12 Things EVERYONE Assumes About Oklahoma City
12 Things EVERYONE Assumes About Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
This post is in partnership with Visit OKC. All opinions are my own.
A couple of years ago, I packed up my Uhaul and took the leap to move to Oklahoma City.
When I told people that I was moving from the fourth largest city in the United States of America to a southwestern city with a population north of a half-million, they were pretty shocked.
And if I had a dime for every time someone asked me, "why did I move to OKC", I'd be really really RICH!
Ready to explore more of OKC, OK? Be sure to check out my local travel guides for fun things to do in Oklahoma City, OK and the Best Oklahoma City Hotels too!
Why Did I Move to Oklahoma City?
Before moving here, I really didn't know much about this hidden gem city nicknamed "The Modern Frontier."
I knew only two things about Oklahoma and Oklahoma City: My great grandmother arrived in Oklahoma from Texas in a covered wagon and Oklahoma City was large enough to accommodate an NBA franchise, OKC Thunder. In other words, that is how "scientific" my research was in deciding to become an Okie.
But just like most of America, I too had incorrectly assumed everything I knew about Oklahoma City and the state of Oklahoma was based on what I saw in movies and on TV. From thinking that everyone wears cowboy boots to Oklahoma being flat to Okies being obsessed with college football, there are quite a few laughable misconceptions many share about the Sooner State.
So, in the good spirit of fun and humor, I decided to compose this blog post as a means to highlight what everyone should stop incorrectly believing about Oklahoma City.
Here are 12 things that everyone thinks Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is the home to
We ALL wear cowboy boots and jeans ALL THE TIME!
False: Oklahoma City is much more than the musical "Oklahoma" and the spaghetti western stereotypes of Cowboys vs Indians.
Now there are a few downtown company executives who wear boots and suits to bring a unique spin to an old preconception. But the truth is I actually saw more cowboy boots and cowboy hats on a daily basis in Texas than I have over the last few years in Oklahoma. So, if you're looking for a place to see tons of Lucchese boots and Wrangler jeans or authentic Pendleton shirts and Stetson hats, I would suggest the Houston Rodeo, instead.
In OKC, people wear a lot of different things here! From hipster to preppy and everything in between, the styles here range from mildly dressy to downright comfortable casual. Oklahomans dress up for family weddings, sports events, and charity galas just like everyone else. And Oklahomans dress down with shorts and Converse for weekend barbecues just like everyone else too.
We're all Oklahoma college football fanatics!
True: And in my experience, they're right!
For some reason, people assume that everyone in Oklahoma is obsessed with college football. Whether it's because of the University of Oklahoma Sooners or the Oklahoma State Cowboys (or just because we're American), there are plenty of assumptions about an Oklahoman's passionate fandom for the sport. Many a house has been divided over an allegiance to either OU or OSU. But one thing that can be agreed upon is that Saturdays in the Fall are dedicated to Oklahoma college football.
However, don't forget, college football is not the only game in town. Our city has mega love for all of its local sports teams.
Since 2008, the Oklahoma City Thunder has been showing Oklahomies how fun it is to watch an NBA team play. Oklahomans can also be found in the stands of the Oklahoma City Dodgers Triple-A baseball team, the Energy FC Soccer club, and during Spring for USA Softball and the NCAA Women's College World Series.
Oklahoma City doesn't have good restaurants
False: Oklahoma City is a foodie's dream!
In fact, I've traveled to a lot of places and I've discovered that Oklahoma City has some fantastic cuisine. Yes, we do have some chain and fast-food restaurants, but there are also a lot of wonderful local restaurants located in and around our city's neighborhoods. Here you can find some of the best food in the nation and you'll find that OKC is diverse with lots of options when it comes to yummy fare. From BBQ to sushi to Mexican food, steak, fried chicken, and everything else in between, we are blessed not to have to travel far for wonderful cuisine!
It's just one big tornado after another in Oklahoma City
False: Surprisingly, states such as Kansas and Texas have on average more tornadoes each year than Oklahoma. And get this, Oklahomans know more than just a "thing or two" about severe weather thanks to the National Weather Service headquarters located just south of OKC, in Norman.
In terms of tornados, OKC is more prone to less severe weather events like hail storms in the Spring and ice in the winter than tornados. Which was a huge change for me because I moved from Houston and hadn't seen baseball-sized hail in years.
I'm not stating that Oklahoma City doesn't get hit by tornados from time to time. I can confirm (as a former sunflower state resident) that's more of a Kansas, Toto and Dorothy thing when it comes to the myth about Oklahoma City and frequent tornadoes.
