|
Regions and Neighborhoods | Housing Costs | Diversity: Urban Living
Transportation | Education | Superior Health Resources
Regions and Neighborhoods
 From refurbished downtown lofts to elegant neighborhoods built during the oil heydays to spacious suburban living, the Tulsa metro area offers housing that suits a variety of tastes and needs. Like many communities around the country, Tulsa is experiencing a renaissance in the older sections of town. Single-family neighborhoods and tree-lined suburbs will always appeal to certain homebuyers. Yet there’s a growing interest among baby-boomers and empty nesters alike in high-density, mixed-use development as an alternative to suburban sprawl. A cadre of urban pioneers is busy reclaiming blighted buildings downtown and transforming them into loft apartments and townhouses.
Outlying communities continue to beckon homebuyers looking for extra space and the serenity of country living. Along with easy access to shopping, health care and area attractions, communities along the urban perimeter boast the quickest one-way commutes. Ranked as the largest metro region with the second-shortest commute zone in the nation, the average commute time is approximately 20 minutes. This allows residents to drive to work and return home much faster than their counterparts in Dallas, Oklahoma City, Houston and Denver. Convenient and attractive, these communities enable Tulsans to enjoy the amenities of urban living and the lifestyle of a small town.
The city proper encompasses many neighborhoods with distinct personalities. No matter what part of town you call home, expect an array of choices and a quality of life that only gets better.
North
 Reflecting Tulsa’s colorful heritage, attractive houses of early-day oil barons and their employees sprinkle the hilltops in the Brady Heights and Reservoir Hill neighborhoods. Meanwhile, new family-oriented developments and infill projects continue to inject new life and vitality into aging neighborhoods. Further to the north are Tulsa International Airport and the nearby community of Owasso. Once a quiet suburban town, Owasso has become one of the area’s fastest-growing communities and is a beacon for employees of American Airlines, Spirit Aerosystems, SABRE, WorldCom, Vanguard, and Whirlpool.
South
For decades, Tulsa has steadily grown south and that pace has quickened in recent times, especially along the Arkansas River. New housing and apartment complexes, businesses and office buildings are constantly springing up. South Tulsa is highlighted by the 71st Street retail corridor, which features abundant shopping and the convenience of Woodland Hills Mall. South of Tulsa, Bixby continues to experience a building boom in new houses and apartments. Known for its fertile soil, the Bixby area is home to sprawling vegetable and sod farms. Jenks, Glenpool and Sapulpa offer suburban living and plenty of room for horses. Tulsa is only minutes away via Highway 75, and expansion of the Creek Turnpike offers convenient access to the interstate highway system.
East
Broken Arrow has become Tulsa’s largest bedroom community with a population of 90,000. Construction of new housing, apartments and retail establishments continues to blur the line between the two communities. Broken Arrow residents have easy access to south Tulsa’s retail corridor and a smooth commute to downtown Tulsa via the Broken Arrow Expressway. Just east of Broken Arrow, the town of Coweta is also an attractive community with affordable housing.
 West
Communities to the west have seen rapid growth in recent years. New housing developments are appearing in outlying areas of the city of Sand Springs, which straddles the Arkansas River upstream from Tulsa. The Red Fork area reflects Tulsa’s oil-related and blue collar past. Towns such as Berryhill and north Sapulpa also offer new housing and apartment developments for Tulsa commuters.
