America's Most Boring Towns: 1

Chris Erb: 19th Jun 2006 - 17:47 GMT

This place looks just awful. Why were you there? How big is the city?

Scott Sargent: 19th Jun 2006 - 17:59 GMT

I wasn't there long. Just passing through on the interstate, actually. I ate at the first Denny's for dinner, the second Denny's for breakfast the next day, and the bottom two shots are the front and back of the budget motel I stayed overnight at.

Here is Google's map of the place:
maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=Norman,+OK

I took alot of purposefully boring shots of the really boring places I passed through. I'll post more if that's ok.

Editor:: 19th Jun 2006 - 18:19 GMT

since you appear to be doing a series, i changed the titles of your recent posts to reflect that. hope thats ok... it adds a sense of continuity, and will later allow readers to view your series more easily as it gets burried in newer posts.

EvilGentleman: 19th Jun 2006 - 19:32 GMT

On May 3, 1999, the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Norman recorded data from the world's fastest tornado, which passed a few miles NW of here. www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/storms/19990503/

Guess it's not always boring in these parts, and it might help explain a lot of the bland architecture. Who wants to waste money building complicated facades in the heart of Tornado Alley? Even the overhanging A-frame roofs are a bit of a gamble, considering that the highest winds ever recorded on the face of the Earth were just a few miles from here.

EvilGentleman: 19th Jun 2006 - 21:02 GMT

Chris Erb, I have to ask:
Is the "Erb Settlement" located just to the southeast of Norman, NB where you got the Erb in your name? Are you actually "Chris from Erb Settlement"?

EvilGentleman: 19th Jun 2006 - 21:03 GMT

oops, I commented on the wrong page. dayum.

Chris Erb: 19th Jun 2006 - 22:35 GMT

My dad lives about 15 minutes from Erb Settlement but my family is actually from Saint John. I actually don't think any Erbs live in Erb Settlement but I'm not 100% sure.

I used to get asked that a lot when I lived in Sussex. Now that I'm in Fredericton, nobody knows nor cares where Erb Settlement is.

EvilGentleman: 19th Jun 2006 - 22:55 GMT

But one way or another, you are naturally suited to "Erban photography"

Chris Erb: 21st Jun 2006 - 03:15 GMT

haha, throughout high school I heard every way possible to change my last name into other words or phrases ("Erban legend" and "Erbs and spices" come immediately to mind). You have succeeded in finding a brand new one. Bravo!

anon (ip68-97-53-138.ok.ok.cox.net): 29th Jun 2006 - 23:16 GMT

Norman's really not that bad. As far as OK towns are concerned, I do prefer Tulsa, but Norman has a lot more going for it than the pictures you posted. That building is along the highway and doesn't reflect the style of the downtown or campus area, which are collectively considered the "heart of Norman". Most of our buildings on campus and downtown are done in the Cherokee Gothic style, which I think is quite nice. We have a wonderful natural history museum that has one of the largest vertebrate paleontology collections in the world, as well as an extensive collection of plains indian artifacts. The Fred Jones, Jr. art museum also has some important collections (I don't feel like typing them all - but you can look it up). The Jones buildings are pretty cool as well, as they look like glass and stone huts connected by small passageways.
We actually have an interesting architectural history, as Bruce Goff was a professor at OU and designed several homes and buildings around campus. Norman is home to The Bavinger House, which is pretty freakin' awesome, although I wish the house was willed to the town as a historical site because it is rather neglected. There is a street near campus that is referred to as Architect Alley. It is where the architecture dean and professors (including Goff) from the 60's built their houses and lived. Barry Switzer is one of the current residents of Architect Alley, although he unfortunately built a mansion in a style that doesn't go well with the funky 60's modern houses that line the street.
If you're interested in that sort of thing, Norman is a great place for football fans. I really don't care about that, though, so don't know about all of the benefits of living in a big football town.
Norman is also the birthplace of great bands like The Flaming Lips, The Chainsaw Kittens, the Starlight Mints, Glue, Forty Minutes of Hell, etc. We have a pretty cool musical history. It's not Austin, but still not bad for this part of the country.
We have a low crime rate and housing costs are fairly low compared to the rest of the country (but not state - OK's pretty cheap overall). Norman could be more diverse, but you can get Thai, Indian, and Carribean food and sushi and pho and really good Mexican food (not that tex-mex cheesy crap).
So, yes, your pictures do make Norman look incredibly boring. It's too bad you didn't know anyone here to visit who could have taken you around town.
Despite the low crime rate, I have to tell you that a murder occurred at that motel about a week before your post. A pretty rare occurrence, though.

Chris Erb: 30th Jun 2006 - 00:17 GMT

There appears to be a trend starting. Post after post, residents of Scott Sargent 's boring towns are coming out and declaring that their towns are not indeed as boring as he depicts them.

Scott Sargent: 30th Jun 2006 - 00:45 GMT

Imagine that! Whomever you are, wherever you are is where its at, non? People are naturally defensive. Go Figure. I mean, Norman, Oklahoma. Seriously. Its nice that someone surfed in, though, really. I do sincerely appreciate new perspectives.

But yes, that was part of the goal. Ergo the extensive Googling and tagging on each entry :-D

Chris Erb: 30th Jun 2006 - 01:33 GMT

This town sounds quite interesting actually. I hope he/she posts some pictures of it in another post.

Ginny: 9th Jul 2006 - 18:51 GMT

dude I live near Norman and if is wasn't for this town everbody in the state would just sit at there house and be like "duh..... wat should we do? uh..........." it has alot to do you just weren't there long enough! P.s. you hotel was the worst one we have in norman and dennys is just nevr good

monster: 10th Jul 2006 - 17:36 GMT

norman oklahoma, just so you know, is the home of the flaming lips, the starlight mints, mainsite contemporary art, opolis productions and forward foods, just to name a few things. Not to forget the university of oklahoma and its many amenities; world class art museum, amazing engineering and energy departments...It is not the heart of tornado alley-moore is and in fact, according to native american legend, norman is a holy ground where it was considered safe from tornadoes for tribal meeting grounds- there has never a tonado that touched down in the norman city limits. they always go around or over. too bad for you that you were so boring yourself that you didn't venture in to find out that there was more to norman than the dennys.
i have travelled all over the world- the differences can be obvious... and know many folks from everywhere who say that they would not live and hold their home anywhere else but norman. wherever you are is where it is at, but you obviously should have stayed at the boutique hotel downtown instead of the residence inn.

Jan: 15th Jul 2006 - 17:45 GMT

"People are naturally defensive."

I think you enjoy that.

kerry: 15th Jul 2006 - 18:40 GMT

You are crazy if you think norman is boring,I live west of Denver now and would much rather live in norman.I've never lived in norman but lived about an hour north of it and went to norman every chance I would get.

Lauren: 19th Jul 2006 - 21:16 GMT

Norman is not boring. Perhaps to you, coming from a larger town where most people need an income upwards of $100,000 to afford cost of living and entertainment, this place seems boring. But if you go anywhere in the country and only stay in a crappy hotel connected to a Denny's of all places, you're going to be bored out of your skull. You should've actually explored the town a bit before you call it boring, but I'm sorry you didn't have a good time.

Sarah: 20th Jul 2006 - 16:24 GMT

I have grown up in Dallas... a not so boring town. I am attending OU and would like to tell you that you are not able to get the "life" of norman until you leave the interstate. Norman is more than you have seen, and I only know this because If you would have spent a few more days in the town, you would have loved it and it would not be on this list. The town is different, it is not Dallas, New York, or Miami but it is a great town that is full of things to do. Next time, you should prob stray away from the inerstate. No gold is found on a beaten path.

Karmen King: 23rd Aug 2006 - 19:40 GMT

Its not very smart to say that you "experienced" Norman in any way since you were never farther than 10 feet from the highway. You missed Reynolds Performing Arts Center, Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, Fred Jones Museum of Art, Barry Switzer Center, and some of the top college athletic programs in the nation. There is a number of clubs and bars, live music, spoken word poetry, many art galleries, clothing and shoe boutiques, places like our Hookah Bar, or the lake just down the road. We're minutes away from the NBA team in OKC, and have a million restaurants (unfortunately I haven't been able to hit Denny's yet). On top of all that you can do here the people are always nice (unless you're from UT) and you couldn't really expect more from a place with our population. Bet its way cooler than where you're from.

Cinderella: 15th Oct 2006 - 12:28 GMT

Well, Scotty-boy, how many towns have you visited that look less than seedy on the outskirts right next to the interstate? When I travel, I never choose the first motel I run across. Man, do you ever have lousy taste in restaurants and lodging! If you had actually ventured into the city, you might have had a much more enjoyable experience. But you couldn't bother. So, frankly, you come off as a supercilious jackass.

EvilGentleman: 15th Oct 2006 - 13:25 GMT

Judging from the responses to his articles, I would say that Scott Sargent has managed to piss off a lot of people with the "Most Boring Towns" series. I personally do not find it wise to use negative descriptions of other places on a regular basis, but perhaps Scott does not mind negative criticism.

In my own personal experiences, I have found that almost any place on earth has something interesting to offer, although all my travels have been restricted to North America. Even the smallest village can be quite fascinating if you just stop to appreciate the landscape, the local nature, and of course, talk to the locals.

