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Life as a Resident

Living in OKC

Ranked as the 20th largest city in the U.S., Oklahoma City offers the best of big-city amenities with small-town charm. Residents enjoy a low cost of living, minimal traffic, and a welcoming atmosphere. The city is rich with activities, from vibrant art and history museums to scenic parks, exciting sporting events, and a diverse culinary scene featuring both beloved classics and innovative new restaurants.

Cost of Living

Oklahoma City was recently ranked #2 among the Best Cities for First-Time Homebuyers. With a median home price nearly 40% lower than Dallas and 35% below Fort Worth, OKC offers unbeatable value in real estate.

OKC makes it easy to enjoy your home life. The average commute across the metro area is just 22 minutes, and even downtown, parking is plentiful. That means more time, less stress, and the flexibility essential for the demanding schedule of an orthopedic resident.                              

Climate

If you're looking for four seasons, you'll 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 of around 94°, 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 and Culture

Step into the wild west at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum to see a large collection of art highlighting 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 concerts, playgrounds, and Kayak rentals.   The ever-expanding Boathouse District offers many types of river sports, biking, and the new Surf OKC.

Sports and Entertainment

NBA Basketball - Oklahoma City is home to the 2025 NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Come Thunder Up at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, where you can also find a wide variety of concerts and shows.

SEC College Sports- As a proud member of the SEC, the University of Oklahoma Sooners compete at the pinnacle of Division I athletics, consistently fielding some of the nation’s top teams. Catch the Sooners in action on the Norman campus, where sports like football, softball, and basketball deliver high-energy, championship-caliber performances.

Baseball - Grab a hot dog and join the Oklahoma City Comets at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark if watching 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.

  • Tellers (Fine Italian dining in First National's Grand Hall - This is a must-see!)
  • Jones Assembly (food/entertainment in repurposed auto manufacturing plant)
  • Cheevers (One of OKC's 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 that the Oklahoma City metro area has to offer.