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Real Estate & Homes in Oklahoma City - Oklahoma - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma homes and communities
Oklahoma City
Welcome to Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is a city with a heartbeat all its own, right in the middle of the Heartland of America. If you haven’t visited Oklahoma City in a while, you’ll want to see all the changes that have taken place downtown with the MAPS project. Thanks to the MAPS project, downtown OKC has received a well-deserved face-lift.
Since the Land Run of 1889, Bricktown, which is just to the east of downtown, has been a major attraction for business and cultural diversity. It now features a canal, waterside restaurants, microbrewery, minor league baseball park, bars, dance clubs, water taxis, OKC Rocks rock climbing center, Myriad Botanical Gardens and the Ford and Civic Centers for concerts and conventions, we have something to offer everyone including a Bass Pro Shops. You can find something fun to do with your family or on your own 365 days per year in OKC. Why just visit us when you can come on in, kick your shoes off and stay. Once you’re here, you’ll know your home.
OKC Facts
According to the 2000 Census, the population in Oklahoma City is over 506,000. OKC is spread out over a sprawling 621.15 square miles. We also have over 228,149 housing units available. This provides an average of 2.2 people per housing unit. We are in no danger of overcrowding. We are 21st in the nation for violent crimes. OKC is a safe place to live. In comparison to the surrounding states, Oklahoma also has a much lower property tax rate. According to a study of property taxes nationwide in 1992 done by UCO, Oklahoma ranked 48th in the nation. As of 1996, UCO stated that Oklahoma was 41st in the nation for local and state taxes. If you want to keep more of what you earn, Oklahoma is the place to live!
Fast Facts
The 29th largest metropolitan area in the United States.
Elevation: 1,285 feet above sea level.
Median household income is about $37,000.
Metropolitan Area
The Oklahoma City metropolitan area is made up of not only OKC, but many surrounding cities as well. Oklahoma County has nine major cities located inside the county lines. These cities are Arcadia, Bethany, Choctaw, Del City, Edmond, Harrah, Midwest City, Oklahoma City and Spencer.
Arcadia is a provincial town that is located in central Oklahoma. Arcadia is about six miles east of Edmond along the historic Route 66. The favorite spot in Arcadia is the famous four-story round barn. It was built in 1898 and was recently restored by local volunteers. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Arcadia is also home to local animal breeders, whether you are partial to Shetland ponies or silkie chickens, you can find them in Arcadia.
Bethany is a suburb located northwest of OKC. Southern Nazarene University is located in the heart of their downtown. SNU was founded in 1899 and consists of a forty-acre campus. SNU is a four-year liberal arts university and is a Nazarene faith based college.
Choctaw is located just minutes from downtown OKC. Choctaw is a vibrant community that values small town living while maintaining strong incentives for economic growth. The city of Choctaw is the host for many local celebrations such as Oktoberfest located at the local Old Germany restaurant on the south side of Choctaw and the Land Run weekend in which participants come from near and far to reenact the Oklahoma Land Run.
Del City is located just to the south of OKC. The unemployment rate in Del City as of 2004 is only 3.4%. The majority of the Del City population is of German decent.
Edmond is located to the north of OKC along the historic Route 66, to the west of Arcadia. The population growth in Edmond has exploded since 1990 with an increase of 12,652 people. The University of Central Oklahoma is located in Edmond on a 200-acre campus. UCO was founded in 1890 and offers undergraduate and graduate education in liberal arts and sciences, education, business and music.
Harrah is located about fifteen miles to the east of Oklahoma City. Ten Polish families inhabited Harrah in 1892 and from there it grew. They found Harrah to be fertile lands that were great for farming. There are still many farmers living in Harrah to this day.
Midwest City is located just to the east of OKC. Rose State College is a major part of their growth. Rose State College offers academic associate degree programs in business, engineering and science, health science, humanities and social science. Rose State Theatre of Arts features live performances year round.
Spencer can be found on the banks of the North Canadian River. Spencer exhibits a great feeling of community and closeness for its residents. The locals in Spencer are proud of the history that is associated with their town.