Mind you, I have been bored to tears in a few places, but in each case, it was probably due to my being unable to find people who were willing to have a conversation with a stranger. Those places were:

1 - Detroit, Michigan - My negative experience was most likely due to the fact that every time I passed through Detroit, I seemed to always get lost in the same bad neighbourhood with even the gas stations secured like Fort Knox. Kind of hard to have a good time when you are nervous.

2 - Monterey, California - This city probably has some decent down-to-earth people, but damned if I could find any. The 100 or so that I saw glared at me like I was pond scum. I suspect the fact that I was not filthy rich may have had something to do with it, despite the fact that I was wearing a decent shirt and tie that day, and was driving a mid-rangecar that was a year old. Too rich for my blood.

3 - Rankin Inlet, Nunavut - This town of 2000 is a regional administrative center, and is the second-largest town in Nunavut, but I found the people there had become too used to strangers passing through, and thus they were cold and unwelcoming. It would have helped if I had known somebody there at the time, but I did not. I should note that many other people I know have gone there and had a fantastic time, but they usually already knew people who lived there.

In defense to Scott Sargent, it should be pointed out that this series of articles is a list of places that he finds boring, and if he was bored, he was bored. We cannot change that.

Possible theories why Scott was bored:

10 - Any place without tall buildings is boring to him
9 - Maybe he's always bored
8 - Or perhaps he simply tries to find the most boring aspect of things
7 - Nobody talks to him because they don't like him
6 - He finds the smell of farms boring
5 - He's only having a good time when dodging Yellow Cabs doing 100
4 - No parades when he arrives = boredom
3 - He tries to look for a good time at 5 AM
2 - Any place without street hookers is boring
And the #1 possible reason why Scott Sargent might find a town boring:
No gay village

Micah: 15th Oct 2006 - 14:37 GMT

Are you, by any chance EG, trying to be just ever-so-slightly incendiary? Shocking!

Susannah: 15th Oct 2006 - 18:19 GMT

I like Scott, I just don't understand what he's doing.

EvilGentleman: 15th Oct 2006 - 19:49 GMT

Moi? Incendiary? NAAAAH!!! That's about as likely as me being sarcastic. Besides, Scott seems to enjoy stirring up the natives, per se, so he should have a thick enough skin, that this should bounce off him. I actually don't dislike him, I just saw this opportunity for some disparaging humour at his expense, and being the wonderful nice guy I am (named EvilGentleman), I jumped on his bleeding carcass to entertain myself. I used to be oversensitive and get into a lot of stupid arguments. I have mostly grown beyond that now, but I still enjoy a good flame-job every now and then.

Sorry, Scott. But you know, if you keep painting a bullseye on your chest, some of us are gonna start chucking a few darts your way. :-)

Bru : 25th Dec 2006 - 22:20 GMT

Norman is boring, how many times can you go to the art histroy museum or natural science museum before it gets old. It may not be boring to someone who has never ventured out of norman, which appears to be 75% of residents.

OU professor: 11th Jan 2007 - 13:30 GMT

Norman is the best place to live in the state of Oklahoma! Screw anyone who says otherwise! I've lived here for fifteeen years

(in addition to several other places around the country) and I'm still learning about town! If that fool ever shows his face in norman again, he's going to get what's coming to him!

OU professor: 11th Jan 2007 - 13:31 GMT

OU professor: 11th Jan 2007 - 13:32 GMT

OU professor: 11th Jan 2007 - 13:33 GMT

OU professor: 11th Jan 2007 - 13:34 GMT

OU professor: 11th Jan 2007 - 13:41 GMT

Ohh, did I forget to mention that over 100,000 people live in Norman! And the Oklahoma metropolitan area, whch we are part of, has over 1,000,000 people! On top of that, a major living magazne recantly named norman one of the top forty places to live in he entire country! (don't critique me on spelling, I was born in england, so I spell a little different)

hgb: 12th Jan 2007 - 05:08 GMT

Well, I browsed through all of Scott's boring towns, and feel sad he missed the life of them, or missed any life at all! I moved to Norton, KS in 1969 and thought I had fallen off the edge of the Earth. I lived there for a whole year, which was difficult to do since KS was a "Dry" State at the time. So, I moved to Denver. During my two years in Denver, I missed Kansas and it's "boring environment." I returned, got married there, and moved to Hays,KS and went to Fort Hays State. Let me assure you, Scott, these towns are anything but "boring." Norman is full of more excitement than you can handle, mostly because it lacks egos like yours. Tonkowa, well, I think you need to discuss how you feel about the town with the Native Americans there who probably might have a dim view of you too. Salina? God, where did you get those pictures? Salina is a bustling City, bustling enough they filmed a movie there, and in fact, several movies have been filmed in Kansas. That's how boring we are. Belleville, the center of the United States, how boring can that be? I lived with my brother in Florida for three years; want to know what boring is? Live in Florida! Ego after ego. Naw, I think you need to get your camera and take the trip again, and really stick around with an open mind, and enjoy the people, the food, and a part of this Country that is vanishing.

Ex-Normanite: 22nd Jan 2007 - 18:25 GMT

This is great. I am from Norman and have not looked at pics for a while. That Denny's is the old Howard Johnson's. First, I would like to say that I like Norman and have fond memories of living there. That being said, it is boring. But I think that boring is part of the charm of Norman. I consider places with low crime, lack of murders and no drive-bys to boring. Come to think of it, I want boring and cheap houses. What a concept!

9400: 22nd Jan 2007 - 19:25 GMT

How can Norman be boring? This is the place that Barry Switzer and his gang of highly-paid football players terrorized the streets for years. Can someone say Uzi on a balcony?

GC: 26th Jan 2007 - 04:07 GMT

Thanks to the OU professor for adding pictures of the real Norman. Norman is a wonderful city that has a small town feel. However, Norman is a town that strives for excellence and is home to many intelligent classy people. It would stand to reason that the town would be full of places that are intellectually stimulating. Next time you are "passing through" try venturing through town if you are able to read a map to help you get back out.

Devon: 26th Jan 2007 - 06:41 GMT

wow. looks like you really sought some excitement - staying at a budget chain hotel and eating at an incredibly mediocre chain restaurant. way to explore your surroundings, bra.

Dustin H: 27th Feb 2007 - 07:38 GMT

I like how he won't comment back anymore. Good job defending your position Scott! I don't think Scott wanted to go further than a quarter mile into town, otherwise he would have run into some of the 30,000 college students that live here and could have shown him a good time. I mean come on, the economy around here thrives on the University, and college students like to spend money to have a good time. Therefor, places that offer a good time pop up. Simple supply and demand. But then again, if the only part of the town Scott visits is the part meant to cater to overnight travelers, then that's all he's going to experience.

NOT SURPRISED AT YOUR CYNICISM: 5th Mar 2007 - 20:39 GMT

You clearly passed through during the summer when all the college students are at home (or a break). Try going there anytime during the school year and good luck getting anywhere on those two lane roads. Traffic sucks 'cuase there are so many people. In fact, if you want proof that it is not a boring town, try any Saturday morning on a game day or any Thursday night for the shitloads of parties. I think you'll be surprised. It is not as bad as you depict it to be. Thanks for talking shit about something you do not know anything about. Way to be an ignorant moron.

iman: 4th Apr 2007 - 00:25 GMT

i'm glad i live in a fun town where people know how to live good. i am never moving to the south.

Just a thought...: 14th Apr 2007 - 13:18 GMT

I love Norman! I moved from Austin which is one of the most exciting towns I've ever been to, and Norman holds its own very well.

soonercel: 24th Apr 2007 - 19:18 GMT

Sorry you found Norman so boring. Norman is a great place to live. If you're looking for a broad spectrum city life, you'll have to go elsewhere. We do offer some city-like action, but by and large this is a place to raise a family and celebrate Oklahoma University and Sooner traditions.

Peter: 24th Apr 2007 - 19:23 GMT

is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that the only people arguing that norman isnt a boring place are people that are... from norman?

gingha: 2nd May 2007 - 23:40 GMT

i used to live in oklahoma city. the thing the makes norman, and the greater oklahoma city area seem lackluster is because of its relative regional proximity to the dallas/ft. worth area, and also because oklahomans are of one-track minds and will not support the introduction of major league sports because they are still gung-hoed out about their love for the sooners. they still rant and brag about the ou sooners taking a national championship...that was 7 years ago,.get over it already. (for the record, i had to move to dallas to get away from the oklahoma insanity of have my paycheck raped for state tax, scant jobs, rusted economy, failing highways and roads, and poverty.

chelsea: 6th May 2007 - 23:52 GMT

norman is a cool place. you took pictures of the same place like 5 times. you didn't get cool places like campus corner and the university. open your eyes, you'll see that norman is awesome.

J: 21st May 2007 - 20:42 GMT

I've been to Norman and didn't think it was too bad. Hell, it was better than Tulsa. Now there's a boring city...

Hahaha.: 25th May 2007 - 05:50 GMT

I love all of you who defended norman :)

I've lived here pretty much all my life, and it's not half bad. Is your opinion of an entertaining city someplace like Dallas? If so, your poor, dull soul won't find much here. But this place is full of neat little shops, cafes, boutiques, venues, etc...

