house hunting--brady heights?

[cannon_fodder]

I'm not trying to argue one is better than the other.  All those things you said are true.  We have higher crime, you're school are rated batter (though I'm REALLY happy with my son's TPS), you are less congested.  Midtown is not better, it's different.

I like the quasi urban feel and the fact that it is at least somewhat unique.  That's all I'm saying, not that one is better than the other.

[guido911]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

I'm not trying to argue one is better than the other.  All those things you said are true.  We have higher crime, you're school are rated batter (though I'm REALLY happy with my son's TPS), you are less congested.  Midtown is not better, it's different.

I like the quasi urban feel and the fact that it is at least somewhat unique.  That's all I'm saying, not that one is better than the other.

Got it. Now, time for you to move to South Tulsa.

[cannon_fodder]

LoL, I might have to.  In the not-too distant we will want more more room and trying to pay for it in Midtown or getting it cheaper somewhere else will be a hard decision.

[cannon_fodder]

[edit]The dreaded double post[/edit]

[Kashmir]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

LoL, I might have to.  In the not-too distant we will want more more room and trying to pay for it in Midtown or getting it cheaper somewhere else will be a hard decision.

I think the most important reason for living where I do (south) is b/c both sets of grandparents are a mile away and that was very important for us b/c of free babysitting.  Not for the plethora of SuperWalmart, Chili's, and Lowe's Depot.  If they had lived Midtown or Owasso that's probably where I would be now. Mr. K and I went to Union and were happy, so naturally, why change?  

I see new construction going in over where I grew up...hmmm.

[guido911]

quote:Originally posted by Kashmir

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

LoL, I might have to.  In the not-too distant we will want more more room and trying to pay for it in Midtown or getting it cheaper somewhere else will be a hard decision.

I think the most important reason for living where I do (south) is b/c both sets of grandparents are a mile away and that was very important for us b/c of free babysitting.  Not for the plethora of SuperWalmart, Chili's, and Lowe's Depot.  If they had lived Midtown or Owasso that's probably where I would be now. Mr. K and I went to Union and were happy, so naturally, why change?  

I see new construction going in over where I grew up...hmmm.

Sounds like you live in my neighborhood. Those grandparents freelance?

[Kashmir]

Nawww...one set retired, one set still works fulltime-at a large complex-on the verge of Owasso...
I wish they freelanced.  More time to babysit!

I wish I had sidewalks, half my neighborhood does, half does not. Cedar Ridge is the elem I am referring to.   Lots of little kids and great families on the street. We are a "biracial" family and we feel  really comfortable here.

All in all, I have it pretty darn good.[]

[Cirage]

Hey newtulsan,
My husband and I moved to Brady Heights in October. We love the great deal we got on our historic home but it's the fantastic sense of community and neighborhood pride in Brady Heights that we really appreciate.
Brady Heights has the feel of midtown without the high costs.  Flippers are doing a great job of remodeling abandoned homes in the area and, more importantly, young people and families are moving here with plans to put down roots in the neighborhood.  Within the last three months, 5 young couples have moved into our block alone!
Resale values are not the greatest but the neighborhood is constantly improving and I'm sure that will change in the coming years,  especially with the coming of downtown development and the OSU/Langston expansion.
Brady Heights is truly an economically diverse neighborhood which keeps it from becoming too pretentious.  Some people may be turned off by the North Tulsa address, but I  have never once felt unsafe here. Besides, it's a fun and easy way to impress people from the southside.  Instant street cred!
We have an active neighborhood association, a great community garden, and plans are in the works to form neighborhood walks on sunday afternoons.  An old grocery at Latimer and Cheyenne will soon be reopened as a coop and community center.  Great things are happening in Brady Heights and I hope that you'll join us!   Send me a message if you'd like. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

[guido911]

quote:Originally posted by Kashmir

Nawww...one set retired, one set still works fulltime-at a large complex-on the verge of Owasso...
I wish they freelanced.  More time to babysit!

I wish I had sidewalks, half my neighborhood does, half does not. Cedar Ridge is the elem I am referring to.   Lots of little kids and great families on the street. We are a "biracial" family and we feel  really comfortable here.

All in all, I have it pretty darn good.[]

Glad your happy. I am on the other side of Memorial and we are happy as well. We got lucky with sidewalks.

[Gaspar]

quote:Originally posted by newtulsan

I will be moving to Tulsa soon and have been looking for a house.  I have found several for sale in Brady Heights but have gotten mixed reviews about the area.  I am just trying to get opinions on living in this area...is it safe? resale value? etc... Thanks for your help!

I usually look at active crime when my wife and I are going to move to a new area.  You can go to: www.tulsapolice.org/mapcentral.html and pull up a map for that area.

I just did and it's pretty hot!  I just pulled up homicide, assault, and rape and got somthing like 63  little red dots(only a few were homicide) in the last 12 months.  

I like the architecture and great old design of the neighborhood, and if I was single I would consider it, but not with a wife a babies!  

That's just me though.

[needthetruth]

Brady Heights has potential, but unfortunately they put the county jail within a half mile and the Salvation Army even closer. It's promoted as within walking distance of downtown, but who wants to walk through all those people hanging out at those places??
The main street through the neighborhood is a bit of an expressway because its the quickest way out of downtown to the north side. I looked at houses there around 5 pm one day and cars were whizzing by me at 50 mph.
If the shady places were moved and the traffic would slow down (given an alternate quicker route maybe?), it would be a fabulous neighborhood. Until then, its limited.

