What Living In Oklahoma Is Really Like

The Vibe: A Couple Big Cities And A Lot Of Small Towns

While some of the rural areas might be more of what an out-of-towner excepts when they’re thinking “home on the range,” cities like Oklahoma City and Tulsa have become cultural hubs of Middle America recent years, attracting people from all walks of life, interested in all sorts of different things. Oklahoma is one state that’s definitely worth checking out for yourself.

Local Flavor: Active Communities Everywhere You Go

Oklahoma might not have tons of people all around the entire state, but certain places like Oklahoma City and Tulsa still have tons of regular events going on. Coupled with the tiny fairs and festivals in the rural areas, there are plenty of ways to stay active as a Sooner. Two of the most popular events in the local area include the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo in OKC, a rodeo with some of the highest payouts in the country capable of attracting over 50,000 spectators, as well as the Oklahoma City Festival of Arts, an annual springtime event that attracts more than 750,000 visitors to its many American art displays and widespread selection of international cuisine. It’s also got live music on four different stages and a children’s area, ensuring that there’s constant entertainment. This is similar to another nearby event in Tulsa called the Tulsa International Mayfest, a festival built around bringing visual art and musical entertainment to over 350,000 annual attendees.

Cuisine: American Classics Served In Huge Portions

In Oklahoma you’ll be getting plenty of hearty home-style meals. The cattle industry is huge in this state, so expect a good amount of meat on your plate at meal time, often in the form of an onion burger, steak or barbecue, usually accompanied by vegetable sides like deep fried okra or black-eyed peas. Catfish is also a big deal in this region, often locally caught and served. And of course, you can’t forget about dessert. Around these parts pecan pie is the way to go.

Nightlife: Bricktown Has You Covered

Unless you’re talking about one of the larger cities in the Sooner State, don’t expect to find much going on after 10. However, if you’re in Oklahoma City or Tulsa, you’ll find that there’s plenty to do. The main entertainment hotspot in Oklahoma City is called Bricktown, filled with things like restaurants, the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, Harkins Theatre, and plenty of bars. It’s also got a mile-long canal and a water taxi service that makes getting around fun and easy. Find yourself in Tulsa for the night? You can’t go wrong with the Brady Arts District. It’s right downtown and filled with new age trendy places you’ll love checking out.

Weather: The Weather Is Nice, But Watch Out For Those Storms

The climate is pretty awesome in Oklahoma, with plenty of warm, sunny summer days and a winter that won’t make you miserable in most of the more populated areas of the state. Summer temps tend to have an average that hangs in the up 70s, while winter months drop down to a still tolerable average in the mid-40s. However, there are definitely some storms you’ll have to watch out for in this state, as its part of an area that gets called “Tornado Alley,” with these windy and potentially destructive storms occurring multiple times throughout the year. There are also tons of thunderstorms, though most residents will claim that they actually enjoy watching these as they roll through.

Safety & Crime: Oklahoma Is Getting Safer By The Day

Oklahoma is a pretty safe place to live, especially in the rural areas of the state, with a statewide crime rate of 3,715 reported criminal acts per 100,000 residents, slightly higher than the national average of 3,099. The big cities are a bit of a different story, as both Tulsa and OKC have numbers just above 6,000 criminal acts per 100,000. Keep in mind that higher numbers are typical for larger cities, though this is still pretty high. However, it’s also important to mention that crime in Oklahoma City has been dropping at a rate of 9 percent, which has also resulted in the statewide average decreasing, as well.

Commute: You’ll Never Stress On These OK Roads

The most you’ll have to deal when it comes to driving around Oklahoma is the long distance between the tiny rural towns spread throughout the state and occasionally a little snow. There’s really not too much traffic anywhere, as even big cities like OKC and Tulsa boast average commute times of only 20 minutes and 18 minutes, respectively, much lower than most large cities around the country. Both of these cities also have a public transportation system that makes getting around a little easier, though neither is anything too elaborate. You’ll definitely want a car if you’re living in the Sooner State and if you plan on driving in the rural areas, it’s always a good idea to carry your own repair tools and survival gear in the event of a breakdown.

Cost of Living: Life In The Sooner State Is Very Affordable

Oklahoma is literally one of the most affordable places to call home in the entire country, boasting an extremely low statewide cost of living score of only 85 on the same index that puts average America at an even 100. This means your dollar will go quite a bit farther here, especially in the housing market as average homes in the Sooner State cost around $110,800, much lower than a national average that hangs around $182,000. Even the big cities like Tulsa and OKC keep the prices low, scoring an 87 and an 86, respectively, on the same aforementioned scale. If you’re looking for a place that delivers a great bang for your buck, this is the state for you.

Sports: College Sports Are Huge Here

While Oklahoma is only home to two major league franchises, the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA squad and the Tulsa Shock WNBA team, there are tons of minor league teams and several noteworthy collegiate athletic programs spread around the state. The two non-major league programs that have the largest fan base around here are the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State University Cowboys. Both teams meet in a rivalry game every year, known as the Bedlam Series and it’s a big deal every season when this game rolls around, even though the Sooners have an overwhelming all-time lead with an 84-18-7 record.

Nature: This State Is Flat Out Gorgeous

Despite what you’ve heard, Oklahoma isn’t just one giant flat prairie. It’s got its own peaks, rivers, waterfalls, and huge forests, home to one of the most diverse landscapes in the country. A few of the most popular natural attractions include the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, the Grand Lake of the Cherokees, and the Natural Falls State Park, home to a 77 for waterfall. The beauty just doesn’t stop in the Sooner State.

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