dasmi
Member
I *might* have a job opportunity in Oklahoma, so I'm trying to get some information. Tell me about Oklahoma...the politicis, the people, the culture, the gun laws, the terrain, etc. The job is in Edmond, by the way.
Tell me about Oklahoma...
- Thread starter dasmi
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Luchtaine
Member
From what I have read Oklahoma is a pretty gun friendly state. no silly AWB there. Anyways since you are also from California the gun laws are going to get better no matter where you go cept the North east places 
.
I have Family in Tulsa its kinda on the boring side I guess but its not too bad I've gone hunting a little back there as I recall it wasn't much of a drive to find a place we could hunt. lots of bass fishing.
Its the midwest its not California so like it or not I don't know its different for sure. I have no idea where Edmond is I think thats where you said.
prolly best if you got check it out yourself first. Its not my favorite place in the world but the extra freedom does make it more tolerable, as long as its not one of the plains areas I think I could handle it I might end up out that way myself in the next year or so.
.I have Family in Tulsa its kinda on the boring side I guess but its not too bad I've gone hunting a little back there as I recall it wasn't much of a drive to find a place we could hunt. lots of bass fishing.
Its the midwest its not California so like it or not I don't know its different for sure. I have no idea where Edmond is I think thats where you said.
prolly best if you got check it out yourself first. Its not my favorite place in the world but the extra freedom does make it more tolerable, as long as its not one of the plains areas I think I could handle it I might end up out that way myself in the next year or so.
Well, having gone to school here the last few years...
Edmond isn't such a bad place. I'm only ten or fifteen miles South in OKC, and I have quite a few friends from Edmond, and I visit the UCO library on a regular basis.
Edmond is as typical a yuppie suburb as you'll find in Oklahoma. It is also growing at an alarming rate. Much of it is still horse pasture, but there is constant development. The traffic isn't too bad (I come from Dallas, so it's an easy driving area), and the people are all pretty friendly.
Oklahoma is a shall-issue state, and the requirements are pretty simple. I looked it over on packing.org (thought I might get an OK CCW in addition to TX. Can't do it, but oh well), and it seemed pretty much the same as TX in terms of jumping through hoops. A little cheaper, too, IIRC. The only downside is that OK doesn't have the highly specific and very simple signage requirements that Texas does. You might be walking into a bar (a prohibited place) and not know it. It's best to phone ahead to determine if the establishment is classified a bar or restaurant.
As for attitude... I haven't seen any indication one way or the other about guns in OK. I think that's a good sign. I don't recall any "no weapons" signs anywhere it isn't prohibited by law, and I haven't met any Okies who were openly hostile to firearms. A few have some reservations, but this is still very much a rural state, so most folks are only vaguely aware that guns are a controversial topic in some places. Edmond will probably tend to be more on the anti side than say, Duncan (middle-o-nowhere SW OK), but even Edmond will appear a city of gun-nuttery compared to San Diego.
As for ranges... I like the Banner road range South of I-40 just past Yukon. It's a bit of a drive, but it'll be interstate the whole way from Edmond, so it's no big deal. You'll have to get used to traversing long distances out here, since it's so spread out. If you end up coming out this way, let us know, and Dionysusigma and I will be more than happy to take you down there.
Oh, and I hope you like it breezy... Oklahoma gives a new definition to "windage." We were at 30mph sustained, 36mph gusting yesterday, and that's practically stagnant compared to springtime. You'll also want to make sure your car has new shocks. Edmond won't be so bad, being relatively new, but Oklahoma roads are second only to Louisiana for being absolutely awful.
Edmond isn't such a bad place. I'm only ten or fifteen miles South in OKC, and I have quite a few friends from Edmond, and I visit the UCO library on a regular basis.
Edmond is as typical a yuppie suburb as you'll find in Oklahoma. It is also growing at an alarming rate. Much of it is still horse pasture, but there is constant development. The traffic isn't too bad (I come from Dallas, so it's an easy driving area), and the people are all pretty friendly.
Oklahoma is a shall-issue state, and the requirements are pretty simple. I looked it over on packing.org (thought I might get an OK CCW in addition to TX. Can't do it, but oh well), and it seemed pretty much the same as TX in terms of jumping through hoops. A little cheaper, too, IIRC. The only downside is that OK doesn't have the highly specific and very simple signage requirements that Texas does. You might be walking into a bar (a prohibited place) and not know it. It's best to phone ahead to determine if the establishment is classified a bar or restaurant.