Go South of downtown to midtown or even further South to Union and Jenks schools to find the best areas of the town.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by Hometown

I live on Reservoir Hill and I drive through Brady Heights twice a day.  The more I see of it the more I really like Brady Heights.  

I don't understand why people pay a premium to live in South Tulsa and shop at its strip malls and sit in traffic when the older neighborhoods of mid-town and north Tulsa are so clearly superior, but I think a lot of it gets back to fear of ethnic people.

Good luck with your search.

Well said, Hometown.  You know me and my home in midtown Tulsa Lortondale subdivision, your childhood neighborhood.  Tulsa has much more to offer besides the new generic suburbs of south Tulsa county, with the wealth of vintage homes from 1910 bungalows, 1920s oil mansions, to 1950s ultra-modern tract homes, such as my house.  History is alive and well in north Tulsa and midtown/downtown Tulsa.  Not to mention the short commutes and less reliance on the automobile.  

[TUalum0982]

quote:Originally posted by Steve

quote:Originally posted by Hometown

I live on Reservoir Hill and I drive through Brady Heights twice a day.  The more I see of it the more I really like Brady Heights.  

I don't understand why people pay a premium to live in South Tulsa and shop at its strip malls and sit in traffic when the older neighborhoods of mid-town and north Tulsa are so clearly superior, but I think a lot of it gets back to fear of ethnic people.

Good luck with your search.

Well said, Hometown.  You know me and my home in midtown Tulsa Lortondale subdivision, your childhood neighborhood.  Tulsa has much more to offer besides the new generic suburbs of south Tulsa county, with the wealth of vintage homes from 1910 bungalows, 1920s oil mansions, to 1950s ultra-modern tract homes, such as my house.  History is alive and well in north Tulsa and midtown/downtown Tulsa.  Not to mention the short commutes and less reliance on the automobile.  

Whose to say those who live in South Tulsa dont have short commutes and less reliance on the automobile? I imagine there are quite a few people who live in midtown or north Tulsa who work in South Tulsa.  There are quite a few office building all around South Tulsa now.  Before you know it, all of 71st, 81st and 91st along 75 will be retail, so we will rely even less on commuting as well.

While I am on the subject, plans just came across for a 250,000 sq ft retail shopping center on the NE corner of 91st and hwy 75.  Name is said to be South Tulsa Hills.  How true is the name, I am not for sure.

[Hometown]

Sorry about getting you fired up Kasmir.  As Steve has pointed out, I grew up in what was then far south Tulsa – Lortondale.  Then as now, south Tulsa represented something new and improved.  I can remember telling my PE teacher at Lincoln Elementary that we were moving to the Hoover District and her face lit up like I had said we won the lotto.

The disconnect between reality and the promise of something new and improved is where I am focused.  South Tulsa, before it was built held incredible promise.  Unfortunately what has really been developed is disappointing.  The city planning does not compare well to Midtown and North Tulsa.  The mix of people in South Tulsa may make some feel comfortable but I think that is lacking too.  

Now, when it comes to rearing children I absolutely understand that your first concern is for your child's safety.  I would say that wherever you live your child needs your constant supervision.  That is a sad fact of life now.

If I were a parent I would also wish that my child grew up knowing a variety of people, a variety of ethnicities from a variety of economic backgrounds.  I believe isolating your child from the broad cross section of people he will have to deal with in his life puts him at a disadvantage.

While people talk about being priced out of midtown my impression is that people pay a premium to live in South Tulsa.  When we were looking we saw $650,000 homes in South Tulsa and I have to say, they just didn't make any sense at all.  The truth is that I see lovely old historic midtown homes go begging and fall into deterioration.

When Cannon says he may have to head south to find the space he'll need at a price he can afford, he clearly is not considering north Tulsa, where we offer the best values in Tulsa.

Midtown home prices do tell us something important though, they have improved over a long period of time, which tells us there is increased and sustained demand, so apparently there are people out there looking to move in closer to town.

Here's a list of wonderful old Tulsa neighborhoods that offer value and urbanity and a piece of history:

Owen Park
Reservoir Hill
Gilcrease Hills
Brady Heights
Riverview
White City
Lortondale
Patrick Henry
Saddleback

I personally love Ranch Homes from the 50s and 60s and the homes in Patrick Henry (Best elementary in Tulsa) and Saddleback were built for executives.  Modern Lortondale rivals North Tulsa in offering tremendous value.  Weren't they named a historic neighborhood this past year?

The redevelopment of the neighborhoods around Utica Square is taking a toll on their incredible charm, but they are still a pricey treasure.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not an old Tulsa snob that won't drive south of 51st.  Southwood Nursery is my favorite retail operation in Tulsa.  My niece's family lives in Bixby.  The ORU campus is an architectural high point.  And there is still time to make some improvements to your zoning.  (But I'm not holding my breath.)

Newtulsan, did we scare you away?  I hope not.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by Hometown

 I'm not an old Tulsa snob that won't drive south of 51st.  

Call me a snob.  My nose bleeds every time I go south of 51st...

[}:)]