2014 Relocation Guide

1www.abetterlifeokc.com

OKLAHOMA CITYRELOCATION GUIDEwww.abetterlifeokc.com

2 www.abetterlifeokc.com

WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOMETOWNTABLE OF CONTENTSAbout .............................. 4-7

Housing .......................... 7-11

Education ................... 13-14

Employment .............. 15-17

Health ........................20-23

Weather .................... 25-27

What to Do .............. 28-36

Getting Around ...... 37-38

Resources .................39-43


WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOMETOWN

Turn the page and find your guide to a better life in Oklahoma City. From housing and employment

to education and climate, we cover it all.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE. Once you’re done devouring the great info in this handy-dandy guide, head over to www.abetterlifeokc.com for even more information, our relocation video and a blog for new residents.


Even from the beginning, Oklahoma City has been far from ordinary. Born at the sound of a gunshot, we became home to 10,000 homesteaders in the historic Land Run on April 22, 1889. Think that day was full of excitement? It doesn’t even compare to the energy and exuberance of Oklahoma City today.

Home to more than 1.2 million people, metropolitan Oklahoma City is beloved by its residents and often the envy of other cities across the country and around the world. You can see excitement and progress everywhere. In the urban fabric of our growing downtown. On the tree-lined streets of historic neighborhoods and arts

districts. On the faces of our famously friendly citizens. In the chants of one of the loudest crowds in the NBA at an Oklahoma City Thunder game. And in our diverse economy – did we mention it’s among the strongest in the nation?

Want to know the best part? We’ve only just begun. There’s a true modern-day renaissance taking place in Oklahoma City, and it’s time for you to join us.

YOUR NEW HOMETOWNThe first citizens of Oklahoma City took fate into their own hands and created a city from scratch. History

ABOUT OKLAHOMA CITY

April 22, 188910,000 people settled in Oklahoma City as part of the Land Run of 1889.

Nov. 16, 1907Oklahoma becomes the 46th state.

1910Oklahoma City becomes the state capital of Oklahoma.

1941The War Department makes Oklahoma City the location of an air depot. Today, Tinker Air Force Base is the largest single-site employer in Oklahoma.

Dec. 14, 1993Oklahoma City citizens vote to pass the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS).

April 19, 1995The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City is bombed. At the time, it was the largest domestic terrorism attack in history.

1996Development begins at the 27-acre Oklahoma Health Center Research Park for biomedical research. Today, the local industry employs

27,800 workers and brings in

estimated revenues of $4.1 billion.

1998Oklahoma City citizens vote to extend the temporary one-cent sales tax to “Finish MAPS Right,” ensuring that all projects would be completed debt free.

Oklahoma City’s Triple-A ballpark, the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, opens.

Boathouse District


repeated itself in the 1990s when citizens voted for a penny sales tax to fund investments known locally as MAPS (Metropolitan Area Projects). Nine projects and $350 million later, Oklahoma City was home to a new ballpark and arena, a revitalized performing arts center, a rejuvenated river and more – all leaving Oklahoma City in the midst of a phenomenon that continues today.

When you call Oklahoma City home, you’ll experience our past, present and future, and you’ll discover for yourself why our residents just can’t get enough of this thriving, urban metropolis.

WE’LL SURPRISE YOUTurn the page and learn even more about Oklahoma City. You’ll see that we boast clean air, low crime, easy commutes, friendly people, a low cost of living and

more. You’ll also find new and renovated schools, fresh farmers markets, a dynamic arts and music scene, a cradle of entrepreneurship, more than 300 days of sunshine per year and an incredible sense of community. But there’s even more to look forward to. In Oklahoma City, you can dream big.

We haven’t lost the pioneer spirit that took our city from a population of zero to 10,000 at the sound of a shotgun. In fact, that spirit is what we thrive on today. A renewed emphasis on public improvement and large-scale projects has helped propel our renaissance and make OKC a big-league city, not to mention a great place to live, work, and play. This enterprise and energy is evident everywhere. From urban hustle to suburban living, Oklahoma City not only makes it all possible, but makes it easy.

Dec. 14, 2013Oklahoma City celebrates the 20th anniversary MAPS which launched the city’s modern-day renaissance and has resulted in more than $5 billion in investment.

1999The Cox Convention Center hosts its grand opening after renovations and expansions added more than 100,000 square feet, helping Oklahoma City begin its rise to become a premier visitor destination.

2001As part of the MAPS projects, the Civic Center Music Hall reopens with a complete interior

renovation. Today, the Civic Center

is home to the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra, Oklahoma

City Ballet, Canterbury

Chorale Society, Lyric Theatre and others.

2002The 20,000 Chesapeake Energy Arena (originally known as the Ford Center) and the 110,000-square-foot Oklahoma City Museum of Art both open in downtown Oklahoma City.

2004The last of the nine original MAPS projects are completed. Today, the Oklahoma River is an official Olympic training site, home to USA Canoe/Kayak.

2008The NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder begins its inaugural season.

The citizens of Oklahoma County pass a $55 million bond issue to purchase the former General Motors Assembly Plant and lease it to the Air Force, helping Tinker Air Force Base grow.

Dec. 8, 2009Oklahoma City citizens vote to pass MAPS 3 to continue OKC’s bright future through the $777 million initiative. MAPS 3 includes eight projects.

2010The Oklahoma City Thunder makes its first appearance in the NBA Playoffs, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.

2012The Thunder wins the Western Conference Championship and advances to the NBA Finals for the first time ever.

OKCApril 22, 1889

millionpeople

1.2 NBA

diverse economy


WE’VE GOT IT ALLArts & MusicOklahoma City has a variety of world-class museums, art galleries and performing art venues, but our love of artistic expression doesn’t stop there. Each year the city plays host to the annual Festival of the Arts, rated among the “Top 20 National Arts Festivals” by Art Fair Sourcebook.

SMART JOBS. SMART PEOPLE.

SMART CHOICES.

Specializing in accounting and financial recruiting in the Oklahoma City Metro since 1995.

DID YOU KNOW?The city is home to one of the most comprehensive collections of Chihuly glass in the world.

Located in the heart of OKC’s entertainment district, the University of Central Oklahoma’s Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) – known as the School of Rock – is an offshoot of the ACM in Great Britain.


Western HeritageHave a hankering for the Wild West? The historic Land Run of 1889 started it all as 50,000 homesteaders gathered to stake their claims on more than 2 million acres of unassigned lands on the American frontier. From the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and the Gaylord-

Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum to Stockyards City and the

Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City lets you

celebrate one of the most beloved eras in American history.

Sports & RecreationNot everyone knows that Oklahoma City is a haven for sports and recreation enthusiasts. Here you’ll find the home of the 2011-2012 NBA Western Conference Champions, The Oklahoma City Thunder. The nation’s oldest basketball tournament. A U.S. Olympic and Paralympic training site for rowing and canoe/kayak. The ASA Softball Hall of Fame. The headquarters for USA Canoe/Kayak. A hotspot for college sports fanatics. And so much more. Whether you’re into watching a baseball game, doing some rock climbing, going for a hike, kayaking through a wildlife refuge, sailing across an urban lake, riding your bike along the Oklahoma River and much more, you’ll never run out of options here.


Because Tinker Federal Credit Union is on rhythm guitar, Kimm can relax knowing her

checking account is always in tune. This allows her to focus on what’s important...

nailing that next solo.

OKLAHOMA CITYHOUSING

Oklahoma City’s affordability is one of the key aspects of the region’s unique livability.

When it comes to the real estate market, Oklahoma City offers an impressive variety of housing at one of the nation’s most affordable rates – all without sacrificing quality. The Oklahoma Association of Realtors listed the average Oklahoma City home price in the second quarter of 2012 as $247,252. Single-family home prices start around $60,000 and go up, with condominiums and townhomes ranging from $65,000 to $300,000. And with Oklahoma City ranked among the cities with the best real estate appreciation potential (according to Forbes), you’ll be making a wise investment.


