OKC compared to other cities in the region (Tulsa, May: rent, live) - Oklahoma City - Oklahoma - City-Data Forum

jm31828 · 03-09-2009, 04:21 PM

Hello All,

I have a couple of questions. I have never been down there to OKC but want to in the near future, as it seems to be just the right size in the right climate-zone for me and I want to learn more about it. My first question is, how do you think OKC compares to other cities in the plains area? Would you say it really has a similar feeling to places such as Omaha or DesMoines, of course being a bit bigger? Or is it different somehow, for better or worse?
Also, does OKC have all of the shopping/restaurants that other places of similar size seem to have, such as Macy's, Nordstrom's, Joe's Crab Shack, PF Chang's, Cheesecake Factory, etc? I know, those are odd examples, but I was just picking some random places to use as examples.

I look forward to getting down there sometime this Spring/Summer to look around!!

TulsaArtist · 03-09-2009, 04:36 PM

Other cities in the plains area like Omaha and DesMoines..... What no Tulsa! lol Heck Tulsa beats those places and OKC is bigger than Tulsa, and is further along on its downtown renewal efforts. Tulsa has PF Changs, Joes Crabshack, Cheesecake Factory, Macy's and your other typical everyday, suburban sprawl type stuff, lol ,,,, No Nordstroms right now,(rumor has it one may be going in the River District) but we got Sacks Fifth Ave and other high end stores,,,and again, Tulsa is smaller than OKC so obviously they are going to have most of that stuff and more. But I know, Tulsa doesnt count, we dont exist. We are just a tiny, worthless cow town. I am not bitter. :-P

okcpulse · 03-09-2009, 05:56 PM

OKC has everything you mentioned and more except Nordstrom's. Like TulsaArtist mentioned, a Nordstrom's location is rumored to be opening in south Tulsa and one in northwest OKC.

But I really stress when you come to OKC to check out places like Western Avenue, the Asian District and the Paseo Arts District, lots of great non-chain local eateries and places to shop.

I miss OKC and can't wait for my vacation in June!!!

Goodpasture · 03-09-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jm31828

My first question is, how do you think OKC compares to other cities in the plains area?

Favorably

Quote:

Originally Posted by jm31828

Would you say it really has a similar feeling to places such as Omaha or DesMoines, of course being a bit bigger? Or is it different somehow, for better or worse?

I like it better, but that is personal taste. Maybe having Sooner Football nearby instead of Husker has something to do with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jm31828

Also, does OKC have all of the shopping/restaurants that other places of similar size seem to have, such as Macy's, Nordstrom's, Joe's Crab Shack, PF Chang's, Cheesecake Factory, etc? I know, those are odd examples, but I was just picking some random places to use as examples.

What we don't have in clothes stores, you can get on line. OKC also has a Sheplers which I like better than Nordstrom's. I believe OKC has all those restaurants, but I don't really know. I prefer to go to good local restaurants over mediocre national chains.

Bass&Catfish2008 · 03-09-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodpasture

Favorably

I like it better, but that is personal taste. Maybe having Sooner Football nearby instead of Husker has something to do with it.

What we don't have in clothes stores, you can get on line. OKC also has a Sheplers which I like better than Nordstrom's. I believe OKC has all those restaurants, but I don't really know. I prefer to go to good local restaurants over mediocre national chains.

I'm with ya there GP.

This guy really needs to come down here for the best BBQ in the South-Central.

Also, JM31828, I'm mystified of the comparison to Omaha and Des Moines?

You'll be out of your element if you're expecting Nebraska or Iowa. Someone once said that OK City would be like Little Rock and Fort Worth having a kid and there ya go....OkieVille!

jm31828 · 03-09-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass&Catfish2008

I'm with ya there GP.

This guy really needs to come down here for the best BBQ in the South-Central.

Also, JM31828, I'm mystified of the comparison to Omaha and Des Moines?

You'll be out of your element if you're expecting Nebraska or Iowa. Someone once said that OK City would be like Little Rock and Fort Worth having a kid and there ya go....OkieVille!

haha I guess that's the contrast I was looking to find, knowing OKC is probably not like Omaha or Des Moines- those were my comparison cities since they are here in my region- the places I know. I may sound naieve, but could you expand on the comparison of Ft Worth and Little Rock having baby OKC? (I've been to Ft Worth but not Little Rock, the comparison is lost on this northerner

And to the Tulsa poster- I meant no offense, I've heard great things about your city as well!

fromdust · 03-09-2009, 10:01 PM

i agree with okcpulse. go check out the asian district on classen. after i began eating at those restaurants in that area i cant stand chinese buffets anymore. also stop by super cao nguyen grocery store.
western ave. district is another good place, like pulse mentioned, great restaurants there too.
go to the oklahoma river and rent a canoe at chesapeke boathouse. you should even check out stockyards city, which i believe still has the largest stocker/feeder cattle market in the world.
all the restaurants u mentioned we have. if you want to go to a mall go to penn square. i think they have better stores compared to the other malls, like: apple store and j. crew to name a couple.
anyway, keep us updated and tell us how you like it when you visit.

Goodpasture · 03-09-2009, 10:37 PM

I LOVE the malls......all the kids go there to hang out and never go to places I like to hang out.

thatguy1 · 03-10-2009, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TulsaArtist

Other cities in the plains area like Omaha and DesMoines..... What no Tulsa! lol Heck Tulsa beats those places

Lol, I'm not sure what category Tulsa is "beating" Omaha in. Beating them by a few people maybe, but other than that???

Anyway, for the OP, I lived in OKC for a few months recently. As for differences, it definitely has a more southern feel to it, seems very spread out compared to Omaha, and the climate is much more temperate.

The overall feel is not much different. They are all Plains cities who love their suburban sprawl and strip malls.

I would be more partial to OKC's downtown (maybe I'm Omaha'd out, but I do prefer OKC's DT.

You'll definitely enjoy OKC, it's a huge step up from Lincoln. (even know you will have to be around them Sooner weirdo’s

)

happytown · 03-10-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TulsaArtist

Other cities in the plains area like Omaha and DesMoines..... What no Tulsa! lol Heck Tulsa beats those places and OKC is bigger than Tulsa, and is further along on its downtown renewal efforts. Tulsa has PF Changs, Joes Crabshack, Cheesecake Factory, Macy's and your other typical everyday, suburban sprawl type stuff, lol ,,,, No Nordstroms right now,(rumor has it one may be going in the River District) but we got Sacks Fifth Ave and other high end stores,,,and again, Tulsa is smaller than OKC so obviously they are going to have most of that stuff and more. But I know, Tulsa doesnt count, we dont exist. We are just a tiny, worthless cow town. I am not bitter. :-P

Omaha is actually further along than you would think. You shouldnt feel that Tulsa is a tiny, worthless city. Tulsa has a lot going for it right now, but Omaha might have the edge in development etc.