Considering moving to Tulsa (Broken Arrow, Jenks: apartment, rent, crime)

[ND_Sav]

A couple friends and I thought it would be fun and to move and experience something different. We're living in Fargo, ND right now and just want to get away from the winter basically. Tulsa seems to have a ton of sports surrounding it which makes it sound like a lot of fun. I've talked to a few people I know and they said there is still a Midwestern feel to it. My friend likes to ride bikes on trails etc 10-50mile bike trails and the Ozark trails brought interest to him. The winters we have are starting to get old going from November til Mar/Apr and I'd rather be outside enjoying the weather.

We haven't decided when we would like to move, basically we need to find a job before we make the move. Would like to be there by this spring if possible. One of the friends has been working at a hotel for 5+ years and would like to find a hotel job, preferably with Marriott. I have a Bachelor Degree in Business and currently kept my job I had through college working at a greenhouse, but rather be doing some form of administrative work with computers or in the office. I have helped my dad at his business, he owns a autobody/mechanic shop and I've helped with the office work. So if anyone has any tips, help, or places to look for either of us.

Living:
We would probably rent an apartment. Saw good things about Broken Arrow, but some of it seems kind of expensive. We would like to avoid bad location/crime areas. Jenks sounds like another good area. I'd say $700-$800ish for a 2bdm. Depending on the jobs we find is it a long drive to get to one end to the other of the metro or is travel fairly good? Here in Fargo you can get from one end of town to another in about 20-25 minutes max, but most stuff is within 5-15 minutes from you.

If you have any other tips on moving to Tulsa from ND it would be greatly appreciated.

[ERISAjunkie]

I'd imagine if summer weather is the main motivator then you're in for a real treat. Oklahoma winters will be like a beautiful crisp spring day to you- coming from Fargo. All kidding aside, the summers can be brutal in Oklahoma. On the converse you'll love the lakeside lifestyle that is so close to Tulsa. Seven to eight hundred dollars should get you a nice apartment in Tulsa or its suburbs. I'm coming from New York so the traffic in Tulsa seems to be no problem even in the rush hour.

It's a good idea to try and find work before you arrive. I've found that part daunting and part of the reason is that prospective employers may think I'm not serious since I've not moved yet. You seem to be a geaat deal younger than I am so it might be easier for you. You guys seem well educated and experienced. I hear ND has the lowest unemployment rate in our country. Yhe general market seems good in Tulsa as well- it's a matter of getting you're foot in the door.

Well, the best of luck and God's grace on your move. These threads have lots of info.

[Bill236c]

God's grace on your move?

[ND_Sav]

Weather is part of it, I know Tulsa gets some snow and sleet but being from here tthat wont bother us. The heat might get old but if that bugs you stay inside or hit up the lake or pool. Also like the fact close to the ozarks and big12 sec sports in the area, I am huge into college sports. Trying something new would be fun and who knows what kind of opportunity you may fine. There seems like a lot of things to do there.

Is there any recommendations where to live? Suburbs and south part of Tulsa to avoid some crime? I know we have stuff happen in Fargo but I feel really safe here. If we choose Jenks or Broken Arrow is that still a 15-25 min drive to most places?

Being I am not down there and just using the internet, is there any tips in finding good jobs?

[Sarahsez]

I would find a job before getting here. It will give you more stability and a better idea of where to locate.

I'm not sure I can post a link. Wikipedia has a list of companies based in Tulsa. I would check that out and do a little research on the companies that look like they may be a fit. "Tulsa World" is the big newspaper here. You might check out the classifieds in the Sunday edition. Of course, you can always look at traditional job posting places online.

Good luck!

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by ND_Sav

A couple friends and I thought it would be fun and to move and experience something different. We're living in Fargo, ND right now and just want to get away from the winter basically. Tulsa seems to have a ton of sports surrounding it which makes it sound like a lot of fun. I've talked to a few people I know and they said there is still a Midwestern feel to it. My friend likes to ride bikes on trails etc 10-50mile bike trails and the Ozark trails brought interest to him. The winters we have are starting to get old going from November til Mar/Apr and I'd rather be outside enjoying the weather.

We haven't decided when we would like to move, basically we need to find a job before we make the move. Would like to be there by this spring if possible. One of the friends has been working at a hotel for 5+ years and would like to find a hotel job, preferably with Marriott. I have a Bachelor Degree in Business and currently kept my job I had through college working at a greenhouse, but rather be doing some form of administrative work with computers or in the office. I have helped my dad at his business, he owns a autobody/mechanic shop and I've helped with the office work. So if anyone has any tips, help, or places to look for either of us.

