[themaster]

I've heard you can buy a 3 bedroom 2 bath 70's rambler for about $15k somewhere in oklahoma.. so where is that?

[Goodpasture]

36th St N and Garrison in Tulsa. Many have been remodeled and are going for that kind of money...

[themaster]

Originally Posted by Goodpasture

36th St N and Garrison in Tulsa. Many have been remodeled and are going for that kind of money...

Yah, Tulsa sounds familiar.. that may be what I heard off..

Why is that area undesirable or cheap?

[Goodpasture]

somewhat gang infested

[ERISAjunkie]

Originally Posted by themaster

I've heard you can buy a 3 bedroom 2 bath 70's rambler for about $15k somewhere in oklahoma.. so where is that?

You can get good deals in Oklahoma but I've not seen 15K. If you're willing to live off the beaten track a bit you might get something 50-75K in good shape for a single guy. A couple of years ago I visited Delaware County. Beautiful place and a nice place to put down roots if you want to start a new life. You're a bit far from Tulsa in most of Delaware to commute so you have to either work from home or try to get a decent local job. Getting something local would be a challenge since the area is largely rural or semi-rural.

The largest town, and it's not a city, I visited was Grove. I loved it. The lake is large and restful and has just the right amount of restaurants and outdoor activities that would make it an ideal place to move if that's your interest. Unfortunately, real estate in Grove is certainly outside of your 15K threshold but maybe you can find a room or small rental while you look.

I looked mostly south of Grove where there were farms and acreage. I don't know if I would recommend Kansas, Jay etc. for a single guy unless you delight in your own company. These towns have special events and their own charm but you have to go into Fayetteville or Springdale for anything resembling big city life. Springdale and Fayetteville are accross the border in Arkansas. Maybe you could live in some of the towns I mentioned and commute into into Arkansas. I don't know anything about the commute but both Springdale and Fayetteville look like they has a lot of opportunity. Personally though, I didn't like Springdale. I was there only overnight but it looked unattractive to me. It's a big town though.

Oklahoma is full of small towns that offer a reserved pace of life that is afforable. The problem is that you need to earn a living. I would ensure that I have some prospects and a few months worth of expenses before I venture forth.

[themaster]

Originally Posted by ERISAjunkie

Grove is certainly outside of your 15K threshold but maybe you can find a room or small rental while you look.

15k+ is not outside of my threshold.. just what I prefer to spend..

I know in some places.. some of these housing/mortgage companies whatever they are.. allow you to rent the house before you buy I think you can even apply the rent purchase.. least I believe I've seen that on some texas places.. I'm not in a hurry to buy.. I'm just going to look and see what's available and if I'm comfortable..

I've read that oklahoma has one of the lowest costs of living.. is that reflected in the power and water bills? etc. I mean what's the average for summer $200 a month or winter?

[ERISAjunkie]

Originally Posted by themaster

15k+ is not outside of my threshold.. just what I prefer to spend..

I know in some places.. some of these housing/mortgage companies whatever they are.. allow you to rent the house before you buy I think you can even apply the rent purchase.. least I believe I've seen that on some texas places.. I'm not in a hurry to buy.. I'm just going to look and see what's available and if I'm comfortable..

I've read that oklahoma has one of the lowest costs of living.. is that reflected in the power and water bills? etc. I mean what's the average for summer $200 a month or winter?

I hear you. It sounds like you have a plan. It's a great idea to rent with an option to buy. This way you're not tied down to any one place in case you don't like where you're at after awhile.

I don't know what the average is but $200 a month seems on the high side for what you're looking at. I remember a thread like this before. Maybe others can share their knowledge on utilities in OK.

Best of luck to you!

[krisk590]

So, if I sold my house here in Maine I might be able to buy a home for my husband,myself and my horses for 50,000 to 70,000 cash? What about auctions? I have wanted to move to Ok for a few years and now that oil is so high I am really feeling the need to move. 5 mos of winter is tough if you don't do winter sports.

[Annemieke Roell]

The house we live in is a 2 bedroom, one bath house that was built in the land run era on 10 acres that we bought for $18K as a foreclosure. We are 30 minutes from Tulsa, 30 minutes from Stillwater and about an hour from Oklahoma City.

Our rental properties are similar purchases. There are many properties for sale within easy travel distance to the cities.

[Annemieke Roell]

Originally Posted by krisk590

So, if I sold my house here in Maine I might be able to buy a home for my husband,myself and my horses for 50,000 to 70,000 cash? What about auctions? I have wanted to move to Ok for a few years and now that oil is so high I am really feeling the need to move. 5 mos of winter is tough if you don't do winter sports.

Where in Maine are you? I used to own a property in Oquossoc.