Housing Costs
Average Home Prices, Tulsa Area
| 2,350-2,450 square feet |
$187,755 |
| 1,750-1,850 square feet |
$135,846 |
Source: Tulsa Metro Chamber, 2007
|
|
Apartments
|
|
| One bedroom |
$431 |
| Two bedrooms/one bath |
$507 |
| Two bedrooms/two baths |
$603 |
Source: Tulsa Metro Chamber, 2007
|
|
Average Utility Costs
|
|
| Electric service |
$71 (1,000 KWH usage) |
| Gas service $65-$70 |
|
| Telephone service (basic local services) |
$27.19 |
| Water, sewer and refuse service (curbside) |
$14.53 |
Source: Direct contact with utilities
|
|
2006 Estimated Median Owner-Occupied Housing Value, Tulsa City and City Areas
|
| Tulsa |
$108,000 |
| North |
$44,750 |
| Central |
$105,750 |
| East |
$95,000 |
| South |
$162,950 |
| West |
$91,050 |
Source: Greater Tulsa Association of Realtors
|
Median Home Price, December 2006
|
| Bixby |
$168,450 |
| Broken Arrow |
$137,000 |
| Claremore |
$125,500 |
| Glenpool |
$109,000 |
| Jenks |
$160,000 |
| Owasso |
$159,500 |
| Sand Springs |
$109,950 |
| Sapulpa |
$95,000 |
| Skiatook |
$127,100 |
| Tulsa |
$108,000 |
Source: Tulsa Metro Chamber Economic Research and
Greater Tulsa Association of Realtors |
Diversity: Urban Living
 Though located in America’s heartland, Tulsa is a surprisingly diverse community thanks to its history, industry and geography. Virtually every ethnic group and culture is represented to some extent, from Native Americans to more recent influxes of eastern European and Hispanic immigrants. The city’s historic ties to the energy industry also have attracted people from countries around the world. Many of these groups showcase their cultures at festivals and celebrations throughout the year.
Transportation
Tulsa is amazingly easy to navigate and getting lost takes some effort. The city is laid out in a user-friendly grid with north-south and east-west main arteries at one-mile intervals. Several major bridges over the Arkansas River offer access to west Tulsa and points beyond. The metropolitan area’s highway system includes both heavily traveled interstates and convenient freeways and toll roads connecting all areas of the community.
Tulsa’s infrastructure is solid and expanding. Interstate 44, the city’s major east-west thoroughfare, separates north and south Tulsa. The well-traveled highway offers a straight shot to Oklahoma City to the west and Joplin, Missouri to the east. U.S. Highway 75 cuts through Tulsa from north to south and offers easy drives to Dallas and southeast Kansas.
 Highway 169 is a major six-lane route for commuters. The north-south roadway offers easy access to south Tulsa’s retail corridor, Tulsa International Airport, and the city of Owasso to the north. The Broken Arrow Expressway (Highway 51) is the main route for commuters coming into Tulsa from Broken Arrow. The Creek Turnpike to the south now offers a south loop that connects with Interstate 44. The Gilcrease Expressway in north Tulsa will eventually circle around the city’s northwest region and connect with Interstate 44.
Commuters in the surrounding suburbs enjoy a new section of the Creek Turnpike, which runs 9.1 miles between the Will Rogers and Muskogee turnpikes and makes it possible for motorists either to circumvent the city or reach the heart of Tulsa with ease.
South 71st Street, with six lanes and tree-lined medians, connects the busy retail corridor at Highway 169 west to the Arkansas River. It continues east into Broken Arrow. Improvements to the Riverside Parkway make this popular and scenic road a convenient commuter connection for south Tulsans heading downtown. Funding from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation continues to enable communities throughout northeastern Oklahoma to improve their transportation infrastructures.
Mass transit is centered at a downtown hub of the Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority. More than 20 routes bring bus services to most areas of the city. Tulsa’s Greyhound Bus Station located in downtown offers access to Greyhound’s national network.
Tulsa International Airport (TIA), located just minutes from downtown, provides Tulsans and visitors with one of the more pleasant airport experiences available. Convenient and available parking, fast check-ins, and easy access to several highways make TIA a hassle-free airport experience. Nine carriers, offering more than 150 arrivals and departures daily, operate at TIA. A 45-minute flight to DFW Airport or a short hop to Houston, Atlanta or Chicago brings international travel within easy reach of Tulsa travelers. Carriers recently have added routes connecting Tulsa with direct flights to the east and west coasts.
Located near the Arkansas River in south Tulsa, R.L. Jones Airport is Oklahoma’s busiest general airport and offers private and charter flights throughout the nation. Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, and Tulsa Technology Center have transformed the airport into a center for aviation education.
