State of Oklahoma

Introduction

Finding the right state to live in is a crucial issue for some people. Some individuals prefer a state where the cost of living is affordable or the climate is close to their own last home. On the other hand, some emphasize the priority of demographics. Therefore, I decided to search for a state where the three major priorities can be found: the affordability of living, the climate and demographics. Thus, Oklahoma State is one of many states where the three major priorities can be found.

Cost of living

Cost of living is an important issue for every person nowadays especially for a college student. However, finding a place where the living expenses of housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services are considered to be crucial. However, the state of Oklahoma is one of the ten states with the lowest cost of living in the United States (according to areavibes.com). In addition, in Oklahoma there are three major cities: the capital Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Norman.

The living expenses are different from one city to another. For example, In Oklahoma city the energy costs are almost 25% less than the national average, and the overall cost of living rate is 10% less than the national average (according to areavibes.com). Moreover, in Tulsa the overall cost of living rate is 13% less than the national average (DeSenne, M. n.d.). While, in Norman the overall cost of living rate is 14.4% less than the national average. Moreover, in Norman the rent of an apartment is around $647 a month; however, it is $100 less than in Oklahoma City, and a doctor visit costs 21% less in Norman than in the Oklahoma state capital (DeSenne, M. n.d.). The climate

The climate is considered one of the highest priorities for any individual. Thus, climate is one of a five questions that a person asks before moving to another place whether for work or to study or to live (Schmidt, D. n.d.). Some people cannot handle the change in the weather conditions while moving a place to another. Thus, Oklahoma State is perfect for a person who likes the warm weather through the summer and a little cold through the winter. Oklahoma is located in a temperate region and experiences occasional extremes of temperature and precipitation typical of a continental climate throw the whole year (ESRL: PSD: United States Climate page: Displays various climatological). However, Most of the state lies in an area known as Tornado Alley characterized by frequent interaction between cold and warm air masses producing severe weather.

An average 54 tornadoes strike the state per year; therefore, Oklahoma has one of the highest tornadoes strike rates in the world (ESRL: PSD: United States Climate page: Displays various climatological). Moreover, like in other state the climate changes by the place and the time. For instance, according to U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Oklahoma’s highest recorded temperature of 120 °F (49 °C) was recorded at Tipton on June 27, 1994 and the lowest recorded temperature of −31 °F (−35 °C) was recorded at Nowata on February 10, 2011. In addition, in Oklahoma City the highest temperature usually occurs in the month of July of a temperature degree of 93/71 in °F, and the lowest temperature usually occurs in the first month of the year with temperature degree of 47/26 in °F (ESRL: PSD: United States Climate page: Displays various climatological).

While, in Tulsa the highest temperature usually occurs in Jul of temperature of 94/73 in °F and the lowest temperature usually occurs in the first month of the year and temperature degree of 46/26 in °F (ESRL: PSD: United States Climate page: Displays various climatological).Therefore, according to these numbers, Oklahoma state is a place where the climate can have a positive impact on in the environment, economy and the people. According to a survey was conducted by the Oklahoma Climatological Survey in January 2003, the climate of Oklahoma positively affected the agriculture, commerce, natural resource development, government and the transportation.

Demographics

Demographics are a major concern for any individual whether is it the population or the ethnic diversity because no one wants to encounter racial discrimination. Thus, Oklahoma is considered to be non-dangerous place for an international individual to study or to live in. Oklahoma is the home of the second largest Native American population after California (U.S Census Bureau). Oklahoma is the 28th most populous state in the United States in the population rate (U.S Census Bureau). The United States Census Bureau estimates that the population of Oklahoma was 3,814,820 on July 1, 2012, a 1.7% higher since the 2010 (U.S Census Bureau). In 2010, out of 579,999 Oklahomans lives in Oklahoma City and out of 391,906 Oklahomans lives in Tulsa, while 110,925 Oklahomans lives in Norman (U.S Census Bureau).

According to the 2010 United States census the racial and ethnic composition of Oklahoma was the following: 72.2% are Caucasian, 7.4% are African American, 8.6% are Native American, and 1.7% is Asian. According to The University of Tulsa website they have more than 900 students in undergraduate and graduate school from more than 50 countries all around the world. Also, the state’s name is derived from the Choctaw word sokla and humma, meaning “red people”, it is also known informally by its nickname, The Sooner State, honoring the European settlers, and the Indian Appropriations Act of 1889 which opened the door for white settlement in America’s Indian Territory (Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department).

Conclusion

To conclude, the state of Oklahoma is more than a great place to live in. It is one of the ten states with the lowest cost of living in the United States. The climate is considered to be one of the warmest, and having positive effect to the environment and the economy. In addition, it is the 28th most populous state in the United States in the population rate. Therefore, I believe that the state of Oklahoma is a state where the cost of living is affordable to anyone and where the climate is more that great for the people, environment and the economy is a great place to live in.

References
* 2010 Census Interactive Population Search. (n.d.). Census Bureau Homepage. Retrieved June 17, 2013, from http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=40 * 2010 Census Interactive Population Search. (n.d.). Census Bureau Homepage. Retrieved June 17, 2013, from http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=40 * Arndt, D.
(2003, January 17). The Climate of Oklahoma. OCS Climate Information Group. Retrieved June 17, 2013, from http://cig.mesonet.org/climateatlas/doc60.h * DeSenne, M. (n.d.). 10 Cheapest U.S. Cities to Live In-Kiplinger. Home Page–Personal Finance, Investing, and Business Forecasts-Kiplinger. Retrieved June 17, 2013, from http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/real-estate/T006-S001-10-cheapest-u-s-cities-to-live-in/index.html * ESRL: PSD: United States Climate page: Displays various climatological information . (n.d.). NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory. Retrieved June 17, 2013, from http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/psd/data/usclimate/ * Economic Data – Oklahoma Department of Commerce. (n.d.). Home – Oklahoma Department of Commerce. Retrieved June 17, 2013, from http://okcommerce.gov/data-and-research/economic-data/ * Lowest Cost of Living in America – Cheapest Places to Live. (n.d.). Get Your Livability Score & Find The Best Places To Live – AreaVibes. Retrieved June 17, 2013, from http://www.areavibes.com/library/10-cities-lowest-cost-of-living/ * Schmidt, D. (n.d.). Moving – Why People Move – Moving and Relocating. Moving – Moving Companies – Movers – Moving and Relocating. Retrieved June 17, 2013, from http://moving.about.com/od/whymove/a/ti * Oklahoma Fast Facts and Trivia. (n.d.). 50states.com – States and Capitals. Retrieved June 17, 2013, from http://www.50states.com/facts/okla.htm#.Ub1Bcfmj29F * Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. (n.d.). Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. Retrieved June 17, 2013, from http://www.oklatourism.gov/ * Oklahoma’s Official Web Site. (n.d.). Oklahoma’s Official Web Site. Retrieved June 17, 2013, from http://www.ok.gov/