Help find my son a Tulsa apartment (Strang, May: apartments, loan)

[linda3828]

I just spoke with a very nice sounding manager at Country Hollow apartments - 4605 E. 80th St 74136. Do you know anything about those apartments? We will take a look toward the end of November. I found several near that zip code, but though they listed Saturday hours, Country Hollow was the only one that answered the phone, which was a good sign to me. And.....the manager shares our same last name - what a coincidence.

[linda3828]

I've been busy searching. I tried very hard to stay within the area you spoke about. Besides Country Hollow (4605 E 80th), I've found The Lodge (7901 S Yale), The Lakes (8028 S. Wheeling), Riverbend (212 E 83rd), and Sand Dollar on the River (910 E 61st) - do you have any good or bad to say about these?????? I haven't spoken to any except for Country Hollow, but I would like to have a few more options when we make another visit.

[Sandysaw]

hello! do not worry about the welding school - it is actually right next to the University of Tulsa, the premier university here in OK! I know - I went there! and, I actually did live on campus...while it is definitely not the best area in the world, i still felt reasonably safe there, especially in the day (and I'm a female, too). As far as better apartments, I would say it's worth it to check out over around the Brookside area about 5 minutes away (not great, but better), and then if your son is willing to drive a bit, more in south Tulsa (anywhere you go in south Tulsa will be fine for your son, around 51st street and further south). I now live in Owasso and did commute to 11th st (TU) for a year. It's about a 20 minute drive (less from 76th st and 169) and incredibly, incredibly safe as it's a Tulsa suburb. Good luck with finding a great place, and hope this helped ease your mind a little -remember, there are a ton of college students milling all around that area!

I also wanted to tell you - the welding school has a great reputation around these parts. My husband from Missouri had even heard the positive buzz around it! Good luck again - your son should enjoy his experience there!

[writerathome]

What price range?? Willow Creek Apts would have to be one of my favorites for affordability and safety. They are located around 65th and Yale. They are actually condos but the owners rent them quite often and they are less than $500/mo. Eton Square is typically around $550 and is gated, at 61st and Memorial. I would say.....stay south of 51st and East of Harvard, but not too far east.

[ICvegan]

Linda,

Before moving here, I read up on LOTS of apartment complexes in the area where I wanted to be. All the ones that were not horribly expensive had really poor ratings and terrible things written about them. I ended up in a complex with one of the worst ratings and the most awful things written up about it...and I couldn't be happier. I think that it really depends on your immediate neighbors. The people near me are the nicest, friendliest people and I have had no problems at all. I haven't experienced even one negative thing that was written about--not even close. However, I attribute that to my neighbors--I got very lucky and live near genuinely wonderful people. In the same complex, a few buildings down...wow am I ever glad I don't live there. Noisy people who yell, curse, throw things around and play extremely loud music. Cops are there all the time. This is the SAME apartment complex. The neighbors are what makes the difference.

[linda3828]

Thanks so much to all of you - I am compiling your suggestions and working my way toward a list of apartments to visit. Looks like I will have to print out a map of the streets to get familiar with all the areas you have mentioned. Gosh, who would have known I'd have to do a spreadsheet ???!!! LOL If it's okay, I will post my list (don't worry, I promise not to have pages) and see if anyone can help me narrow it down. I'm sure my husband would appreciate not having to view a dozen.

Thanks Sandysaw for the comforting words about the welding school. Writerathome, we do hope to find a rent that won't stretch us too badly. The ones I've contacted so far average around $420 - $450 & there was only one that included water - none, of course, include electric. TulsaVegan, I appreciate your comments too. I can just imagine how much the neighbors add or take away from an apartment's security. Though we live in a rural area, we too, have had the bad neighbor experience from time to time.

[linda3828]

I have called & plotted these complexes on my map. I seem to have about an equal amount in the southwest & southeast. There were so many and I'm not even really sure how I picked. I have arranged to view them on December 1st, so I've got time to call a few more if anyone of you don't think I've made any GOOD choices !!! I do value your opinions !!

