Small-town Oklahoma lifestyle close to the Texas border
Cattle ranches and row crops surround Marietta, the laid-back Love County seat. Homebuyers are drawn to the city of about 2,700 for the small-town Americana atmosphere and location, closer to Texas than Oklahoma City. “We have Lake Texoma, on the border, in our backyard,” says Realtor Carlene Gragg of Frances No. 1 Realty, who has over a decade of experience. She says Texans move here for the lower cost of living and the quick commute to Gainesville, under 30 miles away. “And we’re about equidistant to Dallas and Oklahoma City, with easy access to Interstate 35, so it’s very convenient.”
Single-family homes sell for under $400,000
Tall oaks and pecan trees shade the narrow, gridded streets and grassy front lawns close to the center of town, giving way to cattle grazing fields and farmland on the outskirts. Wood siding-clad cottages and farmhouses are common, as are Craftsman and ranch-style homes. There are also a few sleek New Traditionals with steeply pitched roofs and attached garages. Prices range from under $100,000 to around $350,000.
Summers here are hot and humid, with average high temperatures above 90 degrees. Winters are chilly with minimal snowfall – lows rarely drop below freezing. Love County is vulnerable to tornadoes. In April 2024, an EF4 tornado touched down and caused severe property damage and one fatality in Marietta. “That tornado did real damage to our little town,” Gragg says. “We’re rebuilding, but it was pretty devastating.”
Above-average Marietta Public Schools
Marietta Public Schools earns a B grade from Niche and allows controlled inter-district open enrollment. The small district serves just over 1,100 students across one campus with three schools: Marietta Elementary (B), Marietta Middle (C-plus) and Marietta High (B). The combined middle and high school building opened in 2024 following a four-year, nearly $20 million project. The new facility has modern security features, including safe rooms rated for F5 tornadoes, larger classrooms and dedicated STEM program labs.
Marietta’s four city parks and nearby Lake Murray State Park
The city maintains four parks with playgrounds, picnic areas and paved paths: Shellenberger Park, Charles McCarroll Park, Memorial Park and Bradley Park. Oklahoma’s first and largest state park, Lake Murray State Park, is less than 10 miles north. It has over 12,000 acres of forested hills webbed with trails – some for hiking and mountain biking, others for motorized bikes and ATVs. The Lake Murray Riding Stables offers guided horseback rides along the equestrian trails. There are also several campgrounds and a lodge available for overnight stays. Murray Lake is a popular spot to catch bass, catfish and walleye. Swimming and boating are also permitted. Boat rentals, boutique shopping and seasonal dining are available at the Murray Harbor marina.
Shopping and dining along Main Street
The low-slung, awninged buildings along Main Street are home to municipal offices and businesses, such as the Marietta Monitor, a newspaper published weekly since 1895. There’s also Norton’s Jewelry, a downtown fixture since 1944, and several antique stores, including Faith & Family Antiques & More, Marietta Antique Mall and Levine’s Antiques. There are also a handful of restaurants downtown, like Bruce’s Rollin’ Smoke BBQ and The Vault, popular barbecue joints. Gragg recommends The Taste, a homestyle Southern eatery. U.S. Route 77 and Memorial Drive have more dining options, from chains like Simple Simon’s Pizza to locally owned spots like La Roca Mexican Restaurante. “La Roca is a real mainstay, people come from all over for it,” Gragg says. “The tornado wiped out our Dollar General and our grocery store, so people go to Ardmore or Gainesville for groceries now,” Gragg says. Walmart Supercenters in both cities are just over 20 miles away.
Love County Frontier Days festival in downtown Marietta
The weekend-long Love County Frontier Days celebration is held in downtown Marietta each May. Festivities include carnival rides and field games, as well as a 5K race and vendor booths. “They also have a big parade on Friday evening, country Western singing on stage, a frog jumping contest, turtle races, a huge car show, all kinds of activities,” Gragg says. One of the biggest events is the Saturday night street dance. “They have a band play, and everybody comes out and dances in the street outside the county courthouse,” Gragg says.
Quick Interstate 35 access, local Mercy Health hospital’s temporary ER
Interstate 35 runs north toward Oklahoma City and the Will Rogers International Airport, about 115 miles from Marietta. The interstate also heads south to Texas. Dallas-Fort Worth International is just over 80 miles away. Southern Oklahoma Rural Transportation System, or SORTS, provides ADA-compliant public transportation service to Love County. The Mercy Health/Love County Hospital & Clinic is within about 2 miles of most homes. While the main hospital remains closed following the 2024 tornado damage, a temporary emergency room opened in September 2025.
