The largest city and capital of the Sooner state, Oklahoma City was established April 22, 1889 by over 10,000 adventurous participants in our country’s first Land Run. It is now a thriving, diverse southwestern city of over 1,200,000 residents in the metropolitan area. In 2008 Forbes magazine described Oklahoma City as “the nation’s most recession proof” city based on its low unemployment and industry growth rates. The area also has a national reputation for affordability as the cost of living statistics and housing index values show rates considerably below the national average.

Oil and natural gas production continue to be mainstays for the Oklahoma City economy. Its economic base has broadened to include aerospace and aviation, bioscience, health and service industries, and manufacturing. Major employers include Devon and Chesapeake energy companies, INTEGRIS Health, Dell, Tinker Air Force Base, Boeing, OU Health Sciences Center, Xerox, and United Parcel Service.

Oklahoma City area housing is not only very affordable but also diverse. From high rise inner-city lofts to suburban homes on spacious acreages, there are communities and neighborhoods to suit a wide variety of housing needs. Newly constructed homes are plentiful in suburban areas as well as charming older historical neighborhoods. While other parts of the country have experienced depreciating home values in 2009, the Oklahoma City real estate market remains steady.

Several Oklahoma City secondary schools have received national recognition and the area is home to 16 public and private colleges and universities including the state’s largest comprehensive universities Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma University.

A number of Oklahoma City areas feature arts and entertainment from theater to ballet. Numerous museums, national sporting events, the downtown Bricktown area, scenic Lake Hefner, multiple cultural opportunities, and a mild climate make Oklahoma City a great place to live and raise a family.