[lasomeday]

I would check out Guthrie. It has a Victorian downtown with a few little shops, Victorian bed and breakfasts, and a drive-in movie theater. It is a 10-20 miles from Arcadia and Stillwater if you want layed back night life.

[_redbird_]

Personally, I bet one of Schousse's spring hatchlings, the girl never makes the trip. But... if she does, I think she should go to Gotebo.

[nightbird47]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

I'm a California native too (IE), and believe me small-town/rural living will be a break.

It might be quite a drag too.

Not to be harsh, but believe me, you have NO IDEA what you will be getting yourself into, and you won't know what I'm talking about until after you've experienced it.

Let's just say, rural living can be hard for those of us that aren't used to it, and takes tons of getting accustomed to. Rural living is probably best suited to those that have done it before.

Think for a moment, what it would be like for a small-town person, if they were to move to LA. The cultural change will be the same for you.

After you've lived in your new rural home for at least 6 months-1 year, please report back to let us know how you are doing/coping.

Moved out of the IE (Riverside) last summer and never want to ever go back to that.

I love my nice quiet small town. I love the neighbors that ask if they can help. I love the beautiful blue in the sky (which even on the very best of days never makes it to that beautiful a blue in socal), especially just before the beginning of dusk when the color starts to darken. I love the water that can be consumed out of the tap and the air you can't see. I love the lawn and the lack of traffic and the quiet.

True, if you want lots of excitement you'll have to take a drive. But when I went back to visit in November I had all the excitement I can use for quite some time.

So remember that its very different and you'll have to adjust. People here just do NOT move fast. It was frustrating but I rather like it now. People are nice to you and speak to strangers and are polite. People LIKE the way their town is and will be fine with you unless you want to turn it into a vision of where you came from.

I'm heading into my third season, spring, though I visited here then. Fall was beautiful, Winter cold but managable. I am so delighted that the volunteer bulbs are growing and the lawn is turning green (except for when it has to be mowed). I've alway heard how having four seasons makes you appreciate them and yes, thats true. I notice most people around here when its 20 degrees turn on the heat and stay inside. This isn't Minnesota and to them everyone here is probably a whimp.

If your from the IE, and are used to the hidious summers of late (especially the last one, where we had the heat and all that humidity) the stories of summer don't sound that horrible. Haven't discovered for sure but if its less than 110 and 60 plus humidity I'll do fine.

Right now we have wind. If you live in the santa ana wind corridor most of what we have here that is "wind" is a breeze. This is wind. I was trying to get the car door open when I took my dog to the vet and the wind kept blowing it shut. Brings back memories...

Anyone wanting to come here form socal, and the ie in particular, should think of what they want. Do you *like* the rush? Do you *like* having fast food places splattered everywhere? Do you hate the traffic enough you don't go places because of it? How do you cope with entertaining yourself.

There is satalite and cable and internet and all that of course.

This is a whole new world and I wish I'd found it a long time ago. If LA girl decides to try this area she'll be awed by all the open space and trees, the general lack of suburbs, noise, houses, five lane highways and snotty people. Definately check it out to see, but its amazing how many of us refugees from arnoldville are quite happy here.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by nightbird47

Moved out of the IE (Riverside) last summer and never want to ever go back to that.

I love my nice quiet small town. I love the neighbors that ask if they can help. I love the beautiful blue in the sky (which even on the very best of days never makes it to that beautiful a blue in socal), especially just before the beginning of dusk when the color starts to darken. I love the water that can be consumed out of the tap and the air you can't see. I love the lawn and the lack of traffic and the quiet.

True, if you want lots of excitement you'll have to take a drive. But when I went back to visit in November I had all the excitement I can use for quite some time.

So remember that its very different and you'll have to adjust. People here just do NOT move fast. It was frustrating but I rather like it now. People are nice to you and speak to strangers and are polite. People LIKE the way their town is and will be fine with you unless you want to turn it into a vision of where you came from.

I'm heading into my third season, spring, though I visited here then. Fall was beautiful, Winter cold but managable. I am so delighted that the volunteer bulbs are growing and the lawn is turning green (except for when it has to be mowed). I've alway heard how having four seasons makes you appreciate them and yes, thats true. I notice most people around here when its 20 degrees turn on the heat and stay inside. This isn't Minnesota and to them everyone here is probably a whimp.

If your from the IE, and are used to the hidious summers of late (especially the last one, where we had the heat and all that humidity) the stories of summer don't sound that horrible. Haven't discovered for sure but if its less than 110 and 60 plus humidity I'll do fine.

Right now we have wind. If you live in the santa ana wind corridor most of what we have here that is "wind" is a breeze. This is wind. I was trying to get the car door open when I took my dog to the vet and the wind kept blowing it shut. Brings back memories...

Anyone wanting to come here form socal, and the ie in particular, should think of what they want. Do you *like* the rush? Do you *like* having fast food places splattered everywhere? Do you hate the traffic enough you don't go places because of it? How do you cope with entertaining yourself.

There is satalite and cable and internet and all that of course.

This is a whole new world and I wish I'd found it a long time ago. If LA girl decides to try this area she'll be awed by all the open space and trees, the general lack of suburbs, noise, houses, five lane highways and snotty people. Definately check it out to see, but its amazing how many of us refugees from arnoldville are quite happy here.

