In search of safe, trendy areas in which to live... (Oklahoma City: apartments, renting)

[cubsfan4]

School teacher moving from Denver to OKC for fiance's work... (basically going crazy and need your assistance)

We are looking for...
-downtown living in a safe neighborhood, but within walking distance to bars, restaurants, etc. (in our mid 20's afterall)
-have recent puppy, so would prefer renting a house with small backyard...have researched Bricktown...but unsure if they have small houses or if they are all high rise type?
-fiance will be working right near that area...if we choose a suburb like (norman/edmond) to get the fenced in backyard, what's the traffic like?
-many have said that Edmond has "the best" schools...my masters/undergrad is all in bilingual education...not to sound rude, but where are all the hispanics? I have looked on school websites and they have statistics of like 5% hispanic...I am looking for bilingual schools/dual language schools to utilize my degree and passion
-since living in CO there is a huge organic lifestyle out here...noticed the closest whole foods is in Tulsa...are there any ma and pa type vitamin stores that would sell gluten free food? same for a specialty pet store that sells natural food (for the dog)?
-to keep me sane...looking for hot yoga studios, which go through vinyasa flow in a heated (100 degree) room

I am sure I can go on...it's always hard relocating...I would appreciate any suggestions or information
Thanks!

[rubyspirit]

-downtown living in a safe neighborhood, but within walking distance to bars, restaurants, etc. (in our mid 20's afterall)

I suggest Mesta Park. I lived in the area for 7 years with no problems. It was major fun to be able to run or bike through downtown in the morning too.

-since living in CO there is a huge organic lifestyle out here...noticed the closest whole foods is in Tulsa...are there any ma and pa type vitamin stores that would sell gluten free food? same for a specialty pet store that sells natural food (for the dog)?

There are two locations of Akins Natural Foods that carries a lot of organic and naturals foodstuffs. Also, the Nutritional Center on NW 10 & Classen (near downtown!) has the best prices for vitamins. They also carry natural foods and a small array of organic produce.

-to keep me sane...looking for hot yoga studios, which go through vinyasa flow in a heated (100 degree) room

Art of Yoga is in Paseo ... mid-OKC. http://www.yogaoklahoma.com/

[calitook]

I think you're going to have a hard time finding something that is downtown, and has a backyard. Commute from NW OKC or Edmond is 20-30 minutes.

Try the Putnam City school district for more Hispanics. This district is in NW OKC so if you are in the city or in Edmond it won't be too far a drive.

For yoga, there is a new rock climbing place opening soon in Edmond called Holdistic that is supposed to have a yoga studio on the second floor.

Having moved from the LA area to here, just be prepared for a change. It is a very different pace here. I'm very happy here, but definitely miss some of the amenities of being in a larger urban area.

[lasomeday]

The Hispanic population is in the Putnam City Schools as well as most Oklahoma City Schools south of 10th street.

A good neighborhood is Crown Heights. Depending on where you find a house. It is blocks from good sushi, local bars, and other good food. It is about 5 - 10 minutes from downtown.

[rockyinyourradio]

There are two locations of Akins Natural Foods that carries a lot of organic and naturals foodstuffs. Also, the Nutritional Center on NW 10 & Classen (near downtown!) has the best prices for vitamins. They also carry natural foods and a small array of organic produce.

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Don't forget the Health Food Center on I-240 and Penn in South OKC.. much better than Akins.. it's considerably larger than Akins and is about 10% cheaper overall. Unfortunately, I found out that Whole Foods will not be putting in a store here in OKC, at least for the forseeable future.

As for Hispanics, South OKC is the place to look into, but the crime levels are high.

As for finding a home; have you looked into the Paseo?.. really nice place, great restaurants, and very progressive. From what I hear, crime in the Paseo is not an issue outside of an occasional auto break in.

[okcpulse]

Originally Posted by rockyinyourradio

Don't forget the Health Food Center on I-240 and Penn in South OKC.. much better than Akins.. it's considerably larger than Akins and is about 10% cheaper overall. Unfortunately, I found out that Whole Foods will not be putting in a store here in OKC, at least for the forseeable future.

Can someone find out as to why? We are the largest market in the country without a location. I just don't buy the logic. Sorry.

[soonerguy]

I agree with the earlier poster, I think Mesta Park would be a good fit for you. Close to downtown, within walking distance of bars and cafes. Nutritional Center is nearby. Crime is low. You would probably be able to find a unique apartment. Mesta Park is a historical district with a nice large park and nice neighbory feel, while still feeling "downtown". Some of the old houses have been turned into apartments, either regular duplexes or one apartment upstairs/one downstairs. There are also garage apartments and a few small houses. Most would have some amount of yard space. Bricktown is mostly condos, no houses. The Hispanics are on the southside and I doubt that you'd have a problem finding a job in the OKC district w/ your credentials. If you are living in Mesta Park, which is just on the north edge of downtown, some of the southside schools are less than 10 minutes away.
Depending where you live in Norman, it can be up to an hour from the city. Traffic IN Norman is bad too, although if you live AND work there it is alright. Edmond is very cookie-cutter.

[swirlfamily405]

soonerguy is right on.... You will have no trouble finding a job in OKC public schools -- almost all of them have a pretty decent size hispanic population, although the majority of them do live southside. If you live in Mesta Park, there are several OKC schools around that area that will have a hispanic population as well... so possibly you would live really close to your work. Mesta Park is beautiful area - and close enough to downtown for the nightlife. Older area with so much character.... and a good mixture of different ages of people.