Considering Broken Arrow vs Kansas City -help me decide
First post here. Military spouse here. With a population of 116K, Broken Arrow is a mid-size city. It's a a mid-size city city with about 116K people. The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
37 upvotes
5 Replies
happy_alexa70
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 55, moved here 4 years ago from LA. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from LA, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
38 upvotes
Oliver Rodriguez
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Mexican places. the quality of life is solid.
20 upvotes
Luke T.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to San Diego it's surprisingly good.
19 upvotes
Jaxon C.
nah I disagree
16 upvotes
Logan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 9 years. Moved from Minneapolis for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not very walkable outside downtown. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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