Living in Edmond vs Choctaw (Oklahoma City, Midwest City: apartment, houses, neighborhoods)

[Redshift2blue]

Hello everyone,

I know the title sounds odd, since Edmond and Choctaw aren't comparable (at least I don't think they are?). But my wife is from Ohio, and I'm from farm country in Vermont, we currently live in Orange County CA (and hate it). My job is moving our family (1 infant daughter) to the OKC area. I'll be working near Tinker AFB.

We are trying to decide between living in Edmond for the sake of our daughter, but we imagine it being similar to Orange County. We'd kind of prefer to live in Choctaw (we think) since we'd have more space and less population density. We're hoping it's still a nice rural area. We're not fond of the idea that you can stand in your drive way and hit your neighbors house with a good football throw.

I'll be going out this week to check out the areas and to try and find a place to live for us. Does anyone here have thoughts on what the Choctaw area is like for living?

Appreciate any thoughts.

[eddie gein]

Edmond and Choctaw are both suburban and have some similarities but they evolved from different places. Both began to boom in the '60s. Edmond as a suburb of OKC. Choctaw as a "suburb" for Tinker employees who wanted a more bucolic setting. Both are unique in Oklahoma County for their naturally wooded neighborhoods. Edmond's eastern and northern sections and most all of Choctaw is densely wooded.

I don't think you could go wrong either way. Edmond has way more amenities, the university and a lot more energy, but Choctaw is a nice residential community and is more convenient to the base.

[chicagodude84]

Edmond is the $ritzy$ suburb of OKC and has $nobs

Choctaw is boring and more "Country"


I was in both towns MANY times when I lived in CRAPahoma

[MyNameIsBellaMia]

Choctaw is considerably closer to Tinker than Edmond. Not to mention it takes an average of 6 months to get out of Edmond due to the horrible traffic and congestion.

[Threestep2]

You said you are looking for small town feel - that will be Choctaw. Who knows where tings will be once your child is of school age.

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Choctaw is definitely the one with more of a rural feel. Although, Edmond in many parts is extremely wooded and very scenic.

My primary gripe with Choctaw is that the town itself has little to no infrastructure. It could be an amazing little-to-big town, but the residents have long resisted building anything that resembles a legitimate town square with a shopping/business district centered around the civic center/library.

Hence, what you're left with is Walmart and Taco Bell off of 23rd and a gaggle of other fast food joints with a gas station. At least there is a Braum's (you'll have to get acquainted coming from Cali ). This is the "town" of Choctaw. It's disappointing.

Honestly, as an Eastern Oklahoma County guy myself, Choctaw is just an extended extension of the Mid-Del area, with Mid-Del being an extension of OK City. It all runs together. Choctaw is just the farthest ripple in the pond from the heart of OK City.

If you really like Eastern Oklahoma County and desire a real town feel, I'd check out Harrah or even Mcloud. Pretty and quiet little towns that actually look like a town.

Best of luck. Yet another Californian in Oklahoma.

Welcome to the Great State of Oklahoma.

[cindycat]

We're retired from Tinker and always lived less than ten miles from the base. We think it's easier to drive the short distance to work every day, then drive longer distances on the weekends, evenings, etc. We moved away for a few years and thought we'd live in Edmond when we moved back...and then we lived in an apartment there for a few months and decided against it. Too much traffic! The name "Choctaw" might mean you're in the city of limits of Choctaw, Midwest City or Oklahoma City. We're in the OKC limits but our mail comes out of the Choctaw Post Office, that's the town in our address. We're in an addition with one-acre lots, so it's just slightly rural. Welcome!

[pwrdbym]

The commute from Choctaw to Tinker for me is 13mins. From Edmond it would be 35-40min through traffic. Choctaw itself doesn’t offer much but you can quickly drive to other areas of the city so it isn’t a big deal. Houses are quite a bit cheaper as well, (no “Edmond tax”��).

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by pwrdbym

The commute from Choctaw to Tinker for me is 13mins. From Edmond it would be 35-40min through traffic. Choctaw itself doesn’t offer much but you can quickly drive to other areas of the city so it isn’t a big deal. Houses are quite a bit cheaper as well, (no “Edmond tax”��).

That's true. I just wish Choctaw could be its own city. It could have been a lovely town (like a nicer version of Purcell) with a great town square. I like that sense of community and I just don't feel it when I'm in Choctaw.