It seems to me you really needed a town to rag on, and you saw Norman as convenient. Next time, check a place out, throughly, before jumping to conclusions based off of what you see from the damn interstate :)

have a great day!!!!!

oh dear...: 1st Jun 2007 - 06:14 GMT

iman: 4th Apr 2007 - 00:25 GMT

i'm glad i live in a fun town where people know how to live good. i am never moving to the south.

I just want to let iman know that Oklahoma is NOT in the South, it is the Midwest. Sorry bro.

And seriously, Norman is so boring, I mean looking out my window on a saturday afternoon and seeing 84,000 people in our stadium bores me to death. And having one of the most important collections of art at a public University in the world, that bores me to death. I really get bored of having a top ranking University...I mean, with 20,000 undergrad students, the nightlife can get seriously boring. I also get really bored of having the most international students of any University in the country..
Check out Wikipedia for other really boring facts about our 100 year history.
Oh yeah, and not to mention, having one of the most important pieces of modern architecture sitting in our town...BORING!
http://www.schildrotharchitect.com/images/Goff%20bavinger_house.jpg
Really, could Bruce Goff have given us a more boring structure?

Norman is not a boring little town, it is far from it, you just need to pull your head out of your arse. And seriously, find a better hotel next time, people don't even use that hotel to throw high school parties at...

Kari: 1st Jun 2007 - 07:15 GMT

What amazes me, seriously, is that this debate isn't just about Norman. It's about the sameness that we have spread across the US. The original set of photographs, honestly, could have been taken in almost any town or city in the US. We take a country full of unique landscapes, and we pave them over, build up the chain restaurants, big-box stores, and McMansions.

The original place is unrecognizable. We build monotonous rows of the exact same house, move into whichever of them, and call ourselves home. This isn't a place to call home, it's practically not even a place at all. It could be anywhere - it has no local character, nothing interesting or original about it. It's disturbing for me to think about it, endless square lots of families sitting around watching the same TV shows, eating the same processed foods, and not living out the un-boring lives that they desperately deserve. We could have filled this country with whatever we wanted to, and we chose to support one of the most hideous and un-human-friendly development models imaginable.

This isn't a place to call home, it's practically not even a place at all. It could be anywhere - it has no local character, nothing interesting or original about it. Yes, I know, every town still has a few special places or stories to call its own, but overwhelmingly so, they are no different than anyplace else. Is Norman boring? I've personally never been there, so I can't tell for sure, but my guess is that both sides are right. As the (well-taken) photos show, Norman is boring. But, perhaps, no more boring than the majority of places on our maps.

Chris Harris: 10th Jun 2007 - 13:35 GMT

anybody who doesn't bother to venture more than .1 miles from the interstate has no business telling readers what is "boring" and what is not.

EvilGentleman: 10th Jun 2007 - 18:46 GMT

Perhaps someone should post a series on "America's Most Boring Interstate Highways"

just came back: 18th Jun 2007 - 15:45 GMT

I recently returned to norman after 10 years of traveling the world. I can easily get bored here, but with a little research and creativity you can always find something fun to do. Norman is not my favorite place in the world, but still enjoyable.

Race: 25th Jun 2007 - 21:17 GMT

Looks like this Scott dude just took a road trip across Oklahoma and Kansas and took random pics when he stopped to take a leak and called it boring. I'm from Pauls Valley and the picture he took isn't even in Pauls Valley. Reading his text revealed an extremely bland and unknowledgable person who really shouldn't be writing for a website or posting anything until he has experienced more. Doesn't seem like he's been to very many places and has truly seen boring or exciting. I mean, that will naturally piss people off and they will want to correct you when you don't know what you're talking about. Such a poor article topic too. I don't even know why I'm leaving this comment. This is a joke.

justAgirl: 4th Jul 2007 - 18:28 GMT

I think it's kinda interresting that Scott says he ate at the first Dennys one day and the second Dennys the next when all four of these photos are of the exact same building from different angles. There is only one Dennys in Norman, dude.

Also, Peter, it's not true that all those defending Norman are from there. If you read their posts, most of them live in Norman now after having moved from someplace else.

Scott, I'm sorry that the parking lot of your sleezy hotel did not offer you the kind of excitement you were craving. If you ever take a trip through the area again, I suggest posting something ahead of time asking for suggestions as to where to stay and eat and what to do. Obviously there are a lot of people who read this page and I'm sure you could have a very enjoyable experience, even just "passing through" if you stayed/ate somewhere nicer.

DeadRagabash: 14th Jul 2007 - 18:32 GMT

First off, I was born in a nice little Indian Reservation in Oklahoma, lived all over Okalhoma lived all over New Mexico, Texas & Colorado. As well as 15 odd places in Germany over 2 years not to mention weekend trips to Crete, Spain, Belgium, Austria & France. If at any point even in the small farming communities or large cities like Frankfurt I never ventured more that 200 meters from the Highway/Autoban I would of found them all Boring. But not even going with other countries. In the U.S. you have to meet a few of the Local Yokels (As painfull as it might be). For example Scott going to the Campus Corner area of Norman you would of found some great bars with Awesome local bands. Hell I think the Only people who frequent Denny's are late night passer by's or under age high school kids. You could of up graded a little and of gone to the Ramada Inn and Ihop (much better) You could of spoken to any 20+ something year old an said "Hey I'm passing by for a few day's, Where can I got to have fun?" All bets say you would of gotten atleast 5 options.

Saddly you remind me of other Americans I would meet in hostels in europe complaining there was nothing to do because the walk from the train station to the hostel they didn't see anything in the 50 meter walk and declaired the place boring, when if they would of walked anouther 50 meters and stepped inside a pub and asked for somethen to do they would of missed there next train out by two weeks.

Granted Norman OK, isn't New York or even Baltimore, but hell man don't be a twit by judging right off the highway. Or going by the old adage "Don't judge a book by it's cover." Yeah that applies to this situation.

DISCLAIMER: Grammer, Spelling ect. Yeah I really don't care

David: 24th Jul 2007 - 01:09 GMT

The charm of Norman Oklahoma is that it is kept away from lazy researchers that can't spend enough effort to see the cities for what they truly are.

Perhaps rating Barbie dolls would be more your style.

william weber: 16th Sep 2007 - 17:05 GMT

norman is a fun town and if you do think so well you are a mean person

Big Momma Becky: 22nd Sep 2007 - 08:12 GMT

Never been to Norman,but after reading all these posts,I want to visit. Sounds like a cool place to me. But then again, I'm from Hutchinson,Kansas.So what do I know?? We made Scott's list also.Check out what all is posted about Hutch.

nothing to gain: 13th Oct 2007 - 23:44 GMT

Norman is a sanctuary for Oklahoma City. So, by comparison with mundane OKC, it seems nice. Oklahoma is caught between progressive West, and agressive Texas. If you try to talk the talk, people here are very friendly. Most of the cultural diversity experienced here is transient, except for Tulsa. As for Norman, it is a fairly decent place to stop and repair. Other than that, I would not recommend it. Lawrence, Tulsa, and Dallas are much better alternatives depending on your personality and needs.

More detail: It is a college town that is dominated by football. Drinking, loud noise, and out of town plates are frowned upon, unless connected with football revenues. Then it's rape and pillage style.

The city has lost it's charm and is striving to be a tourist stop for visiting football fans, kind of like a living breathing outlet mall. If you like eating out at fancy chains, then you'll be o.k. Oh, there are four Wal-Marts within about five miles of each other versus one Target.

Residents have a saying here, "Norman sucks you in." The question is, do you suck after that?

Okie Pappy Daddy: 12th Nov 2007 - 19:49 GMT

I like living in Norman It is only boaring if you got to allways be going out and doing stuff all the time like if you have to go out to resterants every night or go to see the movies ever day or if you have you be allways runing around and doing things like shopping and socielizing and staying as busy as a hen runing around with her head cut off or are some crazy kid that can't sit down still for more then two minets at a time I say get off you're high horse! What you say is boring is a good pace of life for me and my family and we like it that way and we aren't running around crazy all day like this crazy Scott Sargent kid whose probably some sort of Big north eastern YANKEE anyway who likes his booze, fast women and movies all day every day and fast food ever meal he can take it!

34 years in Norman: 23rd Nov 2007 - 03:58 GMT

I came to Norman, OK in 1973. Never intended to stay. I love the people and especially the big sky. The trees, haze and mountains elsewhere that block the sky make me claustrophobic. Try visiting in the spring. The big storms are not boring.

the most boring of all is......: 19th Dec 2007 - 01:56 GMT

watertown ny. this city is retail america. everything you do is involving eating and shopping. the city council has no ideas to enable a family fun lifestyle. every activity is in doors and costs you something. did i mention most people are fat and lazy and have diabitis and other obesity health problems. instead of taxing those that drink soda..... tax the cities that are so boring like this one?

birdy[kirstiem92@gmail.com]: 28th Dec 2007 - 23:50 GMT

Kay, first off, if you would have gone a tiny bit further down Main Street Scott, you would have found Sooner Fashion Mall.
Or you could have continued going down Interstate 45 headed towards Moore, you would have found HeyDay Family Fun Center, which most people believe is in Moore but its actually in Norman, they have Laser Tag which is veryy fun.
The National Weather Center and The National Postal Training Center are BOTH located in Norman.
Main Street has many fun, interesting, and worth visiting stores.

