Lake Thunderbird

Norman Relocation Guide


The Norman, Oklahoma Relocation Guide

Located 14 miles south of Oklahoma City, Norman is a vibrant city in central Oklahoma and is home to the University of Oklahoma (OU). (BOOMER SOONER! ) The Sooners have several top-ranked athletic teams including football and softball. As a college town, Norman is a great place to live and work. Oklahoma weather changes every 15 minutes, so you’re never stuck with bad weather for too long! Planning a move to Norman or recently relocated here? Keep reading for everything you need to know about your new home!

Cost of living in Norman

The following data comes from BestPlaces’ profile of Norman:

  • Median Income: $50,714
  • Median Home Price: $237,200
  • Overall cost of living: 87 (lower than the U.S. average of 100)

Landmarks and Major Attractions

Norman’s history dates back to the late 19th century. In the time since its founding, Norman has grown from a small town to the nationally recognized home of the University of Oklahoma. It’s also part of the wider Oklahoma City metro area. As a college town, Norman offers great history and landmarks, as well as cultural attractions:

  • University of Oklahoma Athletics: Watch their top-ranked football team or national champion softball team in action, or buy tickets to other OU sports.
  • The University of Oklahoma: Learn about on-campus experiences to visit this beloved institution.
  • The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art: Founded in 1936 and affiliated with the university, the museum of art holds over 20,000 objects in its permanent collection including French Impressionism, 20th-century American art, contemporary Native American artwork, Asian art, and more.
  • National Weather Museum & Science Center: A place to learn about weather and science in Norman, created by scientists and community leaders.
  • Lake Thunderbird: Features water activities and recreation with two marinas, nine boat ramps, and two swim beaches. You can also check out the Discovery Cove Nature Center and equestrian trails.
  • Downtown Norman: Enjoy shopping, dining, arts, and entertainment in historic downtown Norman.
  • The Sooner Theatre: This historic landmark offers a variety of performing arts shows and arts education.
  • Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History: A natural history museum located on the campus of the University of Oklahoma. The museum was founded in 1899 by an act of the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature.
  • Heyday Entertainment: Oklahoma’s best family entertainment center with bowling, laser tag, mini golf and more! Perfect for corporate events, team building and birthday parties.
  • Firehouse Art Center: Founded in 1970, “The Firehouse” is home to highly professional working visual arts studios, adult and youth art education programming, a permanent gift shop, and a dedicated exhibition gallery space.
  • Annual Norman Music Fest: A free, independent music festival in downtown Norman, Oklahoma. NMF spans two nights and one full day and night of music and arts.
  • Norman Medieval Fair: Held annually since 1977, this living history fair features educational exhibits, arts, crafts, food, games, demonstrations, and ongoing entertainment at seven stages.

Many community events can be found through the City of Norman’s event calendar.

Local Food and Dining

Oklahomans love the land and local food grown on it. In Norman, you can support local farmers year round at the Norman Farmers Market. Visit Norman’s restaurant scene to enjoy local favorites such as chicken-fried steak, Indian tacos, fried-onion burgers, and barbecue.

For breakfast, lunch or Tex-Mex meals, stop by The Diner open 7 days a week for a low-key, family-fun diner. 

Other notable Oklahoma culinary specialties include:

  • Pepe Delgados
  • Benvenuti’s
  • Legend's Restaurant
  • Victoria’s Pasta Shop
  • Othello’s Italian Restaurant
  • Tarahumara’s Mexican Café & Cantina
  • Midway Grocery & Market
  • Van’s Pig Stand - Norman
  • Juan Del Fuegos 

Parks and Recreation

The City of Norman Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to providing fun and engaging parks and recreational activities for the citizens of Norman. Highlights include the Westwood Family Aquatic Center, Westwood Tennis Center, Westwood Golf Course, Young Family Athletic Center, Andrews Park, Ruby Grant Park and the Senior Wellness Center. 

Jobs and Industries

OU is the heart of Norman and also its largest employer. Other major employers in the area include Norman Regional Health System, Norman Public Schools, Riverwind Casinos and Johnson Controls, a company that produces fire, HVAC, and security equipment for buildings.

Major industries in Norman include higher education, healthcare, and manufacturing. Norman has also seen growing interest from Engineering, Tech, and Biotech companies.

Check out the following resources for more on Norman’s economic opportunities:

Primary and Higher Education

As a college town, educational opportunities are everywhere in Norman!

Healthcare

Norman Regional Health System is an award-winning, multi-campus system that offers a variety of health and wellness services, including Emergency Services, specialty centers, and more.

Transportation and Getting Around

As part of the Oklahoma City metro area, Norman offers a variety of transportation options. With newer roads and highways built in the age of the automobile, getting around by car is also fast and easy.

Home Utilities

Contact the following companies to establish utility service in your new home:

Community Organizations

As a longtime community bank, we believe that getting involved with community organizations is a great way to help out and meet people in your new home.