What Is a Good Tulsa Neighborhood?

[TulsaSooner]

I'm looking to move in the spring/summer and upgrade to a......different neighborhood.  I currently live in east Tulsa, a little north of the Battle Creek area.  

I would like to live in Tulsa but we have a middle schooler and I've not heard anything good about any of the TPS schools.  Which TPS middle and high schools are "good"?  

I'll be looking in the $150k - $180k range so nothing spectacular....we're just middle class folks.  I like a lot of the newer houses I see but they're always in BA, Jenks, Owasso, etc.  I also like some of the older midtown homes, but I'm not sure I could afford one and I'm not sure about the schools there.

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[inteller]

there is some middle class stuff in that range in west jenks or south Bixby, but you'll be hard pressed to find something above 2k sq ft built recently for that.

[Gaspar]

We live in Forest Creek between 81st and 91st off of Harvard.  It's the most active family neighborhood I've ever seen.  Looks like the neighborhood from ET at Halloween!  We had 122 trick-or-treaters this year!

We have a neighborhood pool and park, and every parent knows every kid in the neighborhood!

Houses are in your price range.  Jenks schools.  I think Jenks is #1, but not sure.

Neighborhood is about 30-40 years old, so the homes have lots of character and we have huge trees, winding creeks and large back yards.

The neighborhood association sponsors several parties, kids events, and holiday parades.  We also have hayrides at holloween.

We love it.  Made my wife uneasy when we first moved there because she was a mid-towner and was not used to neighbors being so friendly.  She lived in Florence park for 20 years and only knew the neighbors directly around her house.  

[TulsaSooner]

2k square foot is probably more than I could afford anywhere!

Thanks Gas, that's helpful.  I'm somewhat familiar with that area as I used to manage that Pizza Hut at 82nd and Harvard when it first opened in my younger days.  I'm having a hard time picturing it though, I'll have to drive down and check it out....I only remember a gated community down there which I know is far beyond my means.  []

[Renaissance]

As far as non-magnet TPS schools go, my understanding is that Edison middle and high schools are very, very solid.  You should check out Ranch Acres and some of the other subdivisions in that area.  I'm sure you can find a home in your price range nearby.

[tulsa_fan]

I would probably say Edison as well.  You could definintely find some things in your price range in the Edison school district.  Especially if you are only needing 3 bedrooms.

We are actually looking in the Forest Creek area, and a great home just sold at 82 & Harvard, it was 2700 sq ft and it sold for just over 180k.  Walnut Creek and such also have good places in there.  

Gaspar, we are so on the fence, new neighborhood, full of young families, young kids (pricey) older neighborhood, more character, better value, but I wonder are young families still moving in or all the kids HS and above?

[pmcalk]

I have a kid starting middle school next year, and have been looking into it quite a bit.  The three top middle schools within TPS are Thoreau, Carver, & Edison (magnet program).  Each has something to offer, and I would recommend visiting each.  Carver has the top test scores in the city, and feeds directly into BTW (which is a top 100 school in the nation).  If you really want your child to go to BTW, I would choose Carver.  Thoreau is further south (around 71st & Memorial), and also tests well.  It has a very different approach to teaching, encouraging collaborative projects/open classrooms/variety of approaches.  Many of the kids do go onto BTW, though not all.  Both Carver & Thoreau are magnet schools, so it doesn't matter where you live (though certain areas may provide you with a better chance of acceptance).  Carver takes based upon grades; Thoreau uses somewhat of a lottery, trying to draw a diverse group of students.  Edison has a good magnet program, but I have heard mixed things about the non-magnet classes.  The plus side is that, if you live in Edison district and meet the minimum criteria, you are automatically admitted to the magnet program (students outside the district are admitted depending upon available space). Edison middle school feeds into Edison High School, and very few go elsewhere.  I have heard pretty good things about Edison High, but not as good as BTW.

Transfers to all three schools are required, and you will need teacher recommendations and transcripts for each.  The due date for those is coming up very soon.

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by pmcalk

I have a kid starting middle school next year, and have been looking into it quite a bit.  The three top middle schools within TPS are Thoreau, Carver, & Edison (magnet program).  Each has something to offer, and I would recommend visiting each.  Carver has the top test scores in the city, and feeds directly into BTW (which is a top 100 school in the nation).  If you really want your child to go to BTW, I would choose Carver.  Thoreau is further south (around 71st & Memorial), and also tests well.  It has a very different approach to teaching, encouraging collaborative projects/open classrooms/variety of approaches.  Many of the kids do go onto BTW, though not all.  Both Carver & Thoreau are magnet schools, so it doesn't matter where you live (though certain areas may provide you with a better chance of acceptance).  Carver takes based upon grades; Thoreau uses somewhat of a lottery, trying to draw a diverse group of students.  Edison has a good magnet program, but I have heard mixed things about the non-magnet classes.  The plus side is that, if you live in Edison district and meet the minimum criteria, you are automatically admitted to the magnet program (students outside the district are admitted depending upon available space). Edison middle school feeds into Edison High School, and very few go elsewhere.  I have heard pretty good things about Edison High, but not as good as BTW.

Transfers to all three schools are required, and you will need teacher recommendations and transcripts for each.  The due date for those is coming up very soon.

I have three boys. Each one went to one of the schools PM refers to. Your research is right on. We loved each school for different reasons. Thoureau is your best bet if you want to live in a neighborhood nearby that fits your parameters. Carver is best scholastically but Thoreau is close behind and does it with a more diverse population. You can't beat BTW for a TPS high school both in real life learning and scholastics but it is a small school compared to Jenks, BA or Union. Some tradeoffs there. Edison has history and is anxious to improve but would be my last choice. Good facilities and convenient but just not there yet. Homes in its district are available for your price range.

Lastly, PM is right about them being magnets and you can transfer into them no matter where you live, however that is as long as you live in the TPS district.

[citizen72]

Chimney Hills. Very quite. Been here since March of 81. Homes are 200,000.00 up though.

[si_uk_lon_ok]

I'm just wondering what peoples thoughts on central high school and the middle schools nearby where.

[mdunn]

North Tulsa is a quite and just lovely area,PLENTY of kids.

[Nick Danger]

Sun Meadow is a great neighborhood, between Yale and Sheridan, south of the Creek Turnpike. Jenks school district. Older homes, built mostly in the late 70's, but large lots, approx. 1/3-1/2 acre each, and lots of large trees.

Many of the homes are still occupied by the original owners. Quite a few of the ones that go on the market need updating, but most are sold in the price range you are looking at. Some that have changed hands have been updated nicely. And they seem to be well built. We moved here after living in new construction, and there is a world of difference in the quality, especially in this price range.

Nick

[pmcalk]

In North Tulsa, Brady Heights is a good neighborhood, and it is in the historic Carver district, which means you get priority towards admission.

[tulsascoot]

quote:Originally posted by citizen72

Chimney Hills. Very quite. Been here since March of 81. Homes are 200,000.00 up though.

I'm not trying to bash here, but why even post Chimney Hills when they said they need something in the 150-180 range?

[TulsaSooner]

Anyone had any luck negotiating the realtor fees down?  Or is it pretty much a standard 6%?  I think that's what I paid the last time I sold my house.