Attractions
Bass Pro Shops is an 110,000 square foot superstore that offers supplies for any outdoor hobby you may favor such as; fishing, hunting, fly-fishing, golfing and camping, they also offer men’s, women’s, and kids’ apparel, footwear, sunglasses, and gifts. Everyday at 7pm there are workshops offered in hunting, fishing, fly-fishing, golfing, camping, archery, and marine activities. Bass Pro Shops is open 364 days per year; that is everyday except Christmas Day.
Bass Pro Shops
Do you have a sweet tooth? You’ll want to visit Bedre Chocolates in Pauls Valley right off I-35. You can tour the factory and smell the sweet aroma of fresh chocolate. Samples are always available. They even have sugar-free sweets!
Bricktown Ballpark is the home of OKC’s own RedHawks baseball team. Fondly known as “The Brick”, it was the first project in the MAPS plan. The Triple-A baseball team, the 89’ers, started playing in OKC in 1962. In 1998, they were renamed the Oklahoma RedHawks and they moved into their new state of the art facility, the SBC Bricktown Ballpark. The ballpark was built so that each and every seat has a great view- all 13,066 of them. Fans can enjoy a great meal in the Coach’s Restaurant on the second level and have a great view overlooking the field.
Bricktown Ballpark “The Brick,”
photo provided by www.oklahomaredhawks.com
Art lovers will enjoy the City Arts Center, there is no fee for admission and the art displayed is changed on a regular basis.
Farmer’s Market is a great place to get good deals on fruits and vegetables grown locally and sold by the farmers.
At the Express Ranches Clydesdale Center admission is free.The Express Ranch is home to 14 beautiful Clydesdale horses; they are living in style in a renovated 1936 barn.
Visiting Frontier City Theme Park is like stepping into the Wild West. Stroll through an authentic 1880s western town and enjoy over 75 rides, shows, games and attractions. Experience the famous Gunfight at the OK Corral. Frontier City is owned by the same company that owns Six Flags and you can find more information on the Six Flags website.
The Governor's Mansion has been the official residence of Oklahoma's governors since 1928. The Governor and First Lady open their home and the grounds every September for Septemberfest; there are lots of crafts and activities for the children at Septemberfest to enjoy and it’s great family fun.
According to the National Register of Historic Places, Guthrie is the nation’s largest contiguous historic urban district. Guthrie has also been named one of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the nation's leading preservation organization. Guthrie was the original capital for the state of Oklahoma. The local residents have made sure to preserve the distinctive look, history and integrity of their surroundings. Guthrie is also the bed and breakfast capital of Oklahoma. There are more B&Bs with more amenities in Guthrie than any other area in this part of the United States.
While you’re strolling through downtown Guthrie, don’t forget to stop by my favorite store, Sealed With a Kiss. Whether you are a knitter or chocheter, or even if you haven’t a clue of what to do with yarn and a pair of knitting needles, the friendly and helpful staff at SWAK can show you how. SWAK has the best selection of yarn in the United States. You can even find yarn that has the hand dyed look or yarn imported from other countries. No matter what your style or budget, they have what you’re looking for. They also offer a variety of workshops for everyone from beginners to expert level. You’ve heard the old saying, “Knitting is good for the soul.”
Harn Homestead is a historical homestead that was claimed during the Great Land Run of 1889. Take a walk through the past and learn how life was in the 19th century. You can learn how to do things like churn butter and visit their one-room schoolhouse.
Lazy E Arena is located just minutes north of Oklahoma City off I-35. It’s one of the most progressive horse breeding and sales prep facilities in the nation. Located on a sprawling 300-acres, it consists of the largest indoor arena in the country.
Myriad Botanical Gardens is an oasis in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City. It features beautiful landscaping. The centerpiece is the seven-story Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory. There you will find palm trees, flowers and exotic plants from around the world, and a 35-foot cascading waterfall, or you can go across the skywalk for a bird’s-eye view.
National Cowboy Hall of Fame
The National Cowboy Hall of Fame preserves the rugged and romantic spirit of the frontier. At the National Cowboy Hall of Fame you will find contemporary western art such as Frederic Remington and Charles Russell’s works proudly displayed.
Oklahoma City Museum of Art is located in an 110,000 square foot facility, which houses 15 different exhibition galleries along with a 250-seat theatre.