How about before you start critizizing our town, DRIVE AROUND.
You obviously travel alot, but your not very well educated.
Your obviously the kind of person who would drive into the ghetto of NYC and say that the city has nothing to offer, because you didnt take the time or gas to visit the places that make the city worth-while.

Michelle: 4th Jan 2008 - 18:53 GMT

Hmm...I live in Norman and it's NOT boring!! This is actually a booming college town with a MAJOR unversity called OU, that you would have seen had you actually gone INTO town!! And no wonder the area you were in was so "boring" because the same year you visited, there was a man shot to death in the parking lot of the hotel you stayed in!! That's why all of the locals (and people who aren't scum) stay away from that disgusting place! You are just a moron if that's all you saw of Norman and you're judging it based on that!! DON'T EVER COME BACK HERE!!!

dude: 6th Jan 2008 - 00:02 GMT

i wouldn't recommend having breakfast at Denny's,
go down main street into the downtown and have a
breakfast burrito at the Diner, which has been
slinging hash since 1889 (to judge by the grill)

Terry: 13th Jan 2008 - 21:59 GMT

I love that the original complaints and pics from this person come from the closest and cheapest CHAIN restaurants and hotels to the exit ramp off the highway. I dont like Dennys so I dont eat there. Budget Inn are seriously commenting on an entire city because you stayed at one of the worst hotels out there. Next time try a Bed and Breakfast, a diner, and a steakhouse. Oklahoma is good at that type of thing. If your in that part of the country then see what they do best. Dont ask for lobster in the middle of the country then complain about it.

anon 2: 1st Feb 2008 - 21:37 GMT

This is a bit of a late response, but for people who wander across this later.... I grew up in New York City and San Francisco. When I was in Las Vegas, I made a friend from Norman, Oklahoma. Since, I have visited four times. I truly love this town. It is no more "boring" than anywhere else. The largest cities have Super 8's and Denny's. For a small town, Norman has a lot more. I'm not into football or college life, yet I really enjoy the area just around OU. The clubs always feature local music (which is surprisingly great!), and there's LOTS of good food to be found at a variety of independent restaurants. The town is safe, the air is clean, and therefore you can walk about late, look at the lights, the stars, the interesting architecture and trees. I haven't even visited any of the museums in this town, but I like it here a lot!

Patty: 26th Feb 2008 - 06:37 GMT

I don't live in Norman, but I'm in town on Saturdays for football season. I love it. The next place we move to will most likely be Norman. It is so beautiful and I LOVE LOVE LOVE their mall! It definately isn't boring. You can't judge a town as boring if you don't see the town. That's like staying on Houston's or Dallas' interstates and exchanges, taking a couple pics, not seeing the town and saying "#1 most boring town".

norman sucks: 23rd Mar 2008 - 21:40 GMT

it's funny how the dullest people in the world are defending a dull city in the dull state of oklahoma. i've been to norman. it's only good during the college football season, otherwise it is just like any other town built around a college. it really doesn't have anything unique to offer.

Fort: 26th Mar 2008 - 22:38 GMT

There are a lot more boring cities in the US. Norman has become really big right now, with all the new developments. I'm surprised to come across this blog entry.

You are an idiot.: 18th Apr 2008 - 00:08 GMT

Of course you would show the picture of the crappiest hotel in the city to try and prove your point. "Passing through" does not give you enough taste of a city, especially one as interesting as Norman. Norman is the home of the University of Oklahoma, a huge university with a beautiful campus. We are currently building the 3rd largest outlet mall in the country, and we are 5 miles from the Warren Theatre, the 3rd largest movie theater in the country. I'm sure the Denny's you passed by was not a very quality restaurant, but we also have restaurants on campus corner and also downtown that are ten times as nice and/or unique as many restaurants you will normally find. So next time you want to write a blog about "America's Most Boring City," you might want to spend a little more time there than ten minutes of driving down I-35.

SCW: 1st May 2008 - 02:47 GMT

Norman is one of the more scenic and interesting communities in Oklahoma. I lived there and in Oklahoma City (just north of Norman) for 13 years; moved in 1989 to coastal Texas, south of Houston, and find it infinitely more aesthetically pleasing, culturally diverse and intellectually stimulating---with nicer weather than ANY place in Oklahoma (and I don't have to fight the rabid, inconsiderate hordes of OU fans during football season!). Even so, Erb's assessment is shallow. Dude, if you've lived there - or even spent a long vacation there - you have earned the right to criticize it; otherwise - SORRY - you're just another putz posting uninformed opinions.

Ashton: 2nd May 2008 - 00:11 GMT

You were in a boring area of Norman.. but it's not as boring as it seems. Oh and by the way someone was shot in the parking lot of that motel. There is a lot more to Norman! I mean.. it's a college town. Enough said.

Just a note: 7th May 2008 - 20:57 GMT

To the comment posted by "oh dear":

Oklahoma is NOT part of the Midwest. It is technically considered to be in the South Central region of the United States. Please don't lump us in with Indiana, Michigan and Kansas. Oklahoma is a southern state.

LoveNorman: 18th Jun 2008 - 13:07 GMT

I moved to Norman from Telluride, Co about 9 months ago....and I would NEVER move back!!! Norman has what Telluride could never have....moral, friendly people, available housing and jobs for the working class, and Bible teaching churches! In fact, when I left I told my acquaintances I was moving to 'NORMAL NORMAN". Love this place!!!!

Normanite: 9th Jul 2008 - 16:52 GMT

I used to live in Manhattan. Granted, this is a much different kind of action, Norman really has a lot going for it. In addition to what has been said, check the city's calendar. There's something going on every night: concerts, art shows, wine tastings, festivals, yadda yadda. With the stuff he posted from literally 100 ft from the interstate describing all of Norman, this is similar to me stopping along I-95 in Larchmont, NY, and saying Manhattan's lame. You're an idiot.

OU student: 26th Jul 2008 - 21:59 GMT

Driving through a city and taking a few pictures of the shittiest hotel you could have possibly roomed in during your one-night stay off the highway is a pretty idiotic way to judge a place. It's obvious that you intended to have as boring of an experience as possible. I could drive through San Francisco, stay at a Motel 6 overnight and eat at a rundown McDonald's, but it would clearly be moronic for me to then say that San Francisco is completely uninteresting. It would be equally foolish for me to respond to peoples' outrage over such a shallow and unfair assessment of San Francisco by saying "hurrr yeah, look at all of teh san francisco residents defending their city. dem boring san franciscans just haven't seen the world." Norman doesn't compare to San Francisco, of course, but as far as small cities go, it's fairly significant (one of the most important places in the world for meteorological research, non-trivial natural history and art museums, a great university, the list goes on). It's unfortunate that you intentionally robbed yourself of what could have been an interesting and pleasant experience in visiting Norman.

Money Magazine 6th Best Small City: 29th Jul 2008 - 20:52 GMT

Norman was just voted a best small city and it deserves the ranking. We came from NJ 40 years ago and wouldn't leave for anything. It's a great place to live culturally and economically.

chris: 15th Sep 2008 - 10:00 GMT

That looks pretty good compared to this rat trap. Don't ever come to Wisconsin unless your some dipshit cheesehead. Boring beyond belief.If you took every fucking German and threw them into a furnace it could well possibly be this hellhole of a place.Anywhere else!!

Mobaby: 20th Sep 2008 - 05:41 GMT

Really, man? You judge the 6th best place to live in America ( http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/snapshots/PL4052500.html ) by the Denny's off the interstate? Virtually no crime, variety of people, college town, art museums, unique campus and downtown areas, 10 miles from the 3rd largest movie theater, 20 miles away from the main metropolis in the state which is also the home of a new NBA team, this city and area is growing. Just like your stupidity is, you ignorant douche.

Kayla: 13th Oct 2008 - 21:21 GMT

No, I think Upton, Massachusetts or Southboro, Massachusetts, or Westford, Massachusetts

johnny: 23rd Oct 2008 - 23:44 GMT

I have traveled all across America and the world. My votes for most boring:

Northeast:
1) Scranton-WilkesBarre, PA
2) Bangor, ME
3) Worcester, MA
4) Woonsocket, RI
5) Scanectedy, NY
6) Rome-Utica, NY
7) Atlantic City, NJ
8) Buffalo, NY
9) Camden, NJ and environs
10) New Bedford, MA

Midwest:
1) Detroit, MI
2) Flint, MI
3) Saginaw/Bay City, MI
4) Gary, IN
5) SW and S parts of Chicago, IL
6) Fort Wayne, IN
7) Cleveland, OH
8) Dayton, OH
9) Youngstown, OH
10) E. St. Louis, IL and environs

Southeast/Mid Atlantic
1) Wilmington, DE
2) Montgomery, AL
3) Memphis, TN
4) Macon, GA
5) Dothan, AL
6) Columbia, SC

South Central:
1) Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX
2) McAllen-Mission, TX
3) New Orleans, LA
4) Baton Rouge, LA
5) Lake Charles, LA
6) Shreveport, LA
7) Amarillo, TX
8) Muskogee, OK

West:
1) Pueblo, CO
2) Las Cruces, NM
3) Casa Grande, AZ
4) Bakersfield, CA
5) Stockton, CA
6) Riverside, San Bernadino, CA
7) Los Angeles, CA
8) Wala Walla, WA
9) Pocatello, ID
10) El Centro, CA

Chuck Roast: 13th Jan 2009 - 03:43 GMT

My son goes to OU on an academic scholarship. He is treated like a king, and he came from Austin, Tx. Compared to Austin, Norman may not have the night life, but it also does not have the crime, rampant drug use, panhandlers on every corner, etc. The area around OU is incredibly beautiful. Old homes, trees, and I have never met anyone who wouldn't take the time to talk with me. I guess if you want a prostitute or crack cocaine, you could say Norman is boring, although I'm sure if you looked hard enough, you could find it. In Austin, it finds you. Although I would not like the colder weather, Norman is a safe and quaint small city, and the people are genuinely friendly. If you want to visit a really boring town, try Uvalde, Tx on Hwy 90 between San Antonio and Del Rio.

