Affordable apartments in low-crime neighborhood for 2 college students? (Tulsa, Broken Arrow: to rent, low crime)

[firefrost]

Hello. Just like the title says, a friend of mine are heading to RSU in Claremore starting in fall of next year. But, we're wanting to get a jump start on moving up there and finding a suitable place to call home and get used to the area so that we don't have a huge culture shock coming from small town Poteau and Wister, Oklahoma to big city Tulsa. We chose Tulsa because we figure that's where we'll find a good paying job there at home, rather than living in Claremore and driving back and forth; 3 times a week to Claremore for school as opposed to 5-6 times a week for Tulsa is much better; both of us have worked in customer service in call center environments; I have 2 years experience in it on my friend.

So, we're not looking for anything absolutely luxurious, but we'd like to have something fairly decent, not really rundown, bad neighborhood looking. Heard stories about car breakins and such. Any good choices avail in a low crime area? I believe we set our topping out price on rent at $900, $450 split between us. And we have factored in utilities and all the like as well. Any suggestions?

[dekes1969]

fireforst let me think on that one for amoment and i try to remember the places on the east/ne side of the city or in BA/Owasso

[firefrost]

Originally Posted by dekes1969

fireforst let me think on that one for amoment and i try to remember the places on the east/ne side of the city or in BA/Owasso

NE? Is that still relatively safe? I've heard that North Tulsa is very bad.

[dekes1969]

when i say ne i mean like 11 to 31 from garnett to 145 th ave that is not the north tulsa you hear of and to be honest north tulsa is not really that bad anyway, but you hear about north tulsa north of osu-tulsa that is the area you hear about thru media and word of mouth

[nsuterry]

oh my goodness, please don't even think about the area between 11th & 31st and garnett & 145th...

First, the Tulsa Police Department has an excellent crime map service on their website. You'll discover that the best areas are usually as far from the center of the city as is possible to go.

As for generally horrible areas - anywhere along the major highways is absolutely out. The mall areas are out (around 71st between Memorial and Mingo, 41st between Yale and Sheridan, and even the area around 21st & 145th, as described above, despite the fact that that mall has been closed for a long time).

Avoid everything north of downtown. Additionally, draw a line from downtown to 71st & memorial and avoid everything northeast of that. Finally, avoid everything west of Lewis. What does that leave you with?

basically, only the area east of the Arkansas river, south of 81st St.

Seriously, if crime isn't your thing, Tulsa's a bad place to be. Try staying out of the city - instead, look into Owasso, Broken Arrow, or Claremore.

[BigOkie]

Originally Posted by nsuterry

oh my goodness, please don't even think about the area between 11th & 31st and garnett & 145th...

First, the Tulsa Police Department has an excellent crime map service on their website. You'll discover that the best areas are usually as far from the center of the city as is possible to go.

As for generally horrible areas - anywhere along the major highways is absolutely out. The mall areas are out (around 71st between Memorial and Mingo, 41st between Yale and Sheridan, and even the area around 21st & 145th, as described above, despite the fact that that mall has been closed for a long time).

Avoid everything north of downtown. Additionally, draw a line from downtown to 71st & memorial and avoid everything northeast of that. Finally, avoid everything west of Lewis. What does that leave you with?

basically, only the area east of the Arkansas river, south of 81st St.

Seriously, if crime isn't your thing, Tulsa's a bad place to be. Try staying out of the city - instead, look into Owasso, Broken Arrow, or Claremore.

Post is utter garbage, yet again, regarding crime and Tulsa.

There are many places that have high crime. Yes, even south of 81st crime can be an issue. It's an issue EVERYWHERE. Even in the suburbs.

I live near the traffic circle (Admiral and Mingo) which many people consider 'high crime'. That's crap. Very little if anything has happened in my neighborhood in over a year.

If you want to move to the suburbs, that would be your prerogative. But BA is getting crowded, and Owasso didn't plan properly for their growth so the infrastructure stinks. Claremore is a little removed from Tulsa for my tastes.