From modern, urban lofts in the heart of downtown to historic homes on tree-lined streets and spacious homes on even more spacious lots, Greater Oklahoma City offers an expansive choice of desirable neighborhoods and a wide range of prices for housing. Are you attracted to hip, happening urban enclaves, or is good old-fashioned suburban living more your style? Maybe you prefer recent developments with lots of community amenities or picture yourself in a historic bungalow. No matter what your tastes, Oklahoma City has it all.

The choices for where you call home are seemingly endless. And the span of architectural styles provides

something for every design taste, from arts and crafts bungalows to Tudor-style cottages, mid-century modern to traditional ranch homes, or European-inspired homes.

Also available are hundreds of rental apartments ranging from brand new luxury complexes to modest, garden-style apartments with the average rental price ranging from $600 to $1,500. In fact, the average 950-square-foot apartment in Oklahoma City costs $746 per month, compared to $1,238 in Chicago, or even higher in other cities.

average home price$247,252

YMCA OF GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY

WE’RE HEREFOR YOUIf you’re relocating to the Oklahoma City area, the Y welcomes you to the neighborhood! At the Y, we’re dedicated to helping people live well. We offer everything from low-impact excercises, stretching and strength training to indoor cycling, water exercise and yoga. We also believe building skills early in children is vital for their growth. It’s here that children make friends, learn new skills and do homework. There are lots of Ys near you, so stop by anytime! We’d love to help you find your home here with us!

www.ymcaokc.org


Welcome to Oklahoma CityFor more than 20 years, Ideal has …

Built great homes in great school districts all over the metro. Blazed a path for energy efficiency that has saved our owners millions.

As you search for a new home, we hope you will visit us online at Ideal-Homes.com. We have a neighborhood for you.

w w w . I d e a l - H o m e s . c o m

129-3-PROD IDL ChamberRelo_8.5x11b.indd 1 12/18/13 4:05 PM


Welcome to Oklahoma CityFor more than 20 years, Ideal has …

Built great homes in great school districts all over the metro. Blazed a path for energy efficiency that has saved our owners millions.

As you search for a new home, we hope you will visit us online at Ideal-Homes.com. We have a neighborhood for you.

w w w . I d e a l - H o m e s . c o m

129-3-PROD IDL ChamberRelo_8.5x11b.indd 1 12/18/13 4:05 PM

2013 Annual Average Price Report - ACCRA - www.coli.org

Apartment Rent

Ground Coffee12 oz. Total Energy Bill Doctor Visit

Gasoline$/Gal.

Men’s Haircut Movie Ticket

Oklahoma City $767 $4.48 $145.19 $77.44 $3.25 $13.60 $7.60

Albuquerque $759 $4.59 $156.25 $94.25 $3.22 $13.00 $10.08

Dallas $818 $4.46 $180.94 $106.67 $3.40 $17.69 $9.92

Kansas City $845 $4.39 $168.63 $93.19 $3.25 $15.22 $10.14

Omaha $688 $4.35 $143.18 $129.33 $3.25 $15.00 $9.48

San Antonio $838 $3.89 $128.72 $96.00 $3.33 $15.41 $10.23

All City Average $785 $4.36 $153.82 $99.48 $3.28 $14.99 $9.58

Living the better life does not always come without a cost. Lucky for you, in Greater Oklahoma City, that cost is less than pretty much every other major metropolitan

area. Check out the chart below to see how far you’ll be able to stretch your dollar and enjoy living your life once you settle in OKC.

WHERE YOU LIVE MATTERS

H O M E S B Y

J . W. MA S H B U R N H O M E S

JWMBUILDING QUALIT Y HOMES S INCE 1960

405.691.1342 WWW.MASHBURNHOMES.COM

THE LEGACY - SW 134th & Drexel

GLENHURST -

NW 122nd & N. MacArthur

RIVERBEND - Between NW 63rd & Wilshire on Council Road

CASCATA ESTATES - A GATED COMMUNITY - 2724 SW 134th Street

THE GATES AT LEGACY -

A GATED COMMUNITY - SW 134th and Drexel

GLENHURST VILLAS - A GATED COMMUNITY - NW 122nd & N. MacArthur


Here in Oklahoma City, we are always looking to the future – where we can make improvements and how we can increase the quality of life for our citizens. A key aspect of this is education. Quality, commitment and accountability are a few of the words that reflect the sweeping changes in Oklahoma City.

Our dedication to education shows. Oklahoma schools have received national recognition for alternative education, early childhood accessibility and the increasing number of teachers earning National Board Certification – the profession’s top credential. Major education reform through the state legislature is beginning to take effect throughout the state and is upping the ante when it comes to the education our kids receive. And, for the sixth year in a row, Oklahoma City

earned a spot as one of the “100 Best Communities for Young People” according to America’s Promise Alliance.

Excellent schools can be found both in the city’s urban center and in the surrounding suburban areas. According to U.S. News & World Report, 14 of the top 20 Oklahoma high schools lay in the Greater Oklahoma City area. Beyond Oklahoma City Public Schools, there are several other districts located in Oklahoma County, including: Choctaw/Nicoma Park, Deer Creek, Edmond, Moore, Putnam City and others.

Each year, Oklahoma students achieve above the national average on the SAT and have seen one of the largest performance increases on the ACT test over the past 15 years.

Career and Technology SchoolsWhen it comes to career and technology schools, Oklahoma’s system is nationally acclaimed. Greater

OKLAHOMA CITYEDUCATION

DID YOU KNOW?The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM), a tuition-free residential high school near downtown Oklahoma City for juniors and seniors with exceptional ability in math and science, has achieved the highest composite ACT scores of any high school in the country twice since 1998 and has produced more than 200 National Merit Scholars in the school’s 15-year history.

No. 12 “Brainiest” Metro – The Atlantic Cities, June 2013



Oklahoma City’s nine technology systems and 18 campuses not only provide training to high school and post-secondary students, but they also provide invaluable training services to a variety of businesses in a number of different skill areas.

Higher EducationGreater Oklahoma City is home to 18 colleges and universities and two community colleges. Through these institutions, more than 125,000 students are furthering their education and pursuing thousands of graduate and undergraduate opportunities.

MAPS FOR KIDSJust over 10 years ago, Oklahoma City voters approved an initiative called MAPS for Kids which raised $700 million for Oklahoma City Public Schools and 23 surrounding school districts. The initiative funded replacement or renovation of every school in the Oklahoma City Public Schools district, giving our kids quality environments to learn in. But the changes didn’t stop there – the plan also called for strategic academic reforms, improved student achievement, restored classroom discipline and increased accountability.

“We are living in a world of constant

change and our youth need to be

prepared to be the champions of

change. By providing them with

quality education opportunities

and the chance to experience the

workplace through internships, we

can get them on the right path.”

– Ray Shaik, executive director, techJOYnT

Third Best Mid-Sized Metro for College Students – American Institute for Economic Research, Oct. 2012

Dedicated to educating and developing the whole person providing a moral, ethical and

Christ centered compass for life.801 NW 50th Street

Oklahoma City, OK 73118 405.842.6638 www.bmchs.org

Dedicated to educating and developing the whole person providing a moral, ethical

and Christ centered compass for life.


OKLAHOMA CITYEMPLOYMENT

Oklahoma City is consistently recognized as being a haven for business. A strong economic climate, diverse industries and low tax rates mean that our businesses have the opportunity to thrive. This, in turn, means great job opportunities for you.

The success of our region’s economy and a stable unemployment climate did not happen overnight. For years, Oklahoma City has worked for wide-spread quality of life improvements and self-investment. The massive scale of our public improvement projects, along with first-class business and cost environments, have helped stoke our red-hot economic engine and propel Oklahoma City forward. In addition, we have been ranked in the top three for lowest unemployment rate in the nation by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics for more than three years.

