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.

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 just know that Oklahoma in general and Tulsa in particular wrestle with clearing out the drug. 



An Interesting Mix

LookyLOO Review 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 amiable – so expect a dose of Southern hospitality on day one. 

There are however significant unexpected upsides: the arts scene is for real 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 interested in seeing what the locals do for fun check out the [**calendar of events**](https://www.tulsago.com/experience).


Lifestyle 

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 several 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. 


Worklife

The [**Tulsa Public School**](tulsaschools.org) district receives a [**"C+" grade on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/tulsa-public-schools-ok/). 
The schools receive higher grades for Clubs/Activities, College Prep, and Diversity. 

The district offers open enrollment, which means parents can apply for their children to attend any school within the district so while neighborhood choice matters for convenience, families live in different areas than the schools they send their kiddos to. 


Among the highest-performing schools are: 

-[**Booker T. Washington High School**](btw.tulsaschools.org) is the second highest-rated public school in the state. It receives an [**"A+" on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/booker-t-washington-high-school-tulsa-ok/?map) with very highly rated Academics and Teachers and College Prep. In addition to academic strength the school is also well known for athletics and the arts. It is the public magnet for the city so students must apply for admittance. 

-[**Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences High School**](https://tsas.org/) (TSAS) is another gem in the city for grades 6-12, and receives an "A-" on niche.com, with very high grades for Teachers, College Prep, and Diversity. TSAS is a unique charter school with different "houses" for study that allow students to focus on different areas of interest - science, arts, music, and tech. Attendance is free and students are admitted based on availability. 





Schools

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. 


Stretching A Buck

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**reyoureadyboots**
Living in Tulsa
2y ago
✭✭✭

The progressive parts of Tulsa are expensive (downtown, old midtown), so if you are looking for something Austin-esque, I am not sure if $800 will do it. There are however some cheap apartments in Tulsa that some people might say are "ghetto" (offensive term tbh) but they aren't so bad, really. Always look at reviews. If you have questions about specific complexes and neighborhoods people here are helpful.

An important thing to realize is that a lot of people who call themselves "Tulsans" grew up in places like Jenks and Bixby and think anything north of 21st Street is a killing field. So take most of what you hear here with a grain of salt, please.

I live downtown and just about every big building has private security so I don't think you'd have a terrible time finding work.

And also please understand that if you're working private security in Tulsa you're dealing with homeless people. That's just the way it is. Try to understand that they're people too and just because they live in a tent doesn't mean they want to live in one.

For more reviews of what living in Tulsa is like from locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/tulsa/reviews)



Reviews of Tulsa from Locals

**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. 

**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 of meth but nonetheless just know that Oklahoma in general and Tulsa in particular wrestle with clearing out the drug. 

**How You Living?** 

As was noted there are a mix of neighborhood options 
in Tulsa. Most notable for those with young families is Cherry Street. Beautiful homes, lots of art and culture, boutique retail and a growing restaurant scene make this the perfect mix for those looking to raise kids with energy in the neighborhood. Downtown is also a good option for young professionals and young families who like to live near the classical arts and music scene and want to avoid any semblance of sleepy neighborhoods. 

**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. 


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


Young Professionals

Arts District

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


DINKs/SINKs

Cherry Street

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


LGBTQ+

Brady Heights

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


Families

Turner Park

Tulsa

**reyoureadyboots**
Living in Tulsa
2y ago
✭✭✭

The progressive parts of Tulsa are expensive (downtown, old midtown), so if you are looking for something Austin-esque, I am not sure if $800 will do it. There are however some cheap apartments in Tulsa that some people might say are "ghetto" (offensive term tbh) but they aren't so bad, really. Always look at reviews. If you have questions about specific complexes and neighborhoods people here are helpful.

An important thing to realize is that a lot of people who call themselves "Tulsans" grew up in places like Jenks and Bixby and think anything north of 21st Street is a killing field. So take most of what you hear here with a grain of salt, please.

I live downtown and just about every big building has private security so I don't think you'd have a terrible time finding work.

And also please understand that if you're working private security in Tulsa you're dealing with homeless people. That's just the way it is. Try to understand that they're people too and just because they live in a tent doesn't mean they want to live in one.

**zombie_overlord**
Living in Tulsa
7mo ago
✭✭

I moved from Houston to Tulsa last year, and I don't regret it at all. It's slower paced, I don't have to drive 30 minutes to go everywhere, and traffic is a dream comparatively. Cost of living is good, but if you have kids, the educational system is terrible. Crime isn't bad unless you get into a bad area, which there aren't too many of. Job market depends on what you do and your qualifications. There's a ton of oil & gas jobs.

Overall, I think it's an improvement over TX.

The people in Tulsa and Oklahoma in general are much friendlier and trustworthy than most other areas across the US.

Oklahoma's elementary educational system is an embarrassment and residents should be ashamed that it ranks so low in comparison to other states.

It's sunny almost everyday in Tulsa even during the winter. Summer can be ridiculously hot and humid.

The landscape has low hills with a lot of wooded areas.

Roads are always bad.

People in Tulsa are primarily college sports fans.

Imo the performing arts and public radio are well supported; probably proportionate to cities in the top 25 largest cities.

I think that this fills in some of the blanks from the other responses.

**John-Willy99**
Living in Tulsa
7mo ago
✭✭✭

Great trail system if you bike or run. 4 seasons and you get all of them, food scene getting better, Gathering Place rips if you like that kind of thing, good community of weirdos and smart people, live music scene is pretty good I feel like it used to be better, a few great places to dance, museums not bad, lots of Jesus Freaks but avoidable, and it is a small town so you do run in to everyone which can be good and can be annoying. My rent for a 2 1/2 bedroom is flirting with $1000 after bills. Pearl district.

**3rd0Gandhi**
Living in Tulsa
2y ago
✭✭✭

Honest answer: cost of living everywhere is going up. Tulsa isn't exempt. Homelessness, crime, addiction, and other problems are all on the rise too. However, the job market here is pretty competitive and Tulsa is a friendly, diverse city, so get to know your neighbors and they will generally look out for each other. We don't have the insane traffic of big cities, but we still have good food, entertainment, etc. Whoever said we have bad air/water wasn't talking about Tulsa. We do have a lot of humidity and pollen/allergens, but good air quality, and our city water is really good. Some of us prefer Tulsa tap water to bottled. Most of the complaints I see on here about Tulsa are political, but that's never been a factor in why I moved anywhere, so I don't know why it matters.

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Green Country

Looklyloo Score: 80

Reviews

What's it like to live in Tulsa?