Moving to Tulsa--where to live?

[sig821]

Hi--I will be moving to Tulsa this summer.  I will be working at St. Francis hospital, while my fiance will need to commute to OKC.  What would be a good, SAFE, neighborhood to live in (renting) that is close to the hospital and has quick access to the highway?  Thanks!

[cannon_fodder]

quote:Originally posted by sig821

Hi--I will be moving to Tulsa this summer.  I will be working at St. Francis hospital, while my fiance will need to commute to OKC.  What would be a good, SAFE, neighborhood to live in (renting) that is close to the hospital and has quick access to the highway?  Thanks!

1) What are you looking for?  Urban or more suburban?  Rural?  Do you want anything in particular near by (must be within walking distance of a bar/grocery store/coffee shop)?

2) Price range?  Do you want square footage for your money or do you want a stylish old neighborhood?  New construction only?  Subdivision or neighborhood?  Renting a house or apartment?  Pets?

3) How relevant is the commute time to either you or your wife?  What priority level would you place on your commute time and what is an acceptable level?

4) You're fiance will have a 2 to 4 hour daily commute no matter what   (2 hours is from Tulsa's Western Most suburb to OKC's Eastern most - 4 hours from Claremore to Norman) as well as $7 in tolls (and $30 in gas).  To clarify, that is 10 to 20 hours a week of driving, $35 in tolls, and $150 in gas (using middle values and 20mpg).

To quantify that for you... if your fiance 's time is worth $20 an hour... in a given year she will spend  $15,000 worth of time (750 hours) in her car, $7500 on gas, and $1750 in tolls.  So $9250 out of pocket plus her time.

What I'm saying, is it is probably better for him to find a job in Tulsa if the move is LONG term.   Taking a $20,000 pay cut she could still come out ahead assuming her time has value (working am 8 - 5 she would have to leave at 6:30 and wouldn't get home until 6:30!).

Not sure if this is a summer internship or what... just making sure you know what you are getting him into.

5) Let the "where is best to live" games begin!

[waterboy]

Leave it to CF to correctly analyze and quantify your decisions! Good job.

What jumped into my mind was Barcelona apartments at 51st & Yale. For a 6 month lease to try out the city and look around for what really suits you, it would be optimal. One mile from the hospital, one half mile from the I-44 west entrance to OKC and across the street from LaFortune park. They are a bit aged but better than other nearby apartments.

[AngieB]

My brother commutes from OKC/Moore to Tulsa every day. He spends over $800/month on gas.

And nothing about that drive is interesting or fun. B-oring!

[TUalum0982]

quote:Originally posted by sig821

Hi--I will be moving to Tulsa this summer.  I will be working at St. Francis hospital, while my fiance will need to commute to OKC.  What would be a good, SAFE, neighborhood to live in (renting) that is close to the hospital and has quick access to the highway?  Thanks!

you might try the vintage on yale at 81st and yale on the hill.  1 mile from the creek turnpike entrance, which is about 7 miles from the turner turnpike to OKC.  I know polo run on 71st between Sheridan and Yale gives discounts to employees of St Francis.  It is 2 miles from I44 and 2 miles from the creek turnpike.  It is nice, gated community but the other apt complexes around there can be somewhat questionable.  I used to live at Estancia at 77th and Mingo (3 miles from the hospital) and 1/2 mile from 169.  They are very nice apt's, no problems except for the occasional loud neighbor.  They also gave a discount for being an employee of st francis hospital.

You might also try going to the HR dept at St Francis and asking for a list of apt's that give discounts and see if there are any on there that suit you and your needs.  

But like the other's said, the commute from OKC to Tulsa will get old and expensive very quickly.

[sig821]

Thanks for the input! [] To clarify, my fiance will be working in Tulsa, but will drive to OKC on the weekends to pick up kids.

We are interested in renting, then eventually buying a house once we get to know the city.  We definitely prefer something older with character--I guess a loft type feel for an apartment or a bungalow for a house sums it up best.  But neighborhood safety and ease of commute are highest priorities.  (Coming from a small town in Iowa, I don't know what to expect in terms of traffic/safety...)