Last year alone, Oklahoma City has garnered an arsenal of accolades from national media and organizations. But we don’t want to take all the credit for our strong job climate. Some of the nation’s most renowned corporate entities call Greater Oklahoma City home. Energy companies located here include Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Continental Resources, Devon Energy, SandRidge Energy and others. They join other companies such as AAA, American Fidelity Assurance Company, Boeing, Dell, Farmers Insurance, Hertz, Hobby Lobby, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Northrop-Grumman, Pratt & Whitney, Quad/Graphics,

Sonic America’s Drive In, The Hartford and more who help to create a strong and diverse economy in Greater Oklahoma City.

Energy AdvantagesWell-known for being a global oil and gas capital (as well as for having a working oil well on the grounds of the state capitol), Oklahoma City’s energy industry has developed significantly from its oil-intense beginnings. The two biggest independent producers of natural gas in the world, Chesapeake Energy and Devon Energy Corporation, are headquartered here along with numerous other well-known companies engaged in natural gas production and transportation, like SandRidge Energy and Chaparral Energy.

OKC also makes a great fit for CNG, Wind and Solar production / manufacturing, due to our strategic central location, wealth of advanced manufacturing, production and workforce synergies due to our well-developed aerospace sector, and low input costs.

Our state is not only currently ranked in the top 10 in the nation for installed wind energy capacity by Wind Today magazine, but also boasts one of the largest kilowatt-hour (kWh) potentials in the world at 725 billion kWh. This is enough to supply 10 percent of the nation’s renewable electricity needs by 2030.

Most Business Friendly– CNN Money, June 2012

No. 1 for Economic Security – MetroTrends, December 2011


Your lifestyle, your space.

Gardener Tanenbaum Holdings provide Oklahomans with a variety of comfortable apartment lifestyle options for every need. From urban downtown living and exquisite penthouse suites to our affordable luxury apartments, you’ll find a room to call your own in one of our many properties.

G a r d n e r Ta n e n b a u m H o l d i n g s

2 1 1 N R o b i n s o n A v e S t e . N 1 9 5 0

O k l a h o m a C i t y • 4 0 5 . 5 2 4 . 8 4 8 4

g g d e v c o . c o m

move up to downtown 200 N. Harvey . Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City’s first affordable high-rise community represents

a unique way of living. The Park Harvey features seventeen

stories of spectacular views, stunning architecture, and the

sights and sounds of a vibrant downtown population.

theparkharvey.com • 405.232.3700

2200 North ClassenOklahoma City, OK 73106

405.601.3333

Built in the 1960’s, The Classen offers luxurious high-rise

apartments in a unique historical space. Located in the heart of the

City, the floor-to-ceiling windows provide breathtaking views of the

downtown skyline, the state capitol, and Oklahoma sunsets.

theclassenokc.com • 405.601.3333

Originally opened in 1929 as OKC’s Montgomery Ward

Department Store, The Montgomery is an exclusive mixed

residential and retail use building featuring 56 upscale apartments

and three floors of specialty shops and offices. 405.236.2420

500 WEST MAIN OKLAHOMA CITY

6600 SE 74th StreetOklahoma City, Oklahoma 73135

Phone: 888.233.3455

This brand new luxury apartment community is currently pre-

leasing! Conveniently located off of I-240 and Air Deport, these

beautiful apartment homes provide easy access to Downtown

OKC, Norman, and Tinker Air Force Base. libertypointeokc.com


Location, Location, LocationThere’s a reason the Greater Oklahoma City region is such a great place for logistics companies: Location. Greater Oklahoma City is located in the geographic center of North America, the United States and the growing south-central region. It is equidistant from the east and west coasts and major trade partners of Canada and Mexico. That means companies located here can easily source materials and other inputs, while also getting outputs to customers profitably as well.

Booming BiotechThe U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a growth of more than 28 percent in the U.S. biotech industry by 2014, and Greater Oklahoma City is positioned to be a major player in facilitating that growth. Undeniably, one of the most significant factors in this area’s biotech boom is the powerful symbiotic relationship between entrepreneurs, clinical researchers, academic investigators, and public and private investors.

Cutting-edge research is transferring into successful businesses in the region’s fast-growing bioscience cluster. In recent years, some of the most significant medical advances and life-saving medicines have been developed in labs and facilities based in Greater Oklahoma City.

Researchers at Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), one of the most respected independent medical research institutes nationwide, led the discovery of the genetic mechanism responsible for susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease, as well as two other major medical breakthroughs - a diagnostic blood test for rheumatoid arthritis and a drug to combat septicemia, which is now used in ICUs worldwide.

In addition to OMRF, Greater Oklahoma City is home to The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) and the Presbyterian Health Foundation (PHF) - equally innovative and leading organizations in the biotech industry in addition to being in the midst of their own construction booms.

With a world-class caliber of research facilities and wet lab space, abundant funding opportunities and collaborative efforts by legislators to enhance progress, you could say Greater Oklahoma City has biotechnology down to a science.

All About AerospaceWith more than 300 public- and private-sector aviation and aerospace firms, Oklahoma is now one of the top 10 states in traditional aerospace occupation employment.


Around 38,000 workers make up our industry, generating an

estimated $4.3 billion in goods

and services and $2.36 billion in income.

Centered on the work at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center at Tinker Air

Force Base, private companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney partner with military personnel to operate the largest aircraft and jet repair center in the U.S. Another star performing is the FAA’s Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, whose 5,500 employees provide aviation training and logistics support to the nation’s aerospace system.

Our state ranks 12th nationally in the number of aerospace engineers, fifth in aircraft mechanics and service technicians, and eighth in avionic technicians.

Tech SavvyIn many ways, Oklahoma City’s very roots run deep in the entrepreneurial spirit – after all, we went from a city of zero to more than 10,000 in one day. Today, the pioneer spirit that brought Oklahoma City to life is alive and well in the region’s growing entrepreneurship community. From successful tech startups to biotech labs to the inventor’s workbench, OKC is a place where your ideas can get off the ground.

Casady educators know each student

individually and encourage academic growth by focusing on students’ unique

strengths and guiding them to pursue their

passions.

Cultivating Individuality

Casady School admits students of any race, color, creed and national or ethnic origin.

9500 North Pennsylvania Ave. • Oklahoma City, OK 73120 • 405.749.3185 • www.casady.org •

This is CASADY.

Casady School admits students of any race, color, creed and national or ethnic origin.


MAPSHow OKC Reshaped Its Future One Penny at a TimeIn the late ‘80s, downtown Oklahoma City was victim of suburban flight and failed efforts at revitalization. The surrounding area included a dilapidated warehouse district and a river that had slowed to a trickle through flood prevention engineering. Since the 1990s, an amazing renaissance has taken place. Construction of a mile-long canal, a premiere ballpark and the attraction of billions in private investment have transformed downtown, and that deserted warehouse district to one of the most vibrant entertainment districts in the Southwest with countless nightlife and entertainment options. The river that once had to be mowed is now home to world-class water events and an Olympic U.S. Canoe/Kayak training and development center.

On Dec. 14, 1993, the citizens of Oklahoma City went to the polls and passed a temporary, one-cent sales tax to build nine quality of life projects: renovations to the city’s convention center, performing arts center and fairgrounds; construction of a 15,000-seat ballpark for the city’s AAA club, a mile-long canal through the entertainment district, a 20,000-seat arena, a state-of-the-art downtown library, and a downtown trolley system; and the complete renovation of the dry riverbed, that would transform the area into a bustling river area with trails and recreational facilities.

By funding the projects with a temporary sales-tax, the projects were built debt-free. Using a “pay as you go” structure allowed Oklahoma City to build world-class facilities without the burden of debt for future

generations and city leaders. Oklahoma City citizens had made the historic decision to invest their own money in the city they called home.

Even the most optimistic of city leaders could not have foreseen the level of success MAPS would bring to the city. To date, nearly $5 billion in economic impact can be directly attributed to the original MAPS program. This represents a nearly 10-fold return on the city’s original investment.

