[JimCarey]

I really like western Oklahoma, but wonder if this city-slicker would really be happy out there. And jobs - how are those and what type? Anyone with info out there?

David
Tulsa, OK

[rheider44]

Well I'm originally from Tulsa, I moved here to Beaver nearly 2 1/2 years ago and I love it. Jobs are available, not real glamorous ones, but good paying exist and housing/cost of living is low. Both Guymon and Woodward have ample shopping and dining, as well as civic clubs and afterwork hangouts. The only issue I still have with living out here is the amount travel it takes to get anywhere else in the state, but of course it's nearly equal distance back to Tulsa as it is to the closest ski resort in NM/CO. So it's ultimately your choice on which direction you decide to travel

[stillkit]

The two biggest towns out there are Woodward and Guymon.

Woodward is heavily dependent upon agriculture and the oil patch for it's jobs. Also, since it's the county seat, there may be some government jobs available.

Guymon is about the same, but their economy is also propped up by the beef cattle industry, including feed lots and packing plants. However, most of those jobs are held by Hispanics and, unless you're willing to work for the low wages paid to them, you're probably the odd man out.

The people out there are open, friendly and approachable but, like the land itself, beaten down by the elements. It's a tough land to live in and only the strong survive. Many of the original families moved somewhere else during the 1930's, when the Panhandle was ground zero for the Dust Bowl and Great Depression. Those who hung on are the hardiest of the hardiest and not to be crossed lightly. Most people there are now relative newcomers.

Enviornmentally, a good bit (if not all) of the water sources are contaminated with agricultural runoff. The Dust Bowl era blew away literally all the topsoil, so agriculture there now is sustained only by the liberal application of chemicals and irrigation.

Topographically, the area is the Great Plains, flat as a tabletop to the horizon, cut by streams which mostly only hold water when it rains. It's brutally hot and dry in the summer and dreadfully cold in the winter. There isn't anything between Woodward or Guymon and the North Pole but a barbed wire fence...and it blew down! Dust storms are still possible, though not on the order of the Dust Bowl times. Dry land farming has pretty much eliminated that threat, but they can be serious on a local level during times when the fields lie fallow and the wind blows, which is almost constantly. The only trees to be found have been planted for wind resistance and ornamentation or grow naturally along the few waterways. Heavy snow or ice is fairly common and what few snow plows and salt trucks the state possesses out there can't nearly keep up with demand. Plan on staying home when it gets bad.

Overall, it's an acquired taste and most people eventually find they can't live there and keep their sanity. Like the rest of the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, there appears to be a very high rate of suicide, brought on by the monotony of the landscape and the bitter, unforgiving enviornment.

Try it, though. You may like it. If not, move on.

By the way, Boise City is the worst of the worst. I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would want live there, nor what they might do for a living.

[Nameless]

Originally Posted by stillkit

By the way, Boise City is the worst of the worst. I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would want live there, nor what they might do for a living.

I'd have to agree with this. I drove through there on the way to Colorado this July. While the peace and serenity of the area are a nice change from the urban areas. The town is really run down and looks depressing. So many buildings boarded up all over town.

What's funny is the town is closest to "cities" in this order: Amarillo, Colorado Springs, Denver, Wichita, Albuquerque, Oklahoma City. That should tell you something about how much they identify with the rest of their state.

[StillwaterTownie]

At least, Woodward and Guymon are rare examples out that way of towns actually growing slightly in population, rather than significantly losing population, such as Boise City.

[catman]

I agree concerning Boise City being unattractive, but I made the trip from there to Kenton, OK at the extreme western edge of the Panhandle, and I think that part of OK is my favorite. Just beautiful!

[StillwaterTownie]

Yeah, I think it real aerie driving by those big buttes during the hazy late evening hours. And you start to sense something is missing in the scenery and it finally dawns upon you. There's no fences lining the road!

[stillkit]

Originally Posted by StillwaterTownie

Yeah, I think it real aerie driving by those big buttes during the hazy late evening hours. And you start to sense something is missing in the scenery and it finally dawns upon you. There's no fences lining the road!

People and trees are missing too.

[JimCarey]

I don't know what I'd do for a living off-hand. I know both G & W offer Love's Truck Stops (any Love employees out there?) and they appear a decent place to work. I've stayed in Guymon over night going/coming from ABQ.
I wonder if small-town people know each others business like they say? Also, as a single person could it not be as appealing? Any thoughts on these?

David

[StillwaterTownie]

Originally Posted by JimCarey

I really like western Oklahoma, but wonder if this city-slicker would really be happy out there. And jobs - how are those and what type? Anyone with info out there?

David
Tulsa, OK

Why do you like western Oklahoma, anyway? I don't care much for it, except when the scenery happens to stray away from being ruler flat.