Hello, The unemployment rate is 3.6%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider — Norman sits at 267.8 per 100K. It's a a mid-size city city with about 129K people. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
53 upvotes
4 Replies
Xavier
Bought a house here in 2021 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
40 upvotes
Lily Turner
I've lived in Midtown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cultural scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Alice Torres
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Italian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
25 upvotes
Victoria Hill
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 33, moved here 8 years ago from Denver. I've lived in West and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The traffic situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Denver, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
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