[lfgirl85]

I've been offered a teaching job in Tishomingo and am wondering what life in Oklahoma would be like compared to that which I am accustomed.
Some background is in order.
I was born, raised and educated in Philadelphia, PA (the actual city, not the Philly AREA).
I am neither Republican nor Democrat (I believe that they are two sides of the same coin).
I am pro-gun, pro-civil rights, pro-choice and do not believe in anyone's god whatsoever.
Except for my pro-gun stance I would probably be considered by most people to be a "liberal" but I consider myself to be a Jeffersonian liberal.
I'm married with two grown children and am not a "night-life" person, I'd rather spend my free time at Barnes & Noble.
How do you think that I'll get along in SE Oklahoma?

[StillwaterTownie]

Unfortunately, Tishomingo is in a remote, largely stagnant, backward part of Oklahoma. It has next to nothing to boast about. Only in the last year did they finally get around to legalizing liquor by the drink there. It's definitely too conservative for my taste. Though you might like the no night life part, expect extreme culture shock there. It's just not a good way to do Oklahoma, unless you get into backwardness and small time ways.

[eddie gein]

You'd better be ready to answer the question "Have you found a church home yet, honey?" by every blue hair in town.

[lfgirl85]

Remote, too conservative, extreme culture shock, backwardness, small time and "church home"? Great. No, I'm not into backwardness and small time ways.
I am imagining the responses to my reply to the "church home" question and thinking that it would not be long before we were seen as "those wierdos" that don't go to church.
If I were to take the position, is there a nearby town that would be a better fit that would not require a long commute?

[601halfdozen0theother]

Tishomingo is in a very beautiful area, and has an important and fascinating history. It's a great place to visit!

Unfortunately, others are right - it's hard to express the extreme religious fundamentalism that exists in that area. Even if you were to commute from Ardmore or Durant the situation would be similar. One of my fellow grad students at OU lived in Durant and would bring in copies of the local newspaper for humor/shock value. She actually WAS a teacher there, and was always getting into trouble for things like having her students read Time Magazine. Maybe Ardmore would be a little better?

I always thought it was such a pity, because if it weren't for the sociocultural situation SE OK would be a wonderful place to live.

Just IMHO.

[swake]

I wouldn't ever consider living there. You say you like book stores, I doubt there's one within 100 miles.

[StillwaterTownie]

Originally Posted by lfgirl85

Remote, too conservative, extreme culture shock, backwardness, small time and "church home"? Great. No, I'm not into backwardness and small time ways.
I am imagining the responses to my reply to the "church home" question and thinking that it would not be long before we were seen as "those wierdos" that don't go to church.
If I were to take the position, is there a nearby town that would be a better fit that would not require a long commute?

Someone mentioned Ardmore and Durant. Ardmore is closer. Both under an hour. Otherwise, I would aspire for a job within Oklahoma City or Tulsa and its suburbs for less culture shock and a few book stores. Also if a town in Oklahoma has a Hastings store, it will probably have a huge book section.

[lfgirl85]

I was reading the Durant Democrat online and there were quite a few articles regarding drug arrests, mainly meth, heroin and oxycontin. What is the drug/crime situation like in Ardmore and Durant? I also discovered that Oklahoma is a death penalty (state-sanctioned revenge killing) state, not surprising considering the religious fundamentalism.

[StillwaterTownie]

The crime rate isn't low in Durant and Ardmore. Drugs can be big problems in Oklahoma towns. I guess there's little else to do for excitement. Reasons I brought up considering Oklahoma City or Tulsa suburbs is that the crime rate is generally lower in those places and there is a lot more to do.

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by lfgirl85

I've been offered a teaching job in Tishomingo and am wondering what life in Oklahoma would be like compared to that which I am accustomed.
Some background is in order.
I was born, raised and educated in Philadelphia, PA (the actual city, not the Philly AREA).
I am neither Republican nor Democrat (I believe that they are two sides of the same coin).
I am pro-gun, pro-civil rights, pro-choice and do not believe in anyone's god whatsoever.
Except for my pro-gun stance I would probably be considered by most people to be a "liberal" but I consider myself to be a Jeffersonian liberal.
I'm married with two grown children and am not a "night-life" person, I'd rather spend my free time at Barnes & Noble.
How do you think that I'll get along in SE Oklahoma?

Given your background and stance on several issues, I think it would be a pretty rough transition.

Good luck with your job search.

Blessings.