As for attitude... I haven't seen any indication one way or the other about guns in OK. I think that's a good sign. I don't recall any "no weapons" signs anywhere it isn't prohibited by law, and I haven't met any Okies who were openly hostile to firearms. A few have some reservations, but this is still very much a rural state, so most folks are only vaguely aware that guns are a controversial topic in some places. Edmond will probably tend to be more on the anti side than say, Duncan (middle-o-nowhere SW OK), but even Edmond will appear a city of gun-nuttery compared to San Diego.
As for ranges... I like the Banner road range South of I-40 just past Yukon. It's a bit of a drive, but it'll be interstate the whole way from Edmond, so it's no big deal. You'll have to get used to traversing long distances out here, since it's so spread out. If you end up coming out this way, let us know, and Dionysusigma and I will be more than happy to take you down there.
Oh, and I hope you like it breezy... Oklahoma gives a new definition to "windage." We were at 30mph sustained, 36mph gusting yesterday, and that's practically stagnant compared to springtime. You'll also want to make sure your car has new shocks. Edmond won't be so bad, being relatively new, but Oklahoma roads are second only to Louisiana for being absolutely awful.
Shootcraps
Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2004
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- 1,007
It's where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain.
trapperjohn
Member
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2004
- Messages
- 567
east or west OK? the topography is drstically different between the 2.
west ok is desolate
east ok is hilly and wooded
pretty gun friendly and conservative overall.
for the past 8 years I have lived within a few miles of the OK border and cross over frequently.
west ok is desolate
east ok is hilly and wooded
pretty gun friendly and conservative overall.
for the past 8 years I have lived within a few miles of the OK border and cross over frequently.
Dionysusigma
Member
Ditto pretty much what Azrael256 said. Let us know, and we'll get you shooting an AK in no time. 
People are friendly, and politics generally range from libertarian (although many don't know it) to middle of the road. We have our share of hippies and the like, but we keep 'em under control.
Terrain is generally farmland, with more hills and stuff in the southeastern part of the state. It gets more desolate to the west. Winters are sometimes snowy, with anywhere from 20-35 deg. F as the normal temperature. Springs are windy, rainy, and will almost always have tornadoes; they're hell on earth, but I've not been hit by one yet after living in the midwest for ~12 years now. Summers get to 105F, and can get kinda dry. Autumn is... well, it does what it wants. It can be 85F one day, and then an honest-to-god ice storm the next.
We've got pretty much everything that the rest of the country does including fine dining to Rt.66 greasy spoons, art museums to rodeos, opera and theater to gun ranges, and clubs to dive bars.
And finally, something that my brother posted on his Xanga before he left to go back to DC:
Well... yes and no. 7-11s and other such places have 'em posted, but aside from them they're few and far between.
People are friendly, and politics generally range from libertarian (although many don't know it) to middle of the road. We have our share of hippies and the like, but we keep 'em under control.
Terrain is generally farmland, with more hills and stuff in the southeastern part of the state. It gets more desolate to the west. Winters are sometimes snowy, with anywhere from 20-35 deg. F as the normal temperature. Springs are windy, rainy, and will almost always have tornadoes; they're hell on earth, but I've not been hit by one yet after living in the midwest for ~12 years now. Summers get to 105F, and can get kinda dry. Autumn is... well, it does what it wants. It can be 85F one day, and then an honest-to-god ice storm the next.
We've got pretty much everything that the rest of the country does including fine dining to Rt.66 greasy spoons, art museums to rodeos, opera and theater to gun ranges, and clubs to dive bars.
And finally, something that my brother posted on his Xanga before he left to go back to DC:
From http://www.xanga.com/mpw301 (Yes, I'm the one that did that portait of him)
Hotter than hell in the summer.
Colder than hell in the winter.
Tornados somewhere in between.
Red Mud, cotton mouths, chiggers and ticks
Great people though and probably the best chicken fried steak in the world! MMMMMM!
Oh yeah, its also where the waving wheat can sure smell sweet and the wind comes right behind rain!
Colder than hell in the winter.
Tornados somewhere in between.
Red Mud, cotton mouths, chiggers and ticks
Great people though and probably the best chicken fried steak in the world! MMMMMM!
