OKC,OK... Ok?

Poee7R

So I've recently ran into a great career opportunity. The wife and I have gone over it a million times, a few too many probably. And we're packing it up and moving to Oklahoma City.

Anyone love it, hate it? Good places to see, others to avoid? Hows the audio scene there? etc.

Being right above Texas seems to be great for audio, usually anything that I'm interested in is either there, or in California.

My brother lives and works out there and is in love with the place, his enthusiam about it being a big part of the decision. I went out for a week and really dug what I saw. But I really dont know much about the area other than Bricktown, so any opinions would be great.


Dave

cnh

Don't know that area but I've been to the Research Triangle. You don't like living THERE?

Or is it the money?

cnh

Poee7R

Raleigh isnt a bad place, not at all.

Just like the idea of a change really, new scenery, yada yada.


Dave

edbert

Well the good thing about OKC is you aren't but a few hours from Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico and Colorado. I went to school in Shawnee (about 35-40 miles east of OKC) and it was nice being close to all of those places. There isn't a whole lot going on in OKC, but it is a nice quiet little city that does have some fun stuff to offer. You have OU that is not even 20 minutes south so you have some good college sports to watch and you have OSU that is just about an hour(maybe a little more) to the north, where you have not just college sports but also Eskimo Joe's, which is just a fun little place to go. I know there are others that are from there, but from my experience, you should enjoy living there.

66chevyIISS

They have a really crappy NBA team

Retro152

Hey! good luck to you and your spouse on your relocate, times as they are,take advantage of every avenue to make a better life for yourselves, wish you much luck!:)


Pat.

Gadabout

Since the decision has been made, do you know what part of town your going to live in?

66chevyIISS wrote: »

They have a really crappy NBA team

It's the only Pro Team in Oklahoma and they are excited to have them.

obieone

Well the good news is your ONLY 4 hours from Acoustic Sounds

Fireman32

Dave if your moving we have to get together before you do. Remember I stil have some of your gear.

BrettT1

Bricktown in OKC is a fun place to hang out. Great concerts at the Zoo Amphitheater in the summer time. There's a really cool movie theater there. I live about an hour and a half north. I'm sure some others will chime in. Welcome.

Brett

inspiredsports

66chevyIISS wrote: »

They have a really crappy NBA team

So did Cleveland a few years ago. 49 & 13 today!

OKC is OK.

okiepolkie

I wouldn't have a problem living in OKC. The pro basketball team will get better, or at least better than the one we have in Memphis. The college sports scene is great. And while there aren't a plethora of things to do there, you are only a few hours from Dallas, which has about anything you could want/need.

Shizelbs

66chevyIISS wrote: »

They have a really crappy NBA team

Full of young talent, and owned by some real slimy SOBs.

Poee7R

Gadabout wrote: »

Since the decision has been made, do you know what part of town your going to live in?

Yes we are looking at North Okc, around The Village/Nichols hills.


Dave

Poee7R

Everything is shaping up well, and definitely sounds like a nice place. I'm originally NY born and raised, so at this point I really dont mind living in a quieter place.

Thanks for the good word guys. Sounds like it should be fun.


Dave

And Dave (fireman) anytime you want to swing over lemme know.

BrettT1

The Village is a nice neighborhood. Nichols Hills is ritzy with a lot of big houses. There are some things to do in OKC... you'll see. The economy here in OK seems better than many places, it seems.

If you want to meet up sometime, give me a shout. The wife and I go to OKC regularly. Also have relatives there.

Good luck.

Brett

[Deleted User]

Hello Dave,

I was born and raised in OKC. I still go back there almost on a weekly basis. OKC has changed greatly in the past decade or so especially in the entertainment area. What I mean by entertainment is, for is the riverwalk in and around the bricktown area. The riverwalk is not really completed yet, they do plan on have it linked to the Canadian River, which is now known as the Oklahoma River, that runs across Interstate 44. The part of OKC that you are moving to nice, you should also take a look into the southwest OKC area. The homes there are beautiful, such as Rivendale, and all the other neighborhoods around it. The concept in these neighborhoods is, they all have man made rivers running throughout it. So pretty much, at the end of your backyard is a nice sized river, you could have a little boat dock there and have a paddle boat.

The area that you are going into is nice as well. You are right by Lake Hefner, and the thing going on there is the restaurants they have built up along the Lake, off of Britton road or Hefner road. OKC is a quite city compared to the others, but by far not a cow town people tend to perceive. Depending on your taste of things, there are activities that you could go to. For instance, if you like live music, there are various places throughout town that has it. There are several malls, among them are Quail Springs Mall, Penn Square Mall, Crossroads Mall, Sooner Mall. The Moore and Norman areas, which are towns south of you, approximately 15 minutes are developing areas, especially since after the May 3, tornado of 99 I believe. Down in Moore, there is a movie theater named Warren Theaters off of Interstate 35 and south 4th street, very very large theater! The picture and sound is by far one of the best I have seen or heard and you could have your own sitting booth upstairs for some privacy from other ignorances.

One they I really liked about OKC is how the layout of the streets are. The street has names that go from north to south, and street numbers that go from west to east. Finding your way around is very easy. So if you live on lets say, nw 122 street and Western. Coming from the south, just head north, while doing so, you will notice the sw #'s get smaller, then when you get to the nw, you will see the #'s get bigger, till you reach nw 122. The major street names are from west to east, Council, Rockwell, Meridian, Portland, May, Penn, Western, Walker, Sante Fe. So heading north to nw 122, exit and turn right til you get to Western..