Transportation via rail makes shipping goods in and out of the region a very affordable option for businesses. The Tulsa Port of Catoosa, a mere 15-minute drive from downtown, lies at the head of a 445-mile navigation system linking Oklahoma waterways with the Mississippi River and the Port of New Orleans. More than 50 companies operate from America’s most-inland seaport.
Education
 Any community’s success is built upon the cornerstone of quality education for its children and youths. Since Tulsa’s founding, city leaders have always dedicated themselves to providing a comprehensive education from pre-kindergarten through college. The results of this dedication are reflected in some impressive statistics – more than 64 percent of Tulsa area residents have a high school diploma or higher, while nearly 26 percent have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Public Education
A great education starts with a solid foundation in elementary and pre-school. Two dozen school districts offer public education in the Tulsa metropolitan area. In Tulsa County alone, more than 100,000 students are instructed by 15 school districts. Tulsa Public Schools, the largest district in the state, educates more than 42,000 students at more than 80 sites. The district is noted for progressive programs, extensive technology, and high levels of community involvement, including the very successful Partner-In-Education program. This program encourages companies to develop partnerships with schools that foster ongoing linkages between business and public education.
Other public school districts such as Jenks, Union, Owasso, Broken Arrow and Bixby, offer students outstanding programs that provide a well-rounded educational experience. And, recognized as the 2005 Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award recipient, Jenks was honored with the nation’s highest presidential honor for quality and organizational performance excellence. Through a top-rated education, students from Tulsa area school districts continually garner impressive honors such as National Merit Scholars and all-American student-athlete awards.
Private Schools
The rich tradition of private schools in Tulsa dates to the 1880s, when small churches and congregations offered educational opportunities. The tradition continues with many outstanding private institutions and religious-based private schools.
Higher Education
There is no shortage of higher education opportunities in Tulsa. Both public and private institutions offer a wide range of associate, undergraduate, graduate and vocational programs. With the creation of Oklahoma State University-Tulsa in 1999, higher education reached a new level of service delivery. As an urban university, OSU-Tulsa offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate degree programs designed to accommodate non-traditional students. Other institutions of higher learning include –
- The University of Oklahoma
- University of Tulsa
- Oral Roberts University
- Tulsa Community College
- Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
- Northeastern State University-Broken Arrow
- University of Phoenix
- Tulsa Technology Center
- Bacone College
- Southern Nazarene University
- Oklahoma Weslyan University
- Rogers State University
- Langston University
- Oklahoma City University
More than ever, Tulsans have access to educational opportunities that are second-to-none nationwide. All state-supported higher educational institutions are currently expanding their roles in Tulsa due to an influx of additional monies provided through a Tulsa county bond issue.
Superior
Health Care Resources
 Quality health care flourishes in Tulsa thanks to several major medical centers, more than 1,800 physicians, 400 dentists, comprehensive health maintenance organizations, 24-hour ground and air emergency medical transportation, and enhanced 911 services.
Saint Francis Health System, St. John Health System, and Hillcrest HealthCare System meet a majority of the health care needs for the Tulsa MSA and northeast Oklahoma. In the southern part of the city, SouthCrest Hospital continues to expand its role as a major health care provider. Additional hospital providers include Tulsa Spine Hospital, Saint Francis Heart Hospital, Orthopedic Hospital of Oklahoma, and the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.
The University of Oklahoma’s College of Medicine has been a mainstay of Tulsa’s medical community for more than 30 years and now occupies an expanded campus at the Schusterman Center in midtown Tulsa.
More than 40 percent of Tulsa medical doctors have received training from the OU College of Medicine, Tulsa. From prenatal care to advanced research, Tulsa’s health care community ensures that present and future generations will have access to first-rate treatment.
Established in 1972, The Oklahoma State University (OSU) College of Osteopathic Medicine, for the fifth year in a row, was named one of the best medical schools in the nation for primary care. The exclusive top rankings are from the recently released U.S .News & World Report 2008 Best Graduate Schools Guide. Officials from the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and then-Tulsa Regional Medical Center signed a
50-year academic affiliation agreement in 2006 to open the OSU Medical Center in downtown Tulsa.
|
