The political landscape has become increasingly polarized, and the phrases “red state” and “blue state” translate into Republican state and Democratic states.
Oklahoma is a stronghold for conservative values and is ranked as the 3rd most Republican state in the United States, voting republican in every presidential election since 1952, except for 1964.
In the 2016 election, 65% of voters were Republican, and 29% were democratic. In the 2020 election, Donald Trump won all 77 counties and all seven electoral votes. There are only four blue counties in Oklahoma, a state with 77 counties.
2. BUSINESS-FRIENDLY
There are undeniable benefits to relocating to the red state of Oklahoma. People are leaving Democratic-controlled states in droves due to school closures, mask requirements, high cost of living, excessive taxes, poor governance, and crippling restrictions.
Governor Kevin Stitt has ruled out school mask mandates and is not planning to declare an emergency order, which rules out the possibility of a mask mandate in Oklahoma schools.
As the Covid-19 pandemic gripped our nation, the 2021 Legislative Session increased economic development-related efforts for the state of Oklahoma. The bills that Governor Stitt signed will increase incentives for companies to relocate to Oklahoma and strengthen the state’s film and music industries, creating opportunities for more apprenticeships. The new bills will also increase the chances for funding for Oklahoma start-ups.
One of many companies relocating to Oklahoma due to their efforts, Canoo, a manufacturer of electric vehicles, chose Oklahoma in June of 2021 to build a factory at The Mid America Industrial Park near Tulsa and is expected to open in 2023.
3. Low Cost of Living
Oklahoma is ranked the 4th most affordable state to live in, with the value of what you get per dollar surpassing almost anywhere else in the country. Home prices are approximately half of what you would expect to pay in many places across the country, significantly lowering the cost of living. The median home price in Oklahoma is reported to be $130,800.00, while the average price for a home in the United States is $231,000.00. Rent is significantly lower as well. Utilities, rent, groceries, and gas cost on an average about 16% less than other states.
4. Oklahoma Has All Four Seasons
The weather in Oklahoma is usually less severe than in the northern plains states. With more than 234 days of sunshine, it is above the national average of 205 sunny days.
Oklahomans enjoy long hot summers, with blazing sunshine, especially in the hottest month of July when the temperature is almost always over 90 degrees.
January is the coldest month with short dreary days, howling strong winds, and temperatures dropping night to a low of 26 degrees.
According to the National Weather Service, on average, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Lawton have one snowstorm per year with accumulations of up to four inches of snow every 1-2 years. Snow events with eight inches or more happen approximately once every five years in Tulsa, once every five to ten years in Oklahoma City, and once every ten to twenty years in Lawton. They are causing substantial damage to cars and buildings.
5. TRAFFIC
Oklahoma comprises 69,899 square miles and is ranked the 20th largest state in the U.S. by land. Oklahoma is home to 3.97 million people, so working in Oklahoma is more accessible than other states. In comparison, 6.2 million people live in Maryland, a state that only has 12 407 square miles and is one of the most densely populated states in the country. With an abundance of land and fewer people on the road, the rush hour may only consist of a few cars. Apart from the major cities of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, most people have quick, low-traffic commutes. The smaller and less congested cities have the shortest commute times, and in some areas, the speed limit is 80 miles per hour, so you can make good time if you have a long-distance drive. The metropolitan area of Oklahoma City is the largest city in the state, and still, the average commute time is less than 20 minutes.
6. OKLAHOMA IS GREAT FOR RETIREES
Oklahoma has one of the lowest costs of living of any state in the nation, making it an excellent choice for retirement. Oklahoma provides a total exemption for Social Security retirement benefits and provides a $10,000 deduction towards other types of income such as a 401K or pension.
Military retirees have the first $3,500 of military retirement pay is exempt.
Military retirees ages 55 – 64 can exclude up to $20,000 in any one tax year from their retirement pay; those 65 and over can exclude up to $24,000.
Up to $2,000 of military retirement excluded for individuals under age 60; $12,500 if 60
Tax-free for retirees 65 and older, or disabled retirees 62 or older.
