Owasso Neighborhoods...thoughts, tips suggestions?

[OUGrad05]

Guys our house just went under contract today.  We're looking in the owasso area.  We have a good income and qualified for a rather ridiculous loan.  However, we want to finance on a 15 or 20 year mortgage and want to be able to pay the bills on MY salary so when we have children in a few years we'll be in good financial shape.  

Right now we're looking at Bailey Ranch editions in Owasso, Barrington Estates, Preston Lakes and Garrett Creek.  Any thoughts or suggestions?

We found a house we really like in Garrett Creek, however, I have some reservations about that neighborhood.  It seems fairly small with no expansion planned for the residential areas.  I also worry that the Garrett Creek development with restaraunts (so far just fast food) a movie theater and the Reasors which already exists may cause some property values to decline.  Also it appears this particular neighborhood lacks a home owners association?  Any thoughts?  We want to stay in the 155 to 170k range, preferrably 165k or less.

[TheArtist]

Owasso? Why not around Brookside for instance?

Just curious.

[OUGrad05]

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist

Owasso? Why not around Brookside for instance?

Just curious.

Well because we dont really want to buy in Tulsa proper.  I dont like the way the city is irresponsibly spending tax payer dollars (and its been this way for almost two decades now) and I really dont like the high crime rates associated with Tulsa.  Owasso reminds me a lot of edmond 20 years ago and edmond is a fantastic community.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by OUGrad05

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist

Owasso? Why not around Brookside for instance?

Just curious.

Well because we dont really want to buy in Tulsa proper.  I dont like the way the city is irresponsibly spending tax payer dollars (and its been this way for almost two decades now) and I really dont like the high crime rates associated with Tulsa.  Owasso reminds me a lot of edmond 20 years ago and edmond is a fantastic community.

hahahaha...PWN3D!

[TheArtist]

Well hope you enjoy it there. Different strokes for different folks I guess lol. I lived in Owasso for 5 years and Brookside for 6. If I move again.... it will be back to Brookside.

I never experienced any crime in either place. The people and neighbors seemed more friendly and sociable on Brookside, however thats often just what you make of it regardless of where you live. But imo you cant beat the amenities of Brookside. Everything is nearby. Loved being able to step out my door, look a block down the street and see the River Parks, the trails, rollerblading, Rivers Edge, go biking/walking with family or friends then stop and sit at an outdoor cafe or coffee shop and chat, etc. Its right around the corner from; Utica Square, Philbrook, Rosegarden, Woodward Park, Cherry Street, Downtown. Cant speak to the cities irresponsible spending, but I do know it offered me a great way of life.



If crime and how the city spends its tax dollars are your major concerns, It shouldnt matter what neighborhood you buy into in Owasso. They are all pretty much the same, in the middle of...more neighborhoods and...  perhaps by suburban shopping which you will not enjoy walking or biking to, and offer.... well, row after row of houses.  Whats to really "choose" from?

[OUGrad05]

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist

Well hope you enjoy it there. Different strokes for different folks I guess lol. I lived in Owasso for 5 years and Brookside for 6. If I move again.... it will be back to Brookside.

I never experienced any crime in either place. The people and neighbors seemed more friendly and sociable on Brookside, however thats often just what you make of it regardless of where you live. But imo you cant beat the amenities of Brookside. Everything is nearby. Loved being able to step out my door, look a block down the street and see the River Parks, the trails, rollerblading, Rivers Edge, go biking/walking with family or friends then stop and sit at an outdoor cafe or coffee shop and chat, etc. Its right around the corner from; Utica Square, Philbrook, Rosegarden, Woodward Park, Cherry Street, Downtown. Cant speak to the cities irresponsible spending, but I do know it offered me a great way of life.



If crime and how the city spends its tax dollars are your major concerns, It shouldnt matter what neighborhood you buy into in Owasso. They are all pretty much the same, in the middle of...more neighborhoods and...  perhaps by suburban shopping which you will not enjoy walking or biking to, and offer.... well, row after row of houses.  Whats to really "choose" from?

I like brookside a friend of mine lives off 23rd and peoria and another off 16th or 17th...pretty nice with lots of cool places to eat/drink.  But its too expensive.  He paid 110k for his 1100 sq ft home.

[Hoss]

Enjoy the ill-thought-out-city-planning that you'll get with Owasso.

