medical attention immediately. They can be found everywhere in Oklahoma, but preferably like dark spaces that don't get much interaction, such as an attic or closet. They terrify me.
5- The heat. There's nothing like an Oklahoma summer. I dread them every year. Unless you love 100+ degree weather, plan on spending much of your summer indoors.
6- Poverty. The average income in Oklahoma is relatively low, whereas the cost of a home is significantly rising. Draw your own conclusions.
7- FLAT! No more mountains. Period.
8- NO MORE OCEANS!
9- Unfortunately, racism of both color and nationality. It's still strong here. I don't know why, but it's ridiculous. I don't tolerate it.
10- Two cities to choose from. That's it. It's either Tulsa or OKC. Any other towns outside those areas are commonly referred to as "Yeah, I live in 'Po-Dunk'".

Well, those are my top-ten "cons" of Oklahoma. I love it here, but I could live elsewhere. However, I don't know if "elsewhere" I could buy a home for $110 per square foot. You need to weigh the good with the bad and make a decision based on what's best for your future. Retiring in California, unless independently wealthy, is next to impossible.

Okay, I grew up in a big city - St Louis. There were things I liked and took for granted, the zoo, the botanixal gardens, movie theaters everywhere, live plays, museums. But none of that is left now - at least, the museums and botanical gardens are, but they are so crowded that one has to park 6 blocks away and walk and stand in line.

I much prefer the more laid-back small town life. Here, if I need a ride, I can call someone and they are happy to oblige. Even back in the early '60s in St Louis, we could and did live across the street or next door to someone and never meet them.

Fiddlebacks are no big deal. Other parts of the midwest have black widows, the Pacific Northwest has hobo spiders. All are poisonous, and the hobos are the most aggressive of the 3.

The income level may be lower in OK and real estate costs rising, but there isn't as much disparity as in many other states. I'm on a fixed income - which didn't even reach UP to the poverty level in WA - but here I can afford to live, and I can afford to buy groceries according to my preferences rather than only what's on sale.

As for tornadoes, I've been through both tornadoes and earthquakes and anticipated tsunamis, and none are good. However, there is no part of the continent where you don't risk some kind of natural disaster, and I prefer potential tornadoes to unexpected volcanoes, and I really do prefer to have the earth remain solid under my feet. You just do what you can to prepare for what's most likely to happen, then forget about it. Life is so much easier if you don't waste any of it worrying about what might happen. It probably won't, anyway.