"Yes I was greeted in Enid last night. / That old Oklahoma hospitality was really nice, 'cause my girl walked out in cow-town and left me high and dry / But I was trapped down and loved on site. / Oh those Sooner folks are alright. / I was greeted in Enid last night." (Hank Williams Jr., “Greeted in Enid”)
Named after a character in Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem Idylls of the King, Enid has always defied expectations. It seems to continually show up in movies and novels in one form or another, including The Grapes of Wrath, Twister, Dillinger, Crazy Heart and the Left Behind series, yet it's sleepy enough that you may not have ever heard of it. And that's just how the residents prefer it. It continually lands on "best places" lists, such as Reader's Digest (Best Place to Raise a Family), Inc. (Top Small Cities for Doing Business) and Good Morning America (Up and Coming Areas).
On the eastern edge of the Great Plains in Northwestern Oklahoma, Enid had a pivotal role in the Land Run of 1893
"Yes I was greeted in Enid last night. / That old Oklahoma hospitality was really nice, 'cause my girl walked out in cow-town and left me high and dry / But I was trapped down and loved on site. / Oh those Sooner folks are alright. / I was greeted in Enid last night." (Hank Williams Jr., “Greeted in Enid”)
Named after a character in Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem Idylls of the King, Enid has always defied expectations. It seems to continually show up in movies and novels in one form or another, including The Grapes of Wrath, Twister, Dillinger, Crazy Heart and the Left Behind series, yet it's sleepy enough that you may not have ever heard of it. And that's just how the residents prefer it. It continually lands on "best places" lists, such as Reader's Digest (Best Place to Raise a Family), Inc. (Top Small Cities for Doing Business) and Good Morning America (Up and Coming Areas).
On the eastern edge of the Great Plains in Northwestern Oklahoma, Enid had a pivotal role in the Land Run of 1893. While today's economy is diverse and a large number of residents are military that are stationed at Vance Air Force Base just south of the town, its economic foundation was oil, gas and agriculture. Even today it is known as the Wheat Capital for the sheer amount of wheat stored in town.
Moving to Enid
Rent will vary depending on the area of the city you choose and whether you're moving into a house, apartment or townhome. It should only take you a week or two to search for and secure an apartment lease. You won't find a lot of all-utilities paid apartments, so don't forget to factor in around an extra few hundred a month for utilities.
Paperwork for the Hunt
Proof of income (anywhere from 1-1/2 to 2 times the rent amount is usually required) will definitely need to be shown before you can get approved for an apartment. This can be in the form of either paycheck stubs or a letter of employment. If you will be moving with a pet, don't forget to factor in paying a pet deposit in addition to a security deposit, each of which can tack on an extra few hundred dollars to your move-in total. Showing pet health records can also go a long way towards making sure Fido isn't the reason you're denied your perfect pad.
Neighborhoods of Enid
Enid is divided up into several distinct neighborhoods, some of which are popular with renters. The dollar signs shown below represent the relative rental prices, with the more dollar signs (five is the possible max), the higher the rent.
Blanton: On the northwest edge of town, Blanton is a suburban oasis of large homes (with even larger yards) and big apartment complexes. Vacancies in Blanton aren't plentiful, so if you have your eye on this neighborhood, be prepared to plop your money down the day you look at the empty place. $$$
Breckenridge: East of downtown, the prices in this neighborhood make it ideal for singles or those just out of school. Once you realize that you won't find apartment complexes here with huge fitness centers or on-site car washes, you'll likely be happy you're not paying monthly for amenities you would never use anyway. $
Imo: The area west of Imo Road may lack charm, but at least you won't have to drive far to reach big box stores like Lowe's and WalMart. For renters, townhomes dominate, with most units having either 2 or 3 bedrooms. $$$$
Waverly: Explore this historic district through walking tours, ghost tours or by just visiting the historic places on your own. Some of the stately grand homes -- once owned by the state's wealthiest residents -- have been turned into apartment homes that just ooze with charm. And in Enid, charm can be found for pretty cheap. $$
Living in Enid
Enid is the kind of place that still has a drive-in showing current Hollywood blockbusters every night. Not in the mood for a movie? Then head over to the banjo museum or take in a concert at the Enid Symphony Orchestra. Parks, botanical gardens and jogging trails will get you out of the house and enjoying the city's pleasant year-round weather. Just keep an eye out on the weather report -- you are living in Tornado Alley, after all. Learn what to do in case of a storm, such as the difference between a watch and a warning, where the safest spot in your house is and what emergency provisions you should keep on hand.
Learning your way around a new town is always challenging, but luckily Enid is the perfect size -- it's large enough to have a unique culture and atmosphere, but it's still small enough to have the charm of a small town. You'll soon consider Enid home!
