Moving SOON and could use advice: Bixby, Jenks, Broken Arrow? (Tulsa: real estate, apartments)

[muchaloha]

Hi Everyone,

We just got news that we will be moving VERY SOON (2 months) to Oklahoma. Folks have suggested Bixby, Jenks, and Broken Arrow and before we make our decision, I would love to hear any feedback on those areas (and any other towns we should consider). I have noticed it is best to give a lot of info on what we are looking for, so I apologize in advance if this is wordy!

1) We are looking for a single family home to rent and are looking to pay up to $2100 a month. We need a minimum of 4 bedrooms and 2 baths and would love a yard. (Are there a lot of gated communities in those areas...if so, that would be great)

2) We are not worried about a commute for work, as we both are blessed to have jobs that allow us to work from home, but would like to have access to freeways to be convenient from our home.

3) We have a little one (17 months) so we want a very family friendly neighborhood and access to parks and playgrounds.

4) SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY!! That is our top priority

5) We need to be close to an airport for business trips, but figure Tulsa International isn't that far from those towns...am I correct in that assumption?

6) Would like to be close to grocery stores, shopping, and places like Target, etc for errands. Would be GREAT if there were a Whole Foods near by or something like it.

7) Not sure if this is even an issues in those areas, but would not like to be near areas that flood often.

8) Also, between those three (or any other you suggest)...are they any parts of those towns we should stay away from for safety reasons?

We would really love to be able to enjoy some fresh air and be a part of a community (which we have found doesn't really happen in LA). So we are looking for a town with a sense of community. We do enjoy going out to eat and just heading to parks, the zoo, etc with our little one. If there are communities that put on events like free concerts or movies on the lawn, that would be lovely to be a part of.

Any thoughts or suggestions you have would be wonderful! Thank you so much for your time!

[ERISAjunkie]

Well, for $2,100 a month your options are open in any of the areas you mentioned. I just went through this process and now is the time to contact a real estate agent or reply to classifieds for rental homes. The Tulsa suburbs are a little spare on rental homes. There are loads of rental apartments, a very few three bedrooms, in nice complexes. They will cost you a lot less and provide a place to land given your timeframe.

There is a Whole Foods in south Tulsa, close to the suburb of Jenks. The airport is in north Tulsa which, may not be the area your're looking for. It's somewhat industrial. I'm moving to Owasso, a town just north of Tulsa and closer to the airport than Jenks, BA, or Bixby. I don't have children but it seems made for families.

Tulsa is going to be different than LA. Hopefully you've visited a few times and have some sort of feel for the place. Tulsa has a zoo, also close to Owasso, and a lot of activities. Not too sure about the Shakespeare in the Park thing but I'd bet something like that is around. I love opera and Tulsa has a company that puts on three productions a year!

[muchaloha]

Thanks so much! Very helpful info. I have noticed that there aren't a lot of rentals out there right now for homes. I am definitely going to check out Owasso also. My husband has family in Oklahoma and so I have visited briefly, but we are ready for a slower place and a more community feeling...so I am looking forward to it. Excited there is a zoo and an aquarium near by!! Had no idea about the Opera...very cool!

[swake]

No Shakespeare in the Park that I know of.

If you are interested in the arts Tulsa has a lot to offer. Tulsa has two symphonies, a good opera company, and a world class ballet, a good offering of galleries and museums, one of them excellent (Philbrook) and the other is the leading museum in the world for Western American art (Gilcrease).

We get several of the touring broadway shows each year. The American Theater Company is the major professional theater company and there are lots of community theaters and theater companies. OK Mozart in nearby Bartlesville is the state's best classical music festival. The Spotlight Theater near downtown has the longest running play in the nation, they have done "The Drunkard" continuously since the 1950s.

Tulsa has tons of live music, with a good local music scene and as a major stop for all levels of touring acts. The BOK Center is one of the top selling concert arenas in the world and Cain's Ballroom is a smaller historic iconic music venue that rivals anything, anywhere. It's the spot where Bob Will's and Texas Playboys made Western Swing famous and over the last 90 years has had everyone from the Sex Pistols to Bob Dylan to Van Halen play. There's even a Hard Rock Casino here.

[countrymousecommuter]

Any of the areas you mentioned would be family-friendly places to live. My sister lives in Broken Arrow and was able to find rental homes for well under the price you mentioned. But, living in the south suburbs means a hike to places like Super Target or Whole Foods. I know that's probably not a problem since you're from LA, but if you want to be closer to "the action" you might consider houses in the Union school district of south Tulsa. I grew up around 81st and Memorial, which was a safe and nice place to live.

[muchaloha]

Thanks so much everyone! Looking forward to all that T-town has to offer! Excited about the musical theater that comes through town and lots of live music! Also, Broken Arrow looks lovely, thanks for suggesting!

[BAGuy]

Lot's of exciting things happening in and around Broken Arrow. Great community!

[thepastorsson]

I'm also from CA and lived in BA for 4 years altogether before moving to Tulsa. Obviously, just because we are from the same state doesn't mean we will have the same taste. But since I've been where you are and where you are going, I'll throw in my two cents.

Personally, I couldn't stand Broken Arrow. No offense BAGuy or anyone else!! Strictly personal opinion here. But that being said...

It's crowded (for Oklahoma) and very bland. Cookie cutter subdivisions and strip malls. No personality to speak of unless you count the overarching influence of Rhema, an extremely large Bible college and church on Kenosha (71st St.).

Others might disagree. But that was the way BA was to me.

I ended up moving to midtown Tulsa and adored it. Much more in the way of charm, personality and culture.

If I were dead set on a Tulsa suburb, I'd go to Jenks. You should check it out!

Anywho, I'll sit back and prepare to be flamed by the BA lovers. Sorry guys!

[muchaloha]

Originally Posted by thepastorsson

If I were dead set on a Tulsa suburb, I'd go to Jenks. You should check it out!

A few other folks have suggested Jenks. We are checking that out too. I hear it is quite nice there also and close to easy shopping and errand places. Thanks