Oklahoma City National Memorial and Memorial Center Museum pays tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragic bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995. On that day, we realized how small a big city like Oklahoma City could be. There were so many lives impacted by that single act of terrorism, OKC has shown its spirit and strength by rebuilding and creating a tribute to those lives who were forever changed on that fatal morning.
The Oklahoma City Zoo is home to over 1,500 of the world's most exotic animals, including over 50 endangered or threatened species.The Fin and Feathers show features exotic birds with big talents and the always-amazing sea lions.
Omniplex is a dream come true for every child or child at heart. It awakens the explorer and the scientist in all of us. You can discover new galaxies in the Planetarium, learn about exotic plants in the greenhouse, take on the roll of a pilot in the Kirkpatrick Science and Air Space Museum, discover the history of Native Americans in the Red Earth Indian Center, and peruse original works of art in the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. The Omniplex also features the state’s first 70 mm IWERKS movie theatre named the OmniDome. You’d better not have a queasy stomach or be afraid of heights for this theatre!
Our very own Oklahoma Opry has regular Saturday night performances. If you enjoy bluegrass and down-home county sounds, you will love the Oklahoma Opry.
OKC Rocks Climbing Center is not for the faint at heart. We may not have sprawling mountains and high peaks for climbing in OKC but we still are able to enjoy all the benefits of climbing with OKC Rocks. Can you imagine in OKC being able to climb up to 145 feet? It’s possible at OKC Rocks and it’s right in the heart of downtown.
Overholser Mansion was the first mansion in Oklahoma City. Hourly tours are available.
Remington Park Race Track is a state of the art track. Remington Park features day and night racing and is open seasonally for live racing with simulcast during off-season. Parking is free and children under the age of 17 get in free.
The Oklahoma State Capitol offers tours and is a must see for any history buff. It is the only Capitol with a working oil well on its grounds. After an eight-decade wait, Oklahomans now have a new dome atop our Capitol building. The new beautiful dome is described as “pink in the early morning and golden-hued in the afternoon light.” The dome provides a magnificent 157-foot crown to the Capitol. The Guardian a 17-foot bronze sculpture by Oklahoma Native American, Enoch Kelly Haney, sits on the very top of the dome.
Oklahoma City's Stockyards is the largest cattle market in the world. You can watch authentic Oklahoma cowboys work the livestock here. Plus Cowtown features old-fashioned general stores and lots of western wear shops.
The Water Taxi of Oklahoma City runs ongoing tours of the Bricktown Canal.
White Water Bay offers a water slide with a six-foot drop, over 30 water rides and activities and the Big Kahuna raft ride. There is also an area available for the small children or you can float down Castaway Creek with the family.
Education
OKC values education!
20% - less than high school education
28% - high school/technical school
25% - some college
27% - college graduate or advanced degree[1]
Besides public schools, private schools and charter schools, Oklahoma also has a large network of home schooling groups. The Oklahoma Constitution protects the right to homeschool; very few other states in the nation can make that claim. Along with home schooling associations and conventions, there are lots of small groups that get together for fellowship, field trips, learning together and fun. Oklahoma is a great state for alternative education!
The state of Oklahoma has 23 colleges to choose from. There is a college for almost any field of study. You’ll find a strong sense of community, flexible degree programs, mentoring programs, integrated laptop learning and the Catholic tradition of excellence at St. Gregory’s University.
Who hasn’t heard of Oklahoma University’s football team? You’ll be glad to know that OU offers more than just football, OU has more than 19 colleges offering more than 150 majors at the baccalaureate level.
OU’s biggest rival college, OSU or Oklahoma State University offers 200 majors to choose from including an awesome Veterinary Medicine program.
Culture
Oklahoma City has a rich diversity that is unparalleled. Seventy-five percent of the population is white, sixteen percent black, and nine percent other. There are 17,700 American Indians living in OKC. Once known as Indian Territory, Oklahoma has more American Indians as residents than any other state. There are 39 tribal headquarters and around 67 tribes reside in Oklahoma. There are Native American art galleries, powwows, and historic sites in almost every county. The Red Earth festival is held each June in downtown OKC. During the Red Earth Festival is a great time to experience true Native American culture and traditions.
