(Oklahoma is a wonderful, incredible state filled with charming small towns and awesome big cities. I love this state in every way possible. But even still, there are some features of specific places that are the opposite of awesome. Hopefully, this is where we can detail some of those issues.)
I absolutely adore Norman. Like I love it. I know I said pretty much the exact same thing about Mustang, but that's mainly because that's my hometown. I've lived in Norman for the last five years and if it were possible, I think I'd stay forever. If someone were moving to Oklahoma and they asked me, "Where should I live?" I'd say Norman before they even finished their sentence. Why you ask? Norman has probably the best restaraunt in the state in Tarahumara. Its got its own mall, its got a ton of other wonderful places to eat (Van's, Iron Starr, all of Ed Noble Parkway, Cafe Plaid, O'Connell's), its got a Super Target, its got Campus Corner and its got a dollar movie theater. (Hey, for a college kid on a date, I'm totally willing to see The Proposal four months late for a dollar.) It's only a short drive from downtown OKC and pretty much as far as it can be from Edmond (I kid, I kid... kind of).
However, just like any town, Norman ain't perfect. It's darn close to it, but not quite there. And for you Cowboys giggling amongst each other, Norman doesn't suck because that's where OU is (harf harf harf). It's the best town in the state, but again, let me highlight a few sucky things, because you know, that's the whole point of this.
It's misting? Start building an ark. Norman floods. It just does. When it rains, the streets fill up like somebody busted a fire hydrant nearby. If you have any dreams of driving down Berry after a little rain shower, I recommend you put on some trunks and just swim down it instead. Ironically, one of the streets that never seems to fill up is actually Flood (SEE THE IRONY THERE?), but there are multiple roads that you need a canoe to get down if someone were to spit on it.
Choo-choo. I know other towns still have trains going through them, but surely nobody has one as consistent as Norman. A train cuts through at least once every half hour. Yes, it's obnoxious with the loud noises and all. But what sucks about trains is that if you get stuck waiting on one, you're therefore forced to count the cars - even if you don't want to - which will result in giving you a pounding headache from trying to follow the cars as the zip by. (Also, I've actually heard that 90 percent of the time, the train through Norman is carrying toxic waste and if it were to derail, Norman would have to be evacuated IMMEDIATELY. Think about THAT next time you hear the whistle in the distance as you go to sleep.)