[tamaralj]

I saw an older forum that mentioned Duncan as being a nice place to maybe live and then retire in. Any thoughts on the area? I'm also looking in and around Tulsa too. Areas of interest would be small town living near a bigger city. I'm conservative, and Christian, looking for that friendly atmosphere. Not a lot of traffic, low crime. Outdoorsy stuff, some shopping, good medical. Easy to get places like from a highway not far. I'm putting it out there to see what thoughts ya'all had. I've talked with some very nice people from the forums, so that is encouraging that there are friendly people around! At this point, I know I need to get out and visit, but looking anywhere between middle to north Eastern, to in between OKC and Tulsa north or south. I have family that used to live in Madill all gone now, but buried there. Feel like I have some roots. But I think Madill would be too small town at this point. Duncan had my interest as the location seems accessible to a lot of areas. Anyway just a thought! I've been investigating a lot of areas....on the hunt you might say. I sort of feel like once I visit a place and stay awhile, I'll be able to tell where I want to be.

[StillwaterTownie]

Pauls Valley might be nice, possibly not too far from Oklahoma City.

[Johnhw2]

Look at Durant close to dallas small town but good economy. It's close to lake texoma, has entertainment available from the casino and SEOSU (state university). Scenic se Oklahoma is nearby and it's climate I'm winter is better than north of there. Madil isn't far either if that is something you want to be near.

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by StillwaterTownie

Pauls Valley might be nice, possibly not too far from Oklahoma City.

Duncan over Paul's Valley. PV has a tendency to be a tad "clannish".....if you're not from there people will let you know it.

Duncan is a great town. The people are used to transplants with Haliburton being based there. Not far from Lawton or DFW if you need to get some shopping done.

[tamaralj]

Thank you!

[Rubi3]

It's strange how some towns are open to new people and others aren't. I grew up in a town not pleased with "oil field workers," then I married one. We moved to Healdton which was welcoming. In later years to Perry. I didn't notice one way or another because of being so involved with OSU in Stillwater. Oklahoma City has open arms for newcomers. Muskogee is clannish. It's interesting to know Duncan is not. I'm thinking towns accustomed to workers in our many oil fields have learned those workers are often assets to the population.

[#1soonerfan]

Just my take, but places that are a) commutable to a big city, b) have a large college or university, or c) have some sort of out-sized economic activity (in OK that will almost always be oil/gas or military) generally have enough of a "population churn" of people coming and going that a new face will not be a big deal to the local townies.

I mean no disrespect, but the difference in, say, Bartlesville or Duncan where you have major ops for international energy firms, is night and day compared to a place like Muskogee or Henryetta. Last time I was in Bartlesville I met people from the UK, Switzerland, and Nigeria. All of them lured to work for COP...it made for a very welcoming environment. Likewise I imagine Duncan is fairly similar.

Not to knock on Pauls Valley, its alright by small town OK standards. But its little more than a pee break for people going between OKC and Dallas and I don't doubt it is quite clannish. They do have an amazing catfish place there!

[tamaralj]

Thanks for the information!

[tamaralj]

I'm thinking that Duncan would get milder winters than going north, like Bartlesville. But for retirement we would need some amenities. And a way to access a highway to travel. I do like the "off the beaten path", but sometimes I find it to be too isolated at times. A nice small town outside a bigger area, seems to be the ticket. It's funny, I went to youtube.com to see if anyone had made videos of the area, and there were several of a big tornado! We get tornados where I am now too. We always listen to the sirens. It would be nice if we lived in OK to have a storm seller. Some people build them inside the house. After our two f-4s that hit here, it took houses down to the foundation. When they rebuilt they added a tornado room inside the house. Also I've seen them outside. Like a dug out.

[StillwaterTownie]

The may be too small but consider Stroud and Chandler on Route 66. They're both about an hour from Oklahoma City and Tulsa. A much bigger town while being much closer to Tulsa would be Sapulpa.