Quality of Life Brochure

The Guide to Life in

Oklahoma

Best Towns to Call Home

Ways to Spend Your Weekend

Top Industries Hiring Now

TABLE OF CONTENT S

03 Daily Life 06 Where to Live 14 What to Do 22 Where to Work

3 | DAILY LIFE

DA I LY LI F E

Simple Living.

Rich Returns.

More space. More time. More oxygen for the stuff you said you’d start when life calms down. From ten-minute commutes to big backyards and extra bedrooms, it’s life undeterred by traffic or price tags.

With state parks, wildlife refuges, walking trails, and award-winning city parks, nature is always on speed dial.

River trails wind through cities, lakes sandwich suburban neighborhoods, and greenbelts weave through seemingly every corner.

Whether you’re posted up in a downtown high-rise or strolling down a small town main street, Oklahoma’s people are its real secret sauce. You feel it in the farmers markets, under Friday night lights, and baked into the DNA of food truck festivals and family cookouts.

Life in Oklahoma comes with more.

5 | DAILY LIFE

IF YOU MOVED FROM . . .

Los Angeles → Tulsa you’d spend 72.1% less on housing

Chicago → Enid you’d spend 13.86% less on transportation

New York → Edmond you’d spend 18.73% less on groceries

Houston → Ponca City you’d spend 26.12% less on healthcare

Dallas → Oklahoma City you’d spend 14.88% less on utilities

Scan to Compare Your City

ELK CIT Y

TULSA

EDMOND

ARDMORE

NORMAN

OKL AHOMA CIT Y

7 | WHERE TO LIVE

A LT U S

FORT GIBSON

GRAND L AKE

“I am thriving, not just surviving anymore.”

Laura Landers Tulsa, OK

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For this Texas-born fashion designer, Oklahoma is the perfect fit.

I’m originally from Dallas, but I moved

wanted to still feel like we were in the

to Tulsa, Oklahoma, after living in Los

city, but live in a single-family home.

Angeles for about ten years. My husband

And the fact that it cost literally 10%

and I decided that buying a home was

of what an L.A. home would cost was

the first thing we were going to do when

mind-blowing.

we moved. We have some friends in L.A. who have a condo, which is essentially like living in a glorified apartment. You’re still sharing walls, and that is something that I did not want to do. I had been doing that for almost two decades, and I was exhausted. I wanted my own safe haven. I wanted to be able to sing and yell and not be worried that I’m

Since moving here — even from day one — I’ve felt mentally healthy. I wish I would have known that would happen. Maybe I wouldn’t have spent as long in L.A., and I could have started my life here sooner.

I could have bought the home sooner. I could have started my business sooner.

disrupting my neighbors.

I feel successful — I am successful. I’m It only took us one day to find the house that we wanted. We looked at around nine, and the one we bought was the very first one that we saw. It was only five

thriving, not just surviving anymore.

Oklahoma is the kind of place where you can make your dreams happen and it doesn’t feel like you’re taking a chance.

minutes away from downtown, but still in a neighborhood that wasn’t too close

It feels like you’re able to live your life

to all the hub-bub. It was just the perfect

by design.

balance, because we’re city people. We

9 | MEE T YOUR NEIGHBORS

Dallas Los Angeles Tulsa

Northwest Oklahoma The land of big skies, quiet backroads, and enough personal space to make a city-dweller emotional. Life out here moves at a pace that lets you breathe.

Southwest Oklahoma From the ancient Wichita Mountains to the valor of Fort Sill, it’s a whole other world out here. Come claim your home on the range, John Wayne.

A little bit of everywhere Oklahoma has range. Sweeping prairies, emerald forests, lush suburbs, and the concrete jungle all share space, meaning there’s a neighborhood prime for your pace no matter where you land. Think of it as America in tasting-menu form — just another perk of life among the most diverse terrain in the country.

Explore Oklahoma’s Regions

Oklahoma City Metro Weeknight NBA games, jaw-dropping art, and neighborhoods so affordable you can have your steak and the backyard to cook it in, too. All the big city perks, none of the big city nonsense.

South Central Oklahoma Lakes for cruising, hills for hiking, main streets for wandering. As the heart of the Arbuckle Mountains, lush is the word. All with metro access just a playlist away.

