Moving back to Tulsa, need Info

[USRufnex]

"Young professionals" will end up moving to Tulsa DESPITE the fact that the river tax failed... not because of it.  The argument seems to be that young professionals will move to Tulsa... get bored... and leave... (I don't completly trust that argument, btw... think some of it masks a desire from the you-know-who's to keep their trust-fund-twentysomthing kids in town... they grow up soooooo fast... [:O])

The best thing for me about moving to Tulsa was the standard 6mo or 7mo lease.... I renewed my lease and will renew again, but it gives me a chance to get to know Tulsa a little better and a chance to save some $$$ before looking to buy someplace else...

There are tons of apts in the Union district... Estancia is probably a good choice ($851 for 1200 sq feet)... I went on the low end/cheap  and don't have problems or feel unsafe-- of course I moved from a low end/cheaper apt in Chicago, so I guess it's all a matter of perspective... I live in a small one bdr off 41st and Garnett... but will move closer to downtown (looking at condos but also discovered a few nice homes in Owen Park I've got my eye on)...

[Aqxea]

I am familiar with Arlington Arms.  The property is run by Alves Properties and their number is (918)585-1212.  A friend of mine took me to his buddies apartment at Arlington Arms a few weeks ago.  He has a 2 bedroom on the top floor and I think he said his rent was about $650/mo.  

The view of the downtown skyline was amazing but parking seemed like it would be a problem.  I called Alves Properties a few weeks ago to see what they had available because I am moving to the downtown area at the end of the month.  They had a few apartments around 12th & Elgin area that I really liked.  Rent was pretty cheap.  All 2 bedroom apartments from $550/mo to $625/mo.  

I'm not very familiar with that part of town, so if anyone has any information I would be glad to hear it.

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by Aqxea

I am familiar with Arlington Arms.  The property is run by Alves Properties and their number is (918)585-1212.  A friend of mine took me to his buddies apartment at Arlington Arms a few weeks ago.  He has a 2 bedroom on the top floor and I think he said his rent was about $650/mo.  

The view of the downtown skyline was amazing but parking seemed like it would be a problem.  I called Alves Properties a few weeks ago to see what they had available because I am moving to the downtown area at the end of the month.  They had a few apartments around 12th & Elgin area that I really liked.  Rent was pretty cheap.  All 2 bedroom apartments from $550/mo to $625/mo.  

I'm not very familiar with that part of town, so if anyone has any information I would be glad to hear it.

Be wary of 12th & Elgin. Close to the Home Depot and convenient but scary. One really nice multi level apartment building sits in the middle of it all but still...

Arlington Arms was renovated back in the 90's I think. A good location and cool depression era styling. Look also at some apartments scattered through Maple Ridge starting at 21st west to the river and South to 31st. Some condo's in there too.

[cannon_fodder]

The area of downtown near Home Depot is sketchy, but as far as I know it is not a high crime area.  Just an intersection of downtown and older somewhat rundown neighborhoods.  Which is probably why the rent is so reasonable.  The area directly North of there is under constant talk of renovation and not too far away new row houses went up in the Pearl district.

[TheArtist]

Its such a shame we do not have any real, decent, urban neighborhoods to offer people. Most of the newer apartments and living options are the suburban type.

[Conan71]

Not saying the problem near 11th & Elgin is cured, but closing that ramshackle liquor store near the IDL bridge seems to have had an impact on the foot traffic in the area when I drive by now vs. a few years back.

[cannon_fodder]

I was saying the same thing to my wife just yesterday Artist.

I'm surprised some developer hasn't taken a block in the pearl area/downtown or West of TU and turned it into an urban neighborhood.

1.  Small retail spaces for barber/market/bar type places.  Also could have some small office space for accounting, attorneys or the like.
2. Apartment/condos above the retail.
3. Apartment building with ~16 units
4. Several "brown stone" style houses.

Prefer underground parking.  If cost prohibitive have an obscure lot.  

Negotiate a bus stop with the city, shuttles with TU, etc. to encourage car free living.

Just shooting the breeze here, but it seems workable.

