396,543
Population
Sunny Days: 227
43100 Affordability
85100 Schools
54100 Diversity
49100 Safety
I'd rather be tipping cows in Tulsa, than hailing cabs here in New York.
-Carrie Underwood
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Green Country
The Best Thing About Tulsa?
An Interesting Mix
Many of the best things about Tulsa seem to be embedded in affordable family-friendly neighborhoods. While that might be true there is also an active downtown scene with plenty of arts, culture, music, festivals and tons of bars and restaurants That mix of family vibe and a social center for younger professionals make Tulsa a compelling place.
Here's a recent expat giving a point of view on living in Tulsa:
I moved away for work. I miss it. I'm in a much bigger city now, but it felt like there was more to do in Tulsa. There are three venues that feature household bands/names all within 6 or so blocks. Between those and the bars downtown, you can watch live music just about any time or find other cool places in walking distance. Riverside is always (when it's not 110 degrees or 10) full of people biking, running, playing volleyball, etc. It can be a little status driven, but not nearly as bad as a lot of bigger cities. It has a good balance of big and small as a city. Traffic is not much of a problem, you may see the same cast of characters out, but you'll get world class shows and very cool events (my favorite being Oktoberfest and Tulsa Tough).
For more reviews of what living in Tulsa is like from locals check out: The Buzz
The Worst Thing About Tulsa?
Meth
If you ask locals many will complain about the poor roads but what it is more widely known for is the meth scene. Of course not all areas of the city are plagued by the scourge but nonetheless just know that Oklahoma in general and Tulsa in particular wrestle with clearing out the drug.
Lifestyle Of Tulsa
Much of Tulsa's lifestyle is as you might expect. It’s an amazing city for families. Kids are safe to ride bikes around their neighborhoods and play outside in yards and most of the parks. People are extremely friendly – so expect a dose of southern hospitality on day one.
There are however significant unexpected upsides: the arts scene is incredibly rich with a great opera, ballet and symphony offering as much culture as cities significantly larger. The music scene is also excellent with rock and blues acts consistently performing. Whether your tastes run to La Boheme or Justin Bieber it’s happening here. These performing arts venues are all surrounded by a growing foodie scene and plenty of upscale and casual bars/clubs for after the show.
Anyone interesting in seeing what the locals do for fun check out the calendar of events: https://www.tulsago.com/experience
Worklife of Tulsa
Tulsa was built on oil wealth and while there have been ups and downs in that industry in Tulsa it remains home to the headquarters of a number of oil-and-gas companies. A major economic diversification effort expanded the area into aerospace, finance, tech, media and manufacturing. While there are plenty of big businesses in Tulsa the bulk of employment comes from small businesses that make up 80% of the city’s companies. A number of the big corporations, like BOK Financial are in the Central Business District so for anyone looking to avoid the traffic and reputed poor drivers consider living near downtown.
Why You Should Move Here Now?
Stretching A Buck
Tulsa is consistently rated one of the 10 most affordable cities in the country. It’s also often rated of the 10 best real estate markets due to a combination of affordable housing + the high percentage of homes that sell near their list price in case you need to move on. If you’re looking to move from a more expensive place and stretch your bucks in a mid-sized city with arts and energy Tulsa is a great option.
Living in Tulsa
Neighborhoods in Tulsa
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Arts District
Young Professionals
Downtown is where all the youngsters are living and the Arts District is one of the most popular neighborhoods in the area. Filled with museums, bars and restaurants it’s the perfect neighborhood for those who like the museum-lifestyle or those who simply want close access to great nightlife. Pearl District is another great option for young professionals. Way more artsy than refined (like the Arts District) the Pearl District is blowing up with galleries, breweries and a close walk from Downtown and the East Village neighborhood.
- Arts District
- Pearl District
- Deco District
- Greenwood
Cherry Street
DINKs/SINKs
Cherry Street is a really cool neighborhood that is east of downtown with a quieter but still fun commercial district. Great restaurants, Irish pub, boutique coffee joints and in fact the highest number of locally owned businesses in town - nationals chains are not welcome here! The homes are beautiful old classics and perfect for the discerning couple or single looking for a more chill lifestyle.
- Cherry Street
- Brookside
- Kendall Whittier
Brady Heights
LGBTQ+
Brady Heights is the largest gay district in Tulsa. Located just north of downtown it has a sizable commercial district with tons of restaurants, shops, bars and clubs. Brady Heights is one of the beautiful historic districts of Tulsa and the homes are classic Georgian, Victorian Queen Anne and Craftsman styles. Another option to look at in the midtown area of Tulsa is Florence Park. Filled with older albeit smaller homes and an active social scene, the area is more affordable than Brady Heights for those looking for a more affordable option.
- Brady Heights
- Florence Park
Turner Park
Families
For younger families buying their first homes, Turner Park is a great option. Just under 6 miles from downtown for those who still want quick access to the city, it is filled with single-story, post-war homes priced for first time buyers. Turner Park also has a beautiful outdoor space called, not so surprisingly, Turner Park. Acres of greenery for the kids and the whole family (including Fido) to run and play. Riverview Historic District is another really compelling place for families to put on their shortlist. 100+ year old homes at reasonable prices is the first thing that attracts families. Another plus is how heavily the neighborhood stresses education, after all it is named after the old Riverview Elementary School.
- Turner Park
- Riverview Historic District
- Owasso
- Broken Arrow
- Sand Springs