The Latino population is the fastest growing in the area. Up to nine percent of the total population in the OKC metro area is believed to be Hispanic. Though the official number according to the 2000 Census is only three percent, there seems to be a growing number of immigrants coming into the area. About one in every thirteen children is Hispanic. The future workforce of Oklahoma will be primarily Hispanic at this rate of growth. The Hispanic populations in Oklahoma are hard working and family oriented. As the Latino communities value education more and the children continue in school to get to the education levels needed to achieve higher management positions, they will go on to better paying jobs and become the entrepreneurs of the future in the OKC area.
Dining
Historic Cattlemen’s Café opened in 1910 and serviced cowboys, cattle haulers and ranchers going to auctions in Cowtown. After winning the restaurant in a craps game by rolling a hard 6 in 1945, Mr. Gene Wade, a local farmer, found himself the new owner of Cattlemen’s. Check the walls of the dining rooms and view the drawings of all the famous people who have eaten there. Gene Autry, John Wayne, Ronald Reagan (before he was President), and more recently, Reba McIntyre. In the early '90s, George Bush (the elder, while he was president) stopped in for a great steak dinner. It is a world-famous restaurant today and has remained virtually unchanged for the past 50+ years.
If you are looking for an elegant, upscale dining experience, the Coach House in Oklahoma City is the place to go. They offer a seasonal changing cuisine serving the best local produce and regional specialties.
By taking a short drive to Krebs, you can enjoy a taste of Southern Italy at Pete’s Place. Pete’s Place was opened in 1925 after Pete Prichard, the original owner, was almost killed in a mining accident. He decided to make money by doing the only other thing he knew how to do and that was cook Italian food and brew “choc” beer and opened up his home for business. For more than 75 years now, Pete’s Place has been in business and is now owned by a third generation Prichard. If you like family style dining and great Italian cuisine, don’t forget to bring your appetite to the Prichard home.
Van’s Pig Stand offers award-winning BBQ from the oldest family owned restaurant in Oklahoma. Van’s offers two locations in Shawnee and one in Norman.
Whether you’re hungry for barbeque, Mexican, Italian, Indian, Cajun or a good murder mystery dinner theatre, Oklahoma City has something to offer everyone’s taste buds.
Leisure Activities
With over 14 miles of water in the OKC area, water sports are a big pastime for local residents.
At Lake Hefner, you can find hundreds of small sailboats and assorted water vessels, an enclosed and heated fishing dock, two covered piers, boat ramps, Hefner Trails biking and jogging area, a covered pavilion at Stars and Stripes Park, and Hefner Golf Course.
At Lake Stanley Draper, four covered fishing piers, boat ramps, tending docks, handicap facilities and fish attractors are amongst the many amenities. Covered wet slips and dry storage areas can be rented at the Draper concession building near the marina. Picnicking, fishing, jet skiing, boating and sailing are all permitted. Lake Stanley Draper is also our biggest lake.
Lake Overholser is the city’s oldest reservoir built in 1919. It features a covered fishing pier and handicap facilities. Picnicking, fishing, sailing, boating and jet skiing are permitted. Swimming is prohibited.
Little Sahara has been around for over 11,000 years. The always-changing landscape of Little Sahara has created a 1,400-acre sandbox. You will find dunes with peaks ranging from 25 feet all the way up to 75 feet. Wow! You never know what you will find as you top the hills; there could be a herd of deer or a cottonwood tree. If you are a thrill seeker, Little Sahara will be worth the drive to Waynoka, Oklahoma. Little Sahara offers dune buggies for rent so you don’t have to worry about bringing your own.
If ice hockey is more your style you’ll want to check out an Oklahoma City Blazers ice hockey game. The Blazers are tough competitors on the ice and always put on a great show.
Oklahoma City features sixteen premier golf courses. The Greens Golf and Racquet Club is a private club located on the northwest side of Oklahoma City. The Greens is an 18-hole golf course built in 1964 and designed by Donald Sechrest, the signature hole on this course is the #7 hole. It is a 354-yard, par 4, requiring a tee shot over water.
Lakeside Golf Course is a public course and was completed in 1994. There are numerous water hazards that come into play on this course.
