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mesalife2023 housing

Housing in Oklahoma City compared to Dallas

First post here. I'm a teacher here and Crime rate is something to consider — Oklahoma City sits at 722.2 per 100K. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Let me know your thoughts. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
52 upvotes

41 Replies

Brooklyn
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Italian places. it's been a really good experience overall.
40 upvotes
Camila Stewart
I'm a lawyer and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Natalie Perez
Saving this thread
39 upvotes
Lydia Young
I've lived in Greenfield for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The cost of living scene is challenging

The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity

Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Caroline W.
honestly same experience here
37 upvotes
Isabella Evans
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The cultural scene is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Lillian A.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
milwaukee_scarlett
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to San Diego it's decent.
35 upvotes
Lauren H.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Phoenix it's tough.
34 upvotes
Aaliyah Chavez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Camila S.
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
- The healthcare scene is hit or miss

The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
proud_piper96
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's average for what you get.

Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in engineering. If you're in engineering you might struggle.

People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.

Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Samuel Parker
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is solid in most areas.
33 upvotes
Victoria Cox
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Aurora Robinson
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Westside area are decent. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Hannah C.
great question, following
28 upvotes
Brooks Anderson
bump
27 upvotes
Lauren T.
Came here for retirement and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The healthcare is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Camila K.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much established but now it's tough.
25 upvotes
Aaron Johnson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in The Heights for 13 years. Moved from Portland for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.

**Employment:**
construction is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. The Heights schools are surprisingly good. 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. Limited shopping options. Dating scene is rough. And walkability can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Nevaeh Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Springfield for 7 years. Moved from Baltimore for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.

**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are tough. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited high-paying job options. And nightlife can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Alice Roberts
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a contractor, 47, moved here 2 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Lakewood and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Phoenix, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.

**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
23 upvotes
Caroline
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a lawyer, 39, moved here 7 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in East and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The food scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Seattle, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.

**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
22 upvotes
Paisley Hill
I'm a project manager and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Bennett M.
yep
17 upvotes
Gabriel Ward
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's challenging for what you get.

Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in marketing you might struggle.

People: Generally excellent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Indian.

Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Elijah A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a social worker who relocated here from LA about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.

Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options

Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains

Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.

Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
brielle_mind
good to know, thanks
14 upvotes
Camila Ruiz
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
12 upvotes
Maverick Campbell
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
11 upvotes
Grayson Y.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a data analyst, 42, moved here 11 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Oak Park and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited shopping options
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Austin, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.

**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
10 upvotes
Elijah Torres
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Uptown for 6 years. Moved from Minneapolis for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.

**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are hit or miss. 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. Winters are long and cold. Road conditions need improvement. And weather can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Serenity Reed
yep
10 upvotes
Isla Thomas
This.
7 upvotes
Chloe Alvarez
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
7 upvotes
Aiden Gomez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Benjamin
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.

I've been here 11 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is excellent.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
native_skylar95
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.

I've been here 13 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Hope this helps!.
4 upvotes
seattlesoul2022
+1
3 upvotes
Oliver Evans
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
2 upvotes
chloe_girl
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.

I've been here 8 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is solid.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Good luck with whatever you decide..
0 upvotes
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