Cherastina: 15th Apr 2009 - 02:07 GMT

I don't think people 'passing through' should comment on the coolness or dullness of a very large town. If you traveled into the town, you would see we are really quite amazing. We have Griffin which is a mental institute. You can go pretty much anywhere and see someone carrying a full conversation with themselves or wearing 5 hats stacked on their head. We are also the home of the OU sooners. You may have heard of them and their exceptional coach if you like a little football. We have amazing schools rich in culture due to us being a college town. Also, there is always a party! Whether in a local club or at 4 am in an ihop. Our town is heavily populated with the wealthy. Fake boobs and nice cars are everywhere. We have a wonderful duckpond in the middle of town and it's always packed with kids. Our crime rate is very low and I leave my car running often when I go into stores. My absolute favorite part of living in Norman is the architecture. Someone commented that we had dull architecture because of the tornados. Well....WRONG. 1) Norman doesn't see many tornados. They say we are protected by the indian burial grounds. They like to wipe our neibhoring town, Moore, out every few years. But they never hit us. 2) OU has a great architecture department that was once headed by Bruce Goff. His houses are hidden and scattered through this town. There are also houses by Herb Green and Frank Lloyd Wright. Sooo....maybe you should think (or actually tour) before you open your font :)

Cherastina: 15th Apr 2009 - 02:38 GMT

fredly: 14th Jun 2009 - 20:40 GMT

It is boring but it has it's charms like any small town. Granted, most of these charms are OU related or centered little else goes on here. It safe, unless you walk, drive or bike around. It's cheap, unless you live near OU and it's got 2 a huge variety of fast food! Viva La Difference! If you aren't into sports god help you. On that note if you aren't into god... well, don't bring that fact up.

Nompton: 10th Jul 2009 - 16:12 GMT

I agree with Cherastina - if you're just driving by, keep our town out of your blogs.

anon (ip68-97-4-225.ok.ok.cox.net): 13th Jul 2009 - 15:12 GMT

Norman is full of music festivals and indie concerts!

anon (wsip-70-183-54-48.ok.ok.cox.net): 13th Jul 2009 - 18:54 GMT

I just happened on this blog by accident and cannot believe anyone can be so boxed in to an idea as this guy. I have been in and out of Norman for the last 30 years since I was a kid and have never thought of it as boring, but then again I didn't stay in a whole in the wall hotel, I was all around the town. I believe this is a beautiful town and kind of wonder what his idea of fun might be in any of these towns. I guess if you stay in the crappiest part of any town in any place in the world you might think it was boring....I say take a look around more than one place before you slap a label on something. Good luck with your adventure Boring Guy

Shirley: 15th Jul 2009 - 01:36 GMT

I just happened onto this blog an dfind it very offensive. For someone who stayed at one of the worst hotels in a town of over 100,00 without the University of Oklahoma, If you had driven into town instead of staying right on the interstate where you stopped, you might have found some fun. I can't ever remember staying at a hole in the wall hotel and having fun. Usually you stay at one of these if you are JUST PASSING THROUGH. You stay there one night and go on your merry way. I don't ever remember having any memorial or fun evenings in one of these towns. However, when I visited and went into town and maybe found the real town, I did enjoy it and found it ot not be the boring place where I stayed off the interestate and immediately returned to the intestate and formed a negative opinion of the town.

Norman is the home of The University of Oklahoma, ask any graduate who attended OU if Norman is a boring town. I personally am Norman native and have watched Norman grow into a great place to live with a variety of places to go for fun. Of course that is if you are actually looking for a fun place. Somepeople have a hard time having fun anywhere. Don't pass your negative thoughts onto others, keep them to yourself.

Hannah: 27th Aug 2009 - 04:40 GMT

Norman isn't a boring town, thank you very much. I live here and happen to know that there is always something going on here. There are a ton of quaint shops to see, just because you were right off the interstate doesn't mean that the entire town is like that. I happen to go to the University, and despite what you seem to think it is a great town.

I grew up here and it is a town with a great heart and soul, get to know something or someone before you judge it.

Hannah: 27th Aug 2009 - 04:48 GMT

Oh and also, I've lived different places other than Norman and have been to Europe, canada, the Dominican republic, and all around the United states. I lived in Philly and I don't find Norman boring..

Nicole: 31st Aug 2009 - 16:06 GMT

wow, way to pick the 4 ugliest buildings in Norman for you picture examples. OU is a gorgeous campus, and the homes in Norman are quaint and cute and surrounded by trees- it's beautiful! And there's plenty to do. Seriously.

Zephyer: 1st Sep 2009 - 17:03 GMT

You want boring? Head south on 35 to Purcell/Lexington. Thank goodness I got out of there and up to Norman.

normanite: 4th Sep 2009 - 13:04 GMT

i really wonder what this guy was thinking. he is either incredibly stupid because those pictures could be taken in every town of every state, or really good to stir up such a mess getting people to talk up a storm and tell about how the place really is.

JustmovedtoOKC: 12th Sep 2009 - 00:48 GMT

My girlfriend and I just moved here from Kansas. And OKC (and Norman) is making Kansas look like freakin' San Francisco. There is absolutely NOTHING to do in this place! (Unless you like the EXACT same chain stores driving down the highway. Christ, how many freakin' Verizon stores do you need?!)

anon (ip68-97-58-204.ok.ok.cox.net): 25th Sep 2009 - 03:13 GMT

depends on the time of year you go.. during collage time its packed always things to do.. during the summer there are festivals all the time.. and if you dont think its beautiful walk around on and near campus seriously. Norman maybe kinda small in relation to everything else but its a BEAUTIFUL collage town, and if your looking for fun come around on a home game day and walk around campus there are booths set up EVERYWHERE with tons of stuff people having a good time and they block off a lot of side roads on campus corner and let people party in the streets.. :)

No Kidding?: 25th Sep 2009 - 04:32 GMT

Collage

LOL, Norman. LOL.

Dustin: 6th Oct 2009 - 02:09 GMT

It seems to me Scott didn't leave the motel, with his photos. My conclusion is he is just starting controversy on this blog. I just moved to Norman and I really like it. It's a great place to raise a child. Much love to Norman! Norman is an Awsome place to live. It is close to everything. My only complaint is the traffic jam on game days. No big deal for me though.

NewportbeachCA: 6th Oct 2009 - 04:06 GMT

I'll be coming to see some old friends who moved to Norman from Cali two years ago. I can't wait to see the home game this weekend. I really don't believe what people say about a place they have been. It's all subjective and bias. I'll be the judge of it. I am hoping to have a great time in Norman. Go Sooners...

anon (209-33-72-18-purc.tex.sta.suddenlink.net): 29th Oct 2009 - 18:34 GMT

Norman is an awesome place to live. And I'd like to call attention to the fact that all of the negative comments regarding my town are made by people that are actually rather ignorant of everything that it has to offer, whether it be for the sake of education OR entertainment. But, you philistines will just keep entertaining yourselves with your snide negativity as opposed pursuing any sort of constructive experience... fill your boots, gentlemen.

getupandgo: 20th Nov 2009 - 01:14 GMT

Norman is no fun unless you are 21.
The cops here are terrible.
Its usually pretty dead on week nights.
The only fun would be on thursday, friday, or saturday night.
the most fun would be on a football game day.

enimsaj: 27th Nov 2009 - 22:40 GMT

Ive lived in Norman all my life and it is the best place to be. Our football team beats the shit out of yours.

seanzy : 16th Dec 2009 - 01:56 GMT

i live in norman and im sorry but your wrong, if you lived there youd know its actually fun, you cant just judge a city by driving through it.

coolcookie: 31st Dec 2009 - 20:13 GMT

I agree norman is a beutiful and cultural town. When I go to a Sooners football game the school rocks the stadium. I don't know how long you stayed but next time visit a little longer and you'll expearience the great town of norman. Also norman ranked 6th best city to live in in 2008.

now living in chicago: 11th Feb 2010 - 08:32 GMT

You are wrong about living in Norman AND you can be bored anywhere at anytime if you try hard enough. I have lived in Chicago, DFW and London for a bit and have found that if you are looking for other people to entertain you, you will be bored frequently. Make you own entertainment and from the looks of it, you did with this blog.

now living in chicago: 11th Feb 2010 - 08:34 GMT

Also, who the hell else would defend it but the residents living there and/or have fond memories of it? Hello!

scott f: 13th Feb 2010 - 17:52 GMT

I live in Upstate New York so naturally I'm interested in small towns, so I looked at your pictures. For every small town you talk about I notice you pick this remote part of town that has maybe a warehouse or an empty storefront, but totally miss the downtown area or the village or what have you. This one is ridiculous. If you can't find something to do around a huge college campus like U of O then I think you may want to spend less time researching small towns and more time researching yourself.