MAPS has also had a significant impact on the population downtown, growing to more than 11,000 residents. Arguably, hotels represent the segment most strongly impacted by the MAPS investments. Nearly $200 million of capital investment has occurred in the hotel sector. Property values in Bricktown have grown dramatically as have rental costs. Additional developments include the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma History Center, American Banjo Museum and more than $1 billion in investment in the Oklahoma Health Center and the Presbyterian Health Foundation Research Park, to name a few.


We’ve already told you about how Oklahoma City likes to invest in itself. When it comes to our health, we’re no different. We know that healthy lifestyles raise quality of living and help create a vibrant city. As we move forward, creating amenities that promote healthy living is a top priority. The following are just some of the many amenities available for those looking to support an active and healthy lifestyle in Oklahoma City:

More than 140 miles of walking, running, bicycling and skating trails. A capital improvements package was passed in 2009 which will use $40 million to construct even more miles of new trails.

More than 15 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails around Bluff Creek and Lake Stanley Draper.

Three large lakes: Hefner, Draper and Overholser – representing more than 6,900 surface acres and providing outdoor recreational activities in and around each lake.

OKLAHOMA CITYHEALTH

OKC awarded “best of the best” tap water taste test – American Water Works Association, June 2013


World-class canoeing and kayaking at the Oklahoma River, a seven-mile stretch of the North Canadian River that runs through the heart of Oklahoma City.

Mat Hoffman Action Sports Park, 26,000-square-feet of terrain for skateboarding, in-line skating and BMX freestyle biking.

Paw Park, a two-acre off-the-leash park recognized as one of the top 10 dog parks in the U.S., features a swimming pond and enclosures for both small and large dogs.

Fresh, locally grown produce at weekly farmer’s markets at OSU-OKC, on Classen Curve, at St. Anthony’s in Midtown and in other surrounding areas.

$60 million in improvements to the Oklahoma River approved in 2009, which will include the addition of a world-class whitewater kayaking facility.

Oklahoma City is home to the annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, held each April, which attracts more than 24,000 runners and walkers from every state and several foreign countries.

OKC one of the nation’s fittest cities – Facebook, July 2013


INTEGRIS Health

H e a l t h c a r e E x c e l l e n c e

INTEGRIS’ dedication to quality has once again earned Baptist recognition as U.S. News & World Report’s #1 hospital – not only in the metro but throughout Oklahoma.

But it takes more than awards to provide healing.

It takes the INTEGRIS Cancer Institute partnering with ProCure to build the nation’s sixth proton therapy center and earn the nation’s highest patient satisfaction rating. It takes award-winning stroke programs at INTEGRIS Baptist and Southwest Medical Center and saving lives with Advanced Cardiac Care – home to one of the nation’s only artifi cial heart programs, Oklahoma’s fi rst heart transplant and fi rst and only four-dimensional heart scanner at INTEGRIS Heart Hospital.

It means a lasting partnership with Lakeside Women’s Hospital – a national Woman’s Choice Award hospital – merging Lakeside’s female focus with INTEGRIS’ complete continuum of care. It means Jim Thorpe redefi ning rehabilitation outcomes, and more second chances at life at the Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute.

INTEGRIS has a history of providing the exceptional healthcare Oklahomans deserve, reaching beyond our 19 healthcare campuses and nearly 100 statewide clinics into the neighborhoods and communities that need us most. Challenging standards, exceeding expectations and building hope. That’s INTEGRIS Health.

OKLAHOMA’S FORCenter

integrisOK.com | 405.951.2277

INTEGRIS has a history of providing the exceptional healthcare 19 healthcare campuses and nearly 100 statewide clinics need us most. Challenging standards, exceeding expectations and building hope. That’s

UNI_13-IN-113 FY14 Center for Healthcare rv ad-OKC Chamber Better Relocation Guide.indd 1 9/20/13 1:16 PM


H e a l t h c a r e E x c e l l e n c e

INTEGRIS’ dedication to quality has once again earned Baptist recognition as U.S. News & World Report’s #1 hospital – not only in the metro but throughout Oklahoma.

But it takes more than awards to provide healing.

It takes the INTEGRIS Cancer Institute partnering with ProCure to build the nation’s sixth proton therapy center and earn the nation’s highest patient satisfaction rating. It takes award-winning stroke programs at INTEGRIS Baptist and Southwest Medical Center and saving lives with Advanced Cardiac Care – home to one of the nation’s only artifi cial heart programs, Oklahoma’s fi rst heart transplant and fi rst and only four-dimensional heart scanner at INTEGRIS Heart Hospital.

It means a lasting partnership with Lakeside Women’s Hospital – a national Woman’s Choice Award hospital – merging Lakeside’s female focus with INTEGRIS’ complete continuum of care. It means Jim Thorpe redefi ning rehabilitation outcomes, and more second chances at life at the Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute.

INTEGRIS has a history of providing the exceptional healthcare Oklahomans deserve, reaching beyond our 19 healthcare campuses and nearly 100 statewide clinics into the neighborhoods and communities that need us most. Challenging standards, exceeding expectations and building hope. That’s INTEGRIS Health.

OKLAHOMA’S FORCenter

integrisOK.com | 405.951.2277

INTEGRIS has a history of providing the exceptional healthcare 19 healthcare campuses and nearly 100 statewide clinics need us most. Challenging standards, exceeding expectations and building hope. That’s

UNI_13-IN-113 FY14 Center for Healthcare rv ad-OKC Chamber Better Relocation Guide.indd 1 9/20/13 1:16 PM

OUTSTANDING MEDICAL CAREWith one of the nation’s leading heart transplant teams, one of the country’s most complete medical research centers and one of the medical profession’s most respected eye institutes, Greater Oklahoma City residents have access to some of the best available health care. The city is also home to ProCure, one of only eight proton therapy centers in America, as well as the recently-opened Peggy and Charles Stephenson Oklahoma Cancer Center, a comprehensive cancer center, and the Oklahoma Diabetes Center – bringing

even more cutting-edge technology, research, clinical care and alternative therapies to Oklahoma City.

With 35 area hospitals, Oklahoma City residents don’t have to look far to find quality health care, including specialty services in areas such as oncology and hematology; orthopaedics; burn treatment; hearing and vision care; neonatal care; infertility; spinal disorder care; sports medicine; and others.

The state’s only Level 1 Trauma Center with Mediflight service is based in Oklahoma City, the ideal location for regional service.


Mercy Hospital OKCNew to the area?Get to know a Mercy Clinic physicianwho will get to know you.With more than 15 locations in Oklahoma City and surrounding areas, your new doctor is close by. Mercy Clinic physicians are ready to help you when you’re sick, but equally focused on keeping you well between visits. They do it by listening and understanding your health history.

Your Mercy Clinic team is linked to by your electronic health record, so everyone caring for you understands your needs. Plus, you’ll stay connected with your team online through MyMercy. Using it, you’ll:

• Sendmessagestoyourdoctor• Scheduleanappointmentonline• Requestprescriptionrenewals• Checkyourlabresultsonline• Dothesameforyourentirefamily

To find a Mercy Clinic physician near you, visit mercy.net.For more information or a physician referral, call 405-752-3600.


If you are looking for a place where you can live it up in each of the four seasons, Oklahoma City is the place for you. Here in OKC, you’ll find a pretty typical, seasonally varied climate throughout the year. Summers are sunny and warm with plenty of days for swimming. Winters are bright and cold so you’ll have enough excuses to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate after doing a little outdoor ice skating. Autumn is crisp, perfect for football or a scenic drive. And springs are often wet, but filled with plenty of clear days to get out and watch the flowers bloom or fly a kite.

Basically, Oklahoma City boasts a great balance of weather. During our enjoyably average (weather-wise) year, we experience clear skies most of the time (65 percent), clean air and an annual average temperature of 60 degrees.

Oklahoma’s location east of the Rocky Mountains and north of the Gulf of Mexico means that we are sometimes a hot spot for some interesting weather. Cold dry air from the Rocky Mountains and Canada have the potential to gather over our state with warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, sometimes resulting in thunderstorms or even more severe weather including tornadoes.

