Die hard Thunder fan wondering if OKC is the place for me... (Corn: apartment complexes)

[dre1614]

Hello I am 25 and make 23K a year and was wondering if there are any "hot" spots downtown or near downtown that you can live by walking/riding a bike? Things like shopping malls/restaurants/grocery stores/bowling alleys/movie theaters/ bus system or walking/biking distance to Ford Center?(30 minutes is fine but no more...)

I would really like to live where my team resides(used to be a Sonic fan) but if it's hard to get around town without a car(which I have heard it is) then I can't live here.

Thanks for all the help.

[ou_norman]

THUNDER UP!

It is difficult but bikeable if you live in the right area. I would recommend Midtown, because it is sort halfway between the closest grocery store (at 18th and Classen) and the rest of the entertainment options of downtown. Midtown is centered at 10th and Walker, where there are several bars, restaurants, a bakery, and a few other shops. That's 1 mile from the 18th and Classen grocery. 1.5 miles from Ford Center, about 1.7 to Bricktown where there are a ton of restaurants and bars and clubs, a bowling alley, movie theater, and ballpark. You're also very close, probably a mile or less, to Automobile Alley which has a couple bike shops, a furniture store, a music store, restaurants, coffeeshop, and some other stuff.

These areas are safer to bike than the rest of the city because you can use neighborhood streets, traffic speeds are generally lower, and people are more aware of pedestrians in the downtown area.

In Midtown there are no huge apartment complexes, but there are apartment buildings, lofts, and scattered rentals. The area is experiencing a lot of development and new renovated historic buildings are coming on the market all the time. Midtown Renaissance has more information about the neighborhood and also some of the buildings that are for lease.

BUT, it will not be a piece of cake to live here without a car. The bus system is there, but it's not great. You would want to be living near the main transit center downtown, so all bus routes will be easily accessible to take you to the major shopping areas. Expect a long trip and inconsistent service.

[dre1614]

Originally Posted by ou_norman

THUNDER UP!

It is difficult but bikeable if you live in the right area. I would recommend Midtown, because it is sort halfway between the closest grocery store (at 18th and Classen) and the rest of the entertainment options of downtown. Midtown is centered at 10th and Walker, where there are several bars, restaurants, a bakery, and a few other shops. That's 1 mile from the 18th and Classen grocery. 1.5 miles from Ford Center, about 1.7 to Bricktown where there are a ton of restaurants and bars and clubs, a bowling alley, movie theater, and ballpark. You're also very close, probably a mile or less, to Automobile Alley which has a couple bike shops, a furniture store, a music store, restaurants, coffeeshop, and some other stuff.

These areas are safer to bike than the rest of the city because you can use neighborhood streets, traffic speeds are generally lower, and people are more aware of pedestrians in the downtown area.

In Midtown there are no huge apartment complexes, but there are apartment buildings, lofts, and scattered rentals. The area is experiencing a lot of development and new renovated historic buildings are coming on the market all the time. Midtown Renaissance has more information about the neighborhood and also some of the buildings that are for lease.

BUT, it will not be a piece of cake to live here without a car. The bus system is there, but it's not great. You would want to be living near the main transit center downtown, so all bus routes will be easily accessible to take you to the major shopping areas. Expect a long trip and inconsistent service.

Thanks for the quick response. I'll do some research on Midtown and places near there. I have heard that the tranist system is bad so that's kind of discouraging, but I can make some sacrifices.

Are there sidewalks at Midtown, and all the way to Bricktown/Ford Center/18th and Classen?

Thanks again for the response, Ill check back later....

Thunder Up!

[ou_norman]

Originally Posted by dre1614

Thanks for the quick response. I'll do some research on Midtown and places near there. I have heard that the tranist system is bad so that's kind of discouraging, but I can make some sacrifices.

Are there sidewalks at Midtown, and all the way to Bricktown/Ford Center/18th and Classen?

Thanks again for the response, Ill check back later....

Thunder Up!

Yes, the sidewalks definitely go throughout downtown and most if not all of Midtown. The trip to the 18th and Classen grocery store from anywhere in Midtown/Downtown is through quiet residential streets lined with tall trees and old mansions, so even without sidewalks it would be fine, but there are sidewalks in those historic neighborhoods.

You may also check the areas that have greater quantities of new housing, even though some are a mile or so further from the grocery. For instance, the Deep Deuce area is just north of Bricktown (within 4-6 blocks of the heart of Bricktown, 8-10 blocks from the Ford Center) and has hundreds of new lofts, condos, and apartments. There is also a small boutique grocery store in Deep Deuce which would work if you didn't have time to make it to Homeland.

Also, the Art District area south of Midtown has the enormous Legacy at Art Central which is a new apartment complex, and the Park Harvey which is a 17-story office building that was converted to highrise apartments a couple years ago. Downtown's Regency Tower is another highrise apartment option if you like those. These are all very close to the downtown transit center.

[IheartOKC]

Originally Posted by dre1614

Hello I am 25 and make 23K a year and was wondering if there are any "hot" spots downtown or near downtown that you can live by walking/riding a bike? Things like shopping malls/restaurants/grocery stores/bowling alleys/movie theaters/ bus system or walking/biking distance to Ford Center?(30 minutes is fine but no more...)

I would really like to live where my team resides(used to be a Sonic fan) but if it's hard to get around town without a car(which I have heard it is) then I can't live here.

Thanks for all the help.

Unfortunately, the worst thing about OKC is 1) how spread out it is and 2) we have ZERO public transportation. Our Mayor and his buds decided we need yet another convention building instead.
And you're welcome - my taxes brought The Thunder here.
On 23k a year, you are not going to get much... especially w/in walking distance to the Ford Center. Well, you could live with the winos, but i wouldn't recommend it ;-)

[ou_norman]

IheartOKC- the Mayor and his buds (planners and voters) decided we need a new convention building AND improved public transportation (in the form of a starter light rail system around downtown). If you've ever heard Mayor Cornett speak about sustainability, transportation, and urban revitalization you would be less likely to question his stance on transit.

[405travelgirl]

there IS public transporation in OKC, here's the link Home | METRO Transit Providing Central Oklahoma Transportation & Bus Service Options.