HELP! - I Have One Chance To Sell OKC To Mrs. Rogue

[Rogue]

A jop opportunity may be coming up soon in OKC next year. :cool: It'll be competitive and I would really be a strong candidate. Mrs. Rogue and I love it here in beautiful East Tennesse, but OKC would be closer to most of our family in OK and TX. The many questions I'll have about the job are huge variables that I can't know yet but will find out.

So, we are visiting TX for Christmas and will come up to Norman for a day or 2 the week before Christmas. Mrs. Rogue has been to Bricktown a few years ago. I need to show her what OK has to offer.:)

Specifically we will be looking at:
-Real Estate (houses in the 150-250k range)
-Nightlife (we're in our 30's, no kiddos & no plans for 'em, and love live music)
-Education & Healthcare (she's a nursing student and english teacher who will transfer so I'll prolly show her the hospital complex near the OUHSC)
-Recreation (camping, OU museums, symphony, etc).
-SHOPPING- Mrs. Rogue would be a gold medalist if shopping were an Olympic Event. I'm thinking Quail Springs Mall? She loves Anne Taylor, Saks, Malls in Dallas, that kind of thing.:eek:
-A great meal like french food or Legends would help me seal this deal

I lived in Norman '93-'98 and visit every year at least once so I kinda know the area but I need some expert advice. Now, if she were trying to sell me on the area all she'd have to do is let me walk around campus, have a beer on campus corner, and take a quick peek inside the Switzer Center.

I don't know if we'd be looking to live in Norman, OKC, or just within reasonable commuting distance.

We don't have much time so spending the day with a realtor or chamber-of-commerce type isn't going to happen. The family won't know about this until/unless we decide to make the move for sure.
So, what's your advice, SO?

[Okla-homey]

just avoid discussions of state income tax. I trust you folks in Tenn. still don't have that right?

[Rogue]

just avoid discussions of state income tax. I trust you folks in Tenn. still don't have that right?
No, and unlike TX, we also don't jack up property and sales tax too much so our roads, schools, and public facilities outside of the big urban areas are the succ. Good for industry but bad for the other stuff.

I'm needing pretty places to show her, shop, maybe look at a nice neighborhood that has a tasteful Christmas light display, etc.

And, if I could blow her away with one (or more ideally) great upscale shopping mall, It'd be great.

[King Crimson]

the new art museum and the Sam Noble Natural History museums are pretty nice.

for camping the best place in the state is Beaver's Bend Park, but it's in the way SE corner of the state.

i like Misal's in Norman for Indian, it's pretty decent....not real sure about French though. i had a really good grilled tenderloin sandwich with aged provolone at La Baquette on N. May/Nichols Hills a couple years ago. and decent glass of red wine....it was lunch.

just drive up and down Shields Blvd alot.....that will sell her right away. :D

[Rogue]

the new art museum and the Sam Noble Natural History museums are pretty nice.

just drive up and down Shields Blvd alot.....that will sell her right away. :D

The art museum at OU, right? I know better'n the Shields deal, that shoulda been a "winkie". La Baguette is a good idea, thanks.

I'm trying to peem VK and BSG for some help here.

Housing market cooling off a little there?

[StoopTroup]

We have casinos and Oklahoma Football.

Remind her that she will live amongst GODS. :D

[King Crimson]

The art museum at OU, right? I know better'n the Shields deal, that shoulda been a "winkie". La Baguette is a good idea, thanks.

I'm trying to peem VK and BSG for some help here.

Housing market cooling off a little there?

yup, at OU. and you could walk right across the street and have a nice stone oven pizza at the Library. don't know about the housing market....i live in Colorado. but, grew up in Norman.

[BajaOklahoma]

Shoot, focus on Norman.
Drive around some of the neighborhoods, hit an open house or two if possible. (scope out the areas online ahead of time)
Hit the campus, talk about the different cultural events available.
Get some info from the tourist bureaus in Norman, OKC, Edmond.
New mall going up where the gunnery hill once stood.
Bricktown in OKC.
Close to Dallas for more extensive shopping.

