[Synopsis]

City Data's main website says that the median home value for Oklahoma is 89,000, while Arkansas' median home value is 87,000. So, the home values are pretty much the same. That will vary from place to place though.

jessaka, you need to get the mods to change your title under the name to "shopaholic."

[Mattie Jo]

thanks for info. yes, while being a shopaholic, i am more of a lookielou in that I don't buy much.

[Mattie Jo]

Synopsis,

Now here is what I call a good store and what makes up for loss of shopping in CA. I decided to go to this fruit stand in Tahlequah that I had heard about. I thought, this won't be anything interesting. But you know what? They had a wonderful nursery, so I bought some plants, and inside they didn't just have fruit and vegetables, but interesting things that I had not had before, like sassafras jelly and sorghum molasses. They also sold homemake soup. They had bins with wildflower seeds in it as well as other seeds for planting, and then I don't know what all. I bought some sassafras jelly on my way out.

[Synopsis]

That's great jessaka. You'll find things like that tucked away in those little nurseries. Growing up, we would buy our eggs and stuff from a farmer just outside of Gerty. And there are literally farms everywhere that sell sorghum and molasses; really good stuff. I'm glad to see that you're getting involved with your community. Things like that just add spice to life and make it "tasty." I'm thinking in about 5 years we may be moving up to Oklahoma. Of course my wife won't go for the country, but maybe Tulsa. This will all happen after our daughter is off to college.

[Mattie Jo]

Five years must seem like a long time.

They had a little health food store at the edge of Ft. Smith that I loved; it too had a nursery. I wouldn't know how to find it again, but my husband would. Things in OK that I like are just tucked into places. You find them when you least expect them.

[ladydairhean]

I just stumbled onto this board and I can confirm that everything gonefishing has said about Oklahoma is true. I do have some info to add, however. A little background on myself: I live in OK, born and raised. I am an SSI/Medicaid recipient in the ABD category (aged, blind, disabled) and I own my property.

1) Medicaid does not pay for dentures, even when they are medically necessary unless you live in a nursing home. I recently had jaw surgery for TMJ disorder and all of my teeth were extracted. The surgeon states that teeth are medically necessary to support my jaw to prevent the disorder from recurring which would require another surgery. However, he does not provide dentures. The denture clinic in Anadarko does not accept Medicaid; very few dentists do. I'm stuck paying out of pocket for my dentures and as misfortune would have it, I don't have the money for them yet.

2) The property tax freeze applies to anyone of low income, not just veterans or those over 65. I'm 34 and I get it. I also have double homestead exemption. All you have to do is apply for it each year and provide a copy of your earnings statement from social security. It is not based on benefits.

Property in Oklahoma is cheapest in rural locations and housing tends to be affordable depending on your income. The most property tax I paid before getting exemption and the tax freeze was $25.00. That is for a property value of $10,000.

3) To answer the medical insurance question posed by Jammie, employers do provide insurance. However, you have to be a full time employee and have held the job for 6 months to qualify for the insurance. Then you have to wait another 6 months before you can use the insurance. Many employees are terminated before the first 6 months of employment so the employer can save money by not having to pay for insurance. For most entry level jobs, only senior employees (management, etc) receive benefits. Everyone else gets screwed. To offset the lack of dental insurance in Chickasha and surrounding areas, Dr. Phillips, a local cosmetic dentist, provides an alternative. More info here: http://www.chickashadentist.com/Default.htm (broken link)

Our new illegal immigration law (68 years over due, I must say) is expected to boost our economy. It should open the work force and serve to get legal residents off welfare/SSI and increase Medicaid benefits for those of us still unable to work. It will take a few years before we begin to see a noticeable difference.

If anyone has questions about Oklahoma, just ask.

[enraeh]

My brother and I spent part of our childhood in Chickasha (1961-1965) and we recently dug up some home movies of that place and time. We are considering a short trip there to relive our boyhood experiences, noteably Shannon Springs and Missouri Ave,
Does anyone here have any ideas or advise on making such a trip? Motels, sights, major landmarks etc. ?

Thanx in advance for anything you might wish to say.

[peggydavis]

There a few newer motels in Chickasha so you shouldn't have any problem there. You will probably enjoy the barbeque restaurants there, Jake's and Roy's.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by Synopsis

It's a state law now, or will be soon; something like November. And it is a great advantage for the State of Oklahoma - I applaud the legislature and Gov. Henry for doing the right thing - something no other state seems to be willing to do.

AZ has the same bill and IND. and WI. are about to follow. It's created a domino effect.

It took effect 1/01/08, in both AZ. and OK.

The Bill has already been challenged by Latino groups.
(OK) Latinos React To Immigration Law Ruling (BARF ALERT)

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by Dean Halbert

I understand that the OK legislature just passed a bill that will not allow any town or city to pay for illegal immigrants anymore, schools, hospitals, etc. if the is true is would be a great advantage to anyone to move to OK. Anyone know anything about this?
port lavaca, texas

That is one of the reasons I moved to OK. from CA.

HB1804
Oklahoma no longer OK for illegal aliens (OneNewsNow.com) (broken link)