Known as the “Sooner State,” moving to Oklahoma provides residents with a low cost of living, excellent career opportunities, unique culture, and tons of activities. Here are the top 6 reasons to move to Oklahoma, in no particular order, and why you should make this state your new home.
1) Affordable living
If you’re looking for a reason to move to Oklahoma from a city like Boston or Seattle, affordability might be top of your list. And with a cost of living that is 16% less than the national average, this region is one of the most affordable places to live and work. Whether you’re renting an apartment in Oklahoma City or looking at homes for sale in Tulsa, you will find many options within any given budget. The median sale price in Oklahoma is $230K, compared to the national average of $412K.
2) Minimal traffic
If you’ve lived in high-traffic areas such as New York City, Chicago, or Atlanta, you know the struggle of getting to and from work and or making it on time for your dinner reservations despite fighting traffic all the way there. Moving to Oklahoma means less time in your car and more time doing the things you love.
3) Oklahoma’s thriving food scene
The food in Oklahoma is fantastic. One of the most popular cuisines is barbeque, combining several styles and sauces from places like Memphis, Kansas City, and Texas. The chicken fried steak is famous in Kentucky, a simple dish that takes deep-fried steak and smothers it in gravy. Fried catfish is another specialty here. From good old-fashioned hamburgers and BBQto international flavors, you can find the best of it here.
4) Historical charm
Tulsa was a mecca for architectural design during the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. Classic hotels such as the Mayo Hotel, where stars like Elvis and Lucille Ball spent time, still exist. The Price Tower in Bartlesville is Frank Lloyd Wright’s only realized skyscraper.
5) Things to do
Oklahoma is known for its many lovely lakes, offering great places to enjoy fun on the water during the summer months. Visit Redbud Nature Preserve, Oxley Nature Center, and the 300-acre Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area to enjoy hiking, bird-watching, and mountain biking.
Take a drive to Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve to see bison, elk, longhorn cattle, and other wild creatures. There are plenty of beautiful public parks across Oklahoma’s cities, offering acres of green space, walking and biking trails, gardens, playgrounds, water features, and other attractions. Outdoor festivals are also popular in Oklahoma, including the Normal Music Festival in Norman, American Heritage Musical Festival in Grove, and Rocklahoma in Pryor.
6) Weather
Oklahoma experiences all four seasons in all their splendor. Whether you love sunny summers for swimming or cold winters to cozy up to a fireplace, you can enjoy it all here. Winters can get quite cold and snow, with a low of 26 degrees in January. Summers get quite warm and see a high of 93 degrees in July.
Methodology: Median home sale price data was pulled from the US Housing Market resource during April 2022.
