Living in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma:
Tips for Moving and Visiting

For anyone moving to OKC, know that is a very spread out, car-based city. If you have no car, getting around will be a huge challenge. If you have a car, there are few easier cities to get around. A trip that is 10 minutes by car could be upwards of an hour and a half taking the bus. That said, if you have a car, just about anywhere in the city can be reached in less than 15 minutes. Best areas to live for young professionals would be: Plaza District, Paseo, or, if you have a bit more money, Deep Deuce/ automobile alley.

After relocating to the Oklahoma City metropolitan area I have learned several important navigational tricks to get around efficiently. Firstly, never get on the expressway without checking the news before. Next, the I-35 is always slower than the service road options. always use your navigation assistant. Never stop in bricktown unless you have business there. It is all highway driving and there are unbelievable amount of suburban towns who have their own police and ordinances. Avoid Valley Brook as the police are only looking to pull you over and have too much money and not enough city to patrol.

Climate and geography influence much about Oklahoma City. Oklahoma (the state, not just the city) is one of the most tornado-prone places in the US, and local weather forecasters are minor celebrities. Oklahoma City is a large, sprawling city built in the style of many American cities in flat heartland regions. It is built along a grid, and few buildings are more than three stories high. Mass transportation is sparse, and the long distances require residents to use a car for transportation.

Oklahoma City is the capital of Oklahoma. It has routinely played host to the NCAA Women’s College Softball World Series. During the NBA season, many enjoy following the Oklahoma City Thunder. Centrally located, Oklahoma City lies between Kansas City and the Dallas Metropolitan area. The location makes it an easy visit.

Oklahoma City is the city to move to if you’re tired of the big city life. The cost of living is less than most US cities, but it still has “city life” in a smaller setting. Activities are everywhere around the city including shopping, arts, history museums and professional sports.

Most people think of Oklahoma as flat, boring and even ugly, I’ve noticed. I always tell people to give OKC a chance, you just might be surprised! There are beautiful lakes, cliffs, mountains and even waterfalls to enjoy, if your the outdoorsy type. For the city dwellers, downtown OKC has an amazingly diverse music scene, and The Paseo District can satisfy your appetite for art, whether you’re an artist, collector, or just enjoy the arts in general.