Ask people that have actually lived in those areas and they'll tell you that they may seen some problems lately, but guess what? People 'south of 81st' would tell you the same.

Sheesh.

Syn, this poster reminds me a little of someone this forum had a problem with back in June. Maybe not, but possible.

To the OP; you might look at renting a home in Catoosa, as it would probably be the best of both worlds. Close enough to Tulsa that finding work and commuting wouldn't be a problem, and close enough to Claremore that it wouldn't be an issue either.

Sorry for ranting...I get sick of seeing people essentially tell others 'don't live there' when I'm pretty sure people saying that never have. I've lived all over town and have never really ever felt unsafe in ANY place I lived. Just use common sense and ask around when looking for a place.

[Goodpasture]

Originally Posted by firefrost

........both of us have worked in customer service in call center environments; I have 2 years experience in it on my friend.

West as well as several other call centers are between 41st and 31st off 169. There are numerous apartment complexes in the area that will meet your needs and that are not particularly expensive. The Directv call center at 21st and Sheridan has an apartment complex next door that offers discounts to DTV employees. There is also a pretty decent cafe in front of the complex, and there are supermarkets not far (Reasors and WalMart Neighborhood Market at 21st and Yale).

Originally Posted by firefrost

........Heard stories about car breakins and such. Any good choices avail in a low crime area?

With a very few exceptions there are no really high crime areas, provided you are proactive in your defense of your property. For example, do not leave stuff laying around in your car. Carry it in and put it away. If you have to have lots of stuff (CD's, Stereos, $100 sunglasses, medications, etc) get a small back pack or duffle bag and carry them in and out with you. Some parts of town, you don't want to leave your car running when you go into QT to use the toilet and flirt with the person behind the cash register.....you can get away with it once or twice, but eventually someone will steal it.

The point is, with reasonable care, all areas are safe, without reasonable care you WILL be a victim.

Originally Posted by firefrost

I believe we set our topping out price on rent at $900, $450 split between us. And we have factored in utilities and all the like as well. Any suggestions?

You should be able to get a decent apartment for around $600. I think my son paid $525 when he worked at DTV and lived in that apartment just north of there. Electricity ran him another $50 or so (all electric). I am certain that rents have escalated somewhat in the three years since, but not excessively.

[georgeious]

if the two of you are splitting the bills, you might consider a house or duplex instead of an apartment. that could broaden the areas of your search. i have a number of friends who've moved into the areas east of TU, mostly around 4th and yale. it's a nice quiet neighborhood with convenient access to 244, which could be good for your drive. it's also really close to direct tv if you want a call center position there.

speaking as someone who used to live on cherry street, though now a downtowner, i can tell you about the commute. i went to rsu and the drive from 15th and peoria was about 30 to 35 minutes each way, depending on traffic. that was always taking 66 and not the toll road. the nice thing was that i was always going the opposite way as the traffic jam (east in the am and west in the pm) so that was never really a big concern. the thing that held me up more often was the trains in claremore along will rogers boulevard.

i've also lived east, west, north, south and central. i agree that, while there are pockets to watch ou for in EACH of these areas (yes, on the south side as well), common sense should tell you if you're about to be taken in by a slumlord who wants you to rent in a rat's nest of crime. great idea checking on the stats, though, including what type of crime is most prevalent where.

good luck on your new place.

[dekes1969]

big okie you hit the nail on the head the only time i had crime in tulsa is when i lived at 81st and yale when i lived at 31 and mingo area none so please cut out the tulsa is infested with crime rant. i grew up in new york you have no idea what crime really is

[firefrost]

Thanks for the info. I found these while browsing on Craigslist. Any info on these places?

NYC-Style Living Near Downtown Tulsa

Look – 2 Bedrooms from $500 – CHECK THIS OUT !!!

Two Bedrooms from $500 – YOU CAN’T MISS THIS!

Welcome to Warren Properties

Any additional help is appreciated. An update, it is now me moving up there for now and I'm doing it rather swiftly, looking at early February '09 because of living situation atm.