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Things You Should Know Before Moving to Norman, OK

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Only 20 miles south of Oklahoma City, Norman is a near perfect town that touts a low unemployment rate and cost of living that can actually help create wealth during one of the nation's worst recessions.

Located in Cleveland County, the community is home to the University of Oklahoma, where crimson and cream Sooners settle down for school. Between good business and bountiful bachelor's degrees, professionals, students and families form this stand up town that has so much to offer.

With so many reasons to relocate to the region, one has to stop and think hard why they wouldn't wind up settling in the southwest city that was named a top place to reside by CNN Money Magazine.

If you are considering employment or education in Oklahoma, read why Norman may be your next residence. The town speaks for itself and that can be seen by a few fabulous facts revealed in this guide.

Norman Climate

The humid subtropical climate in Norman keeps locals really hot and very cold in the summer and winter. With an average high of 92 degrees in August and an average low of 28 degrees in January, residents keep suntan lotion and heavy sweaters on reserve. With only an average of 4-inches of a snow a season, locals do not have to worry about any whiteouts in the winter.

However, residents do need to keep their umbrellas handy in May and June, which are the wettest months of the year with Norman averaging nearly 40-inches of rain annually. With extreme heat and chilling cold at least six months of the year, locals look forward to the spring and fall when things warm up and cool down with March and November around 50 degrees. Tornado prone, the province is a risky region to reside in as far as natural disasters are concerned.

Norman Neighborhoods

A wide variety of neighborhoods make up the vicinity of Norman that is 177 square miles big. However, the city center, Downtown Norman, is only 2 square miles and is home to some of the oldest homes in Oklahoma. Historic residential land is mixed with contemporary commercial property, with houses in-between retail shops and restaurants that line the downtown streets.

Many middle-class subdivisions make up Hall Park, a neighborhood located northeast of downtown. Miller neighborhood, a historic family-friendly area, is made up of many bungalows that were built between 1903 and 1935, adding a rich history to the households. Of course the University of Oklahoma makes up a big part of the province, with Campus Corner as a popular part of town that is located north of the college. A mix of businesses and bars, young adults often frequent the area after class before returning home to their high-rise apartments and condominiums located east of the college.

Registering Your Car

If you are relocating to Norman and have an out of state license that is not expired, you will not have to take a written or driving test. However, if your license is expired, you will be required to take both the written and driving test. To obtain a license, you must have primary and secondary forms of identification including proof of identity, proof of full legal name and birth date, and proof of legal presence. Both a United States Birth Certificate and a Social Security Card are examples of acceptable identification.

New residents must register their vehicles within 30 days of claiming residency. If you register your car after that day, you will be penalized and be mandated to pay a fine. To register your vehicle you must provide proof of insurance, fill out a title application, show three forms of identification and provide the vehicle title or bill of sale. Costs for registration vary depending on the type of car and length of ownership.

Norman Schools

The University of Oklahoma is not only the most popular post-secondary school in the sector, it is the most notable in the state, with approximately 30,000 students enrolled. With 152 baccalaureate and 160 master's programs, students can major in almost any subject. The college also offers 75 doctorate programs for young adults who wish to attain the highest level of education.

But before becoming a doctor, local students most usually attend Norman Public Schools. The K-12 district, with many U.S. Blue Ribbon campuses, has 17 elementary, four middle and two high schools as well as one alternative and one online school. Scattered throughout Norman, there is a school in essentially every neighborhood, giving students the chance to exercise daily when they walk to their respective campuses. Along with the public schools, a plethora of private training sites are available for students who wish to receive a religious or specialized education.

Norman Employment

Speaking of education, the University of Oklahoma is Norman's largest employer, with almost 12,000 workers on staff. With so many jobs constantly opening up on the state's leading campus, landing a career on site is very conceivable. However, you do not have to be interested in education to get a good job since Norman has a nominal unemployment rate of 3.8 percent, almost four points down from the national average.

Healthcare, government and technology are also popular industries in the prefecture with the Norman Regional Health System, 2,832 employees; the City of Norman, 750 workers; and Hitachi Computer Products Inc., 485 laborers, as bountiful businesses. The average hourly wage for employees who work in management is $33, the hourly salary for healthcare practitioners and technicians is $22 and the hourly income for protective service workers is $18, proving the province truly is a great place to live comfortably.

If you are business owner, you also stand to make a pretty penny yourself in Norman, especially if you connect with the Norman Chamber of Commerce, which can set you up with networking and merchant discount opportunities.

Living Costs in the City

Between the low 3.8 percent unemployment rate and the less than 8.7 percent cost of living compared to the national average, Norman is near perfect as far as finances are concerned. With a $68,833 median family income and $135,000 median family home price according to CNN Money Magazine, it is easy to see why so many transferring students settle down for good in the area after graduating. Apartment costs are also low with a one-bedroom unit beginning at $450, revealing why the financial periodical ranked Norman as America's sixth best, small city to live in during 2008.

Norman Moving Resources

Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Norman, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in Oklahoma. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:

Norman Transportation

Most residents ride their own vehicles from point A to point B in Norman, with less than two percent of the population using public transportation. Motorists frequent Interstate 35, State Highway 9 and U.S. Highway 77 the most, getting all around town on the three major roadways. For the small amount that do not drive and take buses instead, the Cleveland Area Rapid Transit serves passengers. For rail service, Amtrak's Heartland Flyer provides round trip travel to downtown Oklahoma City, where many Norman residents commute for work. As for airports, the Will Rogers Word Airport, located 20 miles away in Oklahoma City, is the nearest landing strip locals use to get into and out of town.

Culture & Contemporary Life

With almost 60 neighborhood and community parks, hanging right outside your household is a regular event for many residents. Of course the community swim complex, 32 tennis courts, golf course, 16 soccer fields and 14 baseball and four football fields also keep locals loving Mother Nature.

With the University of Oklahoma in town, locals look forward to a collection of cultural experiences always happening. Between the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and the Catlett Music Center, residents mix among the students as they frequent year-round exhibitions and melodic performances. For annual events, everyone gathers together at the Norman Musical Festival in April, the May Fair Arts Festival and in May and the Main Street Christmas Holiday Parade in December. Of course dining and dancing are done all the time, with locals living it up at Othello's for fine fare and Opie's Club to get their grove on.

Norman Relocation Tips

  • You don't have to break the bank when you relocate. Make a moving budget and stick to it so you have a little extra cash to eat out when you first arrive in town.

     

  • Keep the kids out of your hair and safe from harm on moving day. Occupy children so you keep a smile on their face, your face and the movers' faces.

     

  • Go green and start your new life off by getting rid of the old in ways that will not harm the environment.

Staff Writer  Posted by Staff Writer on June 7, 2013

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