Hello fellow nesties!
My husband (and I) just received orders to move to the OKC area in May. He will be working at OU for 2 years and then will complete his assignment at Tinker AFB. We're both from San Antonio and do not know anyone or anything about the area- so I was hoping someone could help us with where we should relocate. Obviously somewhere close to the school would be ideal, but we're hoping to build our first home and need suggestions (or a realtor!) to begin. Can anyone offer some areas that would be a nice, quiet community near some good schools (I'm a teacher)? We're both in our mid-20's without children so somewhere with the same demographics would be nice, but not necessary. Thanks in advance!
P.S.- Any other information about our new home would be appreciated as well. We literally have no idea what we're walking into ![]()
Re: Advice would be SO appreciated!
Agree--I think Moore is a good option, though Norman wouldn't be a bad choice either, particularly NE Norman (this area has a lot of new development, and it's a pretty straight shot up to Tinker and down to OU).
I live in SW Oklahoma City, just west of Moore and a short distance away from highways. It's not a bad drive to Norman or Tinker AFB. PM me if you want information about my neighborhood and builder--both are fantastic.
As for realtors, I highly recommend Rob Schaerer with Dillard Group in Norman. He knows Norman very well, along with Moore and south Oklahoma City. He also helped us when we looked in Mustang (which might be a bit far, I think).
my bookshelf!
Bloggy
I'm partial to Norman over anything else the PP's have mentioned. Since it's a university town, there's plenty of entertainment and activities, but there's also a great community feel to it. Moore and Mustang don't have as much character to me...they're more suburban. I don't have children, and I found Norman to be great for the mid 20's, childless demographic. It's a great school system too.
I've lived in Norman and Moore, and I would pick Norman any day over any other OKC area. But I'm clearly biased. I also agree that living in NE Norman is an easy commute to Tinker area. Are you wanting to buy or rent?
ETA: Just reread your post about building a home. I will say, you can get more house for your money in the Moore area IMO.
Moore is between both MWC and Norman. It is a fast growing city with shopping and an awesome movie theater.
I absolutely love Norman. Norman is a college town so most of the population during the school year is 20 yr olds with, I think, just an awesome atmosphere (no rich stuck up people, eclectic, and easy going). Norman has a lot more things to do then Moore such as music, museums, restaurants, etc. I also suggest the NE part of Norman. Your right next to Sooner Rd. which is a straight shot to Tinker, you are close to campus, but yet not in the "student apartment area".
I loved living in Norman when I went to OU. I live in NW OKC now to be close to my job, but if the commute wasn't so long (going with traffic) I would move back in a heatbeat.
We're renters, so no advice on realtors or homebuilders here! If you do want to rent while you're building though, real estate prices here are very reasonable.
I grew up in Norman, lived in Moore, South OKC, and Edmond/Deer Creek. Since your husband will be working at OU for two years, I would suggest Norman. Shopping, foods, entertainment, schools, etc are much better in Norman than Moore or South OKC.
If you are interested in moving after the OU deal, Edmond/Deer Creek is nice and the commute to Tinker is about 30 minutes. Norman and Edmond are the places I would recommend around OKC.
You asked about good schools - Edmond, Deer Creek, and Norman.
Kaylee & Cole 06.14.08
8/6/11 First 5k! OG&E Expo Run 34:47
9/3/11 Brookhaven Run 5k 34:18
9/17/11 Healthy Sooners Fun Run 5k 33:38
10/15/11 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 33:31
10/29/11 Monster Dash 5k 32:06 PR!
11/11/11 Veteran's Day Run 11k in Dallas 1:13:15 Instant PR!
1/28/12 Texas Half Marathon 2:38:03 Instant PR!
3/25/12 Earlywine Dash
I also grew up in Norman - and never left. I live on the NW side of Norman. OU is pretty far away from the NW side so you don't usually have to "deal" with the college stuff - students, traffic, etc etc unless you go over to the SE side of Norman.
The NE side of Norman is really building up and there are a lot of new neighborhoods. This would be your easiest route to Tinker and OU.