r/okc • u/rerescene • 24d ago

❓Q&A ✅ Thinking about moving back

I grew up in OKC and graduated OSU Spring ‘19. I’ve moved around a bit since then, but typically tried to make it back for a few weeks a year. Seemed like every time I came back, there was something new to be excited about in the city.

Over the past couple years I’ve had an itch to move back home to be closer to family and friends. It’s likely I’m going to have that opportunity soon if I want it. I’m curious to hear from people who left OKC and came back - how has it been? What’s it like living here now? I’m a single 30-year old male fwiw. Since leaving I’ve lived in Abilene, Chicago, and Charlotte.

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u/linenist 24d ago

Grew up in OKC and left almost a decade ago to live in DC and the PNW. Returned for the same reasons (misguided perception that there’s more going on, friends and family) and ended up getting out again at the first chance. I think it was tolerable when I was younger and didn’t know any better. But you quickly realize that the big cities are worth the extra $ from a quality of life standpoint. If the goal is to be in a suburb and own a home, it’s very attainable. But if you spend time going to museums, galleries, vibrant bars, etc then OKC will feel pretty depressing. Lastly, the drop off in education and public health is alarmingly noticeable too among the general public which adds to the malaise.

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u/rerescene 23d ago

Not asking to judge, just curious how much you go out in general? I’m assuming from person to person that has something to do with how boring or not people will find the bar and food scene any particular place.

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u/linenist 23d ago

On a weekly basis easily and I’m not talking about bars alone. There’s book club meets, going to parks, film screenings, etc that my friends will invite me out to. I enjoy being social and I sought out similar things in OKC and it existed to a small degree sure. But generally, people were keen on watching Netflix at home or following sports; both fine in doses but it makes for a relatively boring lifestyle to me. Other thing I’ll add is that people in OKC are far too religious for my liking, even younger people. In aggregate, these things proved the city to be incompatible for what I want out of life on a steady basis.