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Known affectionately as OKC, Oklahoma City offers a vibrant arts and sports scene, excellent job opportunities, and a low cost of living. Over 700,000 people work, live, and play in this growing American City. Thinking of making a change? Oklahoma City might be the place for you.
If you’re considering a move to The Big Friendly and looking for a detailed guide to everything the city offers, NSA Storage has got you covered! Read on to find out what life could look like in OKC.
A Big City with a Low Cost of Living
One of the best perks of living in Oklahoma City is the cost of living. Practically all of your monthly bills will be lower here, including housing, utilities, groceries, and transportation. For example:
- The median home price in OKC is $220,000. The national average is nearly double that at $400,000!
- Utility costs (gas, water, electric, etc.) are consistently below the U.S. average.
- A 2-bedroom apartment rents for $1,200 per month, compared to the US average of $1,800.
- OKC’s cost of living index is an affordable 80 out of 100. Many major US cities like Dallas, Denver, and NYC rank well above 100.
Family-friendly Activities in OKC
No matter where you live, if you have kids, family-friendly attractions are a must! There are plenty of ways to entertain your family in Oklahoma City, including hands-on museums, parks and more, including:
- Oklahoma City Zoo– Rated one of the top zoos in the United States.
- Science Museum Oklahoma– Features a variety of fun and interesting exhibits that are fully interactive.
- Frontier City and Hurricane Harbor– Your kids will love these fantastic theme parks in OKC!
- Orr Family Farm– This working farm has many seasonal events as well as an exciting train ride.
- Myriad Botanical Gardens– More for adults but they do feature a children’s garden and several fun events.
- Martin Park Nature Center– A gorgeous park that’s perfect for exploring and learning about the natural world.
- Bricktown Water Taxi– Take a thrilling river cruise through OKC’s entertainment district!
- Oklahoma Railway Museum– For kids who adore trains, this is a must-see museum!
Check Out Oklahoma City’s Arts Scene
If you enjoy the arts, including live music, theatre, and more, Oklahoma City is the place for you! You’ll find all manner of performances, art collections, and concerts here. No matter the time of year, there’s always something to enjoy. Some of the top spots to take in the city’s vibrant arts scene include:
- The Oklahoma City Museum of Art– Here you’ll enjoy, among other things, an impressive glass collection by Dale Chihuly.
- The Paseo Arts District– Located just north of downtown, the district is filled with galleries, boutiques, and local cafes. The Spanish-style architecture is also a main feature and not to be missed!
- Lyric Theatre and Civic Center Music Hall– Broadway-quality musicals and plays, performed by Oklahoma’s leading professional theatre.
Get Outdoors and Into Adventure
Oklahoma City and the surrounding area offer an abundance of natural beauty and scenic spaces. That’s because the city sits on open plains, making for spectacular sunsets. With several nearby lakes, you’ll discover places to boat and fish, take a bike ride, or hike to your heart’s content.
With an average yearly temperature above the national average, you’ll want to take advantage. Here are a few of the top outdoor spots for adventure, excitement, and fresh air in OKC:
- Lake Hefner, Lake Overholser, and Lake Stanley Draper offer miles of boating and fishing, all within city limits.
- Martin Park Nature Center is a wildlife area featuring miles of trails and kid-friendly nature programs.
- Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge is the perfect place for kayaking and birdwatching, located just outside the city.
- Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is the place to go if you enjoy rock climbing or want to spot some bison!
Oklahoma City Universities and Colleges
If you’re looking for a top university or college, Oklahoma City is a great location! Some of the top-rated schools in the country are found here, including:
- University of Oklahoma (Norman)– Just 20 miles south of OKC, this school is known for its programs in engineering, meteorology, and business. It also boasts a nationally ranked athletics program and lively campus.
- Oklahoma City University– The performing arts and business programs here are top-notch.
- University of Central Oklahoma (Edmond)– You’ll find a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees at this excellent school.
- Rose State College– Offers a wide range of technical or associate degree programs.
OKC’s Craft Beer and Coffee Scene
Feeling thirsty? The craft beverage scene in Oklahoma City is booming! There are 18 breweries on the Craft Beer Trail, most of which are found in the Plaza District and Midtown, making it easy to sample all of them!
When you visit, you’ll find many breweries offer beer tours and have outdoor patios to sit, relax, and enjoy yourself. Oklahoma City also has a thriving coffeehouse culture! Some of the best spots to sample, sip, and socialize include:
Breweries
- The Big Friendly– Winners of the American Beer Festival Brewery of the Year award two years in a row!
- Stonecloud Brewing– Don’t miss their smashing Belgian-style ales!
- Anthem Brewing– One of the city’s original craft breweries.
- Bricktown Brewery– Once an old candy factory, Bricktown is now one of the city’s top restaurants and brew pubs!
- COOP Ale Works– A beer-brewing pioneer in OKC.
- Roughtail Brewing Company– Started by two friends, it’s now one of the city’s most celebrated microbreweries.
Coffee Houses
- Elemental Coffee– Offers a full menu of espresso-based drinks.
- Caboose Coffee– Excellent coffee served in a quiet setting with an interesting history.
- Domenico Coffee & Dessert Bar– If you’d like something sweet with your coffee, this is the place!
Festivals and Events in OKC
Nothing strengthens a sense of community like a festival or event! In OKC, you’ll find a wide range of them, including music, food, and art. There’s something for everyone and plenty of opportunities to watch, listen, and even participate! Some of the top events and festivals in Oklahoma City include:
- Festival of the Arts– Every April this festival celebrates the best in creativity and cuisine.
- Red Earth Festival– This Indigenous American festival, held in June, gives a close-up look at their heritage through art and dance.
- Oklahoma State Fair– In September this fantastic fair brings yummy food, thrilling rides, and exciting live shows to the city!
- Downtown in December– The holiday season in Oklahoma City brings ice skating, light displays, and family fun to the Downtown area.
The Thriving Job Market in Oklahoma City
The economy in OKC has been diversifying for several years now, helping their job market to grow beyond the traditional energy and oil industries. More than that, the unemployment rate here is less than the national average and salaries are quite competitive. Some of the best industries in the city include:
- Technology and finance– In the Downtown area, startups and established firms in both industries are continually expanding.
- Aerospace and aviation– Boeing leads the way here, as well as Tinker Air Force Base.
- Healthcare– Two of OKC’s biggest employers include OU Health and Integris Health.
- Energy and renewables– Chesapeake Energy and Devon Energy are both based here and offer a wide array of employment opportunities.
Make Your Move Smooth with NSA Storage
Oklahoma city is the best of all worlds! Everything you need to live, work, and play is here, whether you’re young and single, married with children, or enjoying your golden years. From affordability to fun and family, living in OKC is a total win!
If you’re in need of a storage unit in Oklahoma City, NSA Storage can help. You can reserve a storage unit online from anywhere in the country. When you arrive, it will be ready to store your belongings in Oklahoma City, both long and short term. NSA Storage strives to make every move easy and stress-free.