[Viking Kitten]

All the stuff you are talking about is right around downtown OKC, so why waste time and gas commuting?

If I didn't have kids and schools and stuff like that to worry about, I'd look at the recently renovated Citizen's Bank Tower next to the Gold Dome at 23rd and Classen. (I think it's now called the Gold Tower, but I can't swear to that.) They are in your price range, and I've heard they are awesome inside. You could also look at Deep Deuce, or the Montgomery downtown, and if your prefer a house to condos, I'd look at Heritage Hills or Crown Heights.

Any of those locations would put you close to OUHSC, close to Bricktown and the Western Corridor for live music and cool clubs and whatnot. You're also just a quick jog from Penn Square, which completely owns Quail Springs in terms of shopping, and there is also good shopping to be had on Western through Nichols Hills.

Did I mention Penn Square now has a Sephora? If she shops the way you say she does, I guarantee that'll be a selling point.

[StoopTroup]

HEH

i-am-afraid-of-sephora (http://www.pauldavidson.net/2005/07/24/i-am-afraid-of-sephora/)

[Rogue]

VK, THAT's what I'm talking about! I mentioned Sephora to her and she basically said "Oh...Hell....Yeah..." :D

[Viking Kitten]

HEH

i-am-afraid-of-sephora (http://www.pauldavidson.net/2005/07/24/i-am-afraid-of-sephora/)
Dude, I read your link, and I can only tell you its chromosomal. XY's will never get it. I took my four-year-old daughter in Friday night for her first visit to a Sephora, and as we walked in the door, her eyes lit up the way Hans Gruber's did when they cracked the vault in Die Hard. Out of nowhere, "Ode to Joy" began playing.

It's just a chick thing. If a dude "got it," I'd question his masculinity. Then I'd start soliciting his advice, because gay dudes are great for that sort of thing.

[King Crimson]

i took a lie detector test in that gold tower in high school when Bromo Distributers bought Sound Warehouse and made all the former employees take lie tests.

[Rogue]

Oh, we are "house" people for sure. I needs me some space for cars, motorcycles, dogs, and all that. Thanks for the neighborhood recommendations and y'all keep 'em coming.

[StoopTroup]

Dude, I read your link, and I can only tell you its chromosomal. XY's will never get it. I took my four-year-old daughter in Friday night for her first visit to a Sephora, and as we walked in the door, and her eyes lit up the way Hans Gruber's did when they cracked the vault in Die Hard. Out of nowhere, "Ode to Joy" began playing.

It's just a chick thing. If a dude "got it," I'd question his masculinity. Then I'd start soliciting his advice, because gay dudes are great for that sort of thing.
Wow...

A little touchy are we...lol

It's just a link I found...lol

I like to show her the competition is all. I had no idea what Sephora was...

My Wife is a Mary Kay rep like Bob's Wife.

I get it...but not because I'm gay...lol

[Okla-homey]

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Take her to a Wal-Mart in a nice part of OKC...you know, like Edmond. Let her walk around for about 15 minutes. She'll figure it out. OK>TN. Trust me.;)

P.S. I lived north of Nashville up on the KY/TN line for a couple years...the countryside is pretty, especially this time of year. Other than that, bleh.

[Viking Kitten]

Wow...

A little touchy are we...lol

It's just a link I found...lol

I like to show her the competition is all. I had no idea what Sephora was...

My Wife is a Mary Kay rep like Bob's Wife.

I get it...but not because I'm gay...lol

Touchy? Heck no. It's just funny because, like the author of that blog, Czar won't step foot in the place. And I'm perfectly okay with that. :)

[critical_phil]

my brothers both live close to chattanooga. as far as beautiful scenery etc., that's going to be a tough sell.

housing, however, should be a much, much easier sell. what 200-250K will buy you in OKC is A LOT more than what it will buy you out your way. and here's the kicker - you won't find a 200-250K house here in OKC w/ vinyl siding on 3/4 of the exterior.

i also spend my weekdays at OUHSC and would offer this advice. it's fine to drive around, but i wouldn't go touring some of the buildings, especially presby/children's hospital. those are two of the scariest places in the city.