Don: 14th Feb 2010 - 04:02 GMT

I grew up in St. Louis and moved to Norman. From there I moved to Denver for a few years, then spent two years in Europe, and then moved to Houston. I can honestly say that Norman is the best place I have lived in my entire life.

If all you have done is spent a few hours at a motel and restaurant on I-35, you aren't qualified to make an educated comment about whether Norman is boring or not.

Res: 23rd Mar 2010 - 14:42 GMT

to be fair to Norman, the entire state of Oklahoma is boring...

Nompton: 31st Mar 2010 - 03:48 GMT

I can tell you, that you, sir, are missing out on one of the most exciting music scenes. The university of Oklahoma gives birth to an array of diversity. Within the people who call this lovely place home, the music, the art and so much more I dont have to defend my home city to you. Only to say it's the shit and you don't know jack! Campus corner central Norman....*drools* Fuck I love it here!!!:):):):):)

Joe: 3rd Apr 2010 - 17:19 GMT

I love Norman. It's not boring at all. I just did the medieval fair and the Music Festival is coming up in about 2 weeks. There are plenty of bars and great shopping areas. It's not huge but that doesn't necessarily make it boring. It's not a bad place at all. I love how this idiot took the most boring shots he could find for his testimonial. I bet I could make New York like the most boring place in the world if I took pictures like this. I don't get it. I've driven through a lot of towns and never made some ridiculous blog about how boring they were "while" I was driving through.

Brandon : 16th Apr 2010 - 20:42 GMT

As a long time resident (30 years)born and raised, I can truley say "You do not depict Norman the right way". Where to begin first, we have Toby Keith, famous country music singer, University of Oklahoma, National Severe Weather Service, Arts and Science Musuems, CAMPUS CHICKS/DUDES, Bars, Clubs, Shopping, and everything else big cities have all wrapped up in a small town. We even have one "titty bar" for your viewing pleasure (Not 300, all over with crime rates skyrocketing) We have one of the lowest crime rates, yet at the same time we have the lowest housing cost. It's a WIN/WIN Situation. Come back through Norman, hit me up Gilmoresinc@gmail.com I'll show you the REAL side of Norman.

Brandon : 16th Apr 2010 - 20:42 GMT

As a long time resident (30 years)born and raised, I can truley say "You do not depict Norman the right way". Where to begin first, we have Toby Keith, famous country music singer, University of Oklahoma, National Severe Weather Service, Arts and Science Musuems, CAMPUS CHICKS/DUDES, Bars, Clubs, Shopping, and everything else big cities have all wrapped up in a small town. We even have one "titty bar" for your viewing pleasure (Not 300, all over with crime rates skyrocketing) We have one of the lowest crime rates, yet at the same time we have the lowest housing cost. It's a WIN/WIN Situation. Come back through Norman, hit me up Gilmoresinc@gmail.com I'll show you the REAL side of Norman.

William Weber: 20th May 2010 - 00:44 GMT

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!
just passing through?that is all from one area,main st and I35,really of course it is going to be boring!!!that is ONE denny's dumbass.GAWD DANM!!!One area does NOT define the whole town.

Zenita : 4th Jun 2010 - 07:42 GMT

Come to mu town, if you want to see a REAL boring town. Lucedale, Mississippi.

Josh: 7th Jun 2010 - 21:26 GMT

Dude, if you go to New York City and just eat at two Denny's and stay at some motel on the outskirts of it, you'd think that was a boring city too.

sooner: 27th Jun 2010 - 00:39 GMT

you are a fucking dumb-ass. passing through a town and staying in a hotel is not actually experiencing a town.

Nova Bob: 30th Jun 2010 - 14:08 GMT

You have to live in Terre Haute, IN and you will know the World's Most boring city!

Ryan769: 6th Jul 2010 - 23:40 GMT

Hobbs, NM is the most boring town in the US, if you don't believe come see for yourself haha

Em0969: 22nd Jul 2010 - 17:32 GMT

Came across this blog on accident, but I have to completely disagree. I grew up in Oklahoma City, but have lived in Norman for the past 4 years now. I have to say that after living in Norman (and visiting many, MANY other small towns that make up Oklahoma) I would never want to live anywhere else. There is plenty to do, but you actually have to go into Norman to do that-unlike this guy. Campus Corner is lots of fun, even if you aren't college age. There's always concerts going on and outdoor art and music festivals during the summer time. With the university, there's always some kind of sporting event going on too, and they are FUN! Even during the colder months, there are still plenty of restaurants, shops, and museums unique to Norman that really show Norman's true personality and diversity. I think this guy should've actually tried to experience Norman instead of just going to Denny's and calling it quits. (And actually, they took Denny's out of Norman a couple of years ago and are replacing it with Jimmy's Egg- the most amazing breakfast place in Oklahoma!!)

Rick: 28th Jul 2010 - 20:45 GMT

I live in Norman, and its not too bad. The whole concept of demanding culture from Oklahoma in general is laughable, but Norman at least gives it a good effort.
Norman is falling prey to consumerism though, and its looking more like Edmond every day. It is fast becoming a shopper's paradise and a citizen's hell. I don't consider having 2 Wal-Marts and a Super Target progress, and HOA-dominated housing developments are springing up faster than cancer nodules on a smokers lungs. I preferred Norman back in the 1980's when it was a quaint little college town. Eventually I will have to leave Norman when it becomes thug-ville like Tulsa, the influx of new residents is astounding, and traffic is getting really bad.

Gail: 10th Aug 2010 - 02:39 GMT

We are going to be visiting in Norman for the FSU game in September. What would you recommend that we do while visiting?

ctall: 19th Aug 2010 - 09:13 GMT

...to agree with Brandon, whom I think I may know his older brother, Bennie (because Norman still has the small town charm). We have most of everything a big city would offer, but not to the degree of ridiculous. I think Norman, OK is a healthy balance in between the "city" life, which is easily accesible by I-35 (OKC or Tulsa) and a smaller town's hospitality...such as Noble or Purcell.

My family migrated here from Chicago when I was very young. I've spent many summers in the big city of Chicago, but have always preferred the comforts of a small town, where you never know whose story you will come across, simply becasuse you had their mom as your 2nd grade teacher.

Staying in a crap motel and chain restaurant...which does not exist anymore...is not worthy of a full-fledged visit to Norman, OK. Please do some significant research before arriving at such a contrived view of a city...;-D

Kevin: 26th Aug 2010 - 23:02 GMT

Norman was named one of the top 100 cities to live in by both Forbes and Money Magazine. And, dear blogger, if you had any class at all, you never would have eaten at a Denny's (universally awful)
or stayed at the worst hotel in Norman (now closed). There is an Embassy Suites, Hilton and Sheraton, just a mile up the road. Maybe you are just too cheap and naive to really judge. And did you ever go into town or on campus? Your blog was just too, too misinformed.

Pickles: 29th Aug 2010 - 09:09 GMT

Norman IS boring. Granted, it's an oasis in the redneck backwoods that makes up most of Oklahoma, but as far as stuff to do? Not much. Any fun to be had is based on how fun your social circle is - for nightlife, the arts, fine dining, and the rest of the stuff you can enjoy independent of the company you're keeping, Oklahoma City was a much better choice when I lived there. (And compared to Tulsa and Dallas, OKC is boring too.)

Summer: 2nd Sep 2010 - 19:02 GMT

Norman isn't boring, it awesome! I dont even see why you would stay and travel through Oklahoma if its so boring to you...since i have noticed most of your boring list is Oklahoma and Kansas..

to johnny: 11th Sep 2010 - 10:07 GMT

Listen bro, I'm from NY and have also been around the country. So I know the difference between a fun place and a boring place. And I would have to disagree with at least half the places you listed. LA? Really? And New Orleans? I would disagree with you about Shreveport, but I was sick the entire time. And how could you list Atlantic City? I think you just don't know how to have fun. By the way, I had a blast camping in Oklahoma.

Wow: 14th Nov 2010 - 01:48 GMT

First of all you guys are all wack. I dont know how I got into this article but wow, you guys are really debating? All I have to say is that California is the place to be. We have it all. Im in LA, where you guys aren't..So get over it.. None of you live in a place with bigger parties and better weather than California. Maybe NY is close, but the weather is gay. So all of you guys, suck it! California is beast!

terra: 18th Nov 2010 - 21:00 GMT

you're the one who insisted on not going anywhere or doing anything and only eating at denny's. maybe you're just the most boring person in america. you were 20 minutes from a city with a population of half a million people, why the hell are you eating at denny's?! don't blame your fear of driving on the freeway on the whole town. not to mention that norman is home to one of the biggest casinos in oklahoma, what is wrong with you? there's a big 12 university here! you're just weird, norman's fine.

terra: 18th Nov 2010 - 21:06 GMT

btw, i have lived here less than a week, i moved from odessa, tx last saturday, you wanna talk about boring! unless you enjoy meth, or jail, or working in the oil field, or high school football, then, not so boring. norman=1,000 times better.

