Buddy is an engineer with SWN and not thrilled. I'd sure think recruiting and keeping talent is more difficult in OKC than Houston. Guess we'll see how long before he has to decide what to do

GarlandAg2012 said:

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Buddy is an engineer with SWN and not thrilled. I'd sure think recruiting and keeping talent is more difficult in OKC than Houston. Guess we'll see how long before he has to decide what to do

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Synergies….all about synergies. CHK has been ramping back up over the last few years.

aston158 said:

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CHK-SWN official....that escalated quickly

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Not really. News hit in October that they were in talks for a potential merger.

I think this is a good deal.

OKC isnt a bad town, you get more bang for your buck and the CHK office complex is super nice.

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/11/ship-hijacked-in-gulf-of-oman-changes-course-for-iran-waters.html

OKC is a great family town. It is however tougher to recruit for the college grads.

cajunaggie08 said:

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Daytona22 said:

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aston158 said:

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any thoughts on who the surviving entity would be in a CHK-SWN merger, and where the HQ would be (OKC or Houston)?

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Looks like from the release they will have headquarters in OKC with a marketing wing in Houston.

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Thats a lot of building there off of I45 just for marketing. I imagine they don't own the building and will just use the space until the lease runs up.

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Already on the market.

https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/united-states/properties/for-lease/office/tx/spring/10000-energy-drive-600s/s117325021s120026123-l

https://cityplacenow.com/whats-here/10000-energy-drive/

https://10000energydrive.com/home

MasonB said:

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I was a reluctant transplant to OKC a little over a decade ago.

Moving up I kept thinking "what the hell am I doing?"

Three months in I started asking myself "what took me so long?" and haven't stopped asking since.

It's been great for me and my family. Everyone has different priorities and preferences and I have known a few families that can't wait to get out of here (usually political uncomfortableness), but most of the transplants I know have great appreciation for the quality of life here.

Happy to visit with anyone that is getting offered relocation here and share my experiences and tips.

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Political uncomfortableness? Wow…very thin skinned. I had an opportunity to move to Denver years ago and that was the last thought on my mind. Hell, I lived in NOLA for 10 years!!! The whackiest political seen you could imagine.

nu awlins ag said:

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MasonB said:

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I was a reluctant transplant to OKC a little over a decade ago.

Moving up I kept thinking "what the hell am I doing?"

Three months in I started asking myself "what took me so long?" and haven't stopped asking since.

It's been great for me and my family. Everyone has different priorities and preferences and I have known a few families that can't wait to get out of here (usually political uncomfortableness), but most of the transplants I know have great appreciation for the quality of life here.

Happy to visit with anyone that is getting offered relocation here and share my experiences and tips.

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Political uncomfortableness? Wow…very thin skinned. I had an opportunity to move to Denver years ago and that was the last thought on my mind. Hell, I lived in NOLA for 10 years!!! The whackiest political seen you could imagine.

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Louisiana is interesting political wise, but so are most major cities around the country. Definity not unique in corruption and organized crime.

Compared to OKC, NOLA is way different.

Well, I'm not going to wade too deep into political psychology.

I'll just say my observations. I have friends across the political spectrum here. Oklahoma is a very red state, but the native blues function fine even if frustrated at times.

The families that I can think of that have been vocal about not liking it here all share one thing in common - they moved here from a deep blue place (Chicago, Minneapolis, Portland, etc). They have either left here are talk about it often and only cite political issues/culture.

They seem to be the exception.

I know a lady from NYC that is heavily involved in liberal activism and she moved here dragging her heels the whole way. She is able to separate out her political world with seeing her kids thrive here and she loves it here (aside from disagreeing with the politics).

None of this is meant to weigh in on politics - just trying to explain that is the one thing I see SOME transplants struggle with the most.

Well…that and their first tornado season. By season three they are timing runs to the grocery store between warnings.

MasonB said:

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Well, I'm not going to wade too deep into political psychology.

I'll just say my observations. I have friends across the political spectrum here. Oklahoma is a very red state, but the native blues function fine even if frustrated at times.

The families that I can think of that have been vocal about not liking it here all share one thing in common - they moved here from a deep blue place (Chicago, Minneapolis, Portland, etc). They have either left here are talk about it often and only cite political issues/culture.

They seem to be the exception.

I know a lady from NYC that is heavily involved in liberal activism and she moved here dragging her heels the whole way. She is able to separate out her political world with seeing her kids thrive here and she loves it here (aside from disagreeing with the politics).

None of this is meant to weigh in on politics - just trying to explain that is the one thing I see SOME transplants struggle with the most.

Well…that and their first tornado season. By season three they are timing runs to the grocery store between warnings.

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That's where accountability comes in. All the "social" aspects they bring in have a cost. When you have to earn it as opposed just given, they don't like it.