And like other states that have the potential for severe weather, here in Oklahoma, we are pretty well prepared for what Mother Nature might throw our way. Hundreds of outdoor warning sirens are operated across Greater Oklahoma City. These sirens are utilized when a tornado warning exists in our area.

OKLAHOMA CITYWEATHER

Elevation: 1,291 feet above sea level

Average Temperatures: January, 45.9° F; July, 80.7° F; annual average, 60.1° F

Average Annual Precipitation:

32.03 inches of rain; 9.0 inches of snow


What’s a tornado warning? Here, our meteorologists issue watches and warnings (both for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes).

Here’s a brief overview from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:

• A severe thunderstorm watch means that the potential exists for the development of thunderstorms which may produce large hail or damaging winds. When a watch is issued, you should go about your normal activities, but keep an eye to the sky and an ear to the National Weather Service’s weather radio or local radio and television stations for further updates and possible warnings.

• A severe thunderstorm warning means that a severe thunderstorm is occurring or is imminent based on radar information. You should move indoors to a place of safety.

• A tornado watch, like a severe thunderstorm watch, means that conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms to form, but it also means that a few storms may be capable of producing a tornado.

• A PDS tornado watch is issued when the National Weather Service deems a storm to be a “particularly dangerous situation” with the potential for multiple strong or violent tornadoes. Of the tornado watches issued across the U.S. from 1996-2005, only 7 percent were classified as PDS tornado watches.

• A tornado warning is the ultimate in severe warnings. It means that a tornado is

either occurring or imminent based on radar. You should take cover immediately.

Not to mention, Oklahoma City is also home to some of the nation’s best and more renowned meteorologists who help us stay aware and informed when the time comes. And just 30 miles south of

DID YOU KNOW?While Oklahoma is one of several states where thunderstorms and tornadoes are a possibility, damaging storms are simply not that common. The experts at the National Severe Storms Laboratory have computed that the chance of being struck by a tornado at any given point in Oklahoma is once in about 1,400 years – and you’d have to wait even longer (around 4,000 years) for a chance at being struck by a significant (F2+) tornado. Whereas, the chances of a Category 1 (75+ mph winds) hurricane striking any given point along the Gulf or Atlantic coasts is once every 10 years.


Oklahoma City in Norman, Okla., is the NOAA National Weather Service. So not only do we have the best of the best when it comes to meteorologists, but we also have access to the best and most technologically-advanced equipment to predict and detect potential severe weather. Improvements in technology and updated warning systems have led to increased warning times for dangerous storms, helping to save uncounted lives. For example, when an EF-5 tornado struck Moore, Okla., on May 20, 2013, residents had 16 minutes to get to safety before the tornado struck thanks to local news and the activation of the tornado sirens.

“One of the things I love about

Oklahoma is that we have the four

seasons. We have this incredible

cross-section of weather. You grow

to love it.”

– Gary England, former chief

meteorologist, KWTV Channel 9

SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESSMuch like states along the east coast are prepared for potential hurricanes, here in Oklahoma, we do our best to be prepared for tornadoes, and that includes our homes. Many homes in Greater Oklahoma City have tornado shelters or safe rooms built into the house. Shelters or safe rooms are even more common in recently established neighborhoods. And while not all builders include a shelter in the house, they often take the steps to make it very easy for one to be added by the homeowner. What about basements? The hard clay soil in Oklahoma means that most homes in the region do not have basements. However, many of the homes in historic neighborhoods do. And basements are excellent places to take cover during a tornado. No matter the age of your home, adding a tornado shelter (whether inside your house or on your property) is a good way to be prepared for potential severe weather and tornadoes. There are often funding opportunities available to help residents pay for the installation of tornado shelters and safe rooms. For more information about tornado safety and preparation, visit the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management’s site, www.ok.gov/oem.


OKLAHOMA CITYWHAT TO DO

GET OUT AND ABOUTGaze in awe at the world’s largest Chihuly glass tower; catch an outdoor concert at a 17-acre park in the middle of downtown; conquer a skate park designed by Oklahoma City’s own champion BMX racer Mat Hoffman; or take a kayak down the Oklahoma River (an official Olympic and Paralympic training site). Explore the galleries of our major museums overflowing with treasures or enjoy the organic creativity flowing from dozens of art galleries and performance venues. From sporting events and outdoor adventures, to theater and ballet, Oklahoma City is sure to dazzle you.

Arts & CultureCreativity abounds in Oklahoma City. By combining our hip, spirited environment with a deep western heritage, we’ve created a place where culture and commerce thrive. The diversity, creativity and can-do attitude can be seen all around town from the towering Devon Energy tower to various districts scattered across the city.

Our robust artist community – with more than 4,500 artists and more than 20 arts organizations – is one of the largest in the nation. Visit the Paseo District, check out one of the many art galleries, spot public art, and you’ll get an idea of the phenomenal spirit that resonates in Oklahoma City.

Head downtown to the Civic Center Music Hall and experience the performing arts in the splendor of the 75-year-old concert hall. The art-deco hall features a multi-tiered auditorium with three balconies, numerous private suites, a hydraulic orchestra pit and virtually perfect acoustics. The Civic Center is home to the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra, Oklahoma City Ballet, Canterbury Chorale Society, Lyric Theatre and others. It also plays host to touring Broadway musicals and an annual series of national artists.

Oklahoma City also boasts a number of other theatres and performance groups, including Carpenter Square Theatre, Jewel Box Theatre, Oklahoma Children’s

Theatre and Oklahoma Opry. With so many theatres and performance groups, there is truly something to entertain everyone in Oklahoma City.

World-Class MuseumsThe crown jewel of the Arts District is the spectacular Oklahoma City Museum of Art. A stopping point for some of the most renowned traveling exhibits, the museum is also home to the world’s largest, most comprehensive exhibit by glass sculptor Dale Chihuly. Now an OKC icon, a 55-foot Chihuly glass tower greets museum visitors upon arrival.

At the Museum School, you can create your own masterpiece with year-round camps and classes for people of all ages. And the gourmet café ensures the museum pays tribute to the culinary arts.


Take in the mind-expanding exhibits throughout the year at several galleries around town, including Untitled [Art Space], Red Earth Gallery, and the Individual Artists of Oklahoma Gallery, along with others. Then there’s the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, home to a vast collection of classic and contemporary western art, including works by Charles Russell, Frederic Remington and the awe-inspiring 18-foot “End of the Trail” sculpture by James Earle Fraser. There are also five breathtaking western landscapes known as “Windows to the West” by Albuquerque artist

Wilson Hurley. All ages love Prosperity Junction, a re-created western town. The museum also has an amazing gift shop and restaurant, and serves as one of the city’s elegant special event venues.

Located in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City is the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. Created as a peaceful monument, the memorial offers visitors from around the world comfort and hope. The interactive learning museum honors the survivors and those who lost their lives in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing on April 19, 1995.

Just 30 minutes south of Oklahoma City is the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History on the campus of The University of Oklahoma in Norman. This museum boasts thousands of artifacts tracing Oklahoma’s natural history, including dinosaur fossils and Native American cultural exhibits.

Arts FestivalsOur city’s creativity boils over throughout the year as arts festivals descend on Oklahoma City. Each spring, the ever-popular Festival of the Arts springs up

tents, taking over North Hudson Avenue and the Myriad Botanical Gardens downtown with more than 150 local and nationally-known artisans, enticing tasty treats along International Food Row and tunes from a mixture of musical genres.

The three-day holiday weekends that kick off and end summer bring more opportunities to enjoy art in Oklahoma City. Catch the Paseo Arts Festival on Memorial Day weekend, when artists and musicians fill the streets of the Paseo District. Visit a stained glass workshop or pottery studio, watch a painter at work, see a children’s theater group performance or just have dinner and shop. As the summer months draw to a close, Oklahoma City Community College in south Oklahoma City hosts Arts Festival Oklahoma on the college’s campus over Labor Day weekend. Each year more than 30,000 visitors are treated to original artwork and handicrafts, live music performances and tasty food.

