Great Place to Raise Kids
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8/18/2013
Oklahoma became my home back in 2009 due to my husband's job relocation (he lost his management position in Phoenix, AZ and was offered another position with the same company in OKC). While the western U.S. was experiencing a housing crash, Oklahoma's housing market remained stable (doubtless owing to the state's large production of oil and natural gas). In three short years we purchased a somewhat ostentatious home for surprisingly little money. As a preschool teacher, I am delighted to live in a state that has been called the national model for early childhood education programs. My youngest son has had an outstanding education and learned to read early. My oldest son relocated to OK shortly after I did and he found a decent job with a livable wage within a month (he only has a year of community college under his belt). The weather in Oklahoma is crazy...and that appeals to me. I was raised in Phoenix, AZ where the seasons are hot, hotter and please-kill-me-now-blazing-hot. I lived for 15 years in a suburb of Seattle, WA where the weather is beautifully mild, but uneventful. When I first moved to Oklahoma I told the locals how happy I was to finally live somewhere with four seasons. Many responded with, "Yes, and sometimes within the span of a week!" They were right! The spring tornadoes are scary, but the media coverage keeps the entire state informed. We all know exactly where the tornadoes are dropping down and when to take cover. What don't I like about Oklahoma? I guess the very thing that makes this state so family friendly: the conservatism. I'm very liberal and find the high number of Republicans disconcerting. Additionally, Oklahoma is one of the western-most parts of the bible belt. With a church on every corner and the standard farewell expressed as, "Have a blessed day!" it can be a little unnerving to the nonsectarian. Nevertheless, the locals truly are friendly and tolerate heathens like myself in their midst.
Debra-Emily | Choctaw, OK