As far as home audio goes, there are several that you could go to. They are primarily local audio shops. Nearby where you will be living, on NW Expressway, there is a high end audio store named, Audio Dimensions. However they specialize in Bowers and Wilkins, Rotel, and Classe.

Outside of OKC, there are many outdoor things that you could do. You could go whitewater river rafting, you could go four wheeling in the dessert, called Little Sahara. You could go hiking in many different places. If you head about 75 miles south of OKC, you will run into the Arbuckle Mountains, which has a lake and waterfalls as well.

There are many things you could actually do, though small in population, area wise I believe OKC is among the largest in the United States. Let me know your interests and I could probably get a list of things for you. Living in OKC, I do recommend a storm shelter.

Halen

PS OKC was recession proof as far as the mortgage crisis, due to the fact it is a retirement state, therefore many has been paid off long long ago.

[Deleted User]

Oh yes, to add on, Tulsa is a nice City to visit as well, about 100 miles northeast of OKC. Tulsa is full of hills and seems to be cleaner then the City.

Halen

Poee7R

Brett and Halen thanks for your words. And definitely up for meeting new folks and having a good time Brett, my home is always open.

Its funny Halen, that you mention the restuarants around Hefner, as thats what im walking into. We are big on the live music and social night life. I havent heard much about Riverwalk there, but Bricktown was really nice, reminds me a bit of Church street in Orlando (havent been there in years though).

We've been told about the tornado/storm rooms, something to really think about. Even though my wife would prefer to have to never think about it haha. And being so close to Texas, Russman may still have those Fred Arrays hanging around....

All in all, seems like a great place to be so far.


Dave

Dennis Gardner

OKC is pretty spread out, at one time its claim was the 2nd largest city in square miles in the US. I think that alot of pastures were in the city limits at that time though and they have reigned it in a bit since. I agree on great navigation around town since it was built truly square from day one with no real rivers and terrain to get in the way, unlike Tulsa that everything downtown runs around the river. It is a nice quieter, (as in crime) city than most. Culturally, Tulsa has always been the more progressive city of the two, but OKC has really worked hard to build up the Bricktown area to accomodate alot of activities and they aren't through yet.

Costs of living are less than either coast with the exception of airfare out of the city. The central location to the nation helps a little, but you can get flight out of DFW for half of what you can from the smaller hub in OKC. Fuel/natural gas is always cheap too.

It seems that most people that scoff at OKC haven't spent much time there. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help once you get in state.

zarrdoss

Get out your speedo because it is hot and humid in the summertime, But the cost of living is cheap land and homes are cheap and jobs pay well. I almost moved to Norman OK for work, I hope it works out well for you!

[Deleted User]

Here is a link to some of the things that go on in Bricktown. If you click on photos, you will actually see different parts of it along with the canal.

http://www.bricktownokc.com/

The social night life, primarily is in the downtown area, but it is also spreaded throughout the city.

Halen

John30_30

BrettT1 wrote: »

The Village is a nice neighborhood. Nichols Hills is ritzy with a lot of big houses. There are some things to do in OKC... you'll see. The economy here in OK seems better than many places, it seems.

If you want to meet up sometime, give me a shout. The wife and I go to OKC regularly. Also have relatives there.

Good luck.

Brett

Better real estate value in the Village. Actually, very good real estate value in just about the entire area.
Nichols Hills is snobby, old-money, and probably has noise laws, if you like to crank it up. I recall they had one statute some years back when I was working up there where you couldn't park a vehicle in the street after dark, and they didn't like pickup trucks at all.
South OKC is still building up new developments, half hour closer to Dallas. Overall, people are real friendly.

Gadabout

Dave,

Last time I was in downtown OKC, I was pretty impressed how they were renovating and making the area a good place to go at night or live.

You wife will really like the Myriad Gardens

Also, till I get used to an area I always use City Search. The reviews are usually pretty helpfull in deciding to try a place for the first time.

I think you'll like the north area of OKC. Houses and land are cheap. OKC as well as most of Northern Texas never really saw the housing bubble. The thing that always impresses folks I bring them to Northern Texas or OK is all the brick homes, not just brick facades.

It seems I'm always driving thru the city on the way to work or the way home. I rarely get a chance to stop much anymore. If you can't find something to do one weekend, Dallas is just a short drive. (150 miles from the North end of OKC to the border and another 70 miles will put you right in the middle of Dallas)

Good luck with the move and let us know when you get settled.

Scott

[Deleted User]

Have you settled into OKC yet? You must be enjoying the weather today huh?

Halen

Poee7R

Hah guess I didnt mention we will be moving at the end of April. Not sure how the weather has been there, but here in Raleigh I'm expecting an Ark to float by anytime.


Dave

cobrajames

Yesterday, in OKC it was 30 degrees, snowing, and 30 to 40 mph winds. Today it is 67 degrees and sunny. That is our Oklahoma weather for ya!

James

Dennis Gardner

cobrajames wrote: »

Yesterday, in OKC it was 30 degrees, snowing, and 30 to 40 mph winds. Today it is 67 degrees and sunny. That is our Oklahoma weather for ya!

James

I wish we had it as good as OKC this weekend. Here are pics of my sons Civic taken before and after our little snow.