Living:
We would probably rent an apartment. Saw good things about Broken Arrow, but some of it seems kind of expensive. We would like to avoid bad location/crime areas. Jenks sounds like another good area. I'd say $700-$800ish for a 2bdm. Depending on the jobs we find is it a long drive to get to one end to the other of the metro or is travel fairly good? Here in Fargo you can get from one end of town to another in about 20-25 minutes max, but most stuff is within 5-15 minutes from you.

If you have any other tips on moving to Tulsa from ND it would be greatly appreciated.

>>>>>
I've talked to a few people I know and they said there is still a Midwestern feel to it.
<<<<<

No, not really.....especially nothing in terms of Midwestern like what you know of North Dakota. Nebraska/Kansas/the majority of Missouri sure. Oklahoma nope.

Oklahoma possesses much more a Southwestern/Southern/Western hybrid than Midwestern. When you think of Oklahoma and Tulsa think much (much much) more like Texas without all the arrogance. Most the Yankee/Midwestern oil barons that moved here 80-90 years ago are gone as well and unless you're planning on rubbing elbows with their families I'm sensing you won't sense any Midwestern touches nor their cultural influence, IMO.

Go immediately outside of Tulsa and you'll see the difference. You noted that it is on the edge of the Ozarks.....just me, but I've NEVER thought that the corner of NE Oklahoma and NW Arkansas are Midwestern based on speech/food/woodsy topography/overall culture, etc. Even Southern Missouri has pretty prominent cultural affinity more with Oklahoma/Arkansas than it does say, with neighboring Kansas/Iowa/Illinois.

I visit Tulsa regularly and it is hardly different culturally from OK City (and for that matter Fort Worth/Austin (although it's very weird)/Amarillo, etc.) with the exception of a few aesthetic differences in the skyline and layout of the city plus the greener/more foresty areas as you move into NE Oklahoma. Having been to ND myself, I say without hesitation that Tulsa resembles Nashville much more than it does Fargo.

Hope that helps a bit. Welcome and good luck. Please please please when you move down don't refer to Tulsa as the Midwest out of respect for many of us and our families that have lived here for over a hundred years. We let a few of the transplant Californians do it because, well, they're from Cali.

Thanks In Advance,

4th Generation Bonafied Okie

[ND_Sav]

Alright...by saying it was somewhat midwestern I meant for the nice personality. In ND we hardly have hills on the eastern part of the state just flat. Ozarks being close by would brig that feel and things to do. Also, we are very outgoing down to earth people, I can meet and talk to people quite easily and that is kind of what I was referring to. I love going to lakes fishing, tubing, swimming, etc. Here at -20-30° you dont want to be outside and i am sure at 100°+ is the same but more doable.

[teakboat]

I think Tulsa is rather midwestern in feel. Much of Oklahoma is more southern in feel.

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by teakboat

I think Tulsa is rather midwestern in feel. Much of Oklahoma is more southern in feel.

This is an interesting position to me. As one that has family from (or at least residing in multiple quadrants) literally all over the state of Oklahoma I see a very homogenous culture across the board.

I have a hard time seeing (actually, I clearly don't see it) how this enclave in NE Oklahoma, right on the edge of the Ozarks/NW Arkansas/Southern Missouri no doubt, is more "Midwestern." Very strange position. So I guess part of Arkansas is more "Midwestern" too? Boy, that just seems odd to me. I've always thought of and experienced Arkansas and Oklahoma as Southern culturally, although they may be harder to peg down geographically (Southern Plains, South-Central, etc.....the census has 'em in West South Central).

If anything the eastern side of Oklahoma is a tad more Southern culturally than the central/western side which carries a much more Southwestern feel....but the different cultural touches are not stark as many on these boards try to perpetuate. Again, Oklahoma is quite homogenous across the board culturally. Oh, and there is no so-called "rivalry" between OK City and Tulsa.....they are very similar in feel and the way people relate to one another. And I think it would clearly seem that way for someone visiting.

Plus, I've yet to meet an Okie from Tulsa or wherever that was born/raised in Oklahoma and has deep roots in the Sooner State going back more than a few generations that would claim any part of Oklahoma as Midwestern.

That's just me though. I'm an old Okie; I like to keep the old ways alive.

[swake]

Originally Posted by teakboat

I think Tulsa is rather midwestern in feel. Much of Oklahoma is more southern in feel.

Most people that live in Tulsa consider it more Midwestern. We are more like Kansas City, Des Moines and Omaha than Houston and Austin or Little Rock.