moving to tulsa (Owasso, Jenks: high crime, house, neighborhood)

[Annemieke Roell]

Originally Posted by okie in tx

Owasso is about 12 miles from Tulsa it is pretty much self-contained, meaning it has everything you would need right there, you wouldn't have to go into Tulsa until you wanted. It is very kid friendly with very good schools.

Sure, if you like a community that consists of subdivisions and strip malls

[N CA]

We're looking to move next year for the same reason. California is becoming the land of the affluent and poor. They're the only people who can afford to live here. I live in Contra Costa County. A few of years ago, our local newspaper performed a cost-of-living analysis. It offered that a family of four needed a minimum of of $74K/year just to survive in Contra Costa. And, that was before rising food and gas prices.

You must live in an affluent area to have access to good public schools (with a few exceptions). We have gang problems from West Contra Costa to East Contra Costa.

We have issues relating to way too many people straining the existing resources. There is so much competition for all of the colleges here, even those that always had space available for students who didn't get accepted into the more desirable schools. It's difficult for our kids to progress through our community colleges because classes are fully enrolled within minutes after they open.

I can't wait to get out of here. We have two little guys, six and eight.

We're looking at the following school districts: Jenks, Bixby, Union, and Broken Arrow. I see that BAGuy recommends Broken Arrow.

Okiegirlfriend, utilities are going up across the nation. A good month means my PG&E bill is $400.

[Okiegirlfriend]

You have chosen the best school districts in town. I however, prefer the Catholic Schools.

[Goodpasture]

Originally Posted by N CA

A good month means my PG&E bill is $400.

I spent that on gas for the house......for all of last year. I bet it will cost me $600 this year........

[N CA]

My two older boys attended Catholic school. My friend lives in Oakland, and private schools there cost about $15,000 plus/year. Catholic schools provide a great education and are a very good value.

We've done public schools with after school enrichment for the two younger. It works better for us because our eight-year-old's abilities vary. He's reading at grade level (and improving), but his math skills are third grade and above (depending on the material), and is above grade level in science and social studies. Our public schools are quite good, and our elementary is accommodating for our second grader. He worked on 'intro to Algebra' this past year. I don't think he could articulate that he needs more demanding material. If a teacher isn't proactive, he'd probably just sit and do the work assigned to him (even if it didn't challenge him).

If anyone can give me feedback on how these districts work with kids, I'd be very grateful. Some of these schools seem to have large student enrollments compared to California schools. A typical elementary would have about 300 students and a high school would have 1,000 or so students. It's difficult for me to compare and relate because our schools are all that I'm familiar with.

Goodpasture, I'm telling you...the cost of living here is killing us. People take on huge debt to buy homes. Our buying power has diminished substantially.

My dad was born in Idabel (moved to Paris, TX when he was a boy). My husband's folks are from Okemah and Henryetta.

[christiann]

I would love to get a place in broken arrow, bixby or even stillwater, but i am a single parent and not sure i would be able to afford it.

[N CA]

I hear you about affordability. I don't know about Oklahoma school districts, but California school districts' policies vary on transfer admissions. Some districts (Oakland, for example) have school choice, and residents are not guaranteed admission to their neighborhood school. Some districts deny choice and don't grant transfers unless forced to do so, while others allow transfers on a space-available basis.

Can you find out about school choice? If a district allows transfers and there is room available for your child, you could always apply for an inter-district transfer to your preferred school. When I talked to a staff person at Jenks PS, she said that many parents apply for inter-district transfers for their kids.

I guess we're lucky in a way. We live in a fairly high-cost area (nothing like SF!) and have a lot of equity in our home (even after the housing bubble).

[christiann]

I will look into that option. Thanks N Ca

[christiann]

Still trying to find someone that will rent to me. I dont have the greatest credit so that is a down fall for me. So at this point I am getting desperate, The gas prices keep getting higher as the pay is not. Any ideas as i am running out of options on where to look for homes. If anyone has any thoughts or ideas it would be much appreciated. I know rent to own would be the best option for me. And thank you everyone for all the replies.

[Annemieke Roell]

Originally Posted by christiann

Still trying to find someone that will rent to me. I dont have the greatest credit so that is a down fall for me. So at this point I am getting desperate, The gas prices keep getting higher as the pay is not. Any ideas as i am running out of options on where to look for homes. If anyone has any thoughts or ideas it would be much appreciated. I know rent to own would be the best option for me. And thank you everyone for all the replies.

My offer still stands.