DID YOU KNOW?In its new home across from the State Capitol, the 215,000-square-foot Oklahoma History Center offers a chance to explore Oklahoma’s unique story through interactive exhibits covering geology, transportation, commerce, culture, aviation, heritage and more.


THE SPORTING LIFEOklahoma City is taking the sports world by storm. Here, you’ll find packed bleachers along vibrant riverbanks, tens of thousands of fans roaring for the NBA’s 2011-2012 Western Conference Champion Oklahoma City Thunder, while championships take place everywhere from baseball diamonds to archery ranges. Whether you prefer to be in the stands or on the field, Oklahoma City is a sports lover’s paradise. With a full slate of college sports in baseball, football, softball and basketball, there’s always something to cheer about.

O-K-C! O-K-C!The NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder has transformed the downtown Chesapeake Energy Arena into one of the toughest places to play in professional sports. Led by 2010, 2011 and 2012 scoring champion Kevin Durant and Coach Scott Brooks, in just five years in Oklahoma City, the Thunder has made the playoffs three times. In 2012, the team captivated the nation and the world as they won its first Western Conference Championship and made a run in the NBA Finals.

You can see the future stars of baseball at one of the top minor league ballparks in the country at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The Oklahoma City Redhawks, the triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, won four divisional titles this past decade and routinely features some of the best young talent in baseball.

The Oklahoma City Barons is an American Hockey League franchise that debuted in Oklahoma City in 2010. The Barons serve as the top minor league affiliate for the

NHL’s Edmonton Oilers and continues a tradition of outstanding hockey fan support in Oklahoma City.

URBAN RETREATSOklahoma City is an oasis for outdoor enthusiasts, offering plenty of opportunities to connect with nature in an urban setting. The city’s extensive park system provides attractive, well-maintained areas for tennis, swimming, biking, jogging and even horseback riding. And did we mention that there are more than 50 lakes within an hour’s drive, dozens of miles of trails and 33 public and private golf courses?

Escape the buzz of a bustling downtown by venturing into the 17-acre Myriad Botanical Gardens located just south of Devon Tower and on the northwest corner of the Chesapeake Energy Area. The park received a complete redesign in 2011 and now residents and visitors alike can enjoy a grand performance lawn, a children’s discovery garden, an ice skating rink, a café, a dog release area and more. Included in this downtown delight is the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory – a seven-story cylinder suspended over a lake the size of a football field – which serves as the garden’s centerpiece. Spring and summer in the gardens bring outdoor concerts, movies, performances and more. And in winter, an outdoor ice skating rink becomes a favorite gathering place.

Run, Cycle, Row & MoreNot only does Oklahoma City boast a comprehensive and growing citywide trails system, it’s also home to some of the most prestigious running and cycling races


in the country. Both the Oklahoma City National Memorial Marathon and the Red Bud Classic have received accolades from Runner’s World. With numerous races, clubs and shops, running and cycling enthusiasts have no problem finding a home in Oklahoma City.

The Oklahoma River is fast becoming one of the world’s premier venues for rowing and canoe/kayak. Each year the river, a U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Site for the sports of rowing and canoe/kayak, hosts numerous regattas. But you don’t have to be a world-class athlete to get on the water. The Boathouse District has a variety of community classes, programs and rentals, including opportunities to kayak through the 1,000-acre Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge.

On a quest for the extreme? We’ve got you covered. Oklahoma City is home to the 26,000-square-foot Mat Hoffman Action Sports Park, one of the most challenging skateparks in the region. The facility is designed for skateboards, in-line skating and BMX freestyle biking. If that isn’t enough, the Rocktown Climbing Gym, built inside an old concrete grain silo, boasts indoor and outdoor climbs. Want to feel the wind in your hair? Lake Hefner is a paradise for everything from kite boarding and wind surfing to traditional sailing.

DID YOU KNOW?

There are more than 50 lakes within an hour’s drive, dozens of miles of trails and 33 public and private golf courses.

The Boathouse District along the Oklahoma River in downtown Oklahoma City is a hot-spot for urban recreation. Home of the OKC National High Performance Center, the Boathouse District is an official U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Site for rowing and canoe/kayak. But don’t let the Olympic hopefuls have all the fun. Here are some of the ways you can play on and along the river in OKC.

Located within walking distance of the hotels and restaurants of the Bricktown Entertainment District, the Chesapeake Boathouse serves as Oklahoma City’s community boathouse and the focal point for OKC RIVERSPORT rowing, kayaking, running, cycling and fitness programs. It’s also located next to the Bricktown Landing, where the Bricktown Canal meets the Boathouse District. You can take a Bricktown Water Taxi down to the landing and be dropped off feet from where Oklahoma River Cruisers pick up passengers for trips down the Oklahoma River.


SHOPPINGOklahoma City’s low cost of living might leave you with some extra money burning a

hole in your pocket. If retail therapy is your thing,

we’ve got shopping options no matter what your tastes.

From high-end and national retailers at

Penn Square Mall and Quail Springs Mall to local shops at the Classen Curve and on Western Avenue, Oklahoma City offers more than you might imagine.

And if you’re looking for a place with it all, head down I-40 to the west side of town to the state’s only outlet center, The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City. With nearly 350,000-square-foot, the outlet center features dozens of designer outlets including Banana Republic, Coach, Cole Haan, Levi’s, Nike, Saks Off 5th and more.


DISTINCT DISTRICTSFantastic dining, great shopping, undeniable fun – these are just a few things to describe the opportunities available all over the metro in some of our thriving districts.

Automobile Alley In its heyday, this area was home to more than 50 car dealerships. Today, it’s filled with businesses, shops and restaurants. If you pass through at night, vintage-style neon signs light the sidewalks. And it’s a unique place for bicycle enthusiasts to find everything they need for any kind of riding. The area’s development is far from over with new condominiums, shops and more beginning to call this area home.

Bricktown The fastest-growing entertainment district in the southwest, Bricktown is always abuzz with activity. Enjoy a cocktail on the mile-long canal, dance the night away in a trendy club or sit down to a white-tableclothed treat. Hop on a Spokies bike, downtown Oklahoma City’s very own (and brand-spanking-new) bike share program. Catch a ballgame at the award-winning Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark and then take a water

taxi ride, grab a little sushi and listen to some live music on a waterside stage to celebrate the win without ever having to get in the car. Both family-friendly and made for late-night fun, Bricktown offers something for everyone in this downtown urban hotspot.

Capitol Hill Once slated to be the sight of Oklahoma City’s capitol, Capitol Hill is both historic and up-and-coming. Located just south of downtown bordering the Oklahoma River, this district is home to a Main Street program that is working to once again establish the area as a thriving, bustling, commercial district.


Classen Curve & Nichols Hills Settle yourself in at one of several establishments to watch a game. Enjoy an afternoon of retail excursions. As one of Oklahoma City’s newest hot spots, Classen Curve – situated on North Western Avenue near the Chesapeake Energy Corporation campus – is filled with boutique retailers, local restaurants and more.

Just north of Classen Curve, you’ll find historic Nichols Hills. This neighborhood offers elegant shopping and fine dining along with colorful boutiques and quaint stores – and some serious house envy.

Deep DeuceDeep Deuce, located just north of Bricktown, was once the metro’s center for jazz music and African-American culture. While you’ll still see those roots around every turn, these days Deep Deuce is one of the city’s top spots for urban living. The area offers a wide variety of housing options from loft-style apartments and condos to an array of townhomes. Hey, it’s even where Kevin Durant calls home.

I-240 Corridor Located on the south side of Oklahoma City along I-240, this suburban area is a great place to take the family, do a little shopping at everything from big box stores to local boutiques, and check out a variety of restaurants and cafes.

