Considering a move to Oklahoma City? The Big Friendly is growing rapidly thanks to its affordable cost of living, family-friendly activities, top business opportunities, and more. Here are 16 things you need to know about living in Oklahoma City!
Live in a Big City with Small-City Costs
Looking for an affordable big city to live in? Despite being one of the most populated cities in the U.S., Oklahoma City’s cost of living is 9% lower than the national average. Low prices for groceries, utilities, and transportation all contribute to this affordability, allowing you to have a big-city experience without the hefty price tag. But the biggest savings come from OKC’s housing costs, which are 12% below the national average. This means that whether you’re buying a house or renting an apartment, Oklahoma City is one of the most affordable places to live in the U.S. Rentals in Oklahoma City are around $884 per month, while the median home purchase price is $161,800—making OKC one of the best big cities for first-time homebuyers, too!
Take Advantage of Great Jobs in OKC
The unemployment rate in Oklahoma City is lower than the national average at 3.1%, making the city ideal for job seekers. There are a variety of career opportunities in OKC, spanning industries like energy, aviation, biotechnology, and more. Some major employers in Oklahoma City include INTEGRIS Health, Fortune 500 company Devon Energy, the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, and even retailers like Hobby Lobby. Additionally, with Tinker Air Force Base in the area, Oklahoma City is one of the best cities for veterans and military personnel. Want to work for yourself instead? With low business costs, The Big Friendly is also one of the least risky cities to start a business!
Attend Oklahoma City Colleges & Universities
If you’re moving to Oklahoma City to earn a degree, the city has plenty of colleges and universities to choose from. Further your education at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, which offers a renowned dance school, leading online statistics program, and more. Choose from more than 70 undergraduate majors and 20 graduate degrees at private liberal arts and sciences college, Oklahoma City University. Attend Oklahoma City Community College—a top-value institution in Oklahoma—for highly-regarded courses spanning from nursing to film. Pursue a career in healthcare at The University Of Oklahoma College of Medicine, one of the few comprehensive medical centers in the nation and one of the top medical schools for primary care. Or check out private education options like Mid-America Christian University, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, or Oklahoma Christian University, another great school in OKC.
Save Time with OKC Transportation
Like many other Midwestern cities, driving in OKC is the most common way to get around. You won’t have to worry about dense traffic in Oklahoma City, as Interstate 35 provides quick access to many parts of the area—plus, the average commute time in OKC is notably shorter than the national average. But if you don’t own a car, there are lots of OKC public transportation options, too. Find affordable and reliable transit with the OKC Streetcar, or utilize one of the 22 established bus lines in OKC via the EMBARK bus network. Rent a bike from the Spokies bike-share service and journey along the interconnected bike paths in OKC—or explore the city through a guided bike tour with Ride OKC. Or, if you need to travel further, catch a flight at the Will Rogers International Airport!
Spend More Time Outdoors
The mild seasons are another perk of moving to OKC. Locals typically experience an average of more than 230 sunny days per year and winters that seldom drop below freezing. And though Tornado Alley is prone to strong winds between March and June, you can stay prepared for storms while still enjoying outdoor recreation in Oklahoma City. Zipline across the Oklahoma River or attempt whitewater rafting in OKC at Riversport—a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic training site. Cool off at the Scissortail Sprayground or browse the Farmers Market at Scissortail Park. Hit the half-pipe on your skateboard, do tricks on your bike, or roller skate at Mat Hoffman Action Sports Park. Test out your aim with a group of friends at Epic Paintball Park. Pitch a tent, reel in fish, or boat across Lake Stanley Draper. Kayak through the still waters of Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge. Or witness the stunning water views and city skyline while wandering the Oklahoma River trails on foot, bike, or by horseback.
Explore OKC’s Distinct Districts
With 21 unique districts, you’ll always be able to find something to do in OKC. Shop small at locally-owned businesses like Plant People, Commonplace Books, and Heritage Bespoke in Midtown. Get a taste of Oklahoma City’s past in the Deep Deuce District, a neighborhood with deep ties to the Black community since the rise of blues and jazz in the 1940s. Roam through Automobile Alley—the former home of over 50 car dealerships, now filled with shops and restaurants. Catch film and arts festivals, or explore galleries in West Village District’s Film Row. Make a day out of all the family-friendly attractions in the Adventure District. Embrace Oklahoma City’s cowboy culture in Stockyards City. And find tons of restaurants, bars, and nightlife attractions in Downtown OKC and Bricktown!
