Welcome Guide 2021

WRWA has been a busy hub in recent times, serving about two million passengers annually. The airport recently completed an $89 million renovation, which includes seven new gates, new streamlined security, a public observation gallery, increased shopping and dining, and space for future international screening/air service. Public transit The primary provider of public transit in Oklahoma City is EMBARK, which is operated by the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA). EMBARK provides fixed-route and paratransit services in Oklahoma City, including ferry river transit and downtown bike share service. Buses operate every 30 to 60 minutes in a hub-and-spoke system from the downtown transit center, located at NW Fifth Street and N Harvey Avenue. EMBARK has made significant upgrades to its system in recent years, including increased frequency, additional stops and later service. EMBARK’s technology improvements include a mobile trip planner, SMS real-time bus arrival info and on-board WiFi. Because of their commitment to providing the best public transit to residents, EMBARK was named North America’s Outstanding Public Transit System by the American Public Transportation Association in 2016, the highest recognition in the United States. In 2018, Oklahoma City started offering transportation via streetcar in downtown. The 6.8- mile route is two loops, one that travels north and south in downtown and another loop through Bricktown. The

Bricktown loop operates on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. One streetcar ride costs $1 or $3 for a 24-hour day pass. Monthly passes are available for $32, and an annual pass is $384. For more information about the streetcar, including a route map and stops, visit okcstreetcar. com. The streetcar is just one way the city’s leaders have been looking to expand the transportation options. With Greater Oklahoma City’s population forecasted to grow by almost 500,000 people in the next 20 years, the group acknowledges that passenger rail will be a critical component of that growth. Several Greater Oklahoma City communities, including Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Moore, Midwest City and Del City, have formed a regional transit authority that has studied and subsequently approved a transit system plan. The RTA has identified four regional corridors in the plan that would quickly and efficiently transport people to various “regional activity centers,” including educational institutions, commercial centers and entertainment areas. The north/south corridor will connect Edmond to the north and Norman to the south; the east corridor connects downtown OKC to Tinker Air Force Base; the airport corridor will connect downtown OKC to Will Rogers World Airport; and the west corridor connects downtown OKC to the west towards Yukon. The four approved routes would all meet at the Santa Fe Station Intermodal Hub, which will serve as a connection for the Oklahoma City Streetcar and Oklahoma City’s passenger rail service through Amtrak. Another key component of the RTA’s approved plan is bus rapid transit (BRT). In 2018, Oklahoma City was awarded a $14.3 million federal grant to build a BRT between downtown and northwest Oklahoma City. The line will follow North Classen Boulevard to Northwest Expressway, stopping at Meridian Avenue. The city is providing about $13 million in matching funds. Construction is expected to start in 2021 with operations starting in 2023. Amtrak Service Amtrak’s service via the Heartland Flyer runs a 418-mile round trip between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas, daily. From there, connections can be made to Dallas and San Antonio. The train arrives and leaves from the Santa Fe Station Intermodal Hub and also includes a stop in Norman. There are plans to expand this service north to Wichita, Kansas, which would allow service to Chicago and Los Angeles through Amtrak’s Southwest Chief line.

A place to call home

Oklahoma City is the kind of place where you can live large and for less. Oklahoma City residents spend 29.3% less than the national average on housing costs, and Oklahoma City’s growing economy offers you plenty of ways to enjoy your extra savings. Learn more about where to live at www.ABetterLifeOKC.com/housing. From modern, urban lofts in the heart of downtown to historic homes on tree-lined streets and spacious homes on even more spacious lots, Greater Oklahoma City offers an expansive choice of desirable neighborhoods and a wide range of prices for housing. Compared to other housing markets,

In downtown Oklahoma City, the housing market has significantly expanded in the past decade with 4,874 housing units on the market and 561 additional units under construction or in the planning stages. Districts like Deep Deuce, located east of the Central Business District, are key urban housing centers, providing restaurants and retail and multiple downtown housing options.

In Oklahoma City, living in a more suburban or rural atmosphere without sacrificing proximity is attainable. The city’s large land area lends itself to all the best aspects of suburban life, while its low commute times and excellent traffic grid management make it easy to get where you need to be. Oklahoma City’s suburban and pastoral neighborhoods allow you to enjoy a quieter atmosphere just minutes away from the city center.

you will be pleasantly surprised at how far your money will go in Oklahoma City’s housing market. The average cost of a single-family home is about $164,000 with the average cost of a condo at around $127,000.

Oklahoma City’s affordability and housing options have garnered national attention, with Oklahoma City racking up the rankings as the top large city with the lowest cost of living (C2ER); one of the most affordable housing markets (Urban Land Institute, SmartAsset, The Ascent); one of the lowest monthly mortgage payments (Lending Tree); the most livable metros in the U.S. (JustBusiness.com); top 10 list of “coolest” cities

Also available are thousands of rental apartments ranging from brand-new luxury complexes to modest, garden style apartments with the average rental price ranging from $550 to $2,000. In Oklahoma City, the average 950-square-foot apartment costs $873 per month, compared to $1,545 in Denver, $2,334 in Chicago, $2,680 in Seattle and $2,775 in Los Angeles.

8 Oklahoma City Welcome Guide | ABetterLifeOKC.com

Oklahoma City Welcome Guide | ABetterLifeOKC.com 9

Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online