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Wow...

A little touchy are we...lol

It's just a link I found...lol

I like to show her the competition is all. I had no idea what Sephora was...

My Wife is a Mary Kay rep like Bob's Wife.

I get it...but not because I'm gay...lol

Dude...you get it...that is so ghey!!! Can I peem you for relationship advice!

[Rogue]

Any thoughts about a great day-spa kind of thing where I could drop her off for a few hours for a massage/pedicure kind of thing?

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

I hear Czar has the hands of God

[CrimsonandCreamForever]

Housing market cooling off a little there?
Yes. Lots of homes for sale, not as many people buying them. Lots of newly constructed homes for sale also. $150k-$250k will do very nicely for you.

[MamaMia]

I feel honored that you would even include me in the people from whom you want advice. You both are about the same age as my oldest. You and your wife sound really great. I just know that Oklahoma needs more people like you. :P

[BoogercountySooner]

Is Sugars still in Norman? Take her there you would have a hell a good time!;) :)

[usmc-sooner]

I've lived in a lot of different states and to be honest you won't find nicer people than in Oklahoma. Texans are right up there with us some a little cocky and wierd but nice people.

[Rogue]

Thanks. Mom, I'm looking for that "Southern Lady" perspective.

USMC, I agree completely.

[critical_phil]

if mrs. rogue wants a tour of the college of nursing, just let me know.

don't worry, i'm no threat. i'm happily married and i'm not nearly as good looking as 1TC says i am.

[oilmud]

23rd and Lottie---Church's Chicken

[1stTimeCaller]

c_p is a beautiful man, be wary.

[Rogue]

CP: Thanks! If it works out for your schedule and all I just might take ya up on that. As far as being threatening, I'm pretty secure ;)

Now if I could just catch him in the Yahoo! Football Pickem.

[Sooner Born Sooner Bred]

Any thoughts about a great day-spa kind of thing where I could drop her off for a few hours for a massage/pedicure kind of thing?I love Salon Renaissance. It's on Broadway Extension and is in an older house that used to be a B&B.

[Jimminy Crimson]

Have dinner at Soleil inside the new Colcord Hotel. It's teh yum. Followed by drinks & dessert right below it at the XO lounge.

[LilSooner]

Make sure she see's Mercy its the only Magnet status hospital in the state.

[Rhino]

Nightlife:
When it gets closer to your visit, check my site to see what shows are going on during your time here: http://www.oklahomarock.com/shows.htm

If you're in Norman and want live music, try The Deli (http://www.thedeli.us/) or The Opolis (http://www.opolis.org/).
If you're in OKC, try The Conservatory (http://www.conservatoryokc.com/).

For any place, I'd say sample the bands music before you go. There are hits and misses, depending on what night you go and what sounds are goin' on. Or, if you want my opinion, ask me when it gets closer and more shows are announced for that time.

[BlondeSoonerGirl]

What VK said...and what Rhino said...and what most everyone said...

:D

[BigRedJed]

Don't expect Rogue to be posting in this thread anytime soon. I sent him a detailed rundown of just about every neighborhood between downtown and Nichols Hills. It had to be broken up into two messages. Hopefully, he'll now avoid the mistake of buying suburban.

[Rogue]

Don't expect Rogue to be posting in this thread anytime soon. I sent him a detailed rundown of just about every neighborhood between downtown and Nichols Hills. It had to be broken up into two messages. Hopefully, he'll now avoid the mistake of buying suburban.

Damn Jed, thanks for all of that information. :cool: Now I'll need a realtor to find those neighborhoods to look around. Obviously you know what I'm just learning, "only live in a house that's older than you." I hate suburbia. Tennessee is hooked on vinyl siding for no apparent reason and OK is hooked on those houses with the garage sticking out in front. (No offense to those of you living in houses with the garage sticking out in front I hope)