Green hills, museums, the best park in the U.S., and dinner spots that’ll make your taste buds do cartwheels. A little bit suburb, a little bit cultured, confidently its own thing.

Southeast Oklahoma If you’ve ever dreamt of your own mountainside chalet, this one’s for you. Best for campfire lovers, outdoorsy types, and anyone who shudders at the thought of concrete.

11 | WHERE TO LIVE

Tulsa Metro

Liz Leaming Ponca City, OK

Space, State Parks & Wide Open Skies Liz Leaming is living large in small-town Oklahoma.

When I moved from Portland, Oregon,

As a family, we enjoy exploring

to Ponca City, Oklahoma, many of my

Oklahoma’s natural beauty through

friends and coworkers were surprised

hiking and camping. The state parks

and questioned why I’d make that

offer incredible diversity depending

move. Their misconceptions were

on where you go, from the serene

typical: concerns about good cuisine,

landscapes of Osage Hills State Park

entertainment, landscape, and especially

to the unique terrain of the Gloss

opportunities. But the reality couldn’t be

Mountains and the lush beauty of

more different.

Chickasaw National Recreation Area.

I’m a native Michigander, and I’ve lived

Most importantly, Oklahoma is full of

in Wisconsin and the Pacific Northwest

opportunity. Whether you’re starting a

before settling in Oklahoma. Each place

business, raising a family, or growing a

had its appeal — Wisconsin’s lakes, the

career, the state provides a supportive

Pacific Northwest’s lush landscapes —

environment where hard work and

but I don’t miss owning a snow blower!

community connection make anything

Oklahoma’s mild winters and stunning

possible. The grit and determination of

skies have been a welcome change.

the people here create a place where dreams are within reach.

What sets Oklahoma apart is its diverse beauty. The western plains feel timeless, while the eastern bluffs offer rugged charm. And the sky here? Always breathtaking, whether it’s a vivid sunset or a dramatic storm. The variety keeps things fresh and captivating.

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13 | MEE T YOUR NEIGHBORS

“The western plains feel timeless, while the eastern bluffs offer rugged charm.”

T U R N E R FA L L S

If your outdoorsy side needs room to roam, you’re in the right place.

Oklahoma boasts the most diverse terrain in the country, with 13 distinct ecoregions spanning prairie and cross timbers to rugged mountains, pine forests, wetlands, and red rock canyons.

Across the state, dozens of state parks and wildlife refuges give you ample ways to play. One weekend might mean hiking with the bison of the Wichita Mountains. The next, paddling the cypress-lined rivers of Beavers Bend State Park or taking the kids tubing on Lake Eufaula. For the outdoorsman, whitetail and waterfowl run wild in over 1.6 million acres of public hunting land.

And the best part? It’s all close enough to get home by dinner.

L I T T L E S A H A R A S TAT E PA R K

FOSS L AKE

1 5 | WHAT TO DO

Fresh air by the fistful.

Culture you won’t see coming

Museums and murals, award-winning restaurants, parks, pro sports, cathedrals of music, and bucket list festivals. It’s all here, minus the headache to actually enjoy it. Here’s a taste of what your weekends could look like.

Chickasaw National Recreation Area South Central Oklahoma Once a national park, it still very much feels like one — but free.

Cold springs, shaded creeks, and limestone edges feel more like a natural spa than Oklahoma’s favorite place to cool down.

Endangered Ark Foundation Southeast Oklahoma

Oklahoma Aquarium Tulsa Metro

Home to the second-largest Asian elephant herd in the

Picture tropical fish, sea turtles, and the world’s

country. Families love it for its

largest collection of bull sharks — but over 600

elephant selfies, educational

miles from the closest ocean. A family favorite

fun, and staycations with

you’re sure to frequent again and again.

breakfast delivered by trunk.

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art Oklahoma City Metro Imagine Degas, Monet, Hopper, and O’Keeffe as your neighbors. Boasting a 20,000-piece permanent collection, FJJMA ranks among the finest art museums in the country.

Stafford Air & Space Museum Southwest Oklahoma The only museum in the world with test-fired engines from the U.S. Saturn V and the Soviet N-1 moon rockets, this kid-friendly museum delivers an out-ofthis-world afternoon.

