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Life in Oklahoma City

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center campus is one of only a few comprehensive health centers in the nation with seven health professional Colleges – Allied Health, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health and Graduate Studies – right in the heart of the state capitol, Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma City metro area has great educational opportunities, professional sports, a strong economy, a commitment to the arts, and one of the lowest costs of living in the United States.

The largest city in the state, Oklahoma City is located at the crossroads of I-35, I-40 and I-44 in the heart of Oklahoma. The second largest city in the continental U.S. based on geographical size, 1.2 million people call the Metro Oklahoma City area home. With more than a dozen communities surrounding it, Oklahoma City offers a diverse landscape of modern, urban culture and charming, old-fashioned neighborhoods for visitors and residents alike. 

Oklahoma City is a vital, activity-filled city that enables its residents to enjoy an exceptional quality of life. The mild climate offers year-round sunshine, with four distinct seasons and an average temperature of 60F /15C. 

Through multiple resident-led tax initiatives called MAPS, Oklahoma City is bursting with new development, bettering its infrastructure and schools and creating new quality-of-life additions to the city that are wowing longtime citizens and drawing attention and visitors from around the country.

As a city that redefines itself, Oklahoma City's modern, spirited environment blends with its deep western heritage to create a place where culture and commerce thrive. With renowned festivals, national sporting events, treasure-filled museums and a variety of districts highlighting arts and entertainment, the possibilities for adventure and fun in Oklahoma City are endless.

Oklahoma City Welcome Guide

View the Oklahoma City Welcome Guide

As the 25th largest city in the US, Oklahoma city boasts many of the amenities of big cities while keeping the feel and friendliness of a small town.  While maintaining a low cost of living with minimal traffic there are abundant activities to pursue including art/history museums, parks, sporting events, and many new and old outstanding restaurants.

Cost of Living

Oklahoma City was recently ranked #2 in the Best Cities for First-Time Homebuyers.  With a median home cost nearly 40% lower than that of nearby Dallas, and 35% lower than culturally-similar Fort Worth, OKC can't be beat for real estate.  

In OKC, you'll also have more time to enjoy that home, with an average commute time of only 22 minutes for the entire OKC metropolitan area.  Ample parking, even downtown, allows for all the freedom and flexibility needed for the schedule of an orthopedic resident.

Climate

If you're looking for four seasons, you'll definitely find them all in Oklahoma City.  Summer tends to stretch a bit longer than cities further to the north, so you can enjoy those poolside days just a bit longer here.  A July high around 93°, and a January low of about 27° allow for some wide variations while still completely tolerable.  May, September, and October tend to be the most pleasant months in OKC, weather-wise.  Overall, you'll see more sunny days and less precipitation here than the average nationwide.  All the better to enjoy the great outdoors!

Arts & Culture  

Step into the wild west at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum to see a large collection of art and scupture highliting the history of the American cowboy, rodeos, and Native American culture.  For those with children or who are young at heart visit the Oklahoma City Zoo or the Science Museum Oklahoma.  To get outside visit one of the many parks including the brand new 40 acre Scissortail Park featuring concerns, playgrounds, and Kayak rentals.   The ever expanding Boathouse District offers many types of river sports, biking, and the new Surf OKC.

Sports & Entertainment

Sports were taken to a new level in OKC when the Oklahoma City Thunder were introduced in 2007.  Games are electric and full of energy with one of the most dedicated fan bases in the country.  Thunder up at the Chesapeake Energy Arena where you can also find a wide variety of concerts and shows.   Apart from the Thunder, collegiate athletics have long reigned supreme in Oklahoma.  The University of Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys both offer several exciting sports to follow including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling, and more.  Oklahoma City also hosts the OKC Dodgers at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark if watching AAA baseball is your favorite way to spend summer nights.

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Eats & Treats

When you visit OKC make sure you take the time to try out some of our favorite restaurants listed below.

  • Jones Assembly (food/entertainment in repurposed auto manufacturing plant)
  • Cheevers (One of OKCs finest)
  • Fassler Hall (after work hotspot for a drink and schnitzel)
  • Cafe Kacao (traditional Guatemalan)
  • Waffle Champion (no better place for a 2000 calorie post call meal)
  • Bleu Garten (food trucks)
  • Barrios (elevated Mexican cuisine with a “twist”)
  • Cattleman’s Steakhouse (city classic, steak for days)

Please check out all the Oklahoma City metro area has to offer.