Give me more info about the Tulsa area, please? (Broken Arrow: real estate, insurance)

[TheBigMoo-ve]

My husband and I are considering whether an offer to transfer (to Tulsa) with my company would be good for our family. We live in Florida right now, and have all of our lives. I think we would like it, but I would love to know more about what there is to do during the hot summer months (here we go to the beach, or the water parks). We have four children, and want to be fully armed with details when we tell them we are moving.

In the small amount of research we have done (what did we do before the internet???) I think we have decided on Broken Arrow or Jenks...but we aren't committed to either yet.

Also, what else should we consider when planning a budget (remember, we haven't ever lived where it gets cold or might snow)....or even has seasons, for that matter.
Thank you!

[mrdunn]

Here are a few suggestions about Tulsa. There is a small water park. They have a minor league baseball team called the Drillers. The Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks is very nice. Jenks and Broken Arrow are both nice, but you might also consider Owasso. It is north of Tulsa and growing very quickly. My wife has a cousin who just built a house there and the lot was huge compared to most suburban areas. This isn't an exhaustive list but maybe it will help.

[rugratref]

We once lived just outside of Pensacola...I grew up in Oklahoma...here is the differences I've noticed....PRICES! Your INSURANCE is going to go down a great deal...housing is cheaper than in Florida, more bang for your buck in Ok...Florida has far better health care...state tax in Oklahoma...I love Oklahoma, but there was far more things to do in FL. (entertainment wise). Tulsa may offer more than other areas of OK, not sure...it has been MANY years since I lived in OK. so you'd fair better listening to someone who currently lives there.
I LOVED Florida, but it can be hard to live there. Prices really went up after the hurricanes last season and the people just weren't as laid back as they once were...the people we knew were alllll about money. That drove me nuts at times. We're just not like that. Though many people did carry that laid back Florida vibe, Oklahomans seem more accepting of who you are NOT what you have.
For the record, this is all my personal opinion...and as the saying goes, "opinions are like A-holes, everybody's got one!"

[Jammie]

Tulsa is quite a bit different from Fla. No palm trees or beach. But it is one of the friendliest and most courteous places you'll ever see. Drivers are even courteous there.

Tulsa has a big zoo that your children would like. They also have two VERY nice museums. One is the Gilcrease (John Gilcrease, the artist) and the other is the Philbrook. You can find pics of the Philbrook and of nearby areas on the website. Synopsis has posted a few pics of the museum. The grounds look beautiful, but unfortunately we didn't go there when we were down there.

They also have a beautiful park with gorgeous flowers and rose bushes. I'm having a senior moment and can't remember what it's called, but someone will come along and remember. (Is it Monroe?) Just looking at all the fancy architecture would be something wonderful to do for the day. Boston Ave. Methodist Church is absolutely a work of art. And as was mentioned before, the Aquarium in Jenks is very nice. There's also a beautiful casino in one of the burbs and it sounds like they're working on really building up entertainment there.

If you'd like to get out of the city for a day, there's the cutest little town called Grove that's built on Grand Lake~very nice area and the kids may enjoy swimming there. You could also drive along the eastern border of the state and enjoy the Ozarks. On the more southern end (eastern) is the Quachita Forest. (Pronounced Waheta) The Talihamena Drive is down that way, too and it winds into Arkansas. Eastern OK is actually a very pretty area.

It appears that Tulsa has very mild winters so there shouldn't be much of a problem with high heating bills or needing snowblowers or coveralls like further north. Have you checked out the real estate on realtor. com yet? You'll be amazed at the difference in price between Tulsa and a lot of parts of Fla. Trust me cause I've researched both areas. I have family in Fla. and besides I love it down there, but eastern OK is an absolutely beautiful place, too.

[Honeybee]

I have never seen Florida but I will some day :O) I am in Ca. :O) leaving this week to our new home we bought in Broken Arrow OK. keeping my Ca. home also .I loved the whole Tulsa area it is very green and rolling hills and nice people .I think your going to like it if you do move there .Our daughter and son-in-law and 2 grandkids just bought there in Broken Arrow left Ca. last month so far they just Love it !!!!there . I guess you will never know unless you take that leap and do it I have been born and raised here in Ca. but I am ready for change now .Best to you and where ever you go .

[BigOkie]

Jammy, it was actually Thomas Gilcrease, and he was no artist...

Thomas Gilcrease - History

Also here:

Thomas Gilcrease - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by BigOkie

Jammy, it was actually Thomas Gilcrease, and he was no artist...

Thomas Gilcrease - History

Also here:

Thomas Gilcrease - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

OK, I apologize. Guess I was having a couple of senior moments when I posted that. It had been a rough day in real life.

[imagasser]

Why would you want to move your family to Tulsa? Our schools are terrible, our downtown is dead and we have had no new businesses come to our city in a long time. This place is not kid friendly. There is not much for them to do here that is healthy. Jenks schools are decent, but unless your children are athletic "studs", there is not much chance they will be able to participate in sports. Broken Arrow schools are not as good as Jenks, but they will suffer the same chances with sports as in Jenks.
I would think twice before moving if you are happy where you are.

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by imagasser

Why would you want to move your family to Tulsa? Our schools are terrible, our downtown is dead and we have had no new businesses come to our city in a long time. This place is not kid friendly. There is not much for them to do here that is healthy. Jenks schools are decent, but unless your children are athletic "studs", there is not much chance they will be able to participate in sports. Broken Arrow schools are not as good as Jenks, but they will suffer the same chances with sports as in Jenks.
I would think twice before moving if you are happy where you are.

Wow, you really don't like Tulsa, do you?

[Synopsis]

Somebody needs to move.