Although we love our magnificent Sooner State, it does come with its own set of challenges. From deadly tornadoes to damaging earthquakes to sweltering heat, living in Oklahoma isn’t all fun and games. Oklahoma life isn’t for everyone, so we want to make sure we’re upfront about what life looks like in our beloved (but challenging) state. Here are 17 reasons why you should never, ever move to Oklahoma (wink, wink).
- The people are way too friendly and will want you to be part of the community.
edwin & kelly tofslie/Flickr We’re a friendly bunch here in the Sooner State.
- We have an obsession with college football…on and off the field.
Frank Boston/Flickr And we love it!
- There are so many lakes, it will be overwhelming to choose which ones you should visit.
oakleyoriginals/Flickr The Sooner State has more miles of shoreline than the Atlantic and Gulf coasts combined.
- The tornadoes are terrifying.
Niccolò Ubalducci/Flickr No big deal, we just hold the record for the largest tornado EVER.
- And not to alarm you too much, but we are the most seismically active place in the world.
U.S. Geological Survey/Flickr Did you hear that? IN THE WORLD!
- The roads are so boring and empty.
taylorandayum/Flickr You can drive for miles and miles and not wave at anyone.
- Our state vegetable is the watermelon.
Harsha K R/Flickr I mean, who calls a watermelon a vegetable?
- We have lots and lots of flat land.
Gagan Moorthy/Flickr If you don’t enjoy wide open spaces, you might get bored if you live in rural Oklahoma.
- Be prepared for some of our award-winning restaurants to look like this.
anyjazz65/Flickr But the food is amazing.
- And because we have so many award-winning restaurants with delicious food, you might pack on a few extra pounds.
doctorpopular/Flickr But did we mention the food is amazing?
- You will be invited to float the Illinois River LOTS…which is fun if you like floating with water moccasins.
oakleyoriginals/Flickr Yep, they’re in our rivers and lakes.
- We’re a landlocked state, shaped like a pan, in the middle of the country.
Unblieached Brun/Flickr Part of our state is even nicknamed “No Man’s Land.”
- If you’re not an OU or OSU fan, you might not fit in.
Rob Zachritz/Flickr No joke.
- Your legs will probably look like this at some point during the summer.
lolofromtahiti/Flickr Just know that you will be drenched in bug repellant all summer long.
- And it isn’t unusual if your hair is dripping with sweat at the end of a summer day.
Michael/Flickr Just wait for that summer heat.
- You’ll have to pay an arm and a leg to drive on our turnpikes.
jimmy emerson dvm/Flickr The toll roads are nice but a roundtrip drive from Tulsa to Oklahoma City will run you around $8.00.
- There is no such thing as predictable weather in Oklahoma.
bobby acree/Flickr It’s not unusual to experience all four seasons within one week.
If you’re still convinced Oklahoma is the place for you, check out the 10 Safest Cities To Live In Oklahoma.
edwin & kelly tofslie/Flickr
We’re a friendly bunch here in the Sooner State.
Frank Boston/Flickr
And we love it!
oakleyoriginals/Flickr
The Sooner State has more miles of shoreline than the Atlantic and Gulf coasts combined.
Niccolò Ubalducci/Flickr
No big deal, we just hold the record for the largest tornado EVER.
U.S. Geological Survey/Flickr
Did you hear that? IN THE WORLD!
taylorandayum/Flickr
You can drive for miles and miles and not wave at anyone.
Harsha K R/Flickr
I mean, who calls a watermelon a vegetable?
Gagan Moorthy/Flickr
If you don’t enjoy wide open spaces, you might get bored if you live in rural Oklahoma.
anyjazz65/Flickr
But the food is amazing.
doctorpopular/Flickr
But did we mention the food is amazing?
Yep, they’re in our rivers and lakes.
Unblieached Brun/Flickr
Part of our state is even nicknamed “No Man’s Land.”
Rob Zachritz/Flickr
No joke.
lolofromtahiti/Flickr
Just know that you will be drenched in bug repellant all summer long.
Michael/Flickr
Just wait for that summer heat.
jimmy emerson dvm/Flickr
The toll roads are nice but a roundtrip drive from Tulsa to Oklahoma City will run you around $8.00.
bobby acree/Flickr
It’s not unusual to experience all four seasons within one week.
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