Info on Poteau (Muskogee, Cleveland, Wister: property taxes, insurance, trip)

[SeabeeBolt]

My wife and I looking into moving in or around the Poteau area in a couple of years. And I would like to get some info on the job market for truck drivers. I drive straight trucks hauling stone, gravel, dirt and aspalt. If every thing goes well this summer we are planing a trip to Poteau in the late fall to see for our selves if its as beautiful as we keep hearing. In all that we have read, it seems to be our kind of place. We live in northern Ohio presently and are tired of the crime, drugs, triffic and outrages taxes. Not to mention that the industery up here has gone to pot.
We would also like to know what the utilities costs are like, and the property taxes & vehicle insurance are like.
I was stationed at Ft. Sills back in the late 70's and fell in love with the people of Oklahoma then and hope that they are still the same down home folks today.
I'm just an old country boy looking to get back to a country way of living.

[eddie gein]

There is a fellow I know named Vernon Roberts who owned a trucking company in Poteau although it has been several years since I have talked to him. His son Brian is a CPA there. You might want to give them a call.

Poteau is a lot different than Ft. Sill. The people there are a little more clannish and Poteau's economy is really tied somewhat to Arkansas. It is beautiful there but it is kind of a dumpy town. However, Ft Smith/Fayetteville have about half a million people in the area now and there is more to do than you would think as far as attractions. Many people in Oklahoma think Poteau is isolated but it really isn't. It's just the southwest edge of NW Ark
I miss the mountains of the area and the fall seasons of that area. If you like to hunt and fish ride horses or hike it is great there.

[eddie gein]

I lived in Poteau about 10years ago. It is a very pretty setting for that part of the world. Mountains on three sides with one backing up to town. The town is basically a suburb of ft smith Arkansas but it is about 30 miles away.
The town itself is extremely working class and the town is kind of dumpy but it is slowly upgrading. Apparently it has a couple of nice restaurants now.

It is so connected to NW Arkansas that you really don't feel like you live in Oklahoma, but that area (Fayettevill/Ft Smith has about 750K in the service area so you are not that isolated).

The mountains in that area are not real tall but they are green and truly spectacular in the fall. I loved going to the mountains there to hike and ride mountain bikes, but most people hunt, fish or boat.

Ft. Smith has the malls, medical and they have a symphony so the area is not devoid of culture, but Poteau is definately a blue collar/country type town.

[SeabeeBolt]

eddie gein
Thanks for the reply. I was beginning to wonder if I would ever get one . As far as dumpy little towns are concerned, that fits me just fine. You should see the town that I'm living in now. Ihope the only difference is that the crime rate isn't as bad as Cleveland and Lorain Ohio are. I drive strait dump trucks for a living and I'm sure I'll be able to find Employment with no problem. Everybody needs roads to drive on . Thanks

[MelinPoteau]

I live in Poteau and have for the last five years.I think that you would be very happy here lol at least I am. I think that the people here are friendly if you are friendly with them. The cost of living here is not too bad. The mountains and the countryside are beautiful .We do have the tallest hill in the US (cavanal) If you are a good ole country boy you can get your fill of hunting,fishing,camping etc. The utilities are not really that expensive compared to larger places and it is 35 miles from Fort Smith , Ark. As for the crime rate I feel pretty safe here. There are several rock quarries in the area so I bet you could get a job easily. There is always a demand for experienced drivers. I joned the forum today just to try to talk you into trying Poteau. Have a great day and good luck in moving. (((Hugs))) Mel

[nocoldiron]

We are very interested in that area but would like to know the driving time to either the VA in Fayetteville,AR or Muskogee,OK.We live in OR now and would still like the mountains in eyesight.Is Lake Wister a clear or muddy lake?We truly miss fishing for catfish here.My husbands idea of civilization is where is the nearest mega lumber yard,or Home Depot.We are stay at home people who don't want/need outside entertainment beyond the woodshop,garden or going fishing.The area there has always interested us.

[gonefishing]

79.4 miles to 125 S Main Muskogee, OK

88.9 to 1100 N. College Ave, Fayetteville, AR


It may not be exact but it will be close.

[MelinPoteau]

yep it is about a hour drive tothe V.A in Muskogee and 1 and 1/2 from fayettviille.Sparks Medical Plaza on Dodson in Fort SMith has a V.A. patient office there also.
Lake Wister is clear most of the time and there are several other lakes around. Lake Eufala is about a hour away(guestimate lol)Lake Tenkiller and Lake Fort Smith etc. Cedar Lake is about 30 minutes away and it is pretty awesome
There is a home depot in Fort Smith eventually we might get one here,and there are lumber yards all over the place. (((HUGS)))) Mel

[SeabeeBolt]

Thanks to all,
I appreciate all of your replies, especially yours MelinPoteau. Hopfully my wife and I will be visiting Poteau this late fall or just before winter. Although we would really like to be there for the changeing of the leavein fall. any idea rufly when that is Mel? Maybe we'll run into each other then. While we're there I'll be looking into the job market for strait truck drivers. But, for now I'm just trying to dig myself out of this #%&@ snow. Again, thanks to all of you that repied to my questions, I really apprecaite it.

[MelinPoteau]

Hi! The best time would be in Late Sept. or early Oct for the changing leaves. The way the weather has been the last couple of years you never really know how long the trees will stay green LOL Even the flowers that should be dead bloom when you least expect them too. Muskogee has a azalea festival every year and it is beautiful it is kind of a drive thru or walk thru thing.If you do get out here I would love to talk to you and your wife ,maybe I could point out some places for you to go while you are here .(((HUGS))))))) Mel Oh yeah good luck with the snow