[sauerkraut]

I like south Tulsa. The bad areas they say is North Tulsa. There's alot of apartments on RiverSide Drive and they have a super jogging trail there, so it makes it easy when you go for a run if your a runner. Where are you moving from?[]

[sauerkraut]

Hey- I just thunk about something, if you will be working in Tulsa and your friend in OKC why not find a place midway between the two cities? Then each person has only a 50 mile drive. That's a long haul driving to OKC everyday from Tulsa and the toll road prices add up too. gasoline is expected to hit $4.00 a gallon this summer. It also is alot of wear on the car. Another idea is why can't you work at a hospital in OKC? can you transfer to a hospital in OKC? Or what about your friend working in Tulsa? That drive to OKC everyday will burn him out.[B)]

[cannon_fodder]

A weekend trip  to OKC is no big deal, just making sure you realized a daily commute to OKC would be a miserable thing on the long haul!

Where in Iowa are you from?   I spent some time in Iowa City, my Uncle is head of grounds at Iowa - I grew up in Waterloo and my wife is from Dubuque (both graduates of Northern Iowa so we spent time in Cedar Falls also).  Which of course means I've been to most of the state and know someone everywhere...

The people in Tulsa are pretty much the same as people in Iowa.  Generally friendly and approachable (if you talk to someone in an elevator they probably won't look at you like you're crazy).  It is more conservative than Iowa (and WAY more so than Iowa City) and at least twice as religious (Christian).  Tulsa is also more diverse than Iowa with 70% white, 15% black, 5% native and 5% other (Iowa is 92% white) and has greater economic diversity (Billionaires to homeless).

There are some crime issues in Tulsa but that has been on the decline and most violent crimes are restricted to parties involved in some way (shootings at 3am at night clubs, gang violence, etc.).  Instances of random homicide, home invasion and robbery are rare for the most part.  But like any city that has a good number of people - caution is appropriate as all it takes is one wacko.  The "North Side" (north of I-244) is generally stereotyped as the wrong side of the tracks - it is poorer, more industrial, largely black, generally more run down, and does have a higher ratio of crime (all generalizations of course).

For bungalows you will probably want to shop around midtown.  This area will bring you closer to most hospitals, is more urban than suburban, and has many older bungalow type homes.  The only place to get any sort of a loft-style would be downtown that I know of.

Keep asking questions and welcome to Tulsa (a little early I realize)!

[sig821]

We appreciate all the ideas and info.  Cannon fodder, to answer your question, I am from Iowa City--went to college there.  Glad to know there is another Iowa expatriot in OK.

Is midtown a safe part of town?  How is the drive from there to St. Francis in terms of time and traffic?

Jenks had been suggested to us too...are there older "charming" houses there?

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by sig821

Is midtown a safe part of town?  How is the drive from there to St. Francis in terms of time and traffic?

you'll be safer there than north tulsa, but they have bad smug problems there.

[TheArtist]

quote:Originally posted by sig821

We appreciate all the ideas and info.  Cannon fodder, to answer your question, I am from Iowa City--went to college there.  Glad to know there is another Iowa expatriot in OK.

Is midtown a safe part of town?  How is the drive from there to St. Francis in terms of time and traffic?

Jenks had been suggested to us too...are there older "charming" houses there?

Mid-town is a very safe part of town. However, there are some "sketchy spot"s along some borders.  Just fyi, the heart of midtown is 21st and Utica. There is an old shopping center called Utica Square. That area is also the heart of the "old money". Villa Philbrook, Square miles of beautiful mansions, the Tulsa Historical Society, Garden Center, Woodward Park, the Rose Garden, Cascia Hall, Monte Casino prep school, Swan Lake, etc etc.  Suffice it to say its Tulsas prime realestate. This "nice" area is expanding outward and growing so the edge areas are often good investments. There are 2 "trendy/hip" walkable districts having streets lined with nice shopping, restaurants, with new modern loft apartments going in, etc. near this. One area is called Brookside and the other Cherry Street. Its probably just as quick and easy to get to St Francis from anywhere in around these areas as it would be from some place in Jenks. As for "charming houses" in Jenks, no. The oldest houses there are mostly, well, very tiny and poor. Jenks is seen as a good choice because it is near the river and a lot of river developments, good schools and lots of new neighborhoods many of which are very nice.