I have nothing against the city itself, but they're 'too good for their own britches'.  They grew too fast for their infrastructure to keep up with.  I have two friends of mine who moved back to Tulsa after living in Owasso for two years.  They liked the city, but didn't like having to travel into Tulsa to do basic things.  Hence they moved back.  I'm sure at some point they'll get their act together.

[OUGrad05]

quote:Originally posted by Hoss

Enjoy the ill-thought-out-city-planning that you'll get with Owasso.

I have nothing against the city itself, but they're 'too good for their own britches'.  They grew too fast for their infrastructure to keep up with.  I have two friends of mine who moved back to Tulsa after living in Owasso for two years.  They liked the city, but didn't like having to travel into Tulsa to do basic things.  Hence they moved back.  I'm sure at some point they'll get their act together.

What kind of "basic" things?  Owasso has a wal mart, super target, reasors and a host of eateries :dunno:

[naenae42day]

You may consider Country Estates off of Garnett & 116th St N.  The neighborhood has exploded in recent years, and the property values have increased tremendously.  
Let us know what you decide.

[OUGrad05]

quote:Originally posted by naenae42day

You may consider Country Estates off of Garnett & 116th St N.  The neighborhood has exploded in recent years, and the property values have increased tremendously.  
Let us know what you decide.

I'll look into it, thank you!

Also, I think you guys should know we're not 100% against living in Tulsa proper, just in our looking it seems you overpay for higher crime and crumbling infrastructure.  But if anyone has suggestions for our budget and a minimum of 1800 sq feet I'd be happy to look into it.

[tulsascoot]

If you work in Tulsa, be sure to budget $5/gal gas for your daily commute.

Owasso is too bland. Nothing makes it special in any way. At least Jenks, Sand Springs, or Broken Arrow have areas with a little small town charm. Owasso has strip centers and big box stores.

And the crime thing is blown out of proportion. I've lived around 11th and Lewis for 9 years without any incident of property or violent crime the whole time, with the exception of my car window being shot out by a bb gun. That can happen in the 'burbs also.

[Composer]

I think Owasso is a nice community but there are so many things the city should be doing to make the community more than just a big shopping center.  I like the Preston Lakes area.

[OUGrad05]

quote:Originally posted by tulsascoot

If you work in Tulsa, be sure to budget $5/gal gas for your daily commute.

Owasso is too bland. Nothing makes it special in any way. At least Jenks, Sand Springs, or Broken Arrow have areas with a little small town charm. Owasso has strip centers and big box stores.

And the crime thing is blown out of proportion. I've lived around 11th and Lewis for 9 years without any incident of property or violent crime the whole time, with the exception of my car window being shot out by a bb gun. That can happen in the 'burbs also.

BA and Jenks are all possibilities but that puts us about twice as far from my wife's parents.  

As for gasoline, I'm driving 44 miles each way right now and my wife is driving 52.  Moving to Owasso cuts our drives more than in half...yes I work in tulsa, downtown actually.

[OUGrad05]

quote:Originally posted by Composer

I think Owasso is a nice community but there are so many things the city should be doing to make the community more than just a big shopping center.  I like the Preston Lakes area.

Yeah we like Preston Lakes, Garrett Creek and the Bailey Ranch stuff.  Coffee Creek is our favorite but thats out of our price range

[azbadpuppy]

quote:Originally posted by OUGrad05

quote:Originally posted by naenae42day

You may consider Country Estates off of Garnett & 116th St N.  The neighborhood has exploded in recent years, and the property values have increased tremendously.  
Let us know what you decide.

I'll look into it, thank you!

Also, I think you guys should know we're not 100% against living in Tulsa proper, just in our looking it seems you overpay for higher crime and crumbling infrastructure.  But if anyone has suggestions for our budget and a minimum of 1800 sq feet I'd be happy to look into it.

Just keep in mind that if you work and do most of your going out in Tulsa you won't really be saving money moving to the burbs with the high price of energy which will only keep getting more expensive.

Plus, the hardest hit areas in the current housing slump appear to be the suburbs. Numerous articles have been written recently showing house prices falling, number of  foreclosures/abandoned properties rising, and gangs & crime proliferating the suburban neighborhoods around the country, as 'hoods closer to the central city core are faring much better. Eventually it will be the suburbs with the crumbling infrastructure as more and more people flee.

Finally, consider what your time is worth. Is it worth it to you to spend (at least) twice as much time in your car getting places, or would you rather be close to everything in the first place?

I'm sure at first glance a newer home in the burbs sounds great, but there's many factors to consider.