7. LAKES
Oklahoma has over 200 lakes and the most number of man-made lakes in the country. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and the Grande River Dam Authority constructed dams across streams creating lakes. Initially, most lakes were made for flood control, water, and hydroelectric power. Offering all kinds of watersports. Boating, sailing, kayaking, and canoeing are popular almost year-round. Fishing is well as scuba.
Lake Heffner is in Oklahoma City on the northwest side. It is the perfect place for sailing, very popular as kayaking and i
McGee Creek State Park is on the southwest edge of the Ouachita Mountain Range. The 64 miles of shoreline is a fisherman’s paradise with large and small mountain bass, channel catfish, perch crappie, and sunfish.
Grande Lake – located in northeastern Oklahoma, nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountain Range, has 1,300 miles of shoreline. The lake is one of the top bass fishing lakes in the United States and is proud to host yearly fishing tournaments.
Vacation homes, rental cabins, tents, and camping sites abound all around the lake, offering vacationers various price points.
Activities for rainy days include shopping, spas, and a wide variety of restaurants.
Lake Murray is Oklahoma’s largest state park and, by many, the most beautiful lake to visit. It is in south-central Oklahoma near the city of Ardmore. Crystal clear spring waters feed the lake allowing visitors to see the bottom of the lake.
8. Culture
Oklahoma is located in the middle of the United States and is steeped in western influence and infused with warm southern hospitality. Colorado and Kansas border Oklahoma to the north, Texas to the south, New Mexico to the west, and Missouri & Arkansas to the east.
The Capital of Oklahoma is located in Oklahoma City and is the only capital building with oil in the ground below. As of 2018, Oklahoma produced about 4.7% of the total U.S. crude oil.
Oklahoma ranks #2 in the country for beef production and 3rd in winter wheat production.
According to NASS/USDA, in 2021, Oklahoma has 2,189,000 beef cattle, accounting for approximately 7.03% of all beef cattle in the United States. The #1 producer of cattle is Texas, with 4,8685,000 beef cattle, ranking at about 15.04%, which is more than Oklahoma and Missouri combined.
Ag in the Classroom reports Hard Red Winter Wheat is Oklahoma’s #1 crop. Late in the summer, farmers prepare the soil for planting. Oklahoma ranks #3 in the production of Hard Red Winter Wheat in the United States. In 2015 98.8 million bushels of wheat were harvested at a value of four hundred and eighty-nine million dollars.
9. SPORTS
If you love sports, you will love Oklahoma! Whether watching or participating, sports is a way of life for most Oklahoma.
At the top of the list is the NBA’s Oklahoma Thunder, playing in OKC. There are minor league baseball teams in both Tulsa and OKC, minor league soccer teams in Tulsa and OKC, and even a minor league hockey team in Tulsa.
The Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys are the top schools in college sports, with Tulsa University and Oral Roberts University close behind.
The Sooners have won 7 college football National Champions and have seven players who have won the Heisman Trophy.
The Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys are huge rivals.
High School and youth sports play an essential part in the state. Sports legends like Jim Thorpe, Mickey Mantle, and Troy Aikman started their careers in youth in the great state of Oklahoma.
Like horse racing? There are three racetracks in Oklahoma and numerous auto, truck, and motorcycle race tracts in Oklahoma. There is an Olympic calibrer rowing center in Oklahoma City. Off-roading is extremely popular; some of the best off-roading in America can be found in Little Samara and the Kiamichi Trail.
There are also bowling alleys, tennis courts, and golf courses.
10. STRONG JOB MARKET
As the Covid-19 infection rate decreased, Oklahoma had one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, and the economy was soaring.
Oklahoma is home to the largest Department of Defense Air Depot and commercial airline MRO facility globally.
Oklahoma boasts five military installations, 2 Air National Guard operations, and the Oklahoma Air & Space Port. More than 1100 aerospace companies operate in Oklahoma, and over 120,000 Oklahomans are employed in the aerospace and defense industries.
Oklahoma is home to five Fortune 500 Companies, NGL Energy Partners, One OK, Chesapeake Energy, Williams, & Devon, all of which are in the energy sector.
The five largest companies headquartered in Oklahoma are Imperial, based out of Tulsa with 33,000 employees, Hobby Lobby, Oklahoma City, 32,000 employees, Avis Budget Group, Tulsa, 26,000 employees.