It snows in Oklahoma City
Not Really: This one was a total surprise to me.
Moving to OKC, I just knew that I was about to live my full Hallmark Holiday winter wonderland snow movie fantasy. But the truth is, for a Great Plains city, we actually don't see much snow during the winter months of December-February, unlike our northern neighbor Tulsa does.
Now, this doesn't mean that it never snows here, but OKC residents are more expectant of ice and ice storms more than snow.
Everyone has a country accent in Oklahoma City
False: At least in my opinion.
Oklahomans are commonly assumed to have a southern accent, even though the state is not in the south. My perception of an "accent" might be skewed after living in Louisiana and Texas. It's conceivable that Oklahomans have accents; however, I haven't heard it.
Everyone in Oklahoma City and in Oklahoma knows everyone else
Kind of True: Forget about "6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon". In Oklahoma, it's "6 Degrees of Will Rogers".
Oklahomans are a close-knit community. Many people, at their heart, truly adore their state. Because of their strong passion, numerous generations of families have never left the state's capital city or moved away from Oklahoma. It's easy to understand why everyone here knows one another when you consider going to church together, having a common love of Oklahoma sports teams and attending the same schools. Basically, everyone here is like family.
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We ALL own horses
Super False: Just because Oklahoma City is in the southwest, doesn't mean that horses abound. And with the distinction of being the "horse show capital of the world," it's no surprise where people get ideas about everyone having a horse.
Truth is, Oklahomans are much more likely to have a truck, RV, boat or dirt bike than a horse. Oklahoma City is mostly made up of houses and suburbs, not wide-open fields with horses galloping about.
Which brings me too...
We all live on farms and ranches and everyone is a farmer
False: Oklahoma City is a very metropolitan city. Like seriously, where would all these "farms" and "ranches" be?!
While Oklahoma is big on farming, Oklahoma City is actually the state's largest city in terms of population and metro area. Inside or outside the city limits, OKC has a variety of different areas, ranging from urban to suburban. There are plenty of Oklahomies who do actually own 100-acre ranches or farms, but that doesn't mean that everyone is like Old McDonald and lives on a farm.
Oklahoma City is ALL flat land, with nothing but cacti and tumbleweed everywhere!
False: Oklahoma City isn't as flat as everyone believes. Don't take my word for it; ask my poor calves after a morning run.
Yes, there are indeed flat regions in Oklahoma City and Oklahoma; however, to most people's surprise, mountains, carousels, and hills can be found all around!! Think about it, could Oklahoma City and the state of Oklahoma really be completely flat and dusty with mountainous next-door neighbors like Colorado, New Mexico, Arkansas and Missouri?
Oklahoma Summers are dry and hot
False: In fact, the humidity is extra real and extra disrespectful here.
I was really surprised to find out that Oklahoma City is a lot warmer than you'd expect given its location away from the equator and the sea. In reality, I believe that OKC is putting up a good fight against the unrelenting humidity found in the southern United States of our nation.
Oklahoma City is not progressive and isn't very modern
False: Oklahoma City is surprisingly really forward-thinking and cool.
To my shame, I believed Oklahoma City was "behind" the rest of the country; moreover, I had assumed Oklahoma City was just like the majority of other southwestern cities. But I could not have been more wrong!
This charming little metropolitan area is a budding Modern Frontier, and it's not to be missed with touches of hipster vibes such as Austin and Detroit.
Oklahoma City offers a cosmopolitan city with a traditional vibe, and we take great pleasure in it. We are dedicated to preserving and safeguarding our Native American culture, history, and memories of those who have died in the Oklahoma City bombing of the Murrah federal building through the downtown Oklahoma City National Memorial. OKC also continues making progress with new projects such as major hotels, parks, convention centers, medical marijuana dispensaries, art museums, and other modern and cultural improvements thanks to our outstanding leadership in the revitalization of older Oklahoma City neighborhoods.
Thank You
Oklahoma City is not what many think it is. Maybe you’ve heard the word Okie and thought about a place full of fields with horses galloping, cowboys wearing their finest cowboy boots, ranchers herding cattle on horseback, tumbleweed blowing across an open plain? It turns out that OKC has more in common with modern cities like Austin or Detroit than one might expect!
Oklahoma City is a growing community with a lot to see and do. OKC has a lot to offer, particularly when it comes to cuisine, culture, history, art, entertainment, business opportunities, and more.
-XOXO (as always)
Mel D.
If you haven't been to Oklahoma City recently or ever, do yourself a favor and make plans to pay it a visit. You will not be disappointed.
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