OT - Oklahoma City, OK

[swkmom]

There is a strong possibility we may be relocating to Oklahoma City, OK in the next few months. I have never lived anywhere but Charleston, WV so have no clue where to start.

Does anyone know what neighborhoods are good, schools, ect. My husbands office would be in the city and I am a licensed social worker and wouldn't know where to start with finding a job for myself. Our kids are going into 3rd and 7th grade. Any info on Oklahoma City would be appreciated!

 

[bookgirl]

I live in the metro, actually I live in a suburb but it's considered part of the city. It's very definatly a "red state" and somewhat conservative. However it does have it's other side and it's there if you know where to find the librals..LOL. It's got a lot of small town sensibility, and people still open doors for others and we say hi to each other on the street. There are enough museums, top ranked Zoo, and culture to satisfy and it not Dallas is only 3 hours away.

Congratulations, Oklahoma City is the #1 recession proof city, housing is very affordable. (my suburban highly desirable location 1800 square feet was bought 5 years ago for 90,000 now going for about 120,000). North side is considered better than South side, but it's mainly just a matter of preferences. We have a lot of interstate highways so almost all the outlying suburbs are still only a 15 to 20 minute drive from downtown.

Look at Edmond, Yukon, Norman, Moore, Piedmont, Wellston, Guthrie and Mustang for suburbs.

In the metro area look at Nichols Hills, the Greens, and Quail Creek (upper end), the Village, Warr Acres, Bethany, Putnam City (middle class), Midwest City, Del City can run middle to lower income but has some middle class housing as well.

East Side, Britton, North Highlands/Musgrove tends to have more gang trouble but in truth anywhere in any city can run to that.

Public schools are decent with the main OKC public probably having the most problems of any large metropolitan system. The suburb schools have less issues and are competitive. There are a number of places in North Oklahoma city that attend Edmond Schools and they are very sought after housing. Tons of private "christian" schools and probably half a dozen non denominational privates, also the OKC does Magnet schools with one public "prep". There are about two really competitive prep schools that run pre-K through 12. Very expensive, but very very ivy league bound.

The hot areas at the moment are the Mustang/Yukon areas (west side of the metro about 15 minute drive from main Metro area, still rural in places). Lots of new housing, small schools and very little city crime.

Edmond is always popular and is probably the the best blend of small suburb stuck onto the main northside metro area with easy acess to shopping and interstates and recreation.

Feel free to pm me with questions the above is VERY general and don't particulary reflect my opinon but the "public" conceptions.

 

[swkmom]

Thanks for all the information! My biggest concerns are safety (low crime) and a good public school system. From what you described it sounds a lot like Charleston, WV just a lot bigger. I have been looking at homes on line and the costs seem very comparable or better than where we live now. Thanks so much for the great response!

 

[bookgirl]

No problem,

Oh and by the way as far as jobs for you, start with the Office of Personel Management (google that and Oklahoma it takes you right to it) for Dept of Human Services and state jobs, St Anthony Hospital has a psych dept, the VA is in Okc and is part of the University of Oklahoma Health complex (childrens hospital, trama center, biggest public hospital complex probably lots of jobs for social there). The McCarthy center in Norman does a lot of social intake and monitoring. There is also the Children's center in Bethany (hospital reabilitation center for children), and there is a residential home for older disabled patients in Okarche (right by El Reno not far from Yukon/west north side of city)

 

[OU1247]

Greetings from OOOOKLAHOMA!

I too am a Sooner and WELCOME if you get here!

I am a teacher and teach in the Norman Public School System.
Norman is very easy drive to OKC. Edmond is also nice area as well.

The above poster really did a great job explaining tons of stuff. Norman is a college town. The University of Oklahoma is here and we benefit by it being here.

Please are very friendly and I feel very safe in Norman. Housing is much more affordable than in your area. Social Workers like teachers really don't get paid that great...just and FYI.

If you have any more specific answers I would be glad to answer any of them.

Downtown OKC has really rejuvenated itself. Bricktown is tons of food, canals that just hosted the Olympic Trails for rowing.

HOpe you like football because it is KING around these parts.

Please message me ifyou have any questions about our great state.

 

[swkmom]

Thanks for the additional info on Norman. You guys have been really helpful. Social Workers don't make anything here either (mid to low 20's) is the average with a BSW so, I'm not expecting to make a lot!

 

[GoofyG]

Welcome to Oklahoma! We live in Moore, a suburb on the south side of town right in between Norman and downtown OKC. Moore is a booming little town and tends to be a little bit cheaper than Edmond and possibly Norman. We have great schools and will be opening our 3rd highschool in the fall. The housing market is good here and lots of new homes are being built in Moore. Our crime rate is low too.
http://www.cityofmoore.com/

OKC has a minor league triple A baseball team, The Redhawks, part of the Texas Rangers. We are getting a NBA team and we have a very good CHL hockey team, the Blazers. Toss in OU and OSU football, basketball and baseball and as you can see there is plenty of options to keep you busy.

 

[mom2jcc]

We used to live in Moore. Loved how easy it was to get to Norman (great shopping, restaurants, etc.) and OKC!! You'll learn very quickly how to get around. Good luck!