To me, Norman, Oklahoma is a city unlike any other. It was the place where I was born, and also where I lived, where I went to school, and where I went to church until I was eight when my family and I moved north to Oklahoma City. I'm going to share my top favorite things about my hometown and how it's more than just a college town.
5. Location, Location, Location
Norman is ideally located in central Oklahoma off of I-35, south of Moore and Oklahoma City. I-35 has been a major impact to Norman in so many good ways. In my family's situation, being in Norman meant that numerous car trips were going to OKC for many purposes. Whether it was my dad going to work, the family heading to Downtown OKC, or my grandma, mom, and I going to the mall(s), I-35 provided the way.
4. People
One thing that certainly makes a city like Norman is the people. Growing up in Norman, we didn't see ourselves as agreeing with each other on everything but loving each other despite that. Of course, that is a part of what makes the Oklahoma Standard. On occasion, you might see your fellow church member or even a neighbor at the Sooner Mall or the grocery store.
3. Diversity
Diversity, in many aspects, is what makes Norman the inclusive community in the state. Like many places, there are people of many faiths, including Baptists, Lutherans, Episcopalians (shout out to Saint Michael's!), and of course non-Christians. Norman is, at best, a moderate city. What makes Norman so special is that tradition and compassion weave together perfectly.
2. The "Mile of Cars"
If you ever pass through Norman, you'd probably notice many things to sightsee and do in the city just by driving on I-35. One thing that may stick out to you is what the city's car dealerships call "The Mile of Cars," implying that the car dealerships go on for a mile. Admittedly, the car commercials make me want to pull my hair out, but the nice thing in Norman is that you have a range of options to choose from. At least you don't have to drive all the way to OKC to try to find a car.
1. University of Oklahoma
The number one on my list has to go to the one and only University of Oklahoma. Whether you happen to grab a bite to eat at Campus Corner or go to a football game, OU really is where it's at. The main reason why OU is number one on my list is that it was the main reason why my family and I ended up in Oklahoma. Like many colleges and universities, you can tell what OU is like by just observing the students. After the unspeakable SAE incident, OU students came together as a way to resolve, instead of furthering the divide.
Even though the word "university" is a combination of the words unity and diversity, I like to say that it is a universe city, and OU is no exception to that. Many people have attended this campus and have impacted Oklahoma as well as the world, including former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts (R), and former U.S. Senator and Oklahoma Governor David Boren (D), who is the current President of OU.
