Setting the Record Straight: Responding to Feedback on Living in Oklahoma
Nearly two years ago, I wrote a post called “Living in Oklahoma: Pros and Cons,” and I know many of you have been following my blog regularly since then. Thank you so much for your continued support! I also did a video “Living in Oklahoma: Pros and Cons” that was very popular, yet also controversial. I am grateful that so many of you have found the information helpful. Today, I want to revisit that topic and address some of the feedback I received from readers, as well as add some new insights that I think are valuable.
If you are new to my blog, welcome! My name is Marcie Billen, and I am a real estate agent based in the Oklahoma City Metro area. I have lived in Oklahoma my entire life, growing up in a small town called Claremont, outside of Tulsa, and now residing in Norman. Norman is located just south of the Oklahoma City Metro, where I have been living since 2007.
In my original post, “Living in Oklahoma: Pros and Cons,” I received some feedback regarding my discussion of which part of the United States Oklahoma belongs to. As an Oklahoman, this is a topic that comes up frequently. Some readers took issue with my statement that Oklahoma is neither Midwestern nor Southern. While I respect their opinions, I believe that culturally, Oklahoma is distinct from these regions.
Geographically, Oklahoma is located in the heart of the United States. However, when it comes to culture, our history sets us apart from both the South and the Midwest. Many of the southern states were established before Oklahoma became a state in 1907, and the Midwest faced different issues than Oklahoma did. Some people refer to Oklahoma as the “Southwest Central,” while others consider us part of the South, depending on where they are from. In my opinion, if you are from eastern Oklahoma, your land and culture are more similar to Arkansas, which is a little more southern and central. If you are from western Oklahoma, you might consider us part of the Southwest. Ultimately, it depends on where you are from and your perspective. I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic, so please share them in the comments section below.
CONS #1: Seasons
Oklahoma is known for its four distinct seasons, but they can be quite harsh, making it one of the cons of living in this state. In this section, we will discuss the climate in Oklahoma, and how it can affect your daily life. Interestingly, we have experienced some unique weather patterns during the recent pandemic, which I want to share with you. So, let’s dive in and explore the seasons in Oklahoma.
ICE STORM
Oklahoma experiences ice storms, which is when rain falls from the sky and freezes on the way down, coating the trees and causing tree limbs to break off. In October of 2020, my husband and I walked out of our house on one such fateful morning. We could see that it had iced overnight, but there was no snow involved.
As we stood under our porch that morning, we saw all of our neighbors huddled under their porches as well, watching in disbelief as tree limbs broke off and the trees made sounds like gunfire. I had experienced this before in my lifetime, and it seems to happen about once every 10 years. I remember a major ice storm in 2007 or 2008, and another when I was in high school or maybe even junior high. The ground is just coated with ice, and it’s difficult to get rid of. My dad would use a tractor to push some of it off, but until it warms up, it remains icy.
COLD SNAP
Oklahoma experienced a cold snap in February of 2021, which is a period of very cold weather that lasts for a week or more. This particular cold snap occurred around Valentine’s Day and was especially noteworthy because the temperature did not rise above 10 degrees Fahrenheit for the entire week.
This is very cold for Oklahoma, and it made national news, especially in relation to Texas, which had different issues during that time. Although Oklahoma was hit hard, too, it is not typical for us to experience such extreme cold weather for such an extended period of time. Personally, I have never experienced anything like this before in my life, and it was pretty unbearable.
HAIL STORM
Oklahoma experienced a severe hailstorm in April 2021, which was an unusual event for us. During the storm, I was taking a shower, and the sound of the hail hitting our house was so loud that I thought someone was bombing us. When I ran out to the living room, I found hail on the floor and even on my couch. We had to replace some of our windows and get a new roof because of the damage.
Typically, our hailstorms have smaller hail pieces, but this one was particularly bad because it had larger hailstones. Although it was a scary experience, hailstorms of this magnitude are not a normal occurrence in Oklahoma.
Regarding snow, I previously mentioned that we don’t get snow that stays on the ground like they do in northern parts of the United States. What I meant was that we don’t typically have snow that lasts for three or four days or more. In the past five years, we have only had snow once or twice per winter, and while schools may close during these times, it’s not comparable to the amount of snow that northern parts of the United States typically receive.