Memorial Road Corridor Home to many of your favorite names, Memorial Road boasts plenty of good fun and shopping action. Add to

your wardrobe or catch the latest movie at Quail Springs Mall. Or check any of a number of free-standing shopping options along this bustling thoroughfare. Then head out to a great dinner and drinks with your fellow Oklahoma Citians.

25 Years of Selling Oklahoma Real Estate• One of the fastest

Growing Companies in Oklahoma

• 8 locations to serve you! Jerri Shepherd, BrokerRelocation DirectorMilitary Relocation Specialist(405)753-4477 office(405)816-7840 Direct(877)461-8955 Toll- [email protected]


Midtown One of the newest areas on

the scene, Midtown is truly making a splash as a revitalization

effort has taken hold and created multiple success stories. Full of fantastic housing options – from revitalized historic buildings to new developments – plus local restaurants and bars, Midtown is a great place to discover what’s new and hip on the OKC scene.

Midtown is also a prime place to call home. The area is seeing a huge boom of housing options from renovated historic apartment buildings to brand new, modern options.

Northwest Expressway Corridor Similar to Memorial Road and the I-240 Corridor but also offering local fare and every kind of shopping

from big box stores to local boutiques, Northwest Expressway is a major hub of retail and dining in northwest Oklahoma City. Here you’ll find Penn Square Mall, Oklahoma City’s premier shopping destination featuring more than 100 stores. A wide variety of restaurants and pubs abound, as does upper-end mall shopping and dining at Penn Square Mall and family entertainment options.

Paseo Developed in 1929 as the first shopping district north of downtown, the Paseo Arts District is now home to 17 galleries and more than 60 artists. The curved, two-block street is filled with Spanish revival architecture, not to mention great restaurants, a coffee house, boutiques, gift shops and more. The area is a favorite gathering spot for locals, especially during their monthly gallery walks (held on the first Friday and Saturday of the month) when you


can explore art, food and Oklahoma City’s creative spirit.If you’re looking to live the inspired life, the Paseo is surrounded by quaint arts and crafts bungalows that would put you just steps from this bustling arts district.

Western Avenue This ever-expanding strip is a favorite for locals. Located near the Crown Heights neighborhood, Western Avenue offers a fantastic mix of the all-local. Some of the city’s oldest and most legendary clubs and restaurants are located here. Sushi, pizza, antiques, wine bars, frozen yogurt, live music, white tablecloths, red-checkered tablecloths, coffee shops, great laid-back ambiance and more can all easily be found on Western Avenue.

Leading. Serving. Living Mercy. Learn more at mountstmary.org

110 yearhistory of education in Oklahoma City

The Mount is a faith community, serving our students and their families with mercy, compassion and an exceptional Christ-centered Catholic education.

Learn more about The Mount atmountstmary.org

of MSM students participate in OSSAA sanctioned athletics

remain in college to graduation

College BoardCertified AP

Courses17

2013 MSM grads earned over $6M in college scholarships

Located five minutes from downtown OKC!


GETTING AROUNDOKLAHOMA CITY

One of the many perks to life in Oklahoma City is that we don’t spend hours sitting in traffic going to and from work. In fact, residents have an average one-way commute of only 21 minutes. Compare that to 26.5 minutes in Phoenix and 26.7 in Denver. Sure, five minutes might not sound like much, but when you double it daily, then multiply it by five days a week, you’ll end up with a time savings of 50 minutes. That’s about 50 hours – or more than two days – saved in a single year. Just think about what you could do with all of that extra time.

Oklahoma City is extraordinary in a number of ways – one of those being size (621 square miles to be exact). But don’t let that seem daunting. Our vast size is tamed by a generous network of interstates and free-flowing arteries that make it easy for residents to commute from home to any corner of the metro without being tied up in traffic.

If public transit is more your style, you can join the approximately 3 million people who take advantage of METRO Transit’s bus and trolley service each year. From getting across town to getting around downtown, METRO Transit has a variety of routes and services to keep you moving.

The city’s location, equidistant from both coasts at the junction of three of the nation’s major arteries, ensures easy travel and transportation from Oklahoma City to anywhere in the U.S. Two of the nation’s most important highways – Interstate 40, which runs from Los Angeles to Raleigh, N.C.; and Interstate 35, which runs all the way from Mexico to Canada – meet in

downtown Oklahoma City. The intersection of these major highways, along with the nearly 13,000 miles of streets in the city, ensures Oklahoma City’s status as the crossroads of America.

Oklahoma’s largest airport, Will Rogers World Airport, is named for the famous Oklahoma humorist who was also an avid aviation supporter. A $110-million expansion added eight new gates to the airport, which serves nine major airlines, seven regional airlines and a growing number of charter services with more than 75 daily departures, including direct connections to 20 airports in 18 cities.

Looking to travel south of the Red River? Amtrak service via The Heartland Flyer makes daily runs between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas. Once you get to Fort Worth, you can easily pick up connections to Dallas, Chicago and San Antonio. The train departs and arrives at historic Santa Fe Depot at the front door of Bricktown – Oklahoma City’s entertainment district.

If you’re into weekend road trips to historic sites, great eats (You’ve seen “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” right?),

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quirky shops and more, Oklahoma City has just what you’re looking for: the “Mother Road” – aka historic Route 66. This long-traveled highway stretches for more than 400 miles across the state of Oklahoma, with Oklahoma City right at the center of the action. Our situation along this famed route adds to our region’s historic charm, western heritage and makes us the occasional stomping ground for celebrities such as Sir Paul McCartney and Colin Farrell as they make the world-famous drive across the U.S.

OKC1,328 miles toLos Angeles

21airports servednon-stop

21average commute

min

ute

1,398 miles toVirginia Beach


OKLAHOMA CITYRESOURCES

BE IN THE KNOWThis relocation guide is the best-of-the-best when it comes to discovering Oklahoma City. But we know that once you’re here, you’ll want to know what’s happening and how you can get involved in the community. That’s where The Better Life comes in. This email newsletter and blog gives you the insider info on some of Oklahoma City’s greatest sites, events, attractions, volunteer opportunities, activities and more.

Visit www.abetterlifeokc.com/the-better-life and sign up for our email alerts. Each week, you’ll get the latest and greatest on all OKC has to offer.

Greater Oklahoma City has an active and vibrant community spirit – one that extends its arms into the social media stratosphere. Connect with us on social media and make sure you never miss a minute of the action in OKC.

twitter.com/okcchamber

facebook.com/okcchamber

youtube.com/visitoklahomacity

twitter.com/visitokc

facebook.com/visitokc


ABOUT OKLAHOMA CITYOKC Relocation information www.abetterlifeokc.com

Greater Oklahoma City Chamber (405) 297-8900 www.okcchamber.com

Downtown Oklahoma City Incorporated (DOKC) (405) 235-3500 www.downtownokc.com

Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau (405) 297-8912 www.visitokc.com

The Bricktown Association (405) 236-8666 www.welcometobricktown.com

AUTO TAG,DRIVERS LICENSE AND VOTERREGISTRATIONBethany Tag Agency, Inc. (405) 787-2235

Downtown OKC Tag Agency (405) 232-5299 www.downtownokctagagency.com

Midwest City Tag Agency (405) 737-7640 www.oktagagent.com/midwestcity

Nicoma Park Tag Agency (405) 769-3353 www.nicomaparktagagency.com

Price Tag Agency (405) 634-3333

Warwick Tag Agency (405) 720-0002 www.oktagagent.com/warwick

EDUCATIONADULT EDUCATIONOpportunities Industrialization Center, Inc. (405) 235-2651 www.oicofoklahomacounty.org

Platt College (405) 749-2433 www.plattcolleges.edu

Wright Career College (405) 681-2300 www.wrightcareercollege.com

INDUSTRIAL, TECHNICAL & TRADEMike Monroney Aeronautical Center - FAA (405) 954-4521 www.faa.gov