I can confirm OKC is a great place. Love being here. The pace of life, cost of living, friendly people, and minimal traffic make it enjoyable.

The drawbacks are schools, state income tax, and no HEB

AverageJones said:

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Any guesses on the new name? ChesWestern sounds pretty fun

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PeakWestern

John Wayne silhouette was the logo.

So Encana Part XVI?

SouthwestPeak
PeakWest

I haven't lived in Houston or OKC, but I don't see a big advantage to either place. I know several people in O&G both places and they both seem to have their minor advantages and disadvantages. Employees either place probably won't be excited to be transferred to the other, but I doubt there will be an exodus like you would see if people were forced to relocate to Midland.

I know people who were assigned relocations to Houston and OKC and all seem to be doing well. The trick to OKC seems to be living in Edmond.

CheapPeakeN

Traffic in H-town is 20 times worse than OKC. Different strokes for different folks….schools in Katy and in the Woodlands are great.

I don't think anyone is saying OKC isn't a good place to live.

But part of the things that make it a great place to live are precisely why I think Houston is a better place from a getting and retaining talent perspective.

OKC traffic is light because not as many people live there. Not as many people living there means smaller pool of potential employees.

I mean there is a reason the population of Houston is what it is, and it's not because of our amazing climate.

I never said OKC is a BAD place to live. I'd rather live there than in Houston and would rather live in NOLA again as well. The three things that make it livable are access to schools, jobs and medical care. I've lived in Katy for 18 years and would live in most places outside of Houston any day of the week. Once my youngest gets out of school, we will move…..

OKC is a great place period. Again, different strokes for different folks. I didn't take anything negative by your take. I just found it odd that political climate would be an issue. I've never really lived in a place that aligns with my political views.

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The trick to OKC seems to be living in Edmond.

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That is the safe, easy bet. There are some great Edmond neighborhoods at various price points east of I-35 that make for an easy commute to the CHK campus, but you can find good neighborhoods in several places in Edmond. Edmond schools are very good public schools and there are some private school options there as well.

Just south ofEdmond there is an area called Oakdale with some really great neighborhoods. They have their own school district for elementary and middle school that is top notch. High school feeds into Edmond Memorial which has great rankings. And the commute is a little closer.

Deer Creek is just west of Edmond and gets a lot of attention, too. It's not as scenic - flatter and less trees - and getting to the major arteries is a bit harder. But good schools and a lot of bang for your buck housing wise. Lots of neighborhoods have big lot sizes and nice amenities.

OKC itself has some nice areas, some really close to the CHK campus. There are some neat historical neighborhoods between CHK and downtown. Private schools usually factor in at these places and there are a number of really good ones - Bishop McGuiness, Casaday, and Heritage Hall are all highly regarded.

The homeschool community is huge here. We do that route. Lots of resources and options.

Downtown OKC and surroundings have absolutely exploded with young apartment lifestyle living. The new graduate scene is way improved over the last 10 years.

And if you want a more rural setting, you don't have to go too far out to get some nice property and keep a reasonable commute. Luther, Jones and Arcadia will have some options, as well as pockets in east Edmond. Guthrie is old town Oklahoma with an interesting vibe. Folks looking for a good spot to be left alone might be attracted to it. It's in Logan County and not as heavily regulated, if that is an attraction for you.

Norman isn't a crazy commute if you want to live in a college town. It wasn't for us, but there are plenty who go that route.

New turnpike construction east of the OKC metro is going to open up a lot of areas.

Edmond is about 45 minutes from either OSU or OU campus, so access to collegiate athletics and cultural events isn't bad.

So, yes, Edmond has a lot going for it, but there are other good options, too, depending on your stage in life and your priorities.

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I think I contributed to the discourse on OKC in a negative light

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I didn't take it that way.

Distance from family is definitely a factor. OKC flights to IAH and Hobby are plentiful, but that definitely isn't the same as hopping in a car and seeing them in an hour or less. Especially with elderly parents or with kids seeing grandparents.

Totally understandable.

GarlandAg2012 said:

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Of course earning a living is a huge factor, but a job isn't enough for everyone to relocate. I wouldn't want to be looking for a job right now though, even with a nice severance package.

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Family can always stay here and he rent a house up there while he looks for another job. They'd probably let him work from Houston Friday through Monday or something.

AgLA06 said:

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GarlandAg2012 said:

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Of course earning a living is a huge factor, but a job isn't enough for everyone to relocate. I wouldn't want to be looking for a job right now though, even with a nice severance package.

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Family can always stay here and he rent a house up there while he looks for another job. They'd probably let him work from Houston Friday through Monday or something.

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Yeah he got some info today that sounds like it will work out well for him but it's still very early.