Second Con: Toll Roads
One of the cons of living in Oklahoma is our toll roads. We have a lot of them, and you have to pay every time you use them. Many people who use the toll roads frequently, which happens a lot for people who have to commute to work, opt to get a PikePass, so they don’t have to stop at the booth. Instead, it scans their pass and they can reload money to their account or will get a bill in the mail. Although we did have a new toll road open up recently, it has been helpful for many people and does make it a lot quicker to get around certain areas.
Another thing I mentioned in my previous post was that Oklahoma is a big state, which some people took issue with. While it’s true that we’re not the largest state, we’re also not the smallest. In fact, Oklahoma is the 20th largest state in the United States. Living in Norman (basically smack dab in the middle of the state), for example, it takes me about two hours to drive out of the state in any direction, which is why I consider Oklahoma to be a big state. While we have made vast improvements in our airports, so for some international flights and certain out of state trips, travel is easier; it still takes about seven hours to drive to the nearest beach, which is Galveston on the Gulf of Mexico. To go to Gulf Shores or Florida, it’s an even longer drive, but many people still make the trip every year.
Pros
Pro #1 Sports
Moving on to the pros of living in Oklahoma, sports is one of the things that many people enjoy. While some may not consider it a pro, it’s an activity that is beloved by many in the state. In my previous blog post, I mentioned basketball, football, and rodeo as some popular sports in Oklahoma. However, I failed to mention softball and gymnastics, which are also very popular.
Softball is a big deal in high school and college here. Many people enjoy going to the University of Oklahoma softball games, and the NCAA world series for softball is held in Oklahoma City every year. It’s a great event that brings people together and is a lot of fun.
Similarly, University of Oklahoma gymnastics is also a big deal here. Many people from that program have gone on to compete in the Olympics, which is really amazing. The meets can be pretty low key, and they’re a great way to enjoy a sport without having to deal with traffic and other headaches.
Pro #2: Cost of Living
Another pro of living in Oklahoma that I mentioned in my previous blog post is the cost of living. Specifically, I talked at length about the cost of housing in Oklahoma, which is very affordable compared to other states.
However, one thing I failed to mention is the cost of healthcare in Oklahoma. According to my research, the cost of healthcare in Oklahoma is actually above the national average. While it may even out with the cost of living depending on your healthcare needs, it’s still something to consider if you’re planning to move here. Interestingly though, I’ve heard that Oklahoma is one of the top states to move to if you’re a military veteran looking for healthcare.
If you’re thinking about relocating to Oklahoma or within the state, I have some free relocation guides that you can download. These guides cover Oklahoma City, Norman, and other towns in the state.
Pro #3: Braum’s
Another pro that I failed to mention in my previous blog post is Braum’s. For those who aren’t familiar, Braum’s is a dairy farm and store that offers ice cream and other dairy products. The stores are mostly located in Oklahoma and are within three hours of any one of their dairy farms.
Braum’s is a beloved institution in Oklahoma, and many people look forward to visiting their stores when they return home. The ice cream and other dairy products they offer are of high quality and are a real treat for anyone who loves dairy products.
QuickTrip
Another Oklahoma-based company that I forgot to mention in my previous blog post is QuickTrip. QuickTrip is a convenience store and gas station chain that’s becoming increasingly popular in the state. Even though it may not sound like much, many people in Oklahoma have fond memories of going to QuickTrip after school to get a snack or treat.
Not only is QuickTrip a great place to stop for a quick bite or to fill up your tank, it’s also a highly regarded employer. In fact, QuickTrip is listed as one of the top 100 employers in Oklahoma (and possibly even the nation, although I’m not entirely sure). While QuickTrip is most prevalent in northeastern Oklahoma, the company is expanding and we’re getting a new location in Oklahoma City, which many people are excited about.
PRO #4: Space
Space is another pro for Oklahoma. I mentioned this in my original video, and I wanted to elaborate on this a little bit as I’m seeing a trend of more and more people relocate here, and I’m helping more and more people relocate here. Oklahoma became a state in 1907, and we have a lot of land that is still undeveloped because we were one of the last of the 50 states to join the union. There are large farms and ranches in operation, and there are also large pieces of empty space.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been quite a bit of land available for purchase, and we’ve noticed that there’s been a trend of breaking up these larger pieces of farmland and empty spaces into smaller one-acre, five-acre, and ten-acre parcels. These seem to be really popular for people who want to build beautiful homes and have a bit of space to themselves.
Well, that about wraps it up and I’m sure I still missed a few things, but if you have questions or suggestions for my next update to the Pros and Cons of Living in Oklahoma series or are looking to buy or sell in Oklahoma, be sure to reach out and I’d be happy to help where I can!
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