17 | WHAT TO DO

Illinois River Tulsa Metro An Oklahoma summer isn’t complete without a sunsoaked float trip down the Illinois. Expect water so clear and vibes so high you might forget you’re not at

E.W. Marland Mansion Northwest Oklahoma

Little Italy Southeast Oklahoma

An oil-baron dream with

You don’t have to go to the coast for a taste of

Italian Renaissance swagger,

the Old Country. Since Italian immigrants settled

unexpectedly dropped right

nearby coal mines in the 1800s, hearty pasta and

onto the prairie. Weddings,

handcrafted cheeses have flowed like nonna’s

parties, and picnics are the

Sunday gravy.

summer camp.

norm on this villa’s lawn.

Gathering Place Tulsa Metro

Cain’s Ballroom Tulsa Metro

Twice voted the Best City Park in

If a room could talk, this one

the U.S., the Gathering Place is less

would still be ringing. For

public park and more riverfront

over 100 years, these wood

masterpiece.

floors have rocked with everyone from Wills to Willie to Wilco.

Science Museum Oklahoma Oklahoma City Metro Part playground, part brain gym, all-out fun. Get handson with nearly 400,000 square feet of exhibits

Choctaw Cultural Center Southeast Oklahoma

and one of the premier planetariums in the country.

Experience Oklahoma’s Native American culture through the lens of one of the country’s largest tribes, with daily stickball, beadwork, and dance demonstrations.

Mabee Gerrer Museum of Art Oklahoma City Metro Egyptian mummies, Mesoamerican stone carvings, African masks, and papal portraits sit side by side. An unlikely global lineup of wonders, hidden in small town Oklahoma.

Malcolm Tubbs Oklahoma City, OK

“Whatever expectation you had before visiting Oklahoma, just get rid of it.”

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Why the man cranking OKC Thunder crowds to 11 wants to be your neighbor.

Oklahoma makes it easy for you to have

fishing with the guys,” or a “I’m going up

the foundation. Family, friends, finances

to Tulsa.” They’re maybe going to Mount

are usually met. From there, you can

Scott in Southwest Oklahoma or they’re

go crazy with the rest, because you

going down south to Beavers Bend State

probably have extra time and maybe

Park. You can get an otherworldly type of

a little extra money if you’re doing the

Oklahoma outdoor experience, and it’s

right things.

only a few hours drive away.

Oklahomans are excited about sports.

We’re in the middle of the map, so you

There’s so much pride behind these

can take vacations or really quick two-

organizations, whether it’s football,

and three-day vacations to New York

basketball, wrestling, equestrian sports,

or to L.A. or to the Pacific Northwest

softball, gymnastics. I could go on and

or Florida and be there and back for a

on. There’s this camaraderie of people

fraction of the price.

galvanizing together no matter where they come from. When they’re wearing the same colors, crazy things happen.

Whatever expectation you had before visiting Oklahoma, just get rid of it.

Come experience it, then have your

There are so many people who I can

mind blown with possibilities of how

ask, “Hey, man, what are you doing this

cool this place is.

weekend?” And they’ll say “Oh, I’m going

1 9 | MEE T YOUR NEIGHBORS

That Hometown Sound

Named the number one Oktoberfest

What started as a small holiday display

in America by USA Today, this annual

is now one of the top Christmas light

party is one of the most authentic

festivals in America. Each winter,

Bavarian celebrations around.

Chickasha’s Shannon Springs Park

Modeled after Munich’s original

becomes a winter wonderland with

festival, dozens of massive tents and

more than 3.5 million bulbs twisted

over 300 taps of German and local

into tunnels, arches, and glowing

bier take over the Tulsa Riverfront.

sculptures, all anchored by a 172-foot

Expect stein-hoisting competitions,

Christmas tree. Carriage rides, ice

dachshund races, polka music, and

skating, and seasonal treats make it an

plenty of brats, pretzels,

all-ages tradition worth a road trip.

Chickasha Festival of Light

Zeeco Oktoberfest

and lederhosen.

music festivals, NMF turns downtown

off, the skies of southeast Oklahoma

Norman into a three-day sonic

come alive at the longest-running

playground. Each April, hundreds of

balloon festival in Oklahoma. Each

acts take over Main Street, ranging

October, dozens of hot air balloons

from indie and surf rock to hip-

launch in early morning flights and

hop, punk, folk, and R&B. Japanese

glow in the evening, painting the

Breakfast, Portugal. The Man, Omar

Ouachita horizon in technicolor. On

Apollo, and Leon Russell are just a few

the ground, you’ll find monster trucks,

of the names that have headlined its

live music, craft vendors, carnival

stages, along with

games, and enough food to keep you

numerous up-and-coming

full for a week.