Experience Pride in Oklahoma City
OKC is home to a spirited and supportive LGBTQ community, offering a wide array of resources, events, and more. For example, LGBTQ youth can mingle with one another at OKC Pride Alliance youth programs, while LGBTQ couples can connect with affirming wedding vendors via the Rainbow Collective. Alongside these organizations that foster connection among the LGBTQ community, Freedom Oklahoma also plays a crucial role in providing educational resources and advocacy across the state. Celebrate Pride Month in OKC with a visit to Oklahoma City’s 39th Street District, lovingly referred to as “The Strip,” and attend the Pride on 39th Street festival and parade. Or stop by The Boom or Tramps for some of the best gay bars and nightclubs in OKC!
Find Family Fun in The Big Friendly
On the hunt for Oklahoma City attractions for families? Whether your family likes to explore, learn, or chase thrills, OKC lets all of those possibilities come to life. Feed giraffes, ride camels, and take a VR journey through gorilla jungles at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Stroll through the breathtaking greenery and flora or ride Mo’s Carousel at Myriad Botanical Gardens. Take a deep dive into Western and Indigenous art, culture, and history at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum or First Americans Museum. Visit one of Oklahoma’s only theme parks, Frontier City—a Six Flags Theme Park—for everything from roller coasters and thrilling water rides to kid-friendly attractions. Sign the kids up for hockey lessons or bring the whole family out to skate across the rink at Arctic Edge Ice Arena. And enjoy kid-friendly seasonal events—like the Strawberry Fest, Fall Festival, and more—at Orr Family Farm!
Appreciate Art in OKC
For those keen on art, moving to Oklahoma City opens a world of opportunities. Just by walking through the streets of OKC, you’ll experience one of the top U.S. cities for street art. Gaze at outstanding murals in Oklahoma City at the Plaza Walls Expo in the Plaza District, which is transformed by over 40 artists annually. Wander through Downtown OKC’s vibrant tunnels brightened by Abstract Passages. Enjoy diverse art collections and traveling exhibits from around the world at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Sign up for a creative workshop, take a guided tour, and browse through Campbell Art Park at the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center. Experience First American art at Exhibit C Gallery. Or engage with the immersive art exhibits at Factory Obscura.
Support the Performing Arts
If you’re moving to OKC and love the performing arts, the Civic Center Music Hall in OKC’s Arts District is your one-stop-shop for a wide variety of shows and performances. Hear some of the metro’s finest musicians in the Canterbury Voices. Catch shows like Oklahoma! and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. Grab tickets to touring shows like & Juliet or The Wiz with live theatre in OKC from OKC Broadway. Listen to classical and modern music or celebrate the holidays at one of the OKC Philharmonic Orchestra recitals. Or see the Oklahoma City Ballet perform shows like Dracula, The Nutcracker, and more!
Spend a Day Exploring OKC Museums
While living in Oklahoma City, you can find interactive fun in plenty of museums! Browse artifacts from the London Fire Brigade and other tokens dating back to the 1700s at the Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum. See more than 450 animal skeletons from all over the world, check out exhibits like Flightless Birds, or attend Forensic Night at Skeletons: Museum of Osteology. Explore exhibits like CurioCity, Light Minded, and smART Space at the Science Museum Oklahoma. Discover the people that make OKC unique with exhibits like Oklahoma Sports Heroes, Inaugural Impressions, and more at the Oklahoma History Center. Learn the history of “America’s instrument” and listen to live music at events like the Celtic Jam at the American Banjo Museum. Or honor those we lost and experience an authentic, interactive understanding of the Oklahoma City Bombing at the OKC National Memorial & Museum.
