Lawton, OK: Would you want to live there?

[Boondocker]

I am considering applying for a position in Lawton, Oklahoma. Anyone familar with the area? Would it be a good place to live? I am looking for all kinds of input on the area thanks.

[ScottW]

Gen,
Have you actually looked on a map to see where Lawton, OK is? Scares me!
Best of luck to ya.

[Fyrzowt]

Originally Posted by ScottW

Gen,
Have you actually looked on a map to see where Lawton, OK is? Scares me!
Best of luck to ya.

What exactly scares you??

[myoung]

Ah, Lawton. I spent two months there at Fort Sill learning how to call artillery fire. Great training. Never had to do any physical exercise because of the heat. That was back in 1969. In August, it reached over 100 every day with a high of 112, as I recall. Every night it dropped to say 98 and we welcomed the cool temp. It's funny what your body can get used to.

I suppose I shouldn't knock the heat. After all, we are moving from Marin County, California, to Goodyear, Arizona, where the temps in June, July, and August and even in a few other months routinely go over 100. The difference is that we will use our Airstream during the summer months to travel elsewhere and we'll also have air conditioning in AZ, something that was lacking in the Army.

[azflycaster]

I remember Lawton from the late 60's as well. My brother was stationed at Fort Sill and I was stationed at Sheppard AFB in Texas. Lawton was an army town with alot of bars and pawn shops. I don't remember it being a very nice place back then.

[codybear]

Originally Posted by myoung

The difference is that we will use our Airstream during the summer months to travel elsewhere and we'll also have air conditioning in AZ, something that was lacking in the Army.

Hi Mike,

Does that mean you'll come and visit us in Sacramento

[Melody Ranch]

Its almost Panhandle...either Texas or Oklahoma. Ft. Sill is a BIG Army base....historic. The hills to the North are awsome...they call 'em mountains...but they are not.
Its flat evrywhere else.
Its hot and dry in the summers.
Its cold and windy in the winters.
Its an Army town.....not a Western town as many would suppose.
Wichita Falls is more civilized...and thats not saying much..A nice college and even some arts events. An hour away.
I guarranty you will see lots of tornados and big hail events.
When Ft. Sill tore down the historic Calvary stables, built in the 1800's, I went up there and bought the salvage rock and hardware to build my house from. Story is that Geronimo was held in that building. I am still looking for
his graffiti (sp) scratched in the rock face.
Bureau of Indian Affairs is still there.
If I had a choice I would not move there....but, a good place to visit.

[soldiermedic]

Hmmmm...

Been to Fort Sill in Lawton many times. I know many people who are stationed there. I will be honest in saying that there isn't really alot of stuff to do in this part of the great plains. It is hot, dry, boring, did I mention hot? There is history and a Commanche Nation casino nearby though.

If you will be constantly knee deep in work, and won't have to worry about never getting out then you may be ok. I personally couldn't do it since I like having things to do available to me.

Steve

[carnegie1935]

Lawton has more to offer than pure military. Yes it is basically an Army town.
I have cousins that love it there. I was raised about 60 miles northwest of Lawton and it is sure hot in summer and cold in winter. Okla city isn't far away and it is an easy daytrip. There is some good fishing lakes nearby in the preserve. If the job is a good one and could be a stepping stone to a better one later. GO FOR IT. You might like it. There is good and bad about every area of this good old USA. It just all depends on your personal choices. I wouldn't want to live in CA due to the earthquakes. nor FL. due to the huricanes. I bake in the humidity here in the Houston area. I have noticed that you have been traveling about the country some in the past year. Maybe you have found a climate or sceanic area. you prefer. I say follow your instints about if it is a great job or just a getby.

Good luck on what you finally decide is right for you.

Kay

[emdubyadee]

I lived in Lawton for many years and still have family in the area. It is not a bad place to live!

PM me if you like and I can answer all your questions by email. I know most everything about Lawton.

[63air]

I was stationed at Ft Sill in Lawton in '70 and '71 ; the Army then relocated me to Viet Nam. I liked Viet Nam better than Lawton. The locals were friendlier and the scenery and weather were better.

[Boondocker]

Thanks for all the responses, sounds like a love it or hate it kind of place. Anyone else want to weigh in?

[yukionna]

Originally Posted by emdubyadee

I lived in Lawton for many years and still have family in the area. It is not a bad place to live!

PM me if you like and I can answer all your questions by email. I know most everything about Lawton.

Can you post your comments in this thread too? It would be great to hear another point of view on this.

[Boondocker]

Well, I am in Lawton on a visit right now. They have extended an offer and I have promised an answer in the morning. Now, what do I tell them when we chat in the morning........

[Mel]

So, what did you tell them?

[safari57]

Yeah, what did you decide? This is exciting. Hurricanes, hail, heat, cold, wind - wow, you would certainly not get bored with the weather from the sound of it - just wait a minute and it will be doing something else.

Good luck with your choide. Regardless of what you decide to do, you'll make it work.

We moved to the coast from the Canadian prairies almost 20 years ago and can't believe we waited so long to do so it is so nice here. Yet friends moved from here back to there and although we think they are nuts, they love it and wouldn't come back this way except on holidays.
Barry

[yukionna]

Originally Posted by safari57

Yeah, what did you decide? This is exciting. Hurricanes, hail, heat, cold, wind - wow, you would certainly not get bored with the weather from the sound of it - just wait a minute and it will be doing something else.

It sounds like you are talking about the weather in New England!

[safari57]

Originally Posted by yukionna

It sounds like you are talking about the weather in New England!

It's why we now live on the west coast of Canada - we like change, but keep it within reason. I thought you guys had four kinds of weather, hot, cooling, really cold, and warming. Here we have dry, wet, load the boats with 2 of every creature, and mostly wet . I've grown accustomed to web feet - it sure makes wearing flip-flops a challenge though.

Barry

[jump]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

Its almost Panhandle...either Texas or Oklahoma. Ft. Sill is a BIG Army base....historic. The hills to the North are awsome...they call 'em mountains...but they are not.
Its flat evrywhere else.
Its hot and dry in the summers.
Its cold and windy in the winters.
Its an Army town.....not a Western town as many would suppose.
Wichita Falls is more civilized...and thats not saying much..A nice college and even some arts events. An hour away.
I guarranty you will see lots of tornados and big hail events.
When Ft. Sill tore down the historic Calvary stables, built in the 1800's, I went up there and bought the salvage rock and hardware to build my house from. Story is that Geronimo was held in that building. I am still looking for
his graffiti (sp) scratched in the rock face.
Bureau of Indian Affairs is still there.
If I had a choice I would not move there....but, a good place to visit.

I must have missed the part about there being stables at Calvary. And I can't imagine how Geronimo could have possibly been around that area.

But I can tell you that Lawton is a nice town with nice people.

Hebrews 12: v1,2

[Boondocker]

Nothing is set in stone, but it looks like I will be in OK this fall.