[WhiskeyChick]

Mornin' all. I'm moving to Westville in June and have very little idea of what to expect. The quick rundown is this: My husband grew up and graduated High School there, and now we're moving back to help take care of his dad and raise our kids. Now I'm Phoenix, AZ born and raised and have only spent one week in Oklahoma so I've got a ton of questions before I move my whole family there. For a rundown of all my questions you can see my silly blog here: http://whiskeychick.tumblr.com/tagged/Oklahoma
But the more important questions are these:
1) We have a plot of family land that already has septic and utilities ran that we will most likely put a manufactured home on until we can find/build what we really want. Where is the best place locally to find manufactured homes? Is there any specific feature/fallback I should watch out for (since I've never had one)?
2) We are far from conservative, and it seemed like there were more churches than houses... should I prepare to be shunned from the community?
3) I am a freelance writer, but may need to take a part time job until I rebuild my client list after the move... is it harder for "an outsider" to get a job in smaller communities like that?
4) I will be visiting in March and would love to get my car registered in oklahoma... what will I need? Can I even do that if I haven't moved there yet?

I think that's it for now. I'm excited about the move, but after 30 years in the desert I have to admit I'm nervous
~Shauna~

[Goodpasture]

You are gonna have to get used to water and green things........btw, all that green stuff is called leaves and grass. the brown woody things are trees.

FWIW, I LOOOOOOVE Westville. Getting a job shouldn't be too hard, just don't expect much in wages. That you are a free lance writer is good......that area is wonderful if you can find the means to support yourself. You will find manufactured housing dealers in most of the larger communities. From there, you will probably find your best deals in Tahlequah, Muskogee, Ft Smith, and Springdale. Go much further and delivery costs will be an issue. There are a lot of good quality used MH's around, just be aware that FHA will not refi a MH that's been moved (there are exceptions, but by and large they don't want them). I doubt you will be shunned.....that is done by some of the more retarded churches (in my opinion) to apostate members. No one will shun you because they will be hoping you will become a member of their church. If your faith is challenged, simply explain what you believe and thank them for their interest. I have a neighbor who is Wiccan and she has no problems with the community at all, and we live in a small sparsley populated area similar to Westville. If you are wanting to register the car, simply bring the stuff that prove you own it, that shows you have it insured, and your identification........you can check the state web site on taxation to find out exactly what you need, or you could call any tag office in OK to get an exact list of what all you need.

BTW, I envy your moving to that area......I love the land of the Cherokee.........

[karibear]

More on mobile homes. It depends on how much land you have that's already got septic and utilities. You'd want at least a double wide, there is no way to finance a single wide in OK, other than through a mobile home park that owns it, or a few of the dealers who want it set up where THEY want it. Most mortgage companies won't finance one if you should decide to sell it some day - there are a few that will do double wides, but they insist on inspecting it first, and go on a case by case basis. And if you get one, you'd want it set on a cement foundation with anchors, and make sure it's new enough to meet any existing building codes. One of the advantages is that if you buy a new [or even just a newer] one, you can get them with all the appliances, etc, you want. Also, there is a difference between mobiles and manufactured homes - mobiles have axles which can be removed, manufactured homes show up on flat beds and are lifted into place with a crane, and should not be considered a 'mobile' by either mortgage or insurance companies. ONe thing to keep in mind also is that most of the insurance companies won't insure any place that has an owner-installed wood stove. It has to be professionally installed, so the only exception to that 'owner-installed' would be if that was the owner's profession.

I'm about 1-1/2 hours sort of southwest of where you will be, and my neighbors pretty much kept me in fresh produce this past summer. If you have enough land, count on planting at least a small garden for yourself. Personally, I'd rather buy from a roadside stand than from a store, but that's just me.

The town where I live also has a lot of churches, but so far no one has ever tried to recruit me. In fact, only one person has ever even asked what my preference was - it's pretty laid-back and friendly here.

I did read your blog, and most of what seems to worry you, I wouldn't waste the energy worrying over. There are bugs - especially in my area - lots of ants [though I haven't seen any sugar ants trying to take over], spiders, and some very weird ones further out in the country. There are tarantulas, but they seem to avoid people. Lots of mosquitos, ticks, etc, and if you have pets, they will need to be protected with something like Advantix and heartworm prevention. You'll be on the edge of the Ozark Mountains, and there will be snakes, including some poisonous ones. There are timber rattlers in the Ozarks, and they are both bigger and different from their desert cousins. For the most part, using common sense and dressing appropriately will take care of almost anything you'd come across. And use lots of Deep Woods Off, or something similar, any time you are going out for any length of time.

[HeatherDawn]

Cute blog! I have never been to Westville that I can think of but really, we're the same all over! There are lots of questions on your blog that would be fun to answer but I'll just get the ones you posted here.