Discover Fun at Festivals & Events
There are plenty of events in Oklahoma City held throughout the year for you to enjoy! Find 11 days of family-friendly entertainment at the Oklahoma State Fair, offering everything from delicious food, rodeos, and live music to thrilling rides like the Mega Drop at the Midway Carnival. Enjoy “traditional cowboy cooking,” live music, Western reenactments, and more at the Annual Chuck Wagon Festival. Team up with friends to complete a relay at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, the biggest marathon in OKC. Catch locally-made films at the deadCenter Film Festival. Encounter visual, performing, and culinary arts during the Festival of the Arts in OKC’s Bicentennial Park. See jewelry, paintings, sculptures, and other creations from over 90 artists from across the U.S. at the Paseo Arts Festival. And celebrate the holidays with outdoor ice skating, live performances, and more during the Downtown in December festival.
Celebrate Sports in Oklahoma City
College football is a big deal in Oklahoma City, and avid fans are more than welcome. In the past, residents had to choose between rooting for the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Oklahoma University Sooners in the iconic Bedlam Rivalry. Today, you can experience the electric college football atmosphere during OU game days, when OKC seemingly shuts down as everyone is glued to the game. You’ll also want to learn the “Beat Texas!” chant during the Red River Showdown when the Sooners take on the Texas Longhorns (D-1 FBS). And the excitement doesn’t stop at college football—OKC is home to a handful of professional sports teams, as well. Root for the OKC Thunder (NBA) as they shoot three-pointers, or head out to watch bull-riding with the Oklahoma Wildcatters (PBR) at the Paycom Center. Cheer on OKC Energy FC (USL) at Taft Stadium. Or get your baseball fix with an Oklahoma City Comets (MiLB) game at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark!
Enjoy a Variety of OKC Food Options
Oklahoma City offers restaurants with a diverse array of cuisines. Try brunch in OKC with meals like the Stuffed French Toast, Cheever’s Chicken Fried Steak, or Italian Kale Salad at Cheever’s Cafe. Delight in the authentic taste of refined Laotian cuisine with dishes like Crispy Rice Salad, Fried Pork Spare Ribs, and Sabai Sabai at Ma Der Lao Kitchen. Savor vegetarian-friendly meals like Bagel n Lox, Frito Chili Pie, and Rancheros Verdes at artsy eatery, The Red Cup. Discover delicious farm-to-table menu items like Masa Grit Cakes, the B-MLT, and Chicken Pot Pie at Red Rooster, one of the best restaurants in Oklahoma City. Enjoy a variety of steaks—from Filet Mignon to Pepper Steak or Ham Steak—at Cattlemen’s Steakhouse. And check out 125+ food trucks in OKC—including Big Truck Tacos, where you can order the Flaming Lips or Cripsy’cado with a Spicy Bloody Mary!
Visit Oklahoma City Breweries
There’s no shortage of breweries in OKC to choose from! Sample craft and local brews like the Bluesberry Ale, Bar Hop Hazy IPA, and Wiley’s Blood Orange Wheat at Bricktown Brewery. Test your knowledge during Trivia Night at Angry Scotsman Brewing, a Downtown Oklahoma City microbrewery that offers seasonal brews like Coffin Dodger and Fall Back alongside the beloved, year-round Scotsman IPA. Enjoy the rotating selection of beers like the Soul Shine, Oklahoma Sunset, and Malted Legacy at Core4 Brewing Company. Play board games while sipping a Hoparazzi or Golden One at Anthem Brewing. Find beer-inspired ciders like Elani and Double Hop Transition—vegan or gluten-free drink options at OKC’s first and only cidery, OK Cider Co. Or hang out at The Big Friendly, which takes its name from the city’s nickname, to enjoy their selection of local and international brews—including Spring Light, You Think I’m Joking, and more!
Paint OKC’s Bricktown Red
If you’re searching for diverse nightlife, Oklahoma City’s Bricktown district is a must-visit. Take a relaxing ride through the canal aboard the Bricktown Water Taxi. See performances from bands like Paramore and Rainbow Kitten Surprise or shows from comedians like David Spade at The Criterion. Get a group of friends together and knock down some pins at the sports bar and bowling alley, Revolutions by HeyDay. Experience the Southern influence in OKC’s country dance bar, Oklahoma Ranch. Grab a beer or enjoy an evening with friends playing miniature golf, laser tag, and arcade games at Brickopolis. And take a stab at stand-up during open mic night—or leave it to the professionals and catch one of the many A-List comedians in OKC at Bricktown Comedy Club.
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