[DRvortec]

Thanks. 122 ads for the position! Interesting.
Average pay for a LPN is $12-$17. Is there another paper I could look? Wife isn't thrilled going from $25 to $12. lol. I see the average is $15, even then. I probably couldn't get her to sign on moving for less than $17. That was her starting pay here out of school. I know cost of living is less, explained all that..lol

Thanks

[colleeng47]

The Oklahoman is the primary newspaper for OKC. If you're interested in the Tulsa area, you could check their newspaper.

You could also check Indeed.com, which lists jobs from many sources: Monster.com, Jobsok.com, Career builders, etc. COL is a big factor when considering job changes. I know it hurts to take a lot less per hour than you are making, but the savings are there too. Some people just can't do it, though. They would rather make more and spend more -- it's a mindset. If you're wife isn't happy, you may want to reconsider your idea of moving to a lower cost of living area. When my husband and I considered moving, we knew salaries would be less. But, we don't require a lot either. We're not shoppers, don't need new cars, or a big house, etc. Our current mortgage payment is almost half of what our payment was in NJ. Our car insurance is a lot less also. Taxes are way lower.

You also want to factor in quality of life when you consider a move. If you're moving only for the COL factor, you're bound to be disappointed. I find the people who move for that reason are usually unhappy after a while. We moved for more than the COL, so we're happy with our choice. We would rather pay less in taxes and put up with bumpy roads than have wonderful super highways that result in a huge tax bite. There is a whole lot less stress here, people are more friendly and content with what they have. That meant as much to us as the lower COL.

[DRvortec]

It's more for the family. Better place to raise the kids.

[karibear]

The friendliness and helpfulness of the people in OK was a big deciding factor for me also - there are a lot of places that have an equally low COL, but the few contacts I had with them made me sure I didn't want any of them for neighbors! As for the COL, I'm paying less for my mortgage and insurance here than I was for space rent alone in WA, and there's no equity in space rent. Prices went up almost daily, and the space I had in a trailer park was a bog most of the year. And the people there weren't at all friendly, there were times I'd meet someone walking to the mailboxes, say "Hello" and just get growled at in return. It was the only place I've ever lived where it was impossible to make friends. Here is totally different - nearly everyone I've come into contact with has made a point of welcoming me to OK, and has gone out of their way to be helpful in many different ways.

[karibear]

Here's another link for jobs w/wages in OK:

http://www.federaljobsearch.com/adva...&profileOnly=0

[colleeng47]

Originally Posted by DRvortec

It's more for the family. Better place to raise the kids.

That was a big part of our decision -- if not the primary one. We have a 16 DD and 18 year old DS. There was no way they could afford any type of quality of life in NJ. "Starter" homes are going for $200,000+, and that's with the market in a decline. Property taxes are out of control also. Here in OK, my 18 year old son had a job (unskilled labor) for $10.00, with good benefits. He decided to go back to NJ for the summer to be with his gf, and so far he's hasn't found a job, but any job he has been applying for has been that salary or less. And the COL in NJ is about 50% higher.

But as I mentioned earlier, it's not just the COL, its the friendliness, the feeling that most people are content with what they have, much lower stress, etc. In my opinion, that makes for a good quality of life -- of which the COL is only one consideration. Good luck to you and your family.

[DRvortec]

Awww! Thanks. Were looking...and trying.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by DRvortec

Can someone shoot me some zip codes for the towns I have listed to check out distances and what not please

Thanks

DRvortec, use Google Maps and type in the name of the town (don't forget the state [OK]. Then, use the "directions" feature to any other town you want to list.

[linicx]

Originally Posted by DRvortec

If we are looking for a small town feel. Old bridges, near by lakes, nice trees, but the city close enough (1hr drive is ok). Low low crime, friendly people. Where would I want to look?

Let me add. No flood zone areas not tornados is possible. Less snow is better. Not none, just less.

Thanks.

What you define as "city" will determine where you livel Tulsa and OKC are in Tornnado Alley! Let me qualify my comments by saying I lived in NE OK for most of 20 years on Grand Lake. Grpve prettu well fits upir meeds. It is not in Tornado Alley. Yes, it snows, and sometimes dumps snow, but within a couple of days most of the snow has gone. Delaware County does an exceptionally good job of keeping rural roads open. Grove is friendly and it does have a few things that most 'little' towns do not have.. A hospital, about 40 restaruants and motels, a recreated turn of the century town built on the shores of Grand Lake that is an antique museum and an authentic Japanese Garden.. Thee is a lot of interesting history in Grove, and if you are researching your ancestors, the Brove Library has an outstanding genealogy section. There is a junior college, some pretty good doctors, bowling alley, movie theater,
golf cours, fishing tournaments, golf course, local radio station, and a beautiful state park that supports primitive or full service camping, plus fisihing, It offers showers as well as a pump out station. The politics are mostly Republican. Car license is based on mamufacturers price. Grand Lake O' the Cherokee's is 60 miles long and takes 4 hours to drive around. The lake supports fishing, power boars, pleasure boats, yachts and sailboats. Grove is home port to a private member owned sailing club. It is the only place in Grove that has a sail boat launch. The entire area is forested with a lot of flora a fauna. Grove is also in the Canada-Mexico flyway, and because of it the White Pelicans vacation on Grand Lake every fall for about 6 weeks. If you have a boat with a trolling motor you can troll close enough for very good pictures. Tjere are 2-3 nice mobile home parks and several elegant nice residential areas. Thee are a couple of nice boats for long lazy lake cruises, but if you want some excitiement you can always go to the local casino. DSL, Cable Internet and a local dialup are available. The Annual Azelia FEstival that is held at Honor Park at Muskogee every spring is Awesome if you lke flowers. It IS absolutely worth the drive. Grove also has an awesome Cardiologist, and a Cath Lab, and the hosptial has a life-flight service.
The Grove police are as much tourist guides as cops. If you want to do something different, there is a citizens group that is trained to help the police with community activities, car clubs, dance clugs, several churches, etc. If you are Jewish or Muslim the nearest houses of worship are in Tulsa. If you are an avid golfer, one of the toughest 18 hole courses is at Carthage, MO - a little over an hour from Grove. Weather is a little nicer on the South side of the Lake. This includes Lake Roads i,2,3.4.5.6, Buffalo Shores and a couple of other very nice residential developments.. Buffalo Shores 1 is the oldest and nicest to my way of thinking. Gropve also has a couple of retirement homes too.

Tulsa has one of the most elegant stores in the nation at Miss Jackson's in Utica Square.in Tulsa

If you like symphony and upscale shopping you can find it in Tulsa. The town also has some exceptionally fine food too. The entire area is rife with Civil Warhistory, too. There isn't any thing you can't do or place you cana't find anywhere within 150 miles in any direction of Grove and that includes KC. St. Louis is a little further.

[LadyRobyn]

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