SperlingViews - Poteau, Oklahoma

I have lived in many places around the United States and Europe! Many years ago, my late father decided to relocate from Beautiful Bartlesville, Ok to Poteau, Ok to retire. I came here from Philadelphia where I was living at the time, to visit my parents in 1988. I couldn't believe how trashy this town was-unbelievable! True-there are the Ozark and Washita Mountains nearby that are scenic-but not Poteau! People here leave their trash and junk out in front of their houses and think nothing of it! They call Poteau the welfare capital of the state and I believe it! There are some beautiful houses that are palatial and quite impressive but you wouldn't know that if you were living in the town itself. Why would any wealthy person or family relocate to Poteau and build a beautiful home here? Doesn't make any sense to me! Its so bad here that I would not walk around at night in most of the town for fear of getting mugged or worse! There is very little for young people to do here and some of them told me that last year! There is a rodeo-big deal! Poteau is an extremely conservative, God-fearing small town. I am a progressive Democrat and proud of it and an Episcopalian! Most people are fundamentalist like Pentecostal or Southern Baptist! As a result, I usually keep my views on things to myself! Standard test scores here are far below the state and regional average. The high school needs to be torn down and rebuilt-its very sad looking just like the downtown-which is a joke! But heh-if you like low taxes and a boring life with nothing to do-except eat and watch tv and go to church 3 days a week, then Poteau is a wonderful place to live![read more...]

I have been living here since Nov. 2009, when I relocated from Philadelphia and came out here to take care of my elderly Mother. As soon as I got here, I was infected with the shingles! I have lived in many places in my life and grew up in Bartlesville, OK. This town is so trashy and I am always baf- fled why people come here to live. The only explanation I can find is that its cheap to live here. There are some beautiful homes on Mt Cavenal but you can't see them from the town itself. I am always amazed at the way so many residents leave garbage out in the yards and do nothing to take care of their homes! I have lived for many years in Philly and graduated from college in Boston and there are areas in Poteau I would never walk around at night! There is a lot of rif raf here and a large number of hispanics have moved in and have helped to keep the town trashy! As soon as I can, I plan to move to Tulsa or maybe Bartlesville! If you are looking for a first class small city to live and enjoy, please consider Bartlesville! Has a beautiful downtown, charming neighborhoods, and a fantastic country club and golf course that is rated the 5th nicest in the state! Bartlesville has every thing that Poteau doesn't have-believe me![read more...]