THE LIST: The Lakes, Sand Dollar on the River, The Overlook, Country Hollow, Observation Point, Huntington Hollow, and Riverpark at Kensington.

I also contacted The Village in Broken Arrow and was told that they are always full - must be a nice place - too bad I missed out on that one. The Riverbend absolutely would not rent to us due to my son not turning 18 until later in January and he needs to move in prior to January 10th when he has orientation. All of the others said they would rent to us and then transfer the lease to my son after he is 18.

One more - Somerset Park @ Union - said they'd make an exception since my son will be just short of 18. I kinda liked the fact they were willing to work with us instead of acting like it was just okay that he wasn't old enough. Sounded like they have RULES, which is a good thing. Just prior to that call, I got Windsail (sounds nice) and was completely turned down due to the age factor.

Well, that makes a total of 8 and I think I'm ready to quit calling and wait to take a look.

[New In Prue]

Generally speaking, your better apartments and safer areas are south of 21st and west of
Memorial, but stay away from the area around 61st and Riverside/Peoria. Willow Creek is
nice. The apartments along 71st east-west are bad for car thefts. Lots of gang problems
in the far east sector of the city. Likewise, west of the river in the 21st street south.

[linda3828]

New in Prue, did you think any of my choices would work ?? About half of them are toward Broken Arrow, which I had been advised are ok????????

[BigOkie]

Originally Posted by linda3828

I have called & plotted these complexes on my map. I seem to have about an equal amount in the southwest & southeast. There were so many and I'm not even really sure how I picked. I have arranged to view them on December 1st, so I've got time to call a few more if anyone of you don't think I've made any GOOD choices !!! I do value your opinions !!

THE LIST: The Lakes, Sand Dollar on the River, The Overlook, Country Hollow, Observation Point, Huntington Hollow, and Riverpark at Kensington.

I also contacted The Village in Broken Arrow and was told that they are always full - must be a nice place - too bad I missed out on that one. The Riverbend absolutely would not rent to us due to my son not turning 18 until later in January and he needs to move in prior to January 10th when he has orientation. All of the others said they would rent to us and then transfer the lease to my son after he is 18.

One more - Somerset Park @ Union - said they'd make an exception since my son will be just short of 18. I kinda liked the fact they were willing to work with us instead of acting like it was just okay that he wasn't old enough. Sounded like they have RULES, which is a good thing. Just prior to that call, I got Windsail (sounds nice) and was completely turned down due to the age factor.

Well, that makes a total of 8 and I think I'm ready to quit calling and wait to take a look.

The Lakes - This is a good location, but it may be pricey. It's directly across the street from an Indian Casino (Creek Nation). While that, in and of itself, isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's something to consider. Good access to highways and shopping from there.

Sand Dollar on the River - Pretty much the same as above, minus the part about the Casino. Great view here of Turkey Mountain. Probably not as pricey as The Lakes

The Overlook - Many native Tulsans will tell you to stay away from anything west of the Arkansas River. You need to know the good areas. I've known several people who lived in this complex and it's pretty nice. Anything south of 51st and west of 33rd West Ave across the river is not a bad place. The further west you go, the less population density there is.

Country Hollow - This is at 81st And Yale; a cookie cutter complex, but not bad overall. This sits up on a rise and overlooks town. Not too pricey.

Observation Point - I work just a half mile south of this complex. It's fairly quiet out this way and close to several grocery stores, convenience stores and the like.

Huntington Hollow - Once again, fairly close to where I work; I've also known people who live here. This one, IMO is a little rough. There is great access to highways, but this one has gone downhill a little.

Riverpark at Kensington - Just behind The Lakes, so the review is about the same.

Somerset Park - A friend of mine just moved into a house after living there for quite some time. He liked it, but the traffic is miserable down Mingo. This is located just about a stone's throw from Union High School and is about a half mile from the 71st Street corridor. Windsail is not much further away.