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Where would you live? (Edmond vs. parts of OKC)
DH's new job will be north OKC. We're going to start the househunting process around March/April, with the hopes of closing and moving by mid summer. I'm going to be staying home this next year, so we don't have a commute to think of for me. I think we've narrowed down the potential locations to two areas: a few specific streets of Nichols Hills or the Village area, or east Edmond between Broadway extension and I-35. I originally thought also Crown Heights/Edgemere, but we haven't seen much there recently in our price range (unless we either want to gut and redo a home or buy a house with one bathroom).
It's looking like we'll go with Edmond simply because of the schools, although I'm thinking the public elementary schools that serve the areas I mentioned above are actually pretty good? We're not the private school type, but I'm also aware there's some decent charter options, too.
I love the idea of being closer to the heart of OKC and not up in the 'burbs. But I admittedly have had a mental block against Edmond for quite some time. I know it's a great place to raise a family, safe, etc.
Anywho, throw out your opinions and input. I've been a southsider ever since I moved here in '03 (Norman and then Moore/SWOKC).
Re: Where would you live? (Edmond vs. parts of OKC)
I feel like I've inadvertently become something of an expert on this area of the metro in recent months. H and I live in The Village and really like it, but we've been looking in Edmond and other parts of north OKC for a new house. Here are my thoughts on the areas we've looked into:
OKC
The Village: We have really loved living here, but on the whole it's very hit and miss. Some streets are awesome, some are a little shady. Our particular neighborhood is full of old people and singles, so it hasn't been ideal. I probably wouldn't make it my first choice, if you want something family-friendly.
Quail Creek: This is a ritzier neighborhood, but we've found a few here that were in our budget. Appears to be very family-friendly, with a great location close to shopping and restaurants. The houses do tend to have dated interiors (wallpaper, brass fixtures).
Just west of MacArthur between 122nd and Britton: There are some cool neighborhoods here. Lots of trees and interesting homes. A lot of people in this area seem to be big fans of asymmetrical roof lines, which I think is kind of cool, but H hates. Very '70s/early '80s. It can be tough to get across OKC from here, if that might be an issue for you (it is for us). Seems pretty family-friendly.
Summerfield: This is a little neighborhood just north of Lake Hefner. There are a lot of garage homes here... meaning you can really only see the garages from the driveway. A little weird, but it seems very cozy. Lots of trees, close to walking trails and the lake.
Nichols Hills: So, there are a few (very few) houses in NH in our range, but we've found the price per square foot to be RIDICULOUS. Also, I've heard taxes and utilities are through the roof. If that doesn't bother you, it's a very family-friendly, clean, nice area.
Edgemere: OMG I want to live here. Only maybe when I'm about 50 and can spend a minimum of $400k on a house.
IF you're interested in older homes, Shepherd, Putnam Heights, Cleveland, Venice, Mesta Park and Crestwood are all really cool, family-friendly neighborhoods worth looking into.
Edmond
I'm less familiar with actual neighborhoods in Edmond, but I can say that I've been pleasantly surprised. It's a very hilly town, and central/east Edmond is so green, which I'm a sucker for. Like you, I had a serious bias against the northern 'burbs, but I've really come around. Still not a fan of the west side, as the subdivisions tend to lack trees and any sort of character, but east Edmond can be really nice. I've noticed that I tend to be a fan of neighborhoods off Coltrane. Chimney Hill, Steeplechase, Clayton Park, and Timber Ridge neighborhoods have been favorites of ours, as well as anything around the Coltrane/33rd Street intersection.
If you're interested in more wide open spaces, there are a lot of cool spots in north Edmond, but I'm a less familiar with that area (5thofJuly would probably be able to give you some tips there).
Hope this helps. I was bored, and I always seem to have houses on the brain lately.
Personally, I would stay away from Quail Creek. We looked in Quail when we were looking a few years ago and we were told by realtors to stay away. I can PM you information if you want to know.
