[SinCity]

There are large quantities of cheap houses for sale in Muskogee that are old, small and neglected. Something had to have happened for there to be so many and real estate agents don't seem to be giving any explanations. In fact, they make it sound like it is a pretty and thriving city. is it?

I have lived in the Vegas area for over 15 years to raise my children around family but have never liked the desert. With an empty nest, I am finally able to live where I want to. After 2 years of a lot of research and a large list of criteria, I finally narrowed it down to Green Country of OK. Of all places, huh?!! Initially, I would like to buy a very cheap fixer-upper (or acreage with utilities present & livable dwelling) that has a hope of being a decent investment property to rent out or sell in the future after I know the area well enough to open a business and buy/build my permanent home. Cheap often means high crime and unkept properties. I'm looking for advice from Okies so that I can avoid the less desirable places in terms of lack of pride. I'm looking for a town with a population (or nearby population) of 10,000 or more, MUST BE HILLY, TREED, LUSH AND WITHIN 30 MINUTES TO LAKES/RIVERS, yet an acceptable commute (1 hr max probably) to Tulsa in case that is the only place to find employment.

Unfortnately, while I was near the area to check out NE Ark, I didn't know about Green Country so I haven't been there yet. I'll make that trip in a couple months after I do more research. I would appreciate any opinions that people might give, as much about places to avoid as the places to consider.

For those who want to dissuade me from considering the area or the state at all, please do not respond. Everyones needs are different and I've done enough research to know that Green Country is where I will plant my roots. I am looking for Okies who will steer me in the right direction and brag a bit!! I would like a place to move into by December this year. Please Please Please give me your input!

[Jammie]

SinCity, you won't find many Okies or others who would try to steer you clear of the area. It's beautiful there with friendly people, reasonable cost of living, etc. Good luck to you and welcome to the forum.

[SinCity]

With all the rain and flooding happening right now, this would be a great time to make recommendations based on flooding potential as well. All the info I can get will be appreciated.

Hope you all stay safe.

[OKLAHOMA GAL]

Originally Posted by SinCity

There are large quantities of cheap houses for sale in Muskogee that are old, small and neglected. Something had to have happened for there to be so many and real estate agents don't seem to be giving any explanations. In fact, they make it sound like it is a pretty and thriving city. is it?

I have lived in the Vegas area for over 15 years to raise my children around family but have never liked the desert. With an empty nest, I am finally able to live where I want to. After 2 years of a lot of research and a large list of criteria, I finally narrowed it down to Green Country of OK. Of all places, huh?!! Initially, I would like to buy a very cheap fixer-upper (or acreage with utilities present & livable dwelling) that has a hope of being a decent investment property to rent out or sell in the future after I know the area well enough to open a business and buy/build my permanent home. Cheap often means high crime and unkept properties. I'm looking for advice from Okies so that I can avoid the less desirable places in terms of lack of pride. I'm looking for a town with a population (or nearby population) of 10,000 or more, MUST BE HILLY, TREED, LUSH AND WITHIN 30 MINUTES TO LAKES/RIVERS, yet an acceptable commute (1 hr max probably) to Tulsa in case that is the only place to find employment.

Unfortnately, while I was near the area to check out NE Ark, I didn't know about Green Country so I haven't been there yet. I'll make that trip in a couple months after I do more research. I would appreciate any opinions that people might give, as much about places to avoid as the places to consider.

For those who want to dissuade me from considering the area or the state at all, please do not respond. Everyones needs are different and I've done enough research to know that Green Country is where I will plant my roots. I am looking for Okies who will steer me in the right direction and brag a bit!! I would like a place to move into by December this year. Please Please Please give me your input!

MUSKOGEE IS AN OLDER ESTABLISHED TOWN WHICH IS WHY THE HOUSES ARE OLDER. THERE ARE NEW TOWNS LIKE OWASSO WHICH HAVE MUCH NEWER HOMES BUT THE PRICES WILL BE MUCH HIGHER ALSO.

[SinCity]

Thanks. I like the older established towns so Muskogee may be a good place to start. I feared something bad had happened there. Is the area all around Muskogee treed and hilly? Are there bad areas with gangs drugs, unkept yards, etc?

[Mattie Jo]

I finally narrowed it down to Green Country of OK.

Hey, I did the same thing.

Of all places, huh?!!

Not of all places, but I understand what you are saying, especially with how people in other States few Oklahomans and any midwest or southern State.

Now, Muskogee is over 10,000. I think you should look at Tahlequah. It is 1 hour and 15 minutes from Tusla, 35 minutes from Muskogee, and 5 minutes from the Illinois River. 30 minutes from Tenkiller Lake.

Green country looks a lot like NE Arkansas. And Grand Lake and other rivers run north and south of the State of Oklahoma. There are towns closer to Tulsa if you need to commute, but I don't know much about them yet.

[Synopsis]

I'd have to agree with jessaka about Tahlequah and the surrounding areas. It's relatively close to Tulsa and a very pretty area. I haven't been to Muskogee in decades so I couldn't tell you any specifics about the town. jessaka, I believe you meant Green country looks a lot like North West AR (as opposed to NE), correct? And yes, the whole area is very green and hilly.

[nmnita]

We were very disappointed in Muskogee. Maybe it had to do with the realtor we were dealing with. I won't go into detail, just leave it at that. She showed us houses built in the 60s and 70s that had not been updated, were tiny, in horrible neighborhoods and the price tags were above $100,000. In fact I can't think of one positive thing to say about the town. WE are normally pretty positive people, look for the good etc, but it just wasn't there. I am sure we just made a bad choice on who we were dealing with.

Nita

[Atman]

Depending on how settled you are on the Muskogee idea, and it sounds like you are, you might also want to give Broken Arrow a chance as well as Owasso. They are both booming areas right now, probably the best investments. Both are hubs of Tulsa, new and clean. They are both growing as fast as they possibly can. Both are very much closer to Tulsa as well, within 4 or 5 minutes.
I don't think of either as having terrible crime problems. Real estate pricing should be much lower than what you are used to and even though they are "new" and young they will still have older properties for sale.

Muskogee is a nice enough town as well. It's an hour south from Tulsa on the turnpike. I'm actually 45 minutes north of Tulsa.
Muskogee is older and seems to be ejoying just being older right now which isn't wrong nor bad. They are a ways from most places it seems and as far rushing and hustling (as far as okies are concerned) they seem pretty at ease.
All of this is relative for somebody used to what I guess is the faster pace of vegas. I understand it's not all hustle and bustle out there and haven't been there in a few years but we really are pretty relaxed.

oops...forgot something.....and.......

If I were to purchase property for investment purposes today it would most definately be in one of those two places, Broken Arrow or Owasso.

[Deacon]

If you want to drive a little, do not forget Edmond -- nice place -- old oil money ya know. And also Norman -- that is a clean and classy place also.