[CRZ]

Arlington Arms is very nice for the price, I looked at them a few years ago, but opted for the apartment at 12th & Elgin.  I lived there for over two years and never had any problems.  Also, Alves Properties management was top notch.

Stay away from Perry Properties.

[TheArtist]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

I was saying the same thing to my wife just yesterday Artist.

I'm surprised some developer hasn't taken a block in the pearl area/downtown or West of TU and turned it into an urban neighborhood.

1.  Small retail spaces for barber/market/bar type places.  Also could have some small office space for accounting, attorneys or the like.
2. Apartment/condos above the retail.
3. Apartment building with ~16 units
4. Several "brown stone" style houses.

Prefer underground parking.  If cost prohibitive have an obscure lot.  

Negotiate a bus stop with the city, shuttles with TU, etc. to encourage car free living.

Just shooting the breeze here, but it seems workable.

I keep saying how Tulsa needs to offer a "full range of living options".  Its not going to really be able to offer the new suburban living option anymore. The suburbs will do that.  But yet we are really lagging behind on being able to offer the urban living option. We are going to be losing out to both other cities and the suburbs at the same time.

Hopefully more people, like we have seen come on here asking about urban options, will create the drive for developers to start creating that. Just wish there was some way to jump start and get things moving in that direction a bit quicker and more surely. You still hear about companies not being able to get people to move here because Tusla does not offer the type of living and lifestyle they are used to having. I actually just ran across someone yesterday who moved here for a job... but is now frantically trying to get the heck out of here lol. We say we are a city, but dont "live" like one.

Tulsa has, it seems, always been in that twilight zone, not quite a town, but not a city either. Aaaalmost, lots of potential, but not quite there.  I wonder if this next decade will see that finally change?

Many who like living here already, like it because of the way it is, so they arent pushing for or looking for the kind of changes we are talking about. If you dont like it here, your far more likely to simply move, or not move here in the first place. Its rare to find the person who likes it here, but wants to put the effort and work into creating an urban lifestyle.  Even the answers we get on here when someone new asks about a good place to stay or live is the perfect example of that bias. The options people on here list are what? Suburban type apartment complexes and neighborhoods.  That just seems to be the automatic default assumtion. Then the person requesting informantion has to point out they are looking for, something in or near downtown, a loft apartment etc.

[Conan71]

One would hope that the next decade will be full of urban change.  For some reason Tulsa pops up on the radar screens of all the big box retailers and restaurant chains, yet we can't seem to close the deal on a major urban infill project.  The announcement on Tribune lofts going condo is encouraging.  Maybe we figure areas should turn around within five to ten years, and they have in other cities.  

It's taken the Brady District almost 20 years to get to where it's at now, but wow, look at the announcements just in the last year- The old Matthews warehouse, Griffin Comm. putting $20 mil in the Brady (to ostensibly make way for new development at their old studio site), apparent updates on the Old Lady, finally some stability with Caz's Chowhouse doing well in a location which seemed to change business hands every six months.  Not bad for an area which boasts a jail, Salvation Army, Day Center, and John 3:16 not all that far away.

I think The Pearl and East End represent the next best development opportunities and could provide a clean slate for the kind of development you and CF are talking about.  Those are both doable in the next 10 years.

Personally, I love my mid-town environment.  The first house I ever owned was just a few houses down from where I live now.  I gradually crept out to the burbs and have never been happier than being right back where I started.  The burbs have no heart. []

[cannon_fodder]

I love my Midtown area too Conan.  The problem is with a young family I can not afford the space I want.  Frankly, when my boy is a teenager having one common room in the house probably won't cut it (entry, kitchen, living room, and dining room have no real divide).  Then his room shares a wall with my wife and I's and the only other room in the house is a den/computer room with maybe 150 Sq feet.

I need a man room for my wet bar, a pool table, and big screen (all of which I need a man room to claim I need).  That way the boy and his friends can get away from us civilized types too.  Alas, I will probably never be able to afford a midtown home with that kind of space.  So in the future (~5 years) my wife and I will have a hard choice.