Dusty plains, women twirling around on prairies, and pumpjacks as far as the eye can see, right? Well, movies and musicals would have you believe that’s Oklahoma. But the truth is, Oklahoma is this big, beautiful contradiction. Today, we’re going to let you in on what it’s really like to call this state your stomping grounds.
Here are five reasons you’ll love living in Oklahoma.
- Beautiful Landscapes
Let’s start with those prairies and plains you’ve heard so much about. Yeah. They’re here, and they’re beautiful. But so are the forests and mountains and sand dunes and mesas and rivers. You see, Oklahoma’s landscape is — according to science — the most diverse in the United States.
It’s kind of like the Chili’s Triple Dipper of states. A taste of Colorado’s rugged buttes here, a sample of hardwood forests from Tennessee there, a sprinkle of Louisiana swamps over there. Even rocky mountain ranges that feel straight out of a New Mexico western. Plus, despite being landlocked, Oklahoma has more shoreline than the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts combined.
Oklahoma also has — sit down for this one — cities. Like real ones with skyscrapers and streets and everything. Granted, they’re no New York or Dallas, but we don’t live in New York or Dallas for a reason. On top of the traffic, they make your pockets hurt.
- Affordable Living
Oklahoma is capital A affordable. In fact, it’s the third most budget-friendly state in America. The average cost of living per year is just under $39,000 — 37% lower than the national average. Groceries, gas, your gas bill. It’s all cheaper in Oklahoma. And we couldn’t tell you the last time we paid seven dollars for a cold brew.
Speaking of being an avocado-toast-eating millennial, Oklahoma is one of the last places buying a house is still a valid dream. The median homebuyer spends only around $240,000 on a house. That’s almost half the national median.
- Family Friendly
It’s also way cheaper to raise a family in Oklahoma, if that’s something you’re interested in. Thanks to low housing, utility, and grocery costs, Oklahoma ranks in the top 10 most affordable states to raise kids and among the top five states with the most affordable childcare. In fact, Oklahoma parents spend around $500 less per month than the rest of the country on it.
Oklahoma towns revolve around families. Even the smallest ones have splash pads and ball fields for little league. Up in Tulsa, you’ll find the Gathering Place, the Best City Park in the U.S. for two years running. And if you’re looking for kid-friendly activities, zoos, children’s museums, libraries, festivals — they’re everywhere.
- Tons of Activities
We can’t leave all the fun to the kids. One of the reasons you’ll love living in Oklahoma is that there’s tons to do. Surprising, right?
Just like anywhere else, we’ve got concerts. We’ve got museums. We’ve got live sports. We’ve got amusement parks. If you want to get some fresh air, we’ve got three dozen state parks and 200 plus lakes. And don’t even get us started on the food. Oklahoma’s food scene is criminally underrated. BBQ and chicken fried steak are just the appetizer, baby. On Oklahoma’s menu you’ll find James Beard nominees, Route 66 diners, German schnitzel, Tex Mex, and some of the best bowls of pho in the United States. Yes, in Oklahoma.
- The People
But enough about what there is to do. Let’s talk about one of the biggest reasons you’ll love living in Oklahoma: the people.
You’ve heard the stereotypes. We’re either stoic cowboys or backward hicks, right? Wrong-o, bucko. You’ll find everyone from farmers and oilfield roughnecks to artists and tech investors. Oklahoma’s history has also made it the melting pot of the Midwest, with thirty-nine federally recognized tribes, Czech towns, booming Vietnamese communities, a strong Mexican influence, and a bustling black cowboy culture too.
Oklahomans are also nice. Like nicer than Canadians nice. They’d happily give the shirt off their back if the moment called for it. Oklahoma communities are also the kind where kids still ride bikes down the street and your neighbor knows everything about you. Yeah, even your name. Spooky right? But when you’re used to places where holding a door open for a stranger feels like a sin, that niceness is pretty dang, well, nice.
Time to Move to Oklahoma
So there you have it. An inside look at what living in Oklahoma is really like. Now, we’ve gone through a lot here. But all of it adds up one thing: a state that’s far more dynamic and diverse than it’s given credit for. So, if you’re thinking about moving to Oklahoma, this is your golden hour to do it. Five or ten years from now, you might find the sun has set on all this opportunity.
