Best area of OKC (Edmond, Mustang: to rent, neighborhood, buy)

[n8tiv_okie]

Originally Posted by richardseaside1

I'm looking for relocating advice for the OKC area - I have a good amount of flexibility in selecting an area to live and I'm looking for some help from those who are familiar with the area. These are things that are important to me: New schools, quality education, strong economic and population growth, nice but affordable housing, great restaurants and shopping, a family oriented community and very friendly people. Based on this criteria, which part of the city sounds like a good fit...north, east, west, south...any specific towns?

well, my opinion would be Mustang. I think Edmond is overcrowded and overpriced. But that's my opinion and I'm sure people will disagree with me.
If I were you, I'd look at Mustang, Newcastle, or even Yukon. Mustang has 6 elementary schools and they're adding another. Yukon is getting ready to build a new high school and has many elementary schools too choose from.
My realtor was pushing me to buy in El Reno which is west of OKC about 20 miles. The schools though I've heard are sketchy. But housing is cheap as is an acreage.

[windowphobe]

Newcomers who might be interested in one of the Historic Districts of the city can get details from okc.gov:

City of Oklahoma City | Historic Preservation

The city also has a number of Urban Conservation Districts, which don't require you to retain the look of a specific era, but which control building size, setbacks, and parking in much the same way as the Historic Districts. I live in one of the UCDs myself, and I like the idea of my street not turning into a business feeder.

[happytown]

Originally Posted by windowphobe

Newcomers who might be interested in one of the Historic Districts of the city can get details from okc.gov:

City of Oklahoma City | Historic Preservation

The city also has a number of Urban Conservation Districts, which don't require you to retain the look of a specific era, but which control building size, setbacks, and parking in much the same way as the Historic Districts. I live in one of the UCDs myself, and I like the idea of my street not turning into a business feeder.

All I have to say is ....I concur.

[ready2fly]

I think this thread got kind of convoluted, so I hope I can help. I currently live in OKC, grew up in Choctaw, and lived in DC for a while, so I think I give some different perspectives.

Richardseaside (the original poster) seems to be looking for more of a thriving city with lots of conveniences and good schools. I agree Edmond is a good choice for him. Also NW OKC, in the area that feeds into Putnam City North HS. Another option is far south OKC, in the area that feeds into Westmoore HS. I personally think a lot of out-of-staters would like Norman (it seems to be a little more progressive) and its schools are good. Just avoid neighborhoods adjacent to OU if college kids are a concern. Finally, the historical districts of OKC are awesome, and Nichols Hills has a long history of prestige, but I concur that private schools are ideal if you choose there.

Colleen seems to be looking for a community with genuine folks, good schools, and lots of land. For her, I'd say Piedmont, Yukon, Choctaw, or Moore. Also the area of Midwest City that feeds into Carl Albert HS. All of these areas have good schools and very big lots. For her son attending a community college, if she lives in Piedmont, Yukon, or Moore, I'd recommend Oklahoma City Community College. If she lives in Choctaw, try Rose State College.

One last note: sprawl is a challenge here, so be sure to consider where you will work. If you live in a suburb and work in OKC proper, your commute will average 20 minutes. But if commuting from one suburb to another ! It could take an hour if you driving between opposite sides of the city!

Hope this helps! Good luck to you all & hope you love OKC! The past few years it's improved tremendously and I think it will continue. But our best quality has always been here - it's our people.

[colleeng47]

Originally Posted by ready2fly

I think this thread got kind of convoluted, so I hope I can help. I currently live in OKC, grew up in Choctaw, and lived in DC for a while, so I think I give some different perspectives.

Richardseaside (the original poster) seems to be looking for more of a thriving city with lots of conveniences and good schools. I agree Edmond is a good choice for him. Also NW OKC, in the area that feeds into Putnam City North HS. Another option is far south OKC, in the area that feeds into Westmoore HS. I personally think a lot of out-of-staters would like Norman (it seems to be a little more progressive) and its schools are good. Just avoid neighborhoods adjacent to OU if college kids are a concern. Finally, the historical districts of OKC are awesome, and Nichols Hills has a long history of prestige, but I concur that private schools are ideal if you choose there.

Colleen seems to be looking for a community with genuine folks, good schools, and lots of land. For her, I'd say Piedmont, Yukon, Choctaw, or Moore. Also the area of Midwest City that feeds into Carl Albert HS. All of these areas have good schools and very big lots. For her son attending a community college, if she lives in Piedmont, Yukon, or Moore, I'd recommend Oklahoma City Community College. If she lives in Choctaw, try Rose State College.

One last note: sprawl is a challenge here, so be sure to consider where you will work. If you live in a suburb and work in OKC proper, your commute will average 20 minutes. But if commuting from one suburb to another ! It could take an hour if you driving between opposite sides of the city!

Hope this helps! Good luck to you all & hope you love OKC! The past few years it's improved tremendously and I think it will continue. But our best quality has always been here - it's our people.

Hey thanks for the input. We did buy a house a couple of weeks ago, and you were close - we chose Mustang. Not a lot of land, but a bigger lot than the additions we saw. Even though our house is "techincally" in an addition, it's an older one, and the house is on the main road, so it doesn't seem like it. My son will be going first to the Francis Tuttle Voc Tech school for carpentry, and then the community college for some film classes (want him to be able to earn a living while he's living his dream ).

We're all set to move at the end of this month. Thanks again for your suggestions.

[ready2fly]

Oh, Colleen, if your son is interested in film, then Oklahoma City Community College (commonly referred to as O-triple-C) is THE way to go! Very good program there!

[happytown]

OKC has whats called Film Row and Dead Center film. This gives talent an opportunity to showcase their abilities while going to school.
FilmRow productions, OKC
Film Exchange OKC
Film Row in OKC getting ready for new showing | Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City) | Find Articles at BNET.com
deadCENTER Film

[colleeng47]

Originally Posted by happytown

OKC has whats called Film Row and Dead Center film. This gives talent an opportunity to showcase their abilities while going to school.
FilmRow productions, OKC
Film Exchange OKC
Film Row in OKC getting ready for new showing | Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City) | Find Articles at BNET.com
deadCENTER Film

HT, thanks for the info. I notice deadCENTER Film has a festival in June and they have entry forms on their website. My son just finished a video he's been working on for almost 2 years. I'm going to try to get him to submit it.

[happytown]

Ya, no problem. OKC had roots in the fim industry in the thirties and it is re-emerging once again. Best of luck. Lots of opportunities.

"Back in the 1930's, all of the major movie studios had locations here for their regional distribution".-Discover Oklahoma

[windowphobe]

Last year's deadCENTER was loads of fun, even though it's impossible to see all of it and still hold down a day job.

Submissions for this year's fest have to be in by the third of March.