I've been looking for somewhere to move for a while now. So far narrowed it down to Tennessee or Texas, but in my research, I found out Oklahoma has a bunch of mountains in the eastern half of the state. Since I'm a sucker for mountain views, I've decided to look into it a bit more. I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty much ignorant about Oklahoma. All I know is it has the second highest population of Indians, it's super religious (a big plus), and there's lots of modern cowboys and tornados.
So figured I'd ask some fellow patriots what it's like and see if it's a nice place to live. From what research I've done so far, it LOOKS freaking beautiful when you're in the mountainous parts.
I live near the Wichita Mountains in the Southwest, and they have some amazing hiking trails for you if you're the mountain type!
We've also got America's largest artillery base in the Wichita Mountains, so if you like the sound of Freedom, this is a great place for some BOOMS. (Also a good place to be if shit ever hits the fan, Ft. Sill will be like the Alamo if it came down to it.)
I've lived here my entire life, I'm well traveled but still decided to raise my family here because it is the most free and friendly place I have ever seen.
People leave you alone for the most part, but when you need some help, Okies are always sure to step up and offer a hand.
We have more churches than gas stations, which like you said is a plus, and we live in harmony with the Native Americans (I'm actually part Chickasaw).
If you've got more questions, I'm probably your guy, so fire away.
All pluses so far for me. I guess my only real concern would be the tornados. I'd imagine it's an infrequent thing, but I've never really had to deal with Tornados before where I live so I'm curious how bad it is down there?
I've actually seen 2 tornadoes in person, they're not as bad as the media portrays.
So... a cool story about the Wichita Mountains, legend has it that the Comanche Indians chose to settle in this area because the Mountains offered them protection from the elements more than anywhere else in the state.
And from my experience, they actually do, many of the tornado warnings come to pass as the storms split over the mountains.
So, if tornadoes are a real concern for you, Lawton is a good area to avoid them.
Now for the rest of the state... yeah we get tornadoes, especially in Moore, but if your home is insured and you have a tornado shelter installed, you'll be alright even if a tornado takes your home.
That's because you only seen them. When you get hit by them, they are every bit as bad as they are reported to be.
Your chances of survival in a tornado are actually pretty high.
One of the tornadoes I saw up close took my neighbors house, pretty much the whole thing.
They were all laying in their bathroom tub and they survived, they walked out of all the debris just fine and we started cleaning up.
I agree. Tornadoes suck, but we seem to have really good alert systems. Just make sure to have proper shelter and use it. We have a large safe room (16x24) that has a cellar underneath it. I turned the safe room into my man cave and installed a over the air antennae so we can watch the local weather during storms. The cellar has electricity and battery back up, television, Nintendo Wii, movies, and an all in one computer that acts as a hot spot. Our router has a battery backup on a trickle charger. Normally I sit at the bar and have a few drinks while the kiddos go down and play games or watch a movie. The main thing it not to panic and just accept that it happens. Now days they are happening world wide, so I'd expect it to continue until we quit pissing off the God who created us.
Hmm actually looking better and better, doesn't Oklahoma have Constitutional carry too?
Yep, open carry allowed, many of my customers at work have a .45 on display while shopping
And for those that are worried by this kind of policy... of course my employees are better armed than the customers
They leave you alone. Great place
Old Joke:
How do know someone is from Oklahoma?
When they go outside to watch the tornado.
I have been a resident my entire life. Fire away.
Mountains. These aren't Colorado Mountains.
There is a very involved river and lake system on the entire Eastern Side. Lots of outdoor activities.
You should visit before making any decisions.
Having grown up in OK, my husband and I go stand on our front porch when storms hit where we live now (another state). It brings back memories.
What do you do for work? Depending on what you do it narrows it down.. But eastern Oklahoma is beautiful, moving too close to any city is cancer in my mind..
I'm lucky enough that work isn't really a factor in this. I can just pick up and move if I wanted to. I've just been holding out hope that my state would turn around, but I've finally got sick of it all. Though I know it's probably actually a red state, I have basically no close family around here anymore other than my parents, who are going to move first chance they get as well, so I figured it's a sign to move somewhere new and meet new people.
You are welcome here, people have no problem with newcomers. I know I moved here to ok 30 years ago from Denver. Denver had better mountains,but is a shithole.