Trish : 20th Dec 2010 - 17:48 GMT

I see you pick the worst hotel to stay in in norman and the dennys that was being redone. you must have some sad life to be that depressed. maybe if you looked around you would have seen better things, but what do you expect out of unhappy people. but next time try not to bring us down with you.

Bored in ok: 29th Dec 2010 - 07:42 GMT

It's not that Normans boring, I think it would be some what interesting if I haven't lived here my whole life. I just want smthg new but Norman does have some to offer if ur willing to explore it for a good time. Someone said meth isn't bad here, meth is horrible here and getting worse. Why? Because the police here are to focused on the pot smoking partying college kids. I don't smoke weed nor do meth but the cops need to take the focus off pot and on to 'the actual dangerous crap. I have two young kids and I'm not worried about weed in their future I'm worried about the meth!! And crime isn't bad compared to larger cities but we have lots of it. But crime and drugs are everywhere but the citizens of this town our to gung ho to talk about that.

Roger in Fort Worth: 29th Dec 2010 - 17:11 GMT

Only boring people allow themselves to become bored.

OU Student : 12th Jan 2011 - 00:31 GMT

If you missed the OU campus, then you missed Norman because it is the heart and soul of this town.

Beebo in Norman!: 15th Jan 2011 - 00:56 GMT

Norman is awesome!! Albeit, it's no Las Vegas, but we have so many things to do here! For starters, we have amazing restaurants, a beautiful campus (full of bars and restaurants and LOVELY buildings), bowling alley, many entertainment stores, parks, and beautiful countryside (if you go farther East). I have lived in Norman my whole life and I would never think of leaving!

Anna: 20th Jan 2011 - 03:56 GMT

This is total BS! Norman is a fantastic place to live. I've lived all over Oklahoma and it's by FAR the best in the state. By the way, http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/snapshots/PL4052500.html

Wow: 21st Jan 2011 - 06:17 GMT

The writer of this clearly had no idea where he was. There are numerous things that make Norman great. First, any city with a large public research university, will not be boring if actually looked at. College students don't go places they won't be happy, and trust me, there are a million places all around Norman they find. Second there are hundreds of concerts and events, not to Mention the many nationally recognized festivals that occur within the city at local casinos and the newly renovated ford center 20 minutes away. There are always different events occurring all over the metro area to appeal to all sorts of individuals. You can't be bored unless you try near a metropolitan area. It's too bad Scott didn't try. He wouldve seen there's plenty of ways to spend your money on a good time, and at half the price of a denny's.

OU Student: 21st Jan 2011 - 19:53 GMT

This is asinine. You turned bearly turned off I-35, stayed at a crappy motel, ate at a crappy chain restaurant, and judged us the most boring town in the entire country. There is no reason to give your argument any validation by "being defensive" or telling you what I like about this town. It's akin to going to an amusment park, taking a few pictures of a puddle of puke beneath one of the roller coasters and saying it's the worst amusment park in the country. You're an idiot.

Sooner bred: 24th Feb 2011 - 05:45 GMT

In from Norman, I have moved recently to Texas for business reasons and I always think about Norman. I still wish I lived there and it might be because I've lived there all of my life but I think it's also because Norman is a wonderful place. There are many great restaurants there and I'm very surprised you wrote a blog about the worst restaurant and motel Norman has to offer. The seven years I lived there I didn't step foot into denny's. You could have tried the great vans pig stand for dinner that gas been shown on espn or the classic 50's drive through that ran the sonic that was next to it out of business a few years ago. And Norman may seem a little run down but that's it's style, it's suppose to look old fashioned. Another thing about Norman is that wherever you turn you see wonderful kind people. You don't know Norman until you get off I-35 and onto the city roads where you can go see many museums, go to great restaurants, or go visit a fantastic university at it's best, football season!!!

Alex: 27th Mar 2011 - 03:40 GMT

Don't remove my comment bitch. You were obviously on a budget and stayed at a piece of shit hotel and ate great value food.

Susy: 8th Apr 2011 - 14:05 GMT

I have been to many places in the world, Japan, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Europe as well as many places here in the USA. I think anyone who takes pictures of the cheapest and most run down places in a town (that could have been taken in any of your BIG and FUN cities) and then declares it "boring" should be declared "too ignorant" to blog on anything. I do not live in Norman by the way. I have been there on several occasions and always found many quite entertaining things to do. It takes a little effort to check out a city ahead of your visit to find things you enjoy doing or places to see in each city, even the big cities. You sir are a joke and not even a funny one.....possibly a BORING one!

Jay: 14th Apr 2011 - 04:08 GMT

That Denny's isn't there anymore. It's a Jimmy's Egg (much better). Also that hotel was remodeled.

James: 15th Apr 2011 - 19:39 GMT

If Norman is so BORING as some of you say, why is it i have nearly 40 friends from England (my home country) who would rather live in Norman than England. All be it, most things in England cost 10x more than stuff here in the USA (eg fuel) but that fact they like the atmosphere and the people here says something about Norman. I attended OU for 4 years, and fell in love with Norman so much that i moved here permanently from England 2 years ago. I love it and don't regret moving at all. My life has improved dramatically since i moved here. So anyone who bad mouths Norman need slapping back to reality.

kris: 13th May 2011 - 23:44 GMT

honestly i used to live in las Vegas and its totally different i wont argue but when i come to Norman something totally opened up to me.i have been to every school in Norman including Norman north which im at now but other than that i love to see the campus and i love all the sights here .so all u people need to shut up unless you've seen everything in Norman a thousand times,cause trust me it get kinda old

Jew: 1st Jul 2011 - 00:40 GMT

Norman sucks. I live here. Fuck it. Thursday night, not shit to do (but drugs). FML..

Jew: 1st Jul 2011 - 00:40 GMT

Norman sucks. I live here. Fuck it. Thursday night, not shit to do (but drugs). FML..

anon (ip68-97-61-162.ok.ok.cox.net): 25th Jul 2011 - 05:12 GMT

Haha norman boring? Next time try driving past the ugly Denny's. Which by the way who eats at Denny's and expects to have a "good" time?

Not_From_Norman_Originally.: 25th Jul 2011 - 06:47 GMT

I suspect this is Trollage, but I'll give you the benefit of doubt, and assume you're just a lazy ignorant jackass. You clearly picked the wrong town. We have a saying in the core of Norman, "Don't Edmond my Norman." Yes, we have two Walmarts, a Super-Target, and a massive mall. Yes the I-35 corridor is a shitty place. Yes Corporate America and OKC's suburban sprawl are slowly eating our town from the outside in, but there is just as much force in the opposite direction. The Main Street area (past Norman High a bit) is being turned into an arts district. I suggest the Form and Function Lab, The Main Site, and for a real breakfast, The Diner. It's also home to the growing Norman Music Festival every spring. Every Sunday night in the summer there's free music in our parks. Norman even has it's own distinct sound, if you listen close enough to all the local bands, from Mike Hosty (Whose Oklahoma Breakdown recently topped the charts in Texas) to the Flaming Lips (yes those Flaming Lips). If you actually travel into the core of Norman, you'll find Campus Corner, which is the part of Norman that grew up around the Campus when OU was still off in the woods and Norman was situated around the Railroad. (That's right, we were here before the Highway) There's usually music playing at the Deli if you're over 21 and aren't a pussy about the smoke. Brother's is grungy, but a few good musicians got there start there. All those crybabies who bitch about Norman are Suburb Babies that don't have a car and are unable to walk to any of the wonderful venues off Main Street or Campus Corner. Yes, it takes some money to be entertained every night of the week, but that holds true of everywhere. Norman may not be Austin Texas or anything like one of the big cities, but I wouldn't raise a child in the heart of Chicago or NYC any more than I would in my original birthplace in eastern OK. (I've been around the nation, so I'm not just talking out my ass) Norman is a place for an educated middle class family. It's schools are two of the best in the state, with outstanding records in both athletics, and more importantly, academics and the arts. I could go on about the University, but I don't think it really needs defending. Being #1 in the nation for National Merit finalists may have something to do with all those full-ride scholarships they throw about, but they are nevertheless one of the top ten Public Universities in the Nation.

I'm sorry we don't cater to the riffraff off the highway, but if you're as much a complaining bitch as you seem, I'm glad I never met you. You are to my mind just one more lazy-ass Americans who whines about the commercialization and suburban blandness of Middle-America while paying Denny's inc. to pile microwaved dog shit onto a plate. Have fun with your pathetic life.

I'm going to be moving somewhere more interesting soon (wouldn't you like to know), but I can honestly say I will miss this, my adopted home town. Please, in my absence, don't show your ugly face, you pretentious piece of shit.

Oklahoma Sooner: 27th Aug 2011 - 02:05 GMT

you fucking dumb shit, do you really think that is what Norman looks like? pull your head out of your fucking ass, which by the way is probably fucked by a bunch of gay men, and maybe discover the most bad ass university in the world. God, i wish fucking ugly ass, stupid shit, monkey fuckers would do something more productive with your life, like collecting dirt, then writing stupid fucking unintelligent shit on the internet, FUCK YOU MOTHER FUCKERS.

