New grad moving from okc area - few questions (Tulsa: insurance, buying a home)

[sooneralum2012]

Just got a job offer in Tulsa, can't be more excited! The more I learn about the city, the more I realize how different it is than okc (in a great way).

Few things though.

1. I'm moving up and don't know too many people in the Tulsa area. I'm a very social person, so I would like to make some connections with people my age. Any tips on where to meet people?

2. Living in bixby for the first 8 months because I have free family housing. Looking to move into the city afterward however. Would you consider buying a house in midtown a good investment? I would like to find somewhere to live for at least 4-5 years, and the riverside area interests me a lot.

3. I have heard about the whole okc/tulsa rivalry. My experience with tulsans at OU has led me to believe that people my age (20 somethings) don't really think anything about it, but my job is a fundraising position where I will be working with older populations. Should I expect any animosity or pushback because I'm not originally from the area?

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by sooneralum2012

Just got a job offer in Tulsa, can't be more excited! The more I learn about the city, the more I realize how different it is than okc (in a great way).

Few things though.

1. I'm moving up and don't know too many people in the Tulsa area. I'm a very social person, so I would like to make some connections with people my age. Any tips on where to meet people?

2. Living in bixby for the first 8 months because I have free family housing. Looking to move into the city afterward however. Would you consider buying a house in midtown a good investment? I would like to find somewhere to live for at least 4-5 years, and the riverside area interests me a lot.

3. I have heard about the whole okc/tulsa rivalry. My experience with tulsans at OU has led me to believe that people my age (20 somethings) don't really think anything about it, but my job is a fundraising position where I will be working with older populations. Should I expect any animosity or pushback because I'm not originally from the area?

And most Okies older than you don't think about it either. It's a myth. I'm 4th generation Oklahoman with folks in both OK City and Tulsa and I had never heard of a "rivalry" before I came on to City Data. It might be fun to talk about the minor differences here and there between the cities; but the truth of the matter is that the cities are very culturally similar and akin to one another in the main categories, at least more similar than the expansive divergence that is sometimes purported on this forum. (Some seem to think that Tulsa is more like Chicago, KC, or Cleveland rather than OKC = clearly wrong on a plethora of levels.)

You're on target. You'll do well because you're an Okie. Congrats on the job!

BTW: I'm hoping this is the year Knight takes the Sooners all the way! BOOMER!

[teakboat]

The cultural gap from OKC to Tulsa is not quite as severe as OKC to Bangkok, or even OKC to Saigon.

[eddie gein]

Originally Posted by Bass&Catfish2008

And most Okies older than you don't think about it either. It's a myth. I'm 4th generation Oklahoman with folks in both OK City and Tulsa and I had never heard of a "rivalry" before I came on to City Data. It might be fun to talk about the minor differences here and there between the cities; but the truth of the matter is that the cities are very culturally similar and akin to one another in the main categories, at least more similar than the expansive divergence that is sometimes purported on this forum. (Some seem to think that Tulsa is more like Chicago, KC, or Cleveland rather than OKC = clearly wrong on a plethora of levels.)

You're on target. You'll do well because you're an Okie. Congrats on the job!

BTW: I'm hoping this is the year Knight takes the Sooners all the way! BOOMER!

I think the Tulsa vs OKC thing is way more of an issue in Tulsa than it is in OKC. Mostly because OKC is the seat of government, and also because OKC has always cast it's gaze at DFW. It's funny though, because the old school blue blood Tulsans consider themselves more aristocracy than the same bunch in OKC. They kind of look at the OKC crowd as a bunch of wildcatters.

[linicx]

As an outsider who lived in OK for a number of years… Tulsa is not a large university town. It is not the state capital. It is separated from OKC by 100 mlles of pumpjacks, hills, and very small communities. Some say Tulsa is the art center of OK. It is certainly a beautiful, green leafy city with many mature trees. Traffic is just as gnarly, and it has tornadoes too from time to time. Like any town there are many ways to meet people. The church is one.

On the east side of Tulsa on 1-44 as you move east you will notice a change in terrain. You're moving into the foothills of the Ozark Mountain range. The Muskogee Azalea festival in the spring is a must see. The Japanese gardens in Grove, the worlds longest multiple-arch dam in Langley, and Grand Lake itself are top destinations.

OK is okay. It almost two states. OKC is the capital of one, and Tulsa the other. Enjoy it. You'll find good food and friendly people. You can't ask for any more.

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by teakboat

The cultural gap from OKC to Tulsa is not quite as severe as OKC to Bangkok, or even OKC to Saigon.

This has been my observation as well.

[flyingcat2k]

One issue with buying a home in Riverside is that you will need to purchase flood insurance and may need to raise the foundation up, particularly as you get closer to the river. Realtors should mention this when you are looking.