Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Relocation Guide
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Population: 444,719 Located in Oklahoma County
Welcome to Oklahoma City, Capital of the New Century. Here, city leaders and citizens had a vision—a far-reaching vision that's led Oklahoma City into a new frontier of urban innovation. It's a pioneering work in progress, and a driver of unprecedented growth and change. Today, this city stands as a vision accomplished. We are a Capital City with many strengths. We are a Western Capital, Technology Capital, Medical Capital, Multicultural Capital and Jazz Capital. Residents of Oklahoma City are probably more optimistic than anyone in the country about their local economy. Our major employers include the State of Oklahoma, Tinker Air Force Base, the U.S. Postal Service, the University of Oklahoma, the FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, the INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Oklahoma University Medical Center. Last year, Forbes Magazine named us the most "recession-proof" economy in the entire country. Today, we stand alone with the lowest unemployment rate in the nation. We expect to continue growing because of the massive investments we have made in our schools and our downtown infrastructure, and because of our encouragement and support for entrepreneurs. A billion-dollar renaissance has seen sweeping changes and improvements across nearly every sector. Significant downtown business development has accompanied the renovation of convention, cultural and educational sites. Landmark projects such as the mile-long Bricktown Canal have infused a new life and vibrancy into the Southwest's fastest-growing entertainment district. A commissioned 55-foot signature sculpture by world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly serves as a beacon for the museum and downtown. And neighborhood programs citywide have helped restore historic homes and buildings to their original luster. Oklahoma City has some of the most affordable housing in the nation, and yet it is also stable. Housing prices have never declined here. In 2001, our voters approved an initiative known as "MAPS for Kids," that committed $750 million to renovate or rebuild every single building in our inner-city school system. That was followed in 2007 by a successful vote to build gymnasiums in every elementary school. Progress on construction continues, and the citizens of Oklahoma City remain optimistic about the future of our school system. Oklahoma City has many, many recreation options, including a trails plans that will link the entire city. We have three major lakes within the city limits. New members of the community, the Oklahoma City Thunder National Basketball Association team, sponsor a youth basketball league. Oklahoma City is going places, and so are its people. We're off to the ballet. Museums. Theatre. Golf courses. Philharmonic. Malls. To the lake, zoo, theme park and the big game. Our mild climate offers year-round sunshine. We have low traffic congestion, low crime, and low pollution. And an ever-broadening cultural landscape. In the last 15 years, there has no city in American more visionary than Oklahoma City. We are creating a city where people want to live. Out of the ashes of the bombing, we have risen to become America's newest major league sports city, and our population continues to grow faster than most large cities in the nation. Our economy remains strong. And with major initiatives looming at the end of 2009, we are not stopping to catch our breath. Right now, there is no better place to live in America than Oklahoma City. |
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