You will really just have to come and have a look around, otherwise most of what we are describing is just words. Once you get a feel for the different areas I am sure one or two will really strike you as what you are looking for. But it would be wise to have a native along with you. Some areas that look nice, may not be the best, while some areas that may not look that nice, may be quite safe and desirable. And it can change from very nice to very not nice within just a matter of blocks. The "other side of the tracks" thing.

[cannon_fodder]

quote:Originally posted by sig821

We appreciate all the ideas and info.  Cannon fodder, to answer your question, I am from Iowa City--went to college there.  Glad to know there is another Iowa expatriot in OK.

Is midtown a safe part of town?  

There are TONS of Iowa expats in Tulsa.  The Chief of Staff at St. Francis is from Iowa.  My old boss at a law firm is.  We transplant well.

I live at 28th and Harvard in Midtown (please no "what is midtown" debates).  My 8 year old plays in our front yard with only occasional glances out side.  My friends and I stagger from the local watering hole at 2am with no fear.  I have left my garage open all day and not had anything stolen.  And my area of midtown is far from the most affluent part.

You should feel as safe in midtown Tulsa as you do in most residential neighborhoods in Iowa City or Cedar Rapids.  Understanding of course that there are deadbeats and criminals can drive when they get tired of breaking into their neighbors cars.  In general I have not had nor really feared crime problems in my area (my pumpkins didn't even get smashed this year!).

quote:How is the drive from there to St. Francis in terms of time and traffic?

From my house to the main hospital of St. Francis is only 5 miles, 10 or 15 minutes.  The traffic will be kind-of-sorta bad (coming from Iowa) in that the part of town is generally dense.  But, coming into that part of town from anywhere you will run into congestion.  Certainly the commute would compare well with any other (Jenks would be 8 miles, 15 - 20 minutes).

quote:Jenks had been suggested to us too...are there older "charming" houses there?

Probably.  But generally the houses for sale in Jenks are new subdivision houses.  Midtown has houses from the 1920's, another wave in the post war era, and of course infill projects.  I live and enjoy Midtown, so I tend to steer people in that direction.

If Iowa City were Tulsa - Broken Arrow would be Corralville (proper suburb with shopping etc), Owasso would be North Liberty (go there to sleep and eat at chain restaurants), Bixby would be Vernon (farming town turning suburb), and Jenks would be something between Vernon and Corralville.  Now, I haven't been to Iowa City for damn near a decade, but when you visit Tulsa let me know how my comparisons hold up!

Drive around and see what you think for yourself.  Someone post a neighborhood guide or link to one somewhere so they have a reference.  Otherwise, note locations or cross streets and we'll be more than happy to kick in our $1.05.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by sig821

We appreciate all the ideas and info.  Cannon fodder, to answer your question, I am from Iowa City--went to college there.  Glad to know there is another Iowa expatriot in OK.

Is midtown a safe part of town?  How is the drive from there to St. Francis in terms of time and traffic?

Jenks had been suggested to us too...are there older "charming" houses there?

Pretty much what Cannon Fodder is saying about midtown.  It's like a micro city.  Most everything I need is within a couple of miles other than my job.

Say from 31st & Harvard to St. Francis, you'd be looking at about 15 to 20 minutes to St. Francis at rush hour in the morning, assuming no accidents.

I'm at 15th & Harvard.  For bungalow or loft type living, and low crime, 21st to roughly 11th and about Yale on into downtown.  There's also a neat neighborhood north of 11th and east of Yale called White City which is older bungalows and gingerbreads.

Waterboy does have a good suggestion on Barcelona Apts. though, if you are wanting to test the waters and learn more about the geography prior to plunking down.  One mile from St. Francis, LaFortune Park is across the street and plenty of amenities nearby.  I have two close friends who live there and was just there last night.  They've been kept up well, updated, and there's not a bunch of junk cars laying around, which is usually a decent indicator of the types of tennants.

It's a quiet place if you get a unit toward the back, away from Yale.

[Ambluessador]

Wow!  Thank you all for your input!  I've started color coding the satellite imagery of Tulsa using G**gle Earth and now I have an idea of what some of the areas are like in terms of style, personality, safety, and trafficability.  We'll actually be in Tulsa the weekend of April 26th to start getting a feel for what the city is really like.  Thank you all again for the comments.