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Old 07-27-2015, 01:19 PM
 
4 posts, read 11,710 times
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I have to admit, Lawton, Oklahoma has definitely improved! Born and raised here, I can honestly say that it really has come along way over the past few years. There are so many great restaurants to choose from and the shopping in town has improved immensely. I no longer feel the need to travel to Oklahoma City or Wichita Falls to fulfill my shopping needs. Also, there are so many great things to do and see here. Listed as one of the Ten Most Beautiful Places in Oklahoma, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is without doubt, a place you must visit.

As for the crime rate, I would have to say that it has also improved considerably in the last few years. However, as with any city, there are those certain parts of town you want to stay away from, but altogether I would have to say I do feel like Lawton, Oklahoma is a safe place to live.
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Old 07-27-2015, 05:04 PM
 
Location: SW OK (AZ Native)
24,185 posts, read 13,041,434 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jennifer B View Post
I have to admit, Lawton, Oklahoma has definitely improved! Born and raised here, I can honestly say that it really has come along way over the past few years. There are so many great restaurants to choose from and the shopping in town has improved immensely. I no longer feel the need to travel to Oklahoma City or Wichita Falls to fulfill my shopping needs. Also, there are so many great things to do and see here. Listed as one of the Ten Most Beautiful Places in Oklahoma, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is without doubt, a place you must visit.

As for the crime rate, I would have to say that it has also improved considerably in the last few years. However, as with any city, there are those certain parts of town you want to stay away from, but altogether I would have to say I do feel like Lawton, Oklahoma is a safe place to live.
Agreed. It's getting better. Still has a way to go but much improved, especially when I hear from "old-timers".

I'm privileged that I get to work right next to the Refuge, spotted two bull elk today. And Mount Scott is a must0do for any out-of-town visitor.
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Old 07-29-2015, 02:09 PM
 
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That would be so nice to get to work next to the Refuge. I absolutely love it out there. It's so beautiful and peaceful. If any one is looking for something to do in Lawton, I would strongly suggest checking it out. So many places to explore.
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Old 08-03-2015, 11:31 PM
 
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This was very nice to read, considering a lot of the other older threads didn't have many good things to say about Lawton. My bf is working in Altus, and we're considering relocating from Springfield, Mo. Can you tell me more about Lawton. I have a daughter that is 18 and an 11 year old son. So schools and safe neighborhood is a must. Anything helpful would be great!
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Old 08-03-2015, 11:55 PM
 
Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma
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Who would want to drive from Lawton to Altus and back everyday for a total of two hours? You only have the scenery from the rocky hills in the distance and mesquite trees growing along side of the road to hopefully make it less boring. Besides that, there is more crime in Lawton than in Altus. There were more people in Lawton murdered in 2013 alone than the number murdered in Altus from 2001 to 2013.
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Old 08-04-2015, 11:21 AM
 
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I love Lawton!! Any of the middle schools are great in the area. I personally went to Tomlinson Middle School and Lawton High School so I would have to recommend those. There are many safe neighborhoods in Lawton but there are definitely ones to stay away from. 67th and Gore and Cache Rd are nice neighborhoods. Homestead, Waterford, and Turtle Creek additions are nice as well. There are too many to list here. I don't have kids (yet) but I have always said that this would be a great place to raise a family. I have never felt unsafe here.
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Old 08-04-2015, 12:35 PM
 
Location: USA
626 posts, read 1,231,483 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StillwaterTownie View Post
Who would want to drive from Lawton to Altus and back everyday for total of two hours? You only have the scenery from the rocky hills in the distance and mesquite trees growing along side of the road to hopefully make it less boring. Besides that, there is more crime in Lawton than in Altus. There were more people in Lawton murdered in 2013 alone than the number murdered in Altus from 2001 to 2013.
Not to argue but, lots of people with career/jobs.

I spent 4 years at Altus, working at Altus AFB (1996-2000) where I met and worked with fellow Government employees as well as military members that did just that, drove everyday those 2 hours total from Lawton to Altus.
I also knew people that worked at Ft. Sill and lived at Altus due to their career/jobs. Heck, I also knew some aircraft mechanics that would carpool from Vernon, Tx (a 30 to 40 mile drive) and Wichita Falls to Altus (a 85-90 miles drive or so) every workday.

OP:
Have they built a new Mall yet?

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Old 08-04-2015, 12:36 PM
 
4 posts, read 11,710 times
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Actually, did you know that Lawton was just ranked #15 on the Best Towns to live in Oklahoma, while Altus was ranked #24? Here's the article: (https://local.niche.com/rankings/tow...ns/s/oklahoma/). I agree, taking US 62 from Altus to Lawton is a little lacking in views, but might I suggest instead taking a small detour north from US 62 to OK 54, then turning right on OK 49/Scenic Hwy? If you continue to follow the Scenic Hwy and then stay straight onto OK-115/8th St, it will merge back onto US 62 - only adding a few minutes to your drive time - but the views are worth it!
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Old 08-04-2015, 12:56 PM
 
Location: USA
626 posts, read 1,231,483 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jennifer B View Post
Actually, did you know that Lawton was just ranked #15 on the Best Towns to live in Oklahoma, while Altus was ranked #24? Here's the article: (https://local.niche.com/rankings/tow...ns/s/oklahoma/). I agree, taking US 62 from Altus to Lawton is a little lacking in views, but might I suggest instead taking a small detour north from US 62 to OK 54, then turning right on OK 49/Scenic Hwy? If you continue to follow the Scenic Hwy and then stay straight onto OK-115/8th St, it will merge back onto US 62 - only adding a few minutes to your drive time - but the views are worth it!
Agreed!

As a newcomer to Altus back then, a coworker and his family (all borned and raised at Altus, America) took a couple of us to the world famous Meersburger place by the same route.
As we drove by he had to slow down to let the buffaloes go across the road. Absolutely awesome!!, never in my life had I seen such a beautiful specie.
After the meal he took us to the scenic plateau/mesa/view atop the Wichita mountain (is that right?), where one can feast the eyes looking towards Texas and as far as the eyes can see.
I will never forget that episode

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Old 08-04-2015, 01:01 PM
 
Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma
30,976 posts, read 21,501,161 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cholo57 View Post
Not to argue but, lots of people with career/jobs.

I spent 4 years at Altus, working at Altus AFB (1996-2000) where I met and worked with fellow Government employees as well as military members that did just that, drove everyday those 2 hours total from Lawton to Altus.
I also knew people that worked at Ft. Sill and lived at Altus due to their career/jobs. Heck, I also knew some aircraft mechanics that would carpool from Vernon, Tx (a 30 to 40 mile drive) and Wichita Falls to Altus (a 85-90 miles drive or so) every workday.

OP:
Have they built a new Mall yet?

For my entire working life I always lived in the same town I worked in, so can't relate to this idea you gotta spend gas and time on the road for up to 2 or so hours a day

Anyway, I would assume, by far, the biggest reason why people are so strongly opposed to living in Altus, is due to the fact it offers considerably less in shopping and restaurants than the town they are currently living in, or want to live in, such as Lawton. But then it would be cheaper to live in Altus and drive to Lawton once or twice a week for better shopping, eats and other bigger city needs and delights.
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