VeryTrueBut...: 23rd Sep 2011 - 22:41 GMT

I live and work in Norman and I totally agree with Scott. But I like it this way. We have a very low crime rate and pretty much just eat drink and (you know what) football. The Sheriff doesn't really give a care about the weekend parties as long as no one gets killed. so yeah, we are very boring here but I like it that way. :)

Just some guy: 4th Oct 2011 - 13:37 GMT

I'm amused at all of the folks attempting to convince the readers of this web page, via photos, that Norman, OK isn't boring. If all you've got to take pictures of is a couple of University buildings and a water-fountain, I've got bad news for you; You're boring.

norman person : 21st Oct 2011 - 21:28 GMT

Okay, so other than campus, norman pretty much sucks. i mean, i live here. there isnt anything to do other than go to henry hudsons, and that gets old fast. unless your going to OU, it sucks.
trust me, lived here for ten years, it sucks.

GO Frogs: 25th Nov 2011 - 16:32 GMT

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/snapshots/PL4052500.html

David: 13th Dec 2011 - 19:13 GMT

Oh boy, churches, schools and endless resaurants. People in Oklahoma just live to go from one meal to the next. Sooners-it's like Varsity Blues in Norman. It takes more than a few museums, memorials and dirty lakes to make a place not boring. You can go to a bar, shop, eat, go to a sporting event, eat, stare out a window, eat, walk around a mall, eat, pretend you like country music, eat, etc.

Donna in Norman: 16th Dec 2011 - 00:00 GMT

I stumbled upon this thread while searching for volunteer opportunities in Norman. I am amazed this conversation has been going since June, 2006! It's been entertaining to read some of the posts. I live in Norman and I don't think it's boring at all. I have to agree with Roger in Fort Worth: boring people are also bored people. Kind of surprising that someone would stay in a crappy motel and eat at two crappy restaurants, then declare the entire area boring.

anon (adsl-70-240-137-57.dsl.okcyok.swbell.net): 14th Jan 2012 - 15:27 GMT

Donna,
Not to mention the “two” Denny’s he ate at are the same restaurant, he just took photos from different angles. And if he's are eating at freaking Denny’s he obviously didn't drive more than 500 feet off of I-35. He got off on main, turned left, and ate at Denny’s. He probably didn’t even stay at the hotel.
I’ll admit, there are much more entertaining town in America. But Norman is far from one of the most boring.
Scott, thanks for spending your money here. Next time you come thru you should try breakfast at La Baguette, or Hasslers.
And stop by on a Saturday in the fall when 82,000 people are in the stands at Memorial Stadium.

Ryan in Norman: 14th Jan 2012 - 15:28 GMT

Sorry, above comment was made by Ryan from norman.

Reality : 14th Jan 2012 - 15:33 GMT

Sit down for lunch at Café Plaid in Norman and you'll see a little of everything: mothers with babies, students with laptops, and out-of-towners visiting the University of Oklahoma across the street. People flock to Norman from around the world to study and teach - and then to stay and raise a family.
The university not only helps draw educated workers here but also serves as a major source of entertainment. When the OU Sooners play football against longtime rival, the University of Texas, Norman schools are almost always closed on Friday (you read that right) and the town packs the stadium.

If you don't love all things gridiron, console yourself with the campus' world-class art museum, which houses works by Degas, Monet and Renoir. Affordability is another plus: Starter homes go for about $135,000. While Norman hasn't had huge run-ups in housing prices, the city has also been spared the devastating downside.

better blue than red: 3rd Apr 2012 - 01:36 GMT

Norman and Oklahoma is the absolute beating heart of conservative thinking in this country. It is a RED town in a RED state and although neither are boring, they both are indeed better to fly over than drive through. GO BIG RED!!

Trapped: 20th Apr 2012 - 22:55 GMT

Norman is a crappy town. If you aren't an "OU Fan" you are tarred and feathered. It's
the noisiest town I've ever lived in. Trucks with no mufflers, and gangster stereos
at 150dbz. Few know how to drive, but yet take corners NASCAR style, and you really have
to go 10mph over the speed limit most all the time, except at the well-known places the
cops watch from. The schools seem to stress pageants, plays and football over any training
in how to learn, or simple basic humanity.
The tornadoes are the more pleasant part of OK.

LakeCharlesLA: 26th May 2012 - 13:23 GMT

There are no uninteresting destinations, only incurious travelers!

Soonerchica: 31st May 2012 - 18:00 GMT

I agree that Norman is NOT boring. That said you can live a boring life here because there is the freedom to do so. I am from OKC originally and there was no solid sense of community because of all the sprawl. Norman is growing, but I think is still able to keep the community feel. Yes we love our Sooners, but we also appreciate good food, art, and music. I was married in the train station, it is full of history and surrounded by a thriving downtown! I am a liberal and find many like minded people here as opposed to other cities in Oklahoma. I would say it is one of the most blue cities in the redest of red states OK. Many people I know go to church (there are A LOT of churches!), but most go to help serve the community, not to exert their beliefs on anyone.

Eric: 6th Jul 2012 - 18:13 GMT

Boring? It's been said that if you are bored it is because you are a boring person. Rural people are seldom bored in small towns; they are able to appreciate and enjoy what city people are unable to.

However, as the economy continues to tank - and cities become more hostile and violent - I'd be willing to bet that a lot of city people will be wishing they were "bored" in a small town in Oklahoma or Northwest Kansas and will gladly exchange perceived cultural superiority for affordable real estate and the safety inherent in a community which not only looks after its own, but still retains a traditional, sane culture of self-sufficiency.

Sites such as kansasterritory.com testify to the fact that there is fundamental shift going on in terms of what public perception is regarding the desirability of previously ridiculed areas. Being "behind the times" and "boring" is increasingly valuable and marketable!

anon (174.78.240.45): 8th Jul 2012 - 19:31 GMT

If it wasn't for Norman people from all the surrounding actually boring small towns wouldnt have any place to shop, eat, watch movies. Seriously? You obviously don't know the definition of small town or boring. And compromising the pictures to support your lie? Try taking pictures of all the restaurants, hotels, museums, schools, malls, and historic buildings next time.

Ilovenorman: 10th Aug 2012 - 04:32 GMT

I have been around the world, including Asia, east Asia, some Europe and have been a resident of Norman for 12 years. It may not be a town with snow clad mountains or lakes but it is a great town to live, raise a family or retire. I went to OU and have been working here since graduation. I travel a lot on business.. but i want to come home to Norman !

Don: 2nd Sep 2012 - 23:24 GMT

I grew up in a small town(The one the guy above ranked as being the #1 boring city in the northeastern United States in fact), I understand that some people are too poor/stupid/stuck to break away. You develop some sort of unjustifiable small town pride, it really is quite pathetic. I hate Oklahoma personally due to the ridiculous Marijuana laws. But hey, whatever floats your boat. Enjoy dying in the same boring place you were conceived for all I care and experience nothing.

anon (99-17-45-128.lightspeed.okcbok.sbcglobal.net): 15th Oct 2012 - 21:54 GMT

I didn't read all of these comments, but I've lived in Norman for 11 years and find it absolutely boring. It's becoming better each and every year, but for being a Big 12 college town, it should've been up and coming many many years ago and stayed on top of it throughout. We have a huge hybrid of close-minded and open-minded people in the city, and I think the more conservative people have held back Norman's opportunities to expand and become a great place to live. Unless you like to drink and listen to red dirt okie music (and be charged $10-20 to have your toes stepped on and get run into by people on crack or ecstasy), there is nothing to do on the weekends. If you have a family, there are things to do with your kids. But the average person who doesn't want to gain 300 pounds by eating out every day is sort of SOL when it comes to living in Norman, because all there is to do is eat and drink.

dlb8685: 18th Jan 2013 - 19:32 GMT

I don't live in Oklahoma and have only been to Norman once, so this isn't me having an axe to grind, but rating this the #1 most boring town in Oklahoma or America is way off base. Sure it's not Ibiza, but compared to most places in Oklahoma, Norman actually has bars, museums, people, etc.

I'm sure there are 100 towns in Oklahoma alone that are much worse than Norman. I've been to some of them :)

lacee: 18th Feb 2013 - 23:22 GMT

Norman is a very exiting place to live! we have amazing restaurants. just to name a few: Victoria's Pasta Shop, Charleston's, Tarahumara's, and many more. Wonderful places for children to play: White Water Bay, Frontier City, and multiple other places. Clothing shops: Sooner Mall, multiple outlet malls, thrift shops, and multiple new shops. Museums: Sam Noble, Fred Jones JR. museum, ect. And we have a very high population. OU is our main attraction but we have others too. Don't hate on Norman. Its a wonderful place. And people who call us a small town. you stfu we are not you must be looking in the east. Like someone said "people who bore easily, are boring." im thirteen and im smarter than you. now go suck a big one.

laughable: 6th Mar 2013 - 08:50 GMT

Funny how the author of these articles seems to only have ever visited towns in 3 states. There are far far worse places to live in the US than most of those listed. I've also visited most of the towns listed and the pictures posted by Scott Sargent are just pictures of opportunity and hardly reflective of normal life in any of these towns. I wouldn't take anything he claims with any seriousness.