My husband and I currently live in Dallas, TX. I love the city life, but my husband was born/ raised in a smaller metropolitan area. We were thinking about moving to Tulsa when we retire (about 10-15 years from now).

I've heard that Tulsa, OK is a very nice area. Anyone on these boards live in Tulsa? What is a good area to look into? I’d like an older home (1950’s to 1980’s) and I’d like a pool and I also want a house with large rooms because I love to entertain and have family come stay. Looking at 3,000+ sq. feet, at least.

WOW! Seriously? No one lives in Tulsa???

Well, it appears that no one from Tulsa is in the house right now - so to speak - but I love looking for houses so am going to run with this one! Been a while since we've had a fun post to pursue new homes!

Okay, if it's for retirement, then the school district isn't important; if it is the two of you with family visiting occasionally - sounds like a 3 bedroom/2 bath is the minimum. Do you have pets? Want the structured area of a subdivision with an HOA or would rather live in a less structured environment?

And what about price? Post back soon - I'm headed to Tulsa (in a virtual sense!) to see just what that area has to offer! Would be helpful if we knew if there was a particular area near Tulsa that your dh was thinking about - or not! Maybe we can find some places he might not have been thinking about!

BUT, if you see this post, do help by posting the first number of the price - 1, 2, 3 or higher - will help us rule out a lot of duds and skip right to the main event. I realize you won't be ready to move for some years yet, but this research will give you an idea on which direction to head when you ARE ready to move!

Well, can't tell you a lot about the specifics of the area around Tulsa BUT can tell you that there are some wonderful homes there that meet all of your criteria and then some!

Check out realtor.com 1130916 at 7455 S. Knoxville Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74136 for example:

4,254 sf wh 4 bed/5 bath - .56 acres surrounded by mature landscaping, beauiful pool, hot tub - very large rooms, fireplaces, incredible master bedroom suite, gorgeous kitchen, laundry room and the list goes on and on...

If this is an example of what Tulsa has to offer - wow! Oh, and I forgot to tell you the price? It's $319,000 ....

Maybe this is too good to be true! Anyway, it's a fun start for looking ahead 10-15 years to retirement! Looks like this area definately deserves a second look!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Idaho Resident,

I haven't lived in Tulsa but did live just south of OKC (Norman)some years ago. I liked living there except for the constant wind and the occasional mud rain that we would get if there was a dust storm and then rain combined--rare.

We had younger kids then. One was a competitive swimmer and we traveled most of the state going to meets. I really did like Tulsa when we went there--at least what I saw. It was greener and seemed to have nice cultural things. Of course, OKC had some culture as well and in Norman we had OU so that brings culture to an area (also lots of football!).

Of course, these comments are looking back over my shoulder so I really can't address what it is like now. When we left the state we sold our house in two days. Shortly after that the real estate market went south and folks couldn/t sell for love nor money. One former neighbor (from a family with quite a lot of money) just walked away and left the house vacant for who knows how long.

Sounds like from Idaho Resident's research that at the moment you can get quite a bit of house for a nice sum but then the same thing is true in Dallas right now. (I know because I am following that market with plans to relocate this year from the Texas hill country.)

I was looking at House Hunters on Sunday, and saw an episode in Houston. I dropped my jaw, when I saw the prices there. I didn't know that homes were so inexpensive in that area.
Well,I moved from Ca. to Fl. on the Panhandle, and I have to tell you, that because this is such a small city in comparison, I have not been able to adapt myself to small city mentality. So, if this is not a problem for you. I guess, what makes you happy.

quote:

I was looking at House Hunters on Sunday, and saw an episode in Houston. I dropped my jaw, when I saw the prices there. I didn't know that homes were so inexpensive in that area.

That's only because HH doesn't visit River Oaks, Houston, one of the wealthiest communities in Texas and one of the wealthiest zip codes in the US.

The homes HH showed were the typical suburban tract home developments you'd find just about anywhere.

A friend lives in that area and according to her email weather reports, it is either hottttttt or colddddddddddddd; so if you are bothered by extremes, check this. Also, it is truly in tornado alley as we all know!

Why don't you take a vacation there - spend a week or so, and check out the real estate, what there is to do, etc. Also, check out the Chamber of Commerce website - lots of information there....

have family in bartlesville (home of phillips 66 oil)

i think of ok as flat, hot and tornado ally...

why ok. over lets say, the texas hill country?

There are many books available describing pros and cons of different areas for retirement. Check your library; also some magazines Even if you are not retiring, it will give you a good idea of a certain area. Reference librarian at your library can help you.

Tulsa is wonderful city! Beautiful art deco architecture, thriving arts community and just an overall active (runners, bikers, swimmers) community.

This part of Oklahoma is not flat. It is green (It IS called Green Country) with numerous hills.

If you are waiting 10+ years I would wait to nail down a neighborhood. Some have remained steady but there are some diverse areas that are just now beginning a renewal. Our downtown used to be scary at night (or day). Now it's where I like to go. My dream is to sell our home in the suburbs and move into a loft in downtown. Just love the vibe in the various districts (Blue Dome, Deco, Brady) in the downtown corridor.

Welcome home to your hubby!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: midwifeymom,