1. First steps before moving to Oklahoma
Find a reliable moving company, truck rental or moving container
For your move to Oklahoma, you will need to hire a reliable moving company or take on the move yourself. To find the best moving company in Oklahoma, look for helpful reviews, a professional-looking website, and years of experience.
Planning a move to Oklahoma? Take a look at our selection of:
Finding a job
As of September 2023, Oklahoma has an unemployment rate of 3.0%, which is higher compared to the August 2023 rate of 2.8%.
Jobs that are often in high demand are heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, registered nurses, and sales associate.
Finding a job in Oklahoma is easier if you search online for job openings. Popular websites for this include LinkedIn, Indeed, and SimplyHired.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics (Oct 2023)
Getting there
Below are some travel options to get to Oklahoma from different parts of the country include:
Flying: Flying is the most convenient way to move to Oklahoma. Book a flight from your departure city to Will Rogers World Airport, depending on your destination within Oklahoma.
Train: You can also take the train with Amtrak as an alternative.
Bus: If you want another way to travel, Oklahoma cities have bus services like Greyhound, and Flixbus, that can get you there.
If you are flying and require assistance with moving your belongings, you can explore options provided by reputable moving companies.
Must dos before your arrival
Moving to Oklahoma may be exciting and will challenge you in many ways. By knowing these things beforehand, you will be better prepared for your new life in the city.
- If you are moving to Oklahoma permanently, and you receive a lot of mail (excluding packages), you may want to sign up with USPS’s mail forwarding service. Mail forwarding allows your mail to be redirected to the right address for a given period of time. The fee for regular mail forwarding is only a little over a dollar for 6 months. If you want to extend the service, you will have to pay around $20 for 6 months more. You can begin your mail forwarding process by signing up on USPS’s website or directly at your local Post Office.
- Moving to a new place is an opportunity to start afresh. If you’re moving to Oklahoma, selling or donating the items you won’t need will go a long way in making your move easier. You can sell your old household items and personal possessions, and anything that will not be useful. Pick out the items that will not be useful for you in Oklahoma, then decide if you want to sell them on websites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace or donate them to a non-profit organization.
2. Upon your arrival in Oklahoma
Must dos right upon your arrival
- Get familiar with your neighborhood, and make sure to take note of the important emergency numbers.
- If you roam around the city for work or just simply checking on it, it would be great to purchase a daily pass to save money.
- Locate the essential facilities like the nearest hospital, police station, and fire department for your safety and in case of emergency.
You can easily get around in Oklahoma. There are several options available.
- EMBARK – Provides bus, ferry transit and downtown parking solutions in the Oklahoma City metro area.
- Ride OKC – Get to experience downtown Oklahoma City with bike tours and rentals.
Exchanging your driver’s license
Once you move to Oklahoma and establish residency, you must transfer your out-of-state driver’s license with DPS within 30 days. In order to transfer your out-of-state driver’s license, you’ll need to visit your DPS office in person to provide various documents to include proof of identification and Social Security number, pass the required exams. If your out-of-state driving license has been expired for more than 6 months, you’ll be required to pass the written test and driving test.
Register your vehicle
If you have just moved to Oklahoma, you’ll have to register your out-of-state vehicle with the DPS within 30 days of establishing residency. Failure to do so might result in penalties and additional charges. BEFORE you apply for a title certificate and registration, you’ll need to get Oklahoma car insurance. To get your car registered in Oklahoma, you will need:
- A completed Application for Oklahoma Certificate of Title for a Vehicle (Form 701-6) and some other documents. The tag agent will perform a vehicle identification number (VIN) and/or odometer inspection before the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) issues your title certificate.
Change your address
Along with mail forwarding, you will also have to update your new address with the concerned authorities in Oklahoma, like the DMV. To exercise your right to vote in Oklahoma, you can register to vote online, by mail and in person.
To register by mail or in person, you’ll need to fill out an Oklahoma Voter Registration Application. You may mail your application to the address on the form. If you submit your voter registration application at your local tag agent’s office, it will be mailed to the State Election Board for you.
Changing your address with your employer, bank, doctor, insurer, and service providers so that you can avoid any complications further down the road.
Setting up a bank account
Obtaining a bank account in Oklahoma is a straightforward process. You only need to present a copy of your valid state or government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. The bank with most branches in Oklahoma for easy access is BancFirst. Oklahoma’s residents has access to a whopping 91 offices of BancFirst in the state.