1.) Solitaire is the Cadillac of mobile homes. :-) Dealers are everywhere.
2.) No, you won't be shunned as long as you are polite and not condescending about your differences.
3.) Yes. The reason I say that is not because people don't want to hire "outsiders" but because locals usually have connections and therefore they probably have an advantage there. I don't think it's too the point that you would have any trouble just because you are new.
4.) To get your car registered, you'll have to have your driver's license and proof of insurance, as well as an Oklahoma address. You should probably just wait until you move. It's not a big process.

If you don't mind, I'd like to take a stab at the kids questions because they are hilarious.

1. Why is all the dirt red? Because we have a lot of rust in the soil.
2. When does lightning bug season start/end? Varies but about May-August.
3. Can you catch the squirrels and keep them as pets? If you catch it when it's a baby and it doesn't die. This probably isn't legal but I know someone that did it.
4. How many snow days are there in a schoolyear? Usually not many but maybe 1 or 2 if you're lucky.
5. How old do you have to be to drive a quad? Old enough for your mama to say it's okay. I think you probably better have a driver's license if you do it in public but all ages do it on private land. You have to be very careful because they are dangerous.

[HeatherDawn]

Further browsing your blog, I noticed you might be pretty into live music. Here, we have a local scene called red dirt music. Closely related to Texas music. Google it and you might be impressed!

[Goodpasture]

Sorry, didn't read your blog right away.......maybe I can help with some of the questions

How often should I really expect tornados?

Not more than two or three times a year

When does Tornado season start and stop?

If you are lucky it will start in March and end in October.......but that is variable. They have hit as late as December and and as early as January

Besides sirens, how could you predict that you may be in tornado conditions?

A good indication is when you see your roof flying across the road.

What is the average snowfall in the NE Oklahoma area?

You will get anywhere from none to 6 inches a year

Will I need snowchains to get around?

Yes. once every five years or so, chains are essential.....usually to get you from your driveway to a major road. Then they need to come off.

Does salt really keep the driveway clear or is there a better option that won’t tear up my car?

Just stay home that morning....everyone else does.

What will I have to do to weatherproof my house for the winter?

Pay your gas bill.

Humidity - Yeah… that’s a foreign concept to me. What’s that all about?

Don't sweat it

I hear it rains and hails in shocking amounts.. how often is that?

What do you mean shocking? I don't know that I've ever been shocked by hail....hit a few times, bruised a little, but not shocked

Is there a rainy season (like our predictable monsoons) or is it sporadic?

It rains almost every month except when it doesn't. the times it doesn't every one complains about the drought.

Do you get many lightning storms?

Not more than 10 or 15 a year

How big does the hail get?

usually no more than marble sized.......once in a while you will get some that is the size of a baseball, but not often

Due to the remote placement of most of the houses I’ve seen my only option for high-speed internet may be via satellite. Is this faster/slower than DSL? Do weather conditions ever disable access? And what price range does monthly service usually run?

I'm on Satellite and pay about $80 a month.

Here in AZ there are well-known tips for vehicle maintenance in such a hot, dry climate. What are the most common tips for vehicle maintenance there?

Keep gas in it, change the oil, wash it on occasion.

Are there any strange traffic laws I should be aware of? (For example, Arizona just placed a ban on decorative liscence plate holders that block the word “Arizona” at the top of the plate).

don't speed, don't drive drunk, don't run stop signs. Don't your cops know where they are?

Will I have to follow those “higher altitude” baking instructions on cakes and what-not (I doubt it but had to ask)

No

What is the biggest computer supply store in your area? (Out here we have Fry’s electronics which is HUGE).

We order from Fry's too

Why is all the dirt red?

So we can have red dirt music

When does lightning bug season start/end?

about the time the tick season begins and ends

Can you catch the squirrels and keep them as pets?

I suppose, but they usually don't make it past dinner

How many snow days are there in a schoolyear?

every time we get more than an inch of snow.....three or four times a year

How old do you have to be to drive a quad?

Old enough to reach the pedals. By and large they are illegal on the road, but no one says much about it unless you are doing something stupid or dangerous.

The Thinker has a hard time relating to other kids… he’s usually lost in thoughts of inventions and robots and all things nautical. He’s made fun of for being nerdy although I love him all the more because of it. Can you give me examples of great engineers or inventors whose roots are in the red dirt?

Gordon Cooper astronaut, Shawnee
Owen K. Garriott astronaut, Enid
Karl Guthe Jansky engineer, Norman
Shannon Lucid astronaut, Bethany
Paul & Thomas Braniff, Aviation pioneers, Oklahoma City
Joseph "Jocko" Clark US Navy admiral, WWII hero, Pryor
Stuart Roosa, Astronaut, Claremore

The Doer… how can I get him paired up with Sam Bradford or Demarco Murray for a day or two? I mean, he’s only 6 but he throws one mean spiral!