National Coalition of Certification Centers “NC3” (405) 850-9814 www.nc3.net

Petroleum Landman School, LLC (405) 639-7581 www.petroleumlandmanschool.com

PRIVATEThe Academy of Classical Christian Studies (405) 478-2077 www.theacademyok.org

Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School (405) 842-6638 www.bmchs.org

Casady School (405) 749-3100 www.casady.org

Christ the King Catholic School (405) 843-3909 www.ckschool.com

Christian Heritage Academy (405) 672-1787 www.cha.org

The Goddard School (405) 348-4442 www.goddardschools.com

Heritage Hall (405) 749-3000 www.heritagehall.com

Mount St. Mary Catholic High School (405) 631-8865 www.mountstmary.org

Rosary School (405) 525-9272 www.rosaryschool.com

St. John’s Episcopal School & Child Dev. Program (405) 943-8583 www.stjohnsokc.com

Westminster School (405) 524-0631 www.westminsterschool.org

PUBLICASTEC, Inc. (ASTEC Charter Schools) (405) 947-6272 www.asteccharterschools.com

Dove Science Academy (405) 524-9762 www.dsaokc.org

KIPP Reach College Prep (405) 425-4622 www.kippreach.org

BEGINNING YOUR LIFE IN OKLAHOMA CITYBelow is a list of Greater Oklahoma City Chamber members that can assist you as you begin your life in Oklahoma City. From moving to getting settled in, these businesses will be there to help you along the way. More information about moving to Oklahoma City and surrounding areas is available at www.abetterlifeokc.com.


Oklahoma City Public Schools (405) 587-0000 www.okcps.org

Oklahoma School of Science & Mathematics (405) 521-6436 www.ossm.edu

Putnam City Schools (405) 495-5200 www.putnamcityschools.org

Santa Fe South Schools, Inc. (405) 631-6100 www.santafesouth.org

TECHNOLOGYFrancis Tuttle Technology Center (405) 717-7799 www.francistuttle.edu

ITT Technical Institute (405) 810-4100 www.itt-tech.edu

Metro Technology Centers (405) 424-8324 www.metrotech.edu

UNIVERSITIES& COLLEGESThe Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma (405) 974-4700 www.acm-uco.com

Brown Mackie College (405) 621-8000 www.brownmackie.edu

DeVry University & Keller Graduate School of Management (405) 767-9516 www.devry.edu

Heartland Baptist Bible College (405) 943-9330 www.heartlandbaptist.edu

Heritage College (405) 631-3399 www.heritage-education.com

Mid-America Christian University (405) 691-3800 www.macu.edu

Mid-America Christian University (North Campus) (405) 692-3200 www.macu.edu

Oklahoma Baptist University Graduate School (405) 585-4601 www.okbu.edu/graduate

Oklahoma Christian University (405) 425-5100 www.oc.edu

Oklahoma City Community College (405) 682-7502 www.occc.edu

Oklahoma City University (405) 208-5000 www.okcu.edu

Oklahoma State University (405) 744-5000 www.okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City (405) 947-4421 www.osuokc.edu


Rose State College (405) 733-7368 www.rose.edu

Southern Nazarene University (405) 789-6400 www.snu.edu

Southwestern Christian University (405) 789-7661 www.swcu.edu

Southwestern College (405) 733-3301 www.southwesterncollege.org

The University of Central Oklahoma (405) 974-2311 www.uco.edu

University of Oklahoma (405) 325-3916 www.ou.edu

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (405) 271-2332 www.ouhsc.edu

University of Phoenix - Oklahoma City Campus (405) 842-8007 www.phoenix.edu

University of Phoenix - West OKC Learning Center (405) 842-8007 www.phoenix.edu

Vatterott College (405) 234-3600 www.vatterott.com

HOSPITALSBone and Joint Hospital at St. Anthony (405) 272-9671 www.boneandjoint.com

The Children’s Center (405) 789-6711 www.tccokc.org

Deaconess Hospital (405) 604-6000 www.deaconessokc.com

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (405) 456-5133 www.oklahoma.va.gov

INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center (405) 949-3011 www.integrisok.com

INTEGRIS Canadian Valley Regional Hospital (405) 717-7963 www.integrisok.com

INTEGRIS Cancer Institute of Oklahoma (405) 773-6400 www.integrisok.com/cancer

INTEGRIS Health Edmond (405) 657-3000 www.integrisok.com

INTEGRIS Heart Hospital (405) 951-2277 www.integrisheart.com

INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center (405) 636-7000 www.integrisok.com

Lakeside Women’s Hospital (405) 936-1500 www.lakeside-wh.com

McBride Orthopedic Hospital (405) 486-2100 www.mcboh.com

Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City (405) 752-3754 www.mercyok.net

The OU Cancer Institute (405) 271-6822 www.ouhsc.edu/oucancerinstitute

OU Medical Center (405) 271-5911 www.oumedicine.com

The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center (405) 271-5911 www.oumedicine.com/childrens


OU Medical Center Edmond (405) 341-6100 www.oumedicine.com/edmond

Oklahoma Center for Orthopedic and Multi-Specialty Surgery (405) 602-6500 www.okla-sc.com

Oklahoma Heart Hospital (405) 608-3300 www.okheart.com

Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus (405) 628-6000 www.okheart.com

Oklahoma Spine Hospital (405) 749-2700 www.oklahomaspine.com

St. Anthony Hospital (405) 272-7000 www.saintsok.com

Summit Medical Center, LLC (405) 359-2400 www.summitmedcenter.com

Valir Health (405) 609-3600 www.valir.com

MOVERSACE Moving & Storage (405) 672-4425 www.aceatlas.com

A-1 Freeman Moving & Storage, Inc. (405) 751-7561 www.A-1Freeman.com

Affiliated Movers of Oklahoma City, Inc. (405) 677-7400 www.affiliatedmovers.com

All My Son’s Moving and Storage of Oklahoma City, Inc. (405) 415-4159 www.allmysons.com

All Star Moving (405) 399-3004

Armstrong Relocation (405) 947-8001 www.armstrongrelocation.com

Arrow Moving and Storage (405) 495-5565 www.arrowmoving.net

Atlas Van Lines (800) 654-5815 www.atlasvanlines.com

Bekins Relocation Services (405) 521-8000 www.aceatlas.com

College Hunks Moving (405) 693-4042 www.collegehunkshaulingjunk.com/locations/oklahoma-city-ok

Emrick’s Van & Storage Company, Agent for Allied Van Lines (405) 946-4405 www.emricksallied.com

Little Guys Movers (405) 292-5700 www.littleguys.com

POST OFFICEUnited States Postal Service (800) 275-8777 www.usps.com

UTILITIESAEP / Public Service Company of Oklahoma (405) 841-1322 www.psoklahoma.com

AT&T Oklahoma (800) 403-3302 www.att.com

City of Oklahoma City Utilities (405) 297-2833 www.okc.gov/water

Cox Communications (405) 600-8282 www.cox.com/okc

OGE Energy Corp. (405) 553-3000 www.oge.com

Oklahoma Natural Gas Company (405) 551-6500 www.oklahomanaturalgas.com


A LUXURIOUS NEW APARTMENT COMPLEX LOCATED NEXT TO TINKER AIR FORCE BASE.

Liberty Pointe is a brand-new luxury apartment community under construction in SE Oklahoma City. Conveniently located off of I-240 and Air Depot, our attractive apartment homes provide easy access to key destinations like Downtown OKC, Norman, and Tinker Air Force Base.

Amenities• Controlled Access Gated Community

• Garage and Carport Parking

• Clubhouse with Cyber-Café & WiFi

• Large Saltwater Pool With Tanning Ledge

• Cabana With Upscale Outdoor Kitchen

• Luscious Landscaping & Walking Path

• Business Center

• State-Of-The-Art Fitness Center

• 24-Hour Emergency Maintenance

• Pet-Friendly Community

CALL 405-610-22226600 SE 74th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73135

NOW LEASING!

2014 Relocation Guide

Documents

Transcript of 2014 Relocation Guide