I love the Nichols Hills/Village/Crown Heights areas of town. I do think, though, that unless you buy a fixer upper, the prices are through the roof, based on our experiences of looking in those area. As McG pointed out, Nichols Hills is great, but the property taxes are outrageous.
Please do enlighten me as to what you were told re: Quail Creek.
And I did notice this. Sigh.
Please do! Thanks
Lizzy, you have a PM.
McG, I love all this input! I've bolded my responses in the quoted text.
I think we're slowly coming around to living in the burbs. I just for so long only wanted to live in Norman that I'm having to accept that's not an option for us at this point. It's my favorite town in the metro, hands down.
I can relate. I lived in Norman for five years and swore my undying devotion to it, too. I still think Norman is a cooler town, overall, but Edmond's neighborhoods are better. The houses are generally nicer, and there tend to be more trees and amenities. It took me a while to come around to the idea, but the more we look there, the more I realize that it would be a nice place to live. Just my opinion.
This sounds exactly like our neighborhood/area.
I would love to live in Crown Heights, if we could afford a home that was already fixed up. I know H would love to, as well. But, in OKC, you have to deal with the school issue. There are some good elementary schools in that area, but dang, the high schools are sometimes a little scary. Private, charter or magnet, in my mind, are really the only options.
Edmond has great schools, but your child would be a tiny fish in a huge pond. I know I wouldn't have liked that as a kid, but I'm not like everyone else. I personally just don't care for Edmond, but I know plenty who like living up there. Just not my cuppa tea.
Puppy, what way are you taking to 63rd? Do you avoid all that northbound traffic mess on I-35? How long does it take you each way? We're currently in the where-should-we-move camp as well.
I take I-35 but keep in mind, I am going against traffic when going from Norman to 63rd once I get past downtown - so I don't have to deal with that total cluster fvvck there at I-44. I-35 to downtown really isn't that bad either but I do make an effort to miss the traffic. If I leave at 7am, I will sail on through. If I leave at 8am, I will also sail on through. I will NEVER leave Norman between 7:10 and 7:55am. EVER. (Although, since all the construction has stopped, it isn't that bad even between 7:10 and 7:55)
Coming home, there is a cluster near downtown. I am not really sure why it happens and I have noticed that even if I leave work at 7:30 or 8 it is an issue. I usually stay in the far right hand lane and take the 6th street exit - this is an exit only lane so you usually can sail on through. When you get off of the interstate, you will come to a stoplight - go straight one more stop light, then turn left and get back onto the interstate. Works every time.
Huh. I need to get a life.
Huh? Where in Norman did you look?
... Nowhere since about 2006.
I'm probably not being fair, and I probably still view Norman through a college kid's eyes. Edmond just seems nicer, neighborhood-wise. (I know, I know... heresy.)
Well, since you view Norman from a college kid's eyes, then I am guessing you have only seen College Norman and not Living Norman.
I lived and worked in Norman for two years post-college and LOVED it. Never wanted to leave. It was really amazing the different side of Norman I saw.
I lived in Norman post-college, too, and dated a guy from there, so I was around the nicer neighborhood areas quite a bit. I just think of Edmond as nicer, overall. Still love Norman, don't get me wrong. I've only recently started to see the finer points of Edmond. A large part of my opinion on Norman is probably based on some really crappy apartments I lived in during school.
And, this may belong in a FFFC, but I'd send my kids to high school in OKC before I would Edmond. I'd prefer charter, but I'd do public.
I'm also another Norman lover, I just wish it wasn't so far south.
Again...where?
Sorry I'm just responding to this. I honestly don't remember neighborhood names, but I spent the most time at a friend's home on a street called Robin Hood Lane (i think). Also hung out in a nice-but-subdivisiony neighborhood up on the west side by Indian Hills Rd, and some in an amazing old craftsman on Chatauqua. I will admit that Chatauqua is nicer than anything in Edmond, but there's no way we could ever afford a house there.