Oh yeah, its also where the waving wheat can sure smell sweet and the wind comes right behind rain!
mons meg
Member
I grew up in Edmond. Nice enough town, but I live a bit north of there in Guthrie now, since Edmond has grown so fast I don't even like to drive there unless I have to go to the Lowe's.
Here are some tips to fitting in:
1) Buy some golf clubs.
2) Make sure your car is less than 4 or 5 years old.
3) Don't expect to hear a "hick" accent there. Edmond barely tolerates "y'all".
4) Try to find a "W '04" bumper sticker for that not-too-old car even though the election is long over.
5) Try to move here from CA where you sold your 1600 square foot 3 bedroom your grandma left you in the Valley for $500,000 which will basically put you in a 3000-4000 square foot mini-mansion on the NW side of town and help to ruin the housing market for the natives.
Edit for gun law comment: CCW here is straightforward, as others have said. What is often overlooked is even though we are a "must inform LEO" state, the LEO is specifically prohibited from "inspecting" your carry piece. Not sure if that means what I think it does, which is they can't legally disarm you, but I suppose if you're at a traffic stop they can ask you to "come back to the cruiser" and leave it in your car. We also have a revised parking lot rule in the law (check okshooters for more discussion) which prohibits an employer from prohibiting a licensee from leaving your weapon in your locked personal vehicle.
Here are some tips to fitting in:
1) Buy some golf clubs.
2) Make sure your car is less than 4 or 5 years old.
3) Don't expect to hear a "hick" accent there. Edmond barely tolerates "y'all".
4) Try to find a "W '04" bumper sticker for that not-too-old car even though the election is long over.
5) Try to move here from CA where you sold your 1600 square foot 3 bedroom your grandma left you in the Valley for $500,000 which will basically put you in a 3000-4000 square foot mini-mansion on the NW side of town and help to ruin the housing market for the natives.
Edit for gun law comment: CCW here is straightforward, as others have said. What is often overlooked is even though we are a "must inform LEO" state, the LEO is specifically prohibited from "inspecting" your carry piece. Not sure if that means what I think it does, which is they can't legally disarm you, but I suppose if you're at a traffic stop they can ask you to "come back to the cruiser" and leave it in your car. We also have a revised parking lot rule in the law (check okshooters for more discussion) which prohibits an employer from prohibiting a licensee from leaving your weapon in your locked personal vehicle.
dasmi
Member
1) Don't golf
2) It is.
3) I'm from California, no hick accent or "y'all" here.
4) No.
5) I don't own a home right now, I rent. I won't be ruining the housing market.
2) It is.
3) I'm from California, no hick accent or "y'all" here.
4) No.
5) I don't own a home right now, I rent. I won't be ruining the housing market.
mons meg
Member
1) You WILL learn .. oh yessss.....
2) cool enough
3) you should be fine
4) doesn't really matter, just don't show up with a Kerry sticker.
5) Bless you sir...
2) cool enough
3) you should be fine
4) doesn't really matter, just don't show up with a Kerry sticker.
5) Bless you sir...
mons meg
Member
One more thing. Start your CWL (concealed weapon license) as soon as your get your driver's license. They will take all 90 days allowed by law, assuming your prints don't get kicked. Although, you might have better luck in Oklahoma county since it would be the largest Sheriff's office in the state. They have satellite offices at the major malls where you can submit the paperwork. And noone looks at you funny for daring to apply...
You're in for a real treat, then. The rental housing market here isn't great, but it's better than Dallas, which can't be half as bad as San Diego.
No, it comes before the rain. It comes during the rain. It comes after the rain. It comes pretty much whenever it darn well pleases, and that's pretty much all the time.
You like wind, right?
ROAshooter
member
Okc
I live in OKC.....and since this is a gun related forum.....one thing the others have failed to mention......you will be pleasantly surprised....at the prices of guns....in OKC. I lived a time on the road so to speak....and was in the habit of visiting gunshops wherever I could......and I am here to tell you.,....buy all you can....when you can.....cuz you will be hard pressed to find any in America cheaper.
I live in OKC.....and since this is a gun related forum.....one thing the others have failed to mention......you will be pleasantly surprised....at the prices of guns....in OKC. I lived a time on the road so to speak....and was in the habit of visiting gunshops wherever I could......and I am here to tell you.,....buy all you can....when you can.....cuz you will be hard pressed to find any in America cheaper.
