with the lowest cost of living (PureWow); one of the best cities for first-time homebuyers (SmartAsset); one of the top 10 cities where Millennials are buying homes (Smart Asset); one of the best places to live if you are trying to save money (GOBankingRates.com); and one of the most affordable U.S. cities to rent (Forbes). Get Acquainted with Your New Hometown There’s no better way to get to know your new hometown than by exploring the communities that give it a special flair. Read on for more about the districts and neighborhoods that you will soon call home, sweet home. Within the city limits there are many distinctive districts that showcase Oklahoma City’s creativity and charm. From museums to murals, each district is part of the unique tapestry of Oklahoma City’s culture. Urban Neighborhoods If living among all the excitement of downtown is your dream, then Oklahoma City has a variety of options for you. In the last several years, as MAPS helped make downtown a destination, more people are wanting to live near the action and the city’s developers have answered the call. One of the most unique areas is the Cottage District, sitting south of St. Anthony’s Hospital. The area only measures a few blocks, but it has given architects and their clients a place where they can redefine luxury apartments and cottages. Sitting on a hill, the district offers amazing views of the downtown skyline, all while sitting in your living room. If apartments are more your style, hundreds of new units have been built in the last decade. The challenge will be picking where you want to live. Apartments can be found in the historic Deep Deuce neighborhood, the exciting Bricktown district, in the charming Midtown area and even on the developing west side of downtown. Many apartments are within walking distance of breweries or the OKC Streetcar line. Living downtown could mean you don’t have to drive your car for several weeks. Other housing options around downtown include condominiums and historic homes. Urban living has become even more popular with the development and ongoing growth of downtown’s John Rex Charter School. Historic Neighborhoods Tree-lined streets, charm and character abound in Oklahoma City’s beautiful historic neighborhoods. Some of the homes pre-date statehood, though they have since had modern upgrades. Most of the historic neighborhoods surround downtown. One of the first “planned unit developments” west of the Mississippi, Edgemere Park was developed starting in 1926 and consists of Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival and Spanish Eclectic-style homes surrounding a park and creek bed. Closer to the state Capitol lies Jefferson Park, filled with small bungalows. But if history and affordability are more your style, check out the Shepherd
neighborhood, located a few miles northwest of downtown. The Shepherd neighborhood is the perfect place to find historic charm on a smaller scale, both in terms of square footage and budget. And for soccer fans, it’s within walking distance of Taft Stadium, where the OKC Energy FC plays its games. Many of the city’s historic neighborhoods have such ornate homes that they are in Historic Preservation Districts. The neighborhoods that are overseen by the Historic Preservation Commission are Crown Heights, Edgemere Park, Mesta Park and Heritage Hills, Paseo, Putnam Heights and Shepherd. For more information about the Historic Preservation Commission, visit okc.gov/ departments/planning. Suburban Neighborhoods In Oklahoma City, living in the suburbs doesn’t necessarily mean living out of the city. The city’s large land area lends itself to all the best aspects of suburbia, while our low commute times and excellent traffic grid management make getting where you need to go easy. OKC makes it possible to get that suburban feel without feeling far away. The Oklahoma City boundaries also have cities within Oklahoma City, such as Mustang, Bethany, Warr Acres, The Village and Nichols Hills. Each city boasts an array of housing types, from apartments to large, multi-story homes. In Nichols Hills and The Village, a variety of residences can be found, ranging from ‘30s-platted mansions and ‘50s-built ranch-style to ‘70s-developed subdivisions with larger footage. Situated west of Oklahoma City near Lake Overholser, Warr Acres and Bethany saw growth after World War II as they developed into bedroom communities for Oklahoma City.
Further north, you can find newly built homes in Northwest Oklahoma City and the west side of Edmond. Some communities are gated, and all offer outstanding neighborhood/community involvement. Good highway and turnpike access comes standard, as do excellent public schools. South Oklahoma City boasts more room, more new subdivisions, more new retail, more diversity, more value and more excitement than ever before. Like its counterparts in northwest Oklahoma City, newer construction and larger floor plans come standard, as do excellent public schools. Pastoral Neighborhoods If wide open spaces are more your style, Oklahoma City has them. Here, you can still enjoy a quieter atmosphere without sacrificing amenities or distance to the heart of Oklahoma City. If land and a large home are more your style, check out development in the Piedmont or Deer Creek areas. Just outside of the hustle and bustle, the far northwest side offers a definite change of pace at lower commute times than you would expect. Farther west, Mustang and Yukon offer that small-town feel with quick access to downtown. New homes are being built frequently in the area that also offers sought-after public schools. On the metro’s east side, Midwest City, Choctaw and Jones are other options for large plots of land. The area is heavily wooded, creating that “out of the city” feel, but still within a quick drive of downtown. Near Tinker AFB and great outdoor activities, eastern Oklahoma County has lots of room and lots to offer.
In the last several years, as MAPS helped make downtown a destination, more people are wanting to live near the action and the city’s developers have answered the call.
10 Oklahoma City Welcome Guide | ABetterLifeOKC.com
Oklahoma City Welcome Guide | ABetterLifeOKC.com
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