Moving to Tulsa--WESTPORT ON THE RIVER?

[cjmcinty]

I posted a couple of weeks ago about moving to Tulsa from Indiana as a TU Speech Pathology grad student. Since then I've been doing my research, and weighing my options: Living in the most convenient location versus having the best amenities within a student's budget. I will most likely have a slew of questions before I reach a conclusion. For now I'm wondering, how quickly are apartments typically filled? If I cannot make it to Tulsa for a visit until the third week of June, and plan to move the first of August, will I be risking difficulty finding available apartments?
Secondly, I'm looking for specifics about Westport on the River. I've heard mixed reviews about it so far; negatives regarding the refinery smell and the fact that it's located across the river from downtown, and positives about the amenities that are offered within the price range. Any advice or input from those who have lived there, or known someone who's lived there would be greatly appreciated; especially from the student's POV.
THANKS!

[TUalum0982]

try this website....

http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/OK-Tulsa.html

It gives ratings, reviews, avg prices, etc. 

Good luck in your search.  I personally have never lived or known anyone that has lived at Westport on the river so I really can't give you any recommendation.

[cannon_fodder]

I had friends live at Westport as TU Grad students.  Most of them liked it just fine.  The distance from campus isn't a real killer BUT you will have to drive to go "out" or go to the store.  There is government housing a few blocks away, but the buffer neighborhood is nice.  OSU has a medical school right next door.  The refinery smell is usually a mild annoyance if noticeable at all, but on some days it can be stronger.  But I know of no one who says it was so strong they had to move.

IMHO, on the worst days the smell is akin to someone tarring your roof.  The worst days being the refinery doing certain production functions on a warm day with low wind.  Which is to say, the middle of the summer.

On the positive side:  I've never heard of any crime problems there.  There is easy access to a large green space and to jogging trails.  If you work downtown the commute is minutes, probable only 10 minutes to campus (you could bike on nice days easy enough in 30 minutes).  Rent is affordable, amenities are OK as I recall.  You can walk to Oktoberfest (huge plus in my book)!   If you want to row the Tulsa Rowing club holds their practices (? whatever.) right next door (Conan71 could tell you more).  You have a good view of the river and downtown Tulsa from place in the complex.

I'll email some friends that lived there and post any feedback I get.

[TURobY]

I lived at Westport for part of my graduate studies at TU. I thought the prices were pretty good, as was the management staff. We paid a little extra to be on the river and have a beautiful view of downtown and uptown from our balcony. The refinery smell never really got to me, but I was towards the south end of the complex. Of all the apartment complexes I've lived in, it was the best.

The only drawback is that there is only a McDonald's and Subway nearby. There isn't a nearby grocery store, though you are close to the highways so you can get to one in ten minutes. You are close to downtown, so it was easy to get to the restaurants and nightclubs, and (for me) work. Additionally, during big celebrations like Oktoberfest and 4th of July, you can walk to events on the river.

[Radar]

I lived there about 20 years ago.  The refinery was never an issue. 

[Gold]

The Riverparks are awesome, especially if you are into running or biking.  It's the middle of a massive system of trails stretching from Sand Springs to Jenks.

I would think the train might get old.

I have had friends lived there and they mostly had a positive experience. 

There are some subsidized hoising projects a couple of blocks away.  Westport is pretty safe, but I've seen a lot of police cars at those projects over the years.

[guido911]

Whatever you do, stay away from midtown, in particular in and around 31st and Harvard.   

[cjmcinty]

any input on the convenience of transportation from westport with one resident traveling to tu and the other downtown for work with ONE vehicle?

[cjmcinty]

any input on the convenience of transportation from westport with one resident traveling to tu and the other downtown for work with ONE vehicle?

i am aware that both are minutes away; but is there a public transit option? i've looked at the tulsa transit map, but honestly, for someone who's never been to the city, the maps are not extremely helpful...

[Conan71]

It looks as if route 117/118 (purple line on left of map) goes down SW Blvd, then you'd pick up 111 to TU.  You'd have to walk about 2 blocks to catch your bus if you pick it up on the west edge of the OSU med property.  However, if leased an apartment near the 11th St. bridge, your walk might be quite a bit shorter.  Depending on where your s/o will be working downtown, biking is a good option from Westport.  At the very least, you can get on a bus within a couple of blocks of your apartment.

http://tulsatransit.org/media/-maps/pdf/mainmapj.pdf

[cannon_fodder]

 We've been complaining for about a year that they need to get on Google Transit.

The general notion is that public transit in Tulsa Oklahoma sucks.  I can not speak from experience and know they are trying to improve public transit and probably do a good job with the resources they are provided, so don't give up.  But there may well be a need for a second vehicle if you want convenience.   

Brochure for Tulsa Transit, which has a pretty good website:
http://tulsatransit.org/media/files/SpringTraveler09.pdf

Conan is right.  The purple line goes to the West side and then to the main bus station.  From there you can get almost anywhere after a transfer.  Notably, the red line goes directly to TU.

Depending on where you worked downtown, you could walk and/or ride a bike in 15 minutes.

[cjmcinty]

It looks as if route 117/118 (purple line on left of map) goes down SW Blvd, then you'd pick up 111 to TU.  You'd have to walk about 2 blocks to catch your bus if you pick it up on the west edge of the OSU med property.  However, if leased an apartment near the 11th St. bridge, your walk might be quite a bit shorter.  Depending on where your s/o will be working downtown, biking is a good option from Westport.  At the very least, you can get on a bus within a couple of blocks of your apartment.

http://tulsatransit.org/media/-maps/pdf/mainmapj.pdf

ah, the map is making sense now. i thought it looked like the 117/118 would be near westport, but i was unsure about where tu would be. thanks for you help!

[custosnox]

and since my truck broke down I've been taking the bus, so I've got a little first hand experiance on that.  It's not too bad, though some of the people that ride are a bit scary, and you will generally have to get off the bus 'close' to where you are wanting to go and walk a few blocks to get the rest of the way (I usually ride all the way to the station so I can get that couple of extra blocks of walking in that I need). 

Something most people forget about right there on the river is it's not too far of a walk to the 23rd street bridge, and just off of it to the north is a little place called rivers edge bestro and cafe.  Not too bad of a place to sit down and have a burger and a beer and watch some amature musicians. For being in that area, a bike is a must. 

[cannon_fodder]

Rivers edge is defunct.  A new restaurant will be going in there soon (same place, new building).

[custosnox]

nice to know that it will be an upgrade. Hope they keep the outside seating.  That was my biggest draw to the place