Small Town Love

When Bryan said he was interviewing for a university in Oklahoma, I was sure it wouldn't be the one we chose. When we flew out west for the campus interview, it still didn't seem real. During our four day visit, we went from "No way we could live in a town this small" to "Oh, this place is so cute! I want a house like that one." An offer, a long talk and some signatures later, we decided Northeastern State University of Oklahoma was it.

In three days, we're moving from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the fifth largest city in the United States to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, America's friendliest small town. It's going to be very different.

There's only one grocery store: Reasor's. And we're lucky because the Reasor's of Reasor's lives in our new town. They're like royalty there, "The Reasor's will be attending the summer production of Oklahoma." "Why then, we should all attend!"

It's going to be cheaper. Both renting and buying houses (the greatest cost of living) is nearly 50% in Tahlequah. When we met with the realtor, I told her how much we're paying in Philadelphia and she said there's nothing we could rent in Tahlequah at that price. Our new home is half our old rent.

Traffic is a mythological creature. When we visited, we were with the realtor at 5:30 and she called a full row of cars stopped at a red light rush hour. We were only slowed by the "traffic" an additional two minutes. Driving into the city on a Friday evening, we can take the same thirty minute route (on weekdays) and not arrive for two hours due to the many, many Philadelphians on their way to a good time in the city.

The internet is slower. Or maybe just the internet user. I've noticed a difference in response times between the East Coast and Oklahoma: it's slower. Also, the Craigslist in Tahlequah is as sparse as 2002.

There's not as much to do. When you compare Tahlequah to Philadelphia, you just won't win on activities. Tahlequah does offer a new festival every month from the Balloonfest in August (I assumed regular balloons to be on the safe side, but they're hot air balloons!) and the Taste of Tahlequah in November (all the restaurants give out samples from their menu, similar to Fall for Greenville).

There's no giant YMCA. I grew quite attached to our large gym here, and it will be hard to find something to replace it. I guess I'll have to use the university gym and work out beside those young sweaty college boys...if I have to.

Town gossip. I've already heard a lot of gossip from our one visit. Gossip seems to be a much bigger thing in Tahlequah than anywhere I've lived, even Clemson. It's the "everybody knows everybody" phenomenon. Which worries me because they don't know the Buckleys, and I doubt they'll be using Google to learn about us. We'll be unable to escape the "new in town" title and questions. I'm excited about being the new lady in town, but if you know Bryan, he's just ready to have his routine and handful of friends with which to kick back.

Visits will be fewer. I am blown away when somebody says he wants to visit us in Oklahoma. I understand if you never visit us out there. It's okay; who has "Visit Oklahoma" on their bucket list? Our home will be bigger, so we'll be able to fit lots of guests. Also, we'll love the company. July is already booked, with our craziest friends visiting each weekend (Jason, Sheryl, Alex, Russ).

They still have internet in Oklahoma, so I'll continue to hold my relationships with people in Philadelphia, Carrboro, Clemson, Florida and elsewhere in the world through skype, facebook, twitter, reader and my blog. In the words of our dear friend Mac, I love you, guys.