Getting health insurance
Getting health insurance is an excellent way to get peace of mind when it comes to your health. With health insurance, you will not have to worry about spending a ton of money in case of a health-related emergency. The state of Oklahoma proposes a website to help you with your health insurance search. Simply choose Oklahoma as your state and create an account.
|
Type of healthcare |
Cost |
|
Employer-sponsored health insurance |
$125.58 |
|
Non-employer-sponsored health insurance |
$671.33 |
|
Gym |
$41.25 |
Numbeo (Oct 2023) & EHealthInsurance (Oct 2023)
3. Best places to live in Oklahoma
If you are a couple, you might want to consider living in Jenks. It offers a rural feel, a thriving nightlife, a diverse culture, and a lot of amenities.
If you are a family, you might want to consider Edmond. Edmond offers good public schools, great job opportunities, a lot of parks for kids, and it’s a great place to raise a family.
If you are single, you should consider moving to Norman. Norman is home to the ‘University of Oklahoma’. That’s why a lot of young professionals live here. In addition to this, it has some high-rated public schools, a lot of coffee shops and other amenities.
Setting up home services
Setting up essential home services like electricity, water, and internet in Oklahoma is a straightforward process.
- The Oklahoma Corporation Commission is responsible for regulating electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunication services in Oklahoma. You can visit their website and search for electricity, water, and gas providers and even reach out to them if you have any inquiry.
- The best internet providers in Oklahoma will have bundling options, various speeds, and multiple package options at reasonable prices.
Should you rent or buy?
The average Oklahoma home value is $199,221, increased by 3.1% from 2022. Oklahoma’s price per square foot to buy an apartment outside the center is $234.16.
Finding an apartment for rent in Oklahoma is easy, utilize websites like Zillow, Apartmentguide, and Apartments.com. When seeking a house, these websites—Zillow, Realtor, and Century21—will assist you in your search for a home in Oklahoma.
Cost of rent in Oklahoma
|
Area/Neighborhood |
1-bed apartment |
3-bed apartment |
|
Oklahoma City (Outside of Center) |
$1,250.00 |
$1,466.00 |
Cost of buying a property in Oklahoma
|
Area/Neighborhood |
Average home price |
|
Oklahoma City |
$199,221 |
Numbeo (Oct 2023) & Zillow (Oct 2023)
Consider getting home insurance
Getting home insurance is essential, whichever state you are residing in. It is a kind of financial protection that will cover for your expenses if a natural disaster damages your home. Residents in Oklahoma are at a high risk of severe storms, floods, tornadoes, winter storms and hailstorms. Therefore, getting home insurance will prove to be valuable.
4. Cost of living in Oklahoma
|
Category |
Monthly cost |
|
1 bed apt rent outside city center |
$1,250.00 |
|
Groceries Numbeo’s grocery list ($54.57 multiplied by 4) |
$218.28 |
|
Utilities Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage |
$337.57 |
|
Internet with 60 Mbps |
$80.82 |
|
Transit pass |
$50.00 |
|
Entertainment Meal, taxi, movie |
$95.75 |
|
Gym membership |
$41.25 |
|
Total |
$2,073.67 |
5. The weather in Oklahoma
On average, there are 234 sunny days per year in Oklahoma. The highest temperature in summer is 93° and the winter low is 26 degrees. Oklahoma averages 6 inches of snow per year and 39 inches of rain.
Summers in Oklahoma are sunny and warm, winters are bright and cold, you’ll experience blooming Springs and crisp and colorful Autumn season.
6. What to do as a local in Oklahoma
After you are done settling into your new home in Oklahoma, you will probably want to familiarize yourself with the state and all its attractions. Some of the most popular activities and locations in Oklahoma include:
Tulsa Zoo – It’s a great place to spend the day with your family and friends.
Turner Falls Park – An easy getaway to have a fun and exciting weekend with family and friends.
Castle of Muskogee – A place for great fun, lots of screams and laughs.
Some common grocery stores in Oklahoma are: Trader Joe’s, WinCo Foods and Sprouts Farmers Market
The two most popular big chain stores are Walmart and Costco.
Must-visit food places in Oklahoma are Red Rock Canyon Grill and Golden Corral.
Visit the popular cities in Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman and Stillwater.
7. Fun facts about Oklahoma
- Fun Fact #1: The grocery cart was invented in Oklahoma City.
- Fun Fact #2: The lowest point in Oklahoma is Little River in McCurtain County, at 289 feet.
- Fun Fact #3: Oklahoma has more major tornadoes per square mile than any other state in the country.
Conclusion
Oklahoma is often referred to as the “Sooner State,” and its residents are known for their hospitality and friendliness. You’re likely to find a warm and welcoming community. The state offers a variety of landscapes, from rolling plains to lakes and forests. Locals can enjoy activities like hiking, fishing, and camping.
While moving to Oklahoma has its pros and cons, checking the cost of living is essential to making sure you will live comfortably in this city and call it home. It’s a good idea to research specific neighborhoods within the state and consider your priorities to determine if Oklahoma is the right fit for you and your family.
Need a trusted moving company for the area? Discover the 5 best movers in Oklahoma.