Why do they call CA the "inland empire" btw?

[_redbird_]

Very cool post, nightbird47. Loved the Arnoldville quip.

Way back in the 70's, we, *my sisters and I, took a trip to OK for some R&R. My older sis brought a white friend. The first day we got "home", her friend decided to go jogging.

We (my grandparents) lived in super remote rural backwoods southwestern Oklahoma. And the sight of a blond buxom girl jogging must've raised concern because when she got back she said she got quite a few stares and three farmers stopped to ask if she was broke down someplace.

This doubting Thomas thinks it's a good thought, but my money is bet the OP goes on a trip to Palm Springs or Lake Tahoe for a week instead of ... deepest, darkest Oklahoma.

BTW, if the OP does come to Oklahoma, best stay off the grass in case you don't know about chiggers!

Originally Posted by nightbird47

Moved out of the IE (Riverside) last summer and never want to ever go back to that.

I love my nice quiet small town. I love the neighbors that ask if they can help. I love the beautiful blue in the sky (which even on the very best of days never makes it to that beautiful a blue in socal), especially just before the beginning of dusk when the color starts to darken. I love the water that can be consumed out of the tap and the air you can't see. I love the lawn and the lack of traffic and the quiet.

True, if you want lots of excitement you'll have to take a drive. But when I went back to visit in November I had all the excitement I can use for quite some time.

So remember that its very different and you'll have to adjust. People here just do NOT move fast. It was frustrating but I rather like it now. People are nice to you and speak to strangers and are polite. People LIKE the way their town is and will be fine with you unless you want to turn it into a vision of where you came from.

I'm heading into my third season, spring, though I visited here then. Fall was beautiful, Winter cold but managable. I am so delighted that the volunteer bulbs are growing and the lawn is turning green (except for when it has to be mowed). I've alway heard how having four seasons makes you appreciate them and yes, thats true. I notice most people around here when its 20 degrees turn on the heat and stay inside. This isn't Minnesota and to them everyone here is probably a whimp.

If your from the IE, and are used to the hidious summers of late (especially the last one, where we had the heat and all that humidity) the stories of summer don't sound that horrible. Haven't discovered for sure but if its less than 110 and 60 plus humidity I'll do fine.

Right now we have wind. If you live in the santa ana wind corridor most of what we have here that is "wind" is a breeze. This is wind. I was trying to get the car door open when I took my dog to the vet and the wind kept blowing it shut. Brings back memories...

Anyone wanting to come here form socal, and the ie in particular, should think of what they want. Do you *like* the rush? Do you *like* having fast food places splattered everywhere? Do you hate the traffic enough you don't go places because of it? How do you cope with entertaining yourself.

There is satalite and cable and internet and all that of course.

This is a whole new world and I wish I'd found it a long time ago. If LA girl decides to try this area she'll be awed by all the open space and trees, the general lack of suburbs, noise, houses, five lane highways and snotty people. Definately check it out to see, but its amazing how many of us refugees from arnoldville are quite happy here.

[_redbird_]

Originally Posted by Synopsis

Why do they call CA the "inland empire" btw?

Inland Empire refers to the vast area east of L.A. proper, about 60-90 miles inland from the beaches, but not so far as to be in San Berdoo, etc. At least that is what we called it.

[nightbird47]

Originally Posted by Synopsis

Why do they call CA the "inland empire" btw?

Generally, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Keep in mind that San bernardino county is larger all by itself than a number of counties and hits the arizona border.

Way long ago the whole area was largely ranching and agriculture. It was famous for its oranges. So as it wasn't a population center it wasn't noticed. Now it should be not the IE but Riverside County and San Bernardino County like LA and Orange and San Diego are, but tradition is tradition. Only recently has the state begun splitting up the offices for the two counties into seperate areas. Which was way late considering the hordes of people who moved there in the last 20 years.

Not at all surprised that a lot of the posters here came from there.

[jjwebbster]

Originally Posted by lasomeday

I would check out Guthrie. It has a Victorian downtown with a few little shops, Victorian bed and breakfasts, and a drive-in movie theater. It is a 10-20 miles from Arcadia and Stillwater if you want layed back night life.

Plus it's only 26 miles to OKC. Lotts a luck.

[melissaca25]

Lots of information! Thanks! I am looking forward to the trip! Thanks again!!

[TimC2462]

Originally Posted by melissaca25

Hi everyone!

I'm a California native and need a break! I live in the busy LA/OC area my whole life and things just seem to get crazier and crazier as time goes by. I'm planning on taking a week trip to somewhere RURAL within the next few months. My travel history includes, LA, NYC, Las Vegas. I don't think I've ever been in a small town. I need to chill out and experinice simple living even if its for 7 or 10 days. I really want to go out of my comfort zone of what I know and experinice something wholesome and good without all the hype that surrounds my life. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
xo

Ah yes, you will actually like Oklahoma City if you plan on stopping by there. I'm a California native, born and raised in Monterey for 21 years. Then moved out to Bakersfield in the San Joaquin Valley where there are many ties to Texas and Oklahoma.

I actually went to OKC last October and December... and I found the hospitality there to be very friendly. Expect to experience FRESH air, much friendly people, and LESS traffic.

If strangers wave hi to you, it's OK to be shocked for a minute. But do wave back at them.