Norman Music Festival

Just as the fall foliage starts to show

Poteau Balloon Fest

national and local acts.

Always something to celebrate.

Oklahoma knows how to have a good time, and its festival calendar reflects it. All year long, towns and cities transform into stages for music, food, art, and traditions you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re into loud music lineups, gravel bike races, or watermelon eating contests, Oklahoma’s festivals are sure to take over your camera roll.

2 1 | WHAT TO DO

One of the country’s largest free

Paychecks with wiggle room.

Whether you’re building something new or leveling up in your field, Oklahoma offers room to move, lead, and breathe — without sacrificing the rest of your life. Short commutes, lower costs, and communities that still show up for each other make it easier to focus from 9 to 5 and still have energy left when the day’s done.

Explore Oklahoma’s Top Industries

Now Hiring Aerospace & Defense Agriculture Bioscience Business & Entrepreneurship Education Energy Film & Music Healthcare Manufacturing Real Estate Renewable Energy Tech Tourism & Hospitality Transportation & Logistics

2 3 | WHERE TO WORK

Cleared for Landing Why Alex Bethune made a 2,000-mile move for Oklahoma’s aerospace industry.

I came to Oklahoma as a transition in my

Women Inspiring Leadership Resource

career. When I started at Boeing after

Group, and it’s been a great learning

I graduated college, I was living in the

opportunity for me. I don’t know that I

Seattle, Washington, area. With Boeing

would have had the same opportunities

also being in Oklahoma, it was as easy as

anywhere else.

transferring to the site location here.

including up-and-coming ones, like the

“There are great career opportunities for anyone looking for a place to land.”

B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement

People think of Oklahoma as a “no-name

Program and radar modernization

state,” but that doesn’t mean that there

programs. Depending on what you’re

aren’t great things going on here. I kind

interested in, you can go into either

of like it more for that. It’s kind of like this

the surveillance or the weapons side

underdog state — a land of opportunity.

of things. There are great career

I ended up really loving it here.

I think there’s a lot of opportunity at Boeing in Oklahoma, because we work on so many different programs —

opportunities for anyone looking for a place to land.

Since moving to Oklahoma, I’ve bought a house. Doing that in Washington is outright unattainable for me at this point. I love that I could come here and achieve one of the things that I always wanted. I also love how many opportunities there are for women. I’m the chair for the Boeing

2 5 | MEE T YOUR NEIGHBORS

Alex Buthune Oklahoma City, OK

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Ready to Make the Move?

Maybe it started as curiosity. Maybe it was the idea of owning a home without winning the lottery.

Maybe it was a sudden realization that the math might actually work better here. However it began, your path to Oklahoma starts with small, practical steps. Here are just a few steps you can take to turn “what if” into “why not.” Now that’s rich.

Follow these simple steps.

HELLO

GET TO KNOW OKLAHOMA

e is my nam

By reading this guide, you’ve already gotten a head start. Now go deeper. Explore the regions, culture, and day-to-day details, run the numbers with our cost-of-living calculator, and, if time allows, come get the lay of the land. Literally. The fastest way to understand Oklahoma is to experience it.

FIND YOUR NEXT JOB Oklahoma’s doing serious work across aerospace, energy, tech, healthcare, manufacturing, and whatever industry you want to grow in. Browse open roles, explore top industries, and see where your skills fit in a place where careers blossom without taking over your life.

FIND A PLACE TO MOVE Go ahead and Zillow spiral — but this time, with optimism.

You’ll notice something quickly: your dollar stretches a whole lot further. Look into neighborhoods with character, houses with acreage, and price tags that feel polite are the norm. The space is real. So are the options, and the Pinterest board you won’t be able to stop adding decor ideas to.

PACK YOUR BAGS Now for the fun part. Oklahoma makes the move surprisingly manageable, from cost to commute to community. Fewer tradeoffs, more ease, and a better day-to-day awaits on the other side of all those boxes. We can’t wait to welcome you to our favorite state!

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