NWArkansas to Tulsa (Broken Arrow, Claremore, Wilson: transplants, car insurance, homes)

[bagelw]

I realize NWArkansas is only 90 minutes from Tulsa but I am considering a job opportunity in Tulsa and was curious to see if anyone has made the move from NWA to Tulsa? From looking online it looks like the cost of living will be very similar between the areas but what about property taxes and insurance? I've heard OK car insurance can get expensive. It even looks like home prices are pretty close to one another (at least between Fayetteville, AR and Tulsa). We are in our 30s and are not planning on having children so schools are not a concern. Anyone that made the move regret it in anyway?

[Sarahsez]

I can't answer most of your questions. I do think you could transfer here and enjoy the area. This area of the state has a large number of transplants from Arkansas. Of the people I've met from Arkansas, I haven't heard many complaints about the area. Most people are happy to be here. The main difference we have noticed about this area is the difference in geography. When you hit the state line, you notice a physical difference in the size of the trees and height of the hills and there is a bit less in the outdoor parks and recreation. There are a lot of similarities too.

[cherylcardano]

I've lived in many states although not NWA, and I think you will enjoy the Tulsa area with it's abundance of amenities, home inventory, and cost. Below are some statistics:

Fayetteville, AR/ Tulsa ,OK/ Difference

Overall 86.1/ 89.9 / 4.5%/
Groceries 90.7/ 90.7/ same
Housing 75.8/ 69.5/ - 8.4
Utilities 89.6/ 98.3/ 9.7%/
Transportation 90.9/ 105.2/ 15.7%/

[bagelw]

Originally Posted by cherylcardano

I've lived in many states although not NWA, and I think you will enjoy the Tulsa area with it's abundance of amenities, home inventory, and cost. Below are some statistics:

Fayetteville, AR/ Tulsa ,OK/ Difference

Overall 86.1/ 89.9 / 4.5%/
Groceries 90.7/ 90.7/ same
Housing 75.8/ 69.5/ - 8.4
Utilities 89.6/ 98.3/ 9.7%/
Transportation 90.9/ 105.2/ 15.7%/

What are these stats from?

[cherylcardano]

Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed

This is a source I use along with:

Moving.com: Compare Two Cities

Hope these help.

[cherylcardano]

When I hit those again they changed from previous so they are just a reference

[bagelw]

So we will eventually be making the move in the next few months. One thing we love about Fayetteville is the close proximity we are to the walking and biking trails. Are their any neighborhods with homes under $200,000 that are close to trails and parks?

[Les Pharis]

I just moved from Broken Arrow to Fayetteville and I find decent housing much cheaper here. Of course you could
find lots of areas that are cheaper in metro Tulsa. Just remember that the cost of the ballistic vest, helmets,
assault rifles and such should be factored into the equation. The bike trails in Fayetteville are fantastic. Tulsa has
nothing to compare to them except for River Parks. Just be sure to take a gas mask with you if the wind is blowing
out of the west (refineries and sewage). The bus system in Fayetteville is a lot better than Tulsa's. Of course Tulsa
is a much larger area to cover so you can count on buses coming by about every 45 minutes and then taking you
around a much larger loop. The entire trajectory will take an hour and a half versus 45 minutes. You should
definitely know which areas of the city to avoid because there are daily shoot outs, murders, assaults, robberies, etc.
on a scale unimaginable in Fayetteville. I would suggest Claremore (the burbs) and commute to work. They have
a nice lake with walking trails and also Rogers University has a nature center with a nice trail complex. Broken Arrow
also has some nice parks but nothing as charming as Wilson Park.

[linicx]

I lived in NEOK for a lot of years and spent a good deal of time in NWAR. Travel in NW AR from Pea Ridge to Hot Springs is through three mountain ranges: Ozark, Boston and Ouachita. There is no place in the Midwest/Midsouth that has anything like it. It is awesome. AR 5 out of Fayetteville to I-40 is breathtaking beautiful especially in the spring with the Dogwoods bloom.

OK License plate fees are bizarre. It is based on the FOB price on your vehicle the year it was manufactured. Antique vehicle tags (license plates) are dirt cheap. Not so on new cars; ouch!. To get new plates go to any OK Tag Office.

I like Tulsa very much. I don't like its tornadoes. Tulsa metro population is 1M or more, and it is is a beautiful green and tree city. It is called the art capital of OK by some. If I was going to buy property in Tulsa I would look at the area behind Utica Square on Utica and 21st. The other options are NW or SE -- because the OKie tornadoes form in the SW and more NE.

The one thing your will find different is the food, and you will find two malls and some nice shopping areas like Utica Square. .

[bagelw]

Originally Posted by Les Pharis

I just moved from Broken Arrow to Fayetteville and I find decent housing much cheaper here. Of course you could
find lots of areas that are cheaper in metro Tulsa. Just remember that the cost of the ballistic vest, helmets,
assault rifles and such should be factored into the equation. The bike trails in Fayetteville are fantastic. Tulsa has
nothing to compare to them except for River Parks. Just be sure to take a gas mask with you if the wind is blowing
out of the west (refineries and sewage). The bus system in Fayetteville is a lot better than Tulsa's. Of course Tulsa
is a much larger area to cover so you can count on buses coming by about every 45 minutes and then taking you
around a much larger loop. The entire trajectory will take an hour and a half versus 45 minutes. You should
definitely know which areas of the city to avoid because there are daily shoot outs, murders, assaults, robberies, etc.
on a scale unimaginable in Fayetteville. I would suggest Claremore (the burbs) and commute to work. They have
a nice lake with walking trails and also Rogers University has a nature center with a nice trail complex. Broken Arrow
also has some nice parks but nothing as charming as Wilson Park.

Ummmm...exaggerate much?
Ballistic vest, helmets, assault rifles? Really? I've been to Tulsa numerous times and have never felt unsafe. I can't really take your post seriously after you state something like that.