[eddie gein]

Shawnee is an ok place and is improving, however Shawnee is not considered one of the nicer places around OKC. It is considered about like El Reno or Chickasha (where I live) but basically that means that they are not as affluent as some of the other suburbs. It is tough to pick a place without having a little more information about what you are looking for.

[Yorkie_Mom]

Originally Posted by eddie gein

Shawnee is an ok place and is improving, however Shawnee is not considered one of the nicer places around OKC. It is considered about like El Reno or Chickasha (where I live) but basically that means that they are not as affluent as some of the other suburbs. It is tough to pick a place without having a little more information about what you are looking for.

We have people who live in Oklahoma!!!!!! Just kidding, it took a while to hear from you. What would you like to know?????
We are looking for a town around 20,000 to 40,000 as long as they have a Wal-Mart and other shopping stores. We would like to find a nice house for no more then $100,000 with at least three bedrooms, double garage, nice neighborhood, with good schools, and little or no crime. My daughter will be going into 7th grade, and I would like for her to fit in with other girls from that town.
I don't know what else I am missing, but there's a start for ya. If you have questions, feel free to ask. Is there some pretty towns, or a certain area we should be checking, like say North East Oklahoma, I hear that is a pretty area, so what ever you want to throw my way, I am open. Thanks for the help. Yorkie

[_redbird_]

Well, have you narrowed it down any? I would like to hear your top three list when you get it pared down. Personally, if I ever have to move again, it will be towards eastern OK. Simply because I like trees. You have a little more to conisder though. Hope your little one is in good health. Little does she know how much worrying her momma is putting in for her. Keep us posted. My choice for you to consider is Tahlequah.

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, Yorkie_Mom. I do not live in Oklahoma but am somewhat familiar with much of the state. I prefer the Green Country of eastern Oklahoma near Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

[eddie gein]

In northeastern Oklahoma I think Tahlequah, Claremore and Bartlesville would be the best bets (non suburban) with Pryor and Coweta also as possibilities.

Ponca City, Stillwater and maybe Sapulpa would be picks in north central Oklahoma.

Southeastern Oklahoma would be Ada, McAlester, and Durant.

South Central Oklahoma would be Ardmore.

Western Oklahoma probably doesn't have any towns that are all that "scenic" but Enid is pretty nice.

All these places have the things you requested as far has houses and such.

Of all the towns, Bartlesville probably has the best package.

[Yorkie_Mom]

Thank you everyone, do any of you have any pictures you can post???? I will take and check into some of these towns you all have mentioned, and when I get it narrowed down to three I will let you all know so that I can get a vote on what would be best. For right now how many would pick Bartlesville, and why do you think it would be a good place to live compared to the other cities???? I guess I have my work cut out.
We had our realtor over today, and he said he wouldn't have a problem selling our home fast, once it gets on the market, but the bad news, I have to start opening up my rooms, I guess I have to much stuff, so do I hear any volunteers, who is raising their hands??? I guess it's one way of doing spring cleaning. Between packing, selling, and trying to find a city and home, I guess they say us women can multi task, so I will let you know how it is done once I get going. Thanks again for the help, post pictures if you can, take care and have a good night. Yorkie

[_redbird_]

There is a website with pics of Bartlesville. Not sure if we are allowed to post websites. If not, I will PM you.

www.bartlesville.net

[eddie gein]

I picked Bartlesville for you for several reasons. Both Bartlesville and Ponca City were the birthplaces of two large oil companies. Ponca City birthed Conoco and Bartlesville birthed Phillips 66. They merged and made ConocoPhillips.

I grew up in Ponca City and think it actually is nicer than B'ville in what legacy all the oil millionaires left the city, however, B'ville is larger (thus a few more amenities than PC) and B'ville sites in a more scenic area although Ponca City is ok (next to the Osage county tall grass prairie and Kaw Lake).

Ultimately, I think B'ville is a little better because it is closer to Tulsa than Ponca City is to any large metro area (Wichita, KS and Tulsa are about 75 miles from Ponca City).

Although there are lots of nice communities in the state, the legacy created by these oil companies has set these two communities apart from most others in Oklahoma relative to other towns in the state.

I moved from Ponca City to Edmond (which many consider the nicest suburban city in Oklahoma) and I was shocked at what Edmond didn't have that Ponca City had..........and it was all due to EW Marland (founder of Conoco), Lew Wentz and a number of oil millionaires in the 1920's.

B'ville has the same due to the Phillips brothers.

[Synopsis]

Hi Yorkie_Mom,
I'm from a very small town in between Ada and McAlester. Both of those towns might fit your bill. They are both just under 20,000 people, with Ada being just a tad larger than McAlester. Without a doubt you could find a home within your price range in those areas. Ada is actually in a boom right now, mostly as a result of the Chickasaw Nation being headquartered there and the business/money they are bringing in is phenomenal and very good for the area. There are restaurants and business popping up all over the city like I've never seen before. Ada has a University (East Central University), two hospitals (Valley View and the Chickasaw Nation hospital), and restaurants such as Chilis, Applebees, and some local home grown favorites like Bob's Barbeque (yum), a very nice Italian restaurant downtown (forgot the name), Polo's Restaurant (Mexican), and a slew of other pretty decent places to eat. They also have a Lowes and will soon be building a Home Depot (or vice versa), a very large Wal-Mart, some decent movie theaters, and so on.

The housing in Ada runs the full gamut as well with million dollar mansions to small wood frame homes in nice, tree lined neighborhoods for under 100K. There are lots of new homes being built in Ada as well. I was up there a few weeks ago and I really can't believe how much growth is occurring in the city; the University is even building a very large, new Art Center. Ada also has one of the nicest parks I've seen anywhere (Wintersmith). Their 4th of July celebration is fantastic and draws people from all around.

The countryside around Ada varies from rolling hills to the East and South to more farmland and prairie to the West. Some of the homes on the Southeast side of town are just beautiful, amongst the rolling hills and deciduous forest. Ada doesn't have everything, but if you want the small city with at least some decent amenities, it is almost exactly what you'd be looking for. Ada is about 80 miles from Oklahoma City so it's not too far to drive for things you might need in a large metropolitan area.

I'm not as familiar with the mid to smaller size towns in the rest of the state, but from what I've heard Bartlesville is nice as well. Below is a list of some towns I know first-hand are pretty decent that you might want to check out. I deliberately left out cities such as Owasso or Norman because they are suburbs of cities like OkC and Tulsa and are therefore not really small towns (in my opinion). But, I'd encourage you to check those areas out as well if the bigger city doesn't turn you off too much because they are nice too.

Ada
McAlester
Pauls Valley (small)
Shawnee
Tahlequah
Stillwater
Guthrie

[Jammie]

I have a friend who's sister lives in Tahlequah. My friend visits there often and highly recommends it. Her Sis lives in Norman, but works in Tahlequah and wishes that she'd live there. We have regretted not stopping in Tahlequah on our trip down there.

I understand it's just a bit under 20,000, but is friendly and is in eastern OK so it's bound to have pretty scenery. They also have a college and a hospital that has a very good rep.