It may be the little pieces of old-time-America that have enticed you to make the move to Oklahoma. Whatever the reason, there are some aspects you must prepare for, before you make the move.
In Oklahoma you may notice that everyone has a wave or a tip of the hat for passersby. In fact, in some towns it feels as though time has slowed. It may be these little pieces of old-time-America that has enticed you to make the move to Oklahoma. Whatever the reason, there are some aspects you must prepare for, before you make the move.
One of the deciding factors, you might not notice until you are on your way, is the weather. In tornado alley we are used to the change in conditions as hot humid weather quickly becomes cold and rainy. However, you do need to prepare yourself. Where as in California you may only need a light coat and a rain slicker, in Oklahoma you will need to dress in layers. This will include a heavy coat, light coat, rain gear, and maybe a few sweaters. You may also want to brush up on your tornado safety procedures, but don't get your ideas from the movies. You will more often find yourself sitting in the cellar for a 15 to 30 a few times during the summer, but probably won't see a tornado come your way.
Now, there is another aspect that you may not have thought of that will have to be dealt with. Pests are a problem everywhere, but in Oklahoma country animals abound along with ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes. Driving along these poor country roads, many of them made only of dirt, you may find it difficult to dodge all of the animals. This is something you are going to need to face as you will surely come across many armadillos, skunks, and even deer. You will also need to use cautionary procedures when dealing the four-legged creatures. Bug spray will become a powerful ally in your fight against lime disease and West Nile.
Employment is a huge factor in any decision you make, but especially when planning a move to Oklahoma. If you are planning to move to one of the larger cities such as Tulsa, or Oklahoma City, finding a job may not be so different from finding one where you currently reside. However, if you are planning to move to a smaller community, which includes most cities in Oklahoma, you may run into problems. If a commute of up to an hour bothers you, than you should definitely try to have a job in place before moving to a smaller community in Oklahoma.
Housing is another concern for potential movers. Fortunately, in Oklahoma you will more than likely end up on top. The price of housing in Oklahoma is a lot lower than average. This means that in order for a person in Los Angeles to enjoy the same spending power as an Oklahoman counterpart, they will have to earn 28% more, according to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
There are many preparations that go into a major decision. Deciding to move to Oklahoma may be the best decision you decide to make as long as you prepare. Think about the weather, pests, employment, and housing before you make the plunge.