If you're going to be there awhile, try to get into the Oklahoma City Gun Club. They have a square mile of land just east of Edmond near the lake. It has some very nice ranges and quite a few types of organized matches. Be prepared for a waiting list to get in, but it's a nice place to shoot.
The weather is definitely 4-season and the wind is usually blowing from some direction. 10-15 MPH wind is normal. The weather can also change rapidly. You'll see blistering sun, ice, big hail, high winds, flash flooding, drought, fridgid cold artic air, blazing hot air, and maybe hear about a tornado or 2. In other words, typical great plains weather without huge snowfall acumulations (ice is much more likely). A garage or covered parking for your car is highly advisable.
There is at least 1 indoor range in OKC (H&H) and the OKC gunclub is all outdoors.
The weather is definitely 4-season and the wind is usually blowing from some direction. 10-15 MPH wind is normal. The weather can also change rapidly. You'll see blistering sun, ice, big hail, high winds, flash flooding, drought, fridgid cold artic air, blazing hot air, and maybe hear about a tornado or 2. In other words, typical great plains weather without huge snowfall acumulations (ice is much more likely). A garage or covered parking for your car is highly advisable.
There is at least 1 indoor range in OKC (H&H) and the OKC gunclub is all outdoors.
20cows
Member
I guess that depends on where you look for your entertainment. I don't usually find it in town much.
Baba Louie
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2002
- Messages
- 3,831
Tulsa Gun Show.
I live in Tulsa and love it! You get all four seasons. Everything is usually cheaper (including guns) No pro sports but plenty of college sports. Great golf, fishing, hunting. Plenty of stuff to do! Good luck on your job interview!!
another okie
Member
Guns:
1. OKC Gun Club is excellent. Last I heard there was a waiting list, so if you decide to make the move sign on at once.
2. CCW is easy.
3. It's legal to own full autos here, and some ranges rent them.
4. No open carry, except while hunting or on your own property or business.
5. Lots of gun stores.
6. Lots of shooting sports activities - IPSC, IDPA, skeet, trap, bullseye, etc.
Politics:
1. Democrats rule most counties; the state votes Republican at the national level. Both Senators and four of five Reps are Republican.
2. Very conservative in some ways, very populist in others. Some mistrust of government.
3. Low taxes, especially real estate taxes.
Edmond:
1. It's McAmerica - a wealthy suburb with no distinguishing characteristic.
2. Near the OKC Gun Club (Arcadia).
3. Home of University of Central Oklahoma, which is basically a giant teachers' college but has some nice programs.
4. Cost of living is generally quite low in Oklahoma. Edmond is a little higher, but if you're moving from California it will seem cheap.
Sports:
1. No major league sports, but Tulsa and OKC have minor league baseball. OKC may have the Hornets from Nawlins.
2. College football and basketball are the two biggest sports.
3. No beaches or mountains, but lots of lakes. Golf and boating are the biggest outdoor attractions.
1. OKC Gun Club is excellent. Last I heard there was a waiting list, so if you decide to make the move sign on at once.
2. CCW is easy.
3. It's legal to own full autos here, and some ranges rent them.
4. No open carry, except while hunting or on your own property or business.
5. Lots of gun stores.
6. Lots of shooting sports activities - IPSC, IDPA, skeet, trap, bullseye, etc.
Politics:
1. Democrats rule most counties; the state votes Republican at the national level. Both Senators and four of five Reps are Republican.
2. Very conservative in some ways, very populist in others. Some mistrust of government.
3. Low taxes, especially real estate taxes.
Edmond:
1. It's McAmerica - a wealthy suburb with no distinguishing characteristic.
2. Near the OKC Gun Club (Arcadia).
3. Home of University of Central Oklahoma, which is basically a giant teachers' college but has some nice programs.
4. Cost of living is generally quite low in Oklahoma. Edmond is a little higher, but if you're moving from California it will seem cheap.
Sports:
1. No major league sports, but Tulsa and OKC have minor league baseball. OKC may have the Hornets from Nawlins.
2. College football and basketball are the two biggest sports.
3. No beaches or mountains, but lots of lakes. Golf and boating are the biggest outdoor attractions.
dasmi
Member
Just got a voicemail regarding this job. Calling them back this evening. Looks like I might be heading out to Edmond afterall.
chris in va
Member
Keep that in mind. Get a GOOD weather radio and know where your tornado shelter is.
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