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?

The Business: 29th Apr 2007 - 23:15 GMT

I live in Norman, on Boyd Street about a mile from the photos OU Professor posted. Norman is probably one of the better places to live in this state, but the problem with any place in Oklahoma is that it's filled with Oklahomans. I swear these Dumbfuckistanis will be the end of me.

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.