Quail Creek Golf & Country Club is a private club and was built in 1960 and designed by Floyd Farley. The signature hole on this course is #17, a 469-yard, par 4, requiring a shot over a creek crossing its fairway.
Oklahoma is where the buffalo roam and you can see real live buffalo in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Lawton, Oklahoma. Wichita Mountains is one of Oklahoma’s premier buffalo watching destinations. This 60,000-acre refuge is home to not only buffalo, but also longhorn cattle, Rocky Mountain elk, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, raccoons and other animals that are native to Oklahoma.
With more than one hundred public parks and recreational areas, there is always an open swing or slide to choose from in OKC. Oklahoma City’s parks not only offer the traditional swings, slides and trails, they also possess ponds, streams, creeks, and elaborately designed play sets. You can also find an occasional flock of ducks or geese!
Shawnee is the home to the most unique Santa Fe Depot in the southwest. This historic depot resembles a Scottish lighthouse. Shawnee is just a short 20-minute drive to the east of Oklahoma City.
Train depot in Shawnee
Arts
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra has been around for more than 75 years playing the classics. The Oklahoma City Philharmonic offers a variety of performances year round from Pop to Classics and even youth performances.
Edmond’s Hafer Park puts on a performance each summer of Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park offering the romance and mystery of the classics.
Approximately 700,000 people are drawn each year to the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City. The Festival of the Arts is ranked one of the top 10 fine arts festivals in the nation.
The Paseo Arts District features quaint boutiques, art galleries and unique bistros. [2]
Climate
There is a popular saying in Oklahoma: “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute”. Here in OKC we enjoy great changes in the weather year round. The average annual temperature is 60°. In the last 55 years, the average temperature has been January-47.2°, February-52.9°, March-61.2°, April-71.4°, May-78.9°, June-87.2°, July-93.1°, August-92.6°, September-84.1°, October-73.5°, November-59.9°, and December-50.2°. [3]
The average annual rainfall in OKC is 33.36 inches. The average annual snowfall is 9 inches per year. Oklahomans enjoy the change in seasons. In the months of November through March, the children look forward to our occasional snow with an abundance of winter activities including; snow sledding, snowman building, days off school for that elusive “snow day”, and during the month of December, skaters of all ages can enjoy the Braum’s Ice Skating Rink at the Civic Center Music Hall in downtown OKC. The Braum’s Ice Skating Rink is an outdoor rink. During April through September, the local lakes and pools are packed with sunbathers and splashing children. The month of October provides a retreat from the heat with the change of the leaves and grass and cool north winds blowing through the plains.
Traffic/Employment
While OKC has all the amenities of a large metropolitan city, the traffic congestion is among the lowest in the Nation. According to the cost of living survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association, Oklahoma City is one of the least expensive major metropolitan areas in which to live.
The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission issued a report in May 2004, stating that the unemployment rate for the state of Oklahoma was at a low 4.4%. Oklahoma continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation.
Oklahoma’s major employer is the State of Oklahoma with 38,000 employees; Wal-Mart Stores is the second largest employer with 18,000. Other major employers in Oklahoma are Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, American Airlines, Integris Health, U.S. Postal Service, Hillcrest Healthcare System, Lucent Technologies, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, City of Oklahoma City, Homeland Stores and Tinker Air Force Base. [4]
Oklahoma has a thriving economy with an abundance of jobs for every level of education and experience. CNN Money ranks OKC among the best places to retire because of the low tax rates, car insurance rates, crime rate and housing costs.
Housing
According to the Ernst and Young study, OKC has the lowest-cost executive-level homes in America. OKC offers a wide variety of homes to fit any lifestyle from $36,000 all the way up to $359,000 homes. OKC also has a wide variety of the affordability of manufactured housing. There are also million-dollar homes available in exclusive areas of OKC. The architectural styles also very from historical classic styles to modern, sleek designs.
There is no place on Earth as friendly and welcoming as OKC and its residents. To quote the great lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II: “The land we belong to is GRAND!”
Where is Oklahoma City?
Written by Jody Ortiz exclusively for HomesParadise.com. [1] Information taken from the Oklahoma Education Association.
[2] Attractions and leisure information provided by travelok.com.
[3] Information provided by the National Parks Service.
[4] Information provided by the State of Oklahoma.
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