Serving as the state capital of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City is also the largest city in the state. It’s a cultural and economic hub, famous for its cowboy culture and southern hospitality. It’s the home of one of the world’s largest livestock markets, but there’s much more to the city than its agricultural roots and cowboy boots.
Renters who are tempted to make the move to Oklahoma City can quickly become enamored by the culture, but it’s important to go in with eyes wide open.
With that in mind, here are 4 important questions to ask before renting in OKC.
1. What’s the Job Market Like in Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City’s economy was historically driven by two major sectors, oil and agriculture. Both of these industries are certainly still important to OKC’s job market, but renters of all professional backgrounds will be pleased to hear that the economy has diversified significantly in recent years.
Nowadays, some of the city’s largest sectors include healthcare, education, tech, energy, and aviation, providing a slew of job opportunities for white and blue-collar workers alike in a range of roles. With more than 37,500 employees, the State of Oklahoma Government is the city’s biggest employer by a fair margin, followed by the Tinker Air Force Base. Meanwhile, both the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University employ tens of thousands of residents across numerous sites.
2. Is Oklahoma City a Good Place for Families?
With a warm Southern welcome and tight-knit communities, OKC is a superb place to raise a family. The city is home to a wealth of family-friendly things to see and do, such as the Oklahoma City Zoo and the iconic Science Museum Oklahoma. Both offer a great mix of education and entertainment, while outdoor activities such as rafting at RIVERSPORT ensure kids and adults alike have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.
OKC is home to 12 school districts. The largest is the Oklahoma City Public Schools district, while the remaining 11 are mostly suburban and also serve surrounding towns. Of these, the Edmond School District, located to the north of the city, is often the highest-ranked. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM) is the top-ranked high school in the city, but most high schools in the city score fairly well.
3. What’s There To Do in Oklahoma City?
Renters will find that there are plenty of things to see and do in Oklahoma City, regardless of their interests.
A. Amazing Green Spaces
Outdoor enthusiasts will love the more than 170 parks, covering over 6,250 acres of parkland and offering around 100 miles of trails. Scissortail Park is among the best known, with a lake for boating, sports facilities including pickleball courts, and plenty of picnic areas. Meanwhile, the Myriad Botanical Gardens is a stunning green space in the heart of the city, boasting endless trails, themed gardens, exhibitions, and events throughout the year.
B. Cowboy Culture and Country Music
As the cultural heart of Oklahoma, OKC boasts no shortage of festivals and events throughout the year for residents to enjoy. Cowboy culture is celebrated in numerous horse shows and livestock markets throughout the year, while country music can be enjoyed live at numerous venues almost nightly. The Oklahoma Opry is perhaps the most well-known venue, with performances every Saturday night showcasing local talent.
C. Magical Museums
OKC is famous for its huge number of quirky museums, showcasing the weird and wonderful. The Museum of Osteology is a stand-out attraction, home to more than 300 skeletons of creatures great and small, from the depths of ancient history up to the curiosities of today. The American Banjo Museum is a must for music fans, while the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum offers an exciting insight into the history and culture of Oklahoma City.
D. A Vibrant Art Scene
Oklahoma City also boasts a vibrant arts scene. Numerous galleries showcase works from local and internationally acclaimed artists, many of which can be found in the Paseo Arts District in Downtown. Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts is an annual celebration of the city’s rich art scene, bringing visual, performing, and culinary arts together for all to enjoy.
4. How’s the Commute in Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City ranks among the top 10 large U.S. metros with the shortest commute times, with an average one-way commute of around 22 minutes, almost 5 minutes faster than the national average. Public transit is provided by EMBARK, which offers bus lines throughout the city and out into the suburbs. Parts of the city score well in terms of walkability and are fairly bikeable, but some suburban areas are fairly car-dependent.
Image credit: Niklas Schorrer / Shutterstock.com