Small towns are great for football. A good athlete gets lots of playing time, they frequently play both sides of the ball......

Is Oklahoma really prepared for a 13 year old girl with a wise soul and her own opinions that cannot be changed by anyone but herself?

Strong women are treasured here.....read up on Wilma Mankiller or Jeane Kirkpatrick

Where can I get window locks and a shotgun?

anywhere you want....from classified ads in the newspapers to pawn shops to sporting good stores. Even Walmart carries shotguns and shells.

With houses being so much further away from each other, how often do you talk to your neighbors?

I avoid it as much as possible

It’s Friday night, the kids are at grandma’s and you’re on your own for the evening. What do you do for fun?

How did you get kids?

Does the over-abundance of churches mean that the majority of people I meet will try to recruit me to theirs?

No, but don't be surprised if they try to avoid being recruited by yours.

I’m at a housewarming party and someone asks about my job. I tell them I work in internet marketing… will they all **** their heads and look confused? (I got this from a few realtors while I was there).

Tell them you sell on Ebay

If you live in the northeastern part of Oklahoma (Near Grove/GrandLake) where do you go for live music?

Anywhere from local clubs to the Casinos to Tulsa. Oklahoma is rich in music.

Is Tyson chicken REALLY free of chemical additives? I heard they add Iodine to their chicken in place of the traditional harmful antibiotics… is this safe?

No idea.... I try to raise our own

Do you trust produce from a produce stand more than from the grocery store? Why or why not?

Yes.....fresher, and you get to chat with the guy what growed it......

If wholesome and plentiful foods are so much cheaper and easier to obtain, then why are so many people’s cabinets stocked with nothing but junkfood? Eeew!

Stupid hillbillies

Is oversized frumpy clothing the only thing available in rural clothing stores? Will I be ostracized from the community if I wear form-fitting clothes?

Depends on your form

Why are so many of the houses I see available equipped with 2 kitchens? What the duece?

I don't recall seeing many of those.

Are the following items easily available in your local grocery store: Bell peppers, red chilis, fresh oranges, watermelon, chorizo, black beans, and ground turkey?

yes, but why do you want ground turkey?

How is it that a Wal-Mart in rural Oklahoma is a haven for wondrous things, while a Wal-mart in Phoenix is the devil’s torture chamber of horrors?

Just lucky

How fast does furniture/electronics get dusty? (Here in Phx dust happens on a daily basis and a week will render your TV useless).

depends on whether or not your road is paved and on how many dogs are in the house.

Why the abundance of super-smelly candles? I noticed EVERY house I went to was absolutely reeking with apple-cinnamon or sugar cookie type candles. Are we trying to hide something?

no idea......

What’s the most common household bug problem and how do you handle it? Out here it’s ants and I have a thousand (well, maybe not QUITE a thousand… but close) ways to deal with it.

Ticks......gotta keep an eye on bodies......btw, tick checks with a close friend can be fun......

[dekes1969]

hey whiskeychick:


ne oklahoma is one of the most beautiful places around. I am a native upstate new yorker and find green country to be awesome. the lakes are wonderful. tulsa is a a really nice mid level city and you will only be a 90 minutes away. i will work on some of those ??? you have later

[dekes1969]

one thing saw from your blog never had issue with getting a lime? that is just weird

[colleeng47]

Is Oklahoma really prepared for a 13 year old girl with a wise soul and her own opinions that cannot be changed by anyone but herself?


Welcome to the forum. I have a 16 (almost 17) year old girl with a wise soul and her own opinions that cannot be changed by anyone but herself also. However, I do find as she gets older she listens more to others and weighs their information against her own, and occasionally she actually changes her mind!! But since just about all of her decisions are good ones, it doesn't matter.

But to answer your question, yes, she will do fine in Oklahoma. We moved here about a year ago from New Jersey. My daughter started at Mustang HS late last spring, worked at the community center all summer and is in her junior year now. She has soooo many friends I can't keep track of them. She's always running out to a party, a sleep over, or "just hanging out." Also, we don't belong to a church and we have not felt left out at all. When my daughter goes out with friends for dinner they sometimes pray before they eat, but she and her bf just sit quietly. They have invited her to their churches, but are not offended when she doesn't take them up on it.

I loved reading all the questions you have. It wasn't much of an adjustment for us to make when we moved here, but we did live in several other places besides New Jersey, including Phoenix.

Keep those questions coming, girl. We're ready for ya.

[WhiskeyChick]

WOW! So many great answers! I know that some of those questions are just silly, but it's my way of getting over the nervousness I have about making such a big life change. So far I haven't found a single reason to be truly nervous though! Thank you guys (and gals too)!