Oklahoma Real Estate For Sale

The Oklahoma real estate market is one of the five most affordable by state, coming in at number 4 with a median sale price of $245k. In an increasingly connected world that allows people to live anywhere and still hold down well-paying jobs, Oklahomans are getting the best bang for their buck. Plus, there are other benefits to the way the internet has expanded our world. While in the past, the idea of luxury amenities in the middle of a state like Oklahoma might have been unthinkable to some, now residents don't have to cross lines to see a favorite musical artist perform or catch a Broadway show. Oklahoma real estate has more to offer than ever before.

Oklahoma City, known otherwise as OKC, is the state's capital. It is home to world-class museums and theaters, including the Civic Center Music Hall, which hosts ballet, opera, symphony, and traveling Broadway performances. There are several well-established neighborhoods in the city, such as the tree-lined streets of Crown Heights-Edgemere Heights or the quaint cottages and contemporary homes of the Cottage District. Some areas, like the downtown sector and the Boathouse District, are also experiencing a time of increased development, creating more walkable, livable, and beautiful spaces for the residents.

The suburbs of Oklahoma City are some of the most beloved places to buy real estate in Oklahoma. One such suburb is Norman, which surrounds Oklahoma City University. Residents of this suburb tend to be younger, with millennials and gen Z making up the majority of the population, with plenty of coffee shops, bars, and other forms of entertainment in its downtown area. Homes tend to be priced in the high $100k to low $200k range.

For those who seek a less urban experience, the less densely populated Pontotoc County tops the list of great places to buy real estate in Oklahoma. The largest city in the county is Ada, with a population of less than 20,000. The rest of the county is rural, tucked among the Arbuckle Mountains and rolling hills of south-central Oklahoma. A quality shared among almost all the small towns in this county is the county's exceptional public education system.

Of course, you can't talk about Oklahoma real estate without talking about Tulsa, the second-largest city in the state. It is located along the Arkansas River in the northeastern section of the state. Tulsa's beauty is in its many lakes and rivers, as well as its lush forests. It is a highly walkable city with a temperate climate that rarely dips below freezing except for a few weeks in January. Its museums are some of the best in the country, including a museum considered one of the top 50 fine art museums in the entire United States. Attractions include a zoo, aquarium, several concert venues and theaters, art galleries, and 134 parks. Tulsa offers as many delights as any large metropolitan area in the United States at only a fraction of the price, with many homes listed in the low $200k range.

Education in Oklahoma could be described as "small but mighty." Consider a small community in the southwestern area of the state whose schools are part of the Amber-Pocasset Public Schools district. APPS is one of the few public school districts in rural Oklahoma with an elementary, middle, and high school. This district serves only about 500 students, yet they are some of the highest performing in the state, with over 95% proficiency in math and reading. 

Having small districts that enroll just a few hundred students is a system that works for Oklahoma schools. Many of the top performers in the state are rural schools with this structure. For example, Lomega Public Schools has just two schools, one for K-8 students and another for high schoolers, with just over two hundred students in attendance. Still, these pupils managed to beat out every other school district in Oklahoma on state assessments for several years running. 

There are, however, schools in the urban parts of the state that break this pattern. Edmond Public Schools, in the suburb of Edmond outside of Oklahoma City, is considered the best public school system in the state. Eleven of its schools–including all three public high schools–are National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence winners, more than any other school district within the state. Students in Edmond have a graduation rate of just under 99%.

Because of its excellent public school system and the suburb's proximity to the many exciting experiences available in Oklahoma City, families with children should consider the town of Edmond. While pricier than other Oklahoma real estate with homes in the low $300k range, Edmond's homes are still far below the national average. There are few other places that can provide such an affordable community with amenities rivaling those of larger, more expensive metropolitan areas.

In terms of entertainment, career opportunities, and the sheer pleasure of being part of a tight-knit community, young professionals can't beat The Village. This Oklahoma City suburb has a population of just under ten thousand. Oklahoma real estate in this area is extremely affordable, averaging in the high $100k range, and the town is full of coffee shops, parks, and restaurants. 

For seniors looking for a laidback, small-town vibe, the town of Grove in Delaware County is perfect for you. Around 30% of the residents in Grove are 65 or older. Grove is surrounded by Grand Lake o' the Cherokees, which passionate anglers will recognize as a hotspot for professional bass fishing. 

The most common careers in Oklahoma have been the same for nearly thirty years. Many of its citizens are employed as either truck drivers or secretaries. However, that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of diverse job opportunities available throughout the state. Currently, Oklahoma's most critical needs in terms of employment are registered nurses; operations professionals in aerospace and defense, agriculture, and energy; and accountants. The average salary for workers in Oklahoma is around $65k, or just over $30 per hour.

There are two airports offering commercial and international services for Oklahoma. One is Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) in Oklahoma City, and the other is Tulsa International Airport (TUL) in Tulsa. There are also two smaller airports offering domestic-only commercial flights in Lawton and Stillwater. 

Along Riverside Drive in Tulsa, OK, is one of the state's most popular parks, known as Gathering Place. The stunning 70 acres of this park include incredible architect-designed playgrounds and other experiences that were part of the country's largest-ever private gift to a community. The best part of all is that everything is free.

The state and national parks in Oklahoma are equally breathtaking. For example, Beavers Bend State Park, situated on the Mountain Fork River, is one of Oklahoma's most popular recreational areas for hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking, and horseback riding. Then, away from the mountains and rivers, there is Tallgrass Prairie, one of the last preserved areas where bison still roam to this day. 

No matter where you buy real estate in Oklahoma, you won't run out of things to do and attractions to visit. Oklahoma has plenty to offer in terms of historical and cultural experiences, too. The Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa is considered one of the best fine arts museums in the country and is situated on 25 acres of elegant gardens. Nearby are the Bob Dylan Center and Woody Guthrie Center, which celebrate the lives of those musicians. If history is your cup of tea, visit the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, which has the largest collection of artifacts and exhibits dedicated to the history of the "wild west." 

Schools in Oklahoma tend to begin in early August and end in mid to late May. 

● Say goodbye to your commute! The average commute time for Oklahomans is just over 20 minutes one way. 

● Oklahoma is full of wide, open spaces. You're unlikely to ever get caught in a crowd, and it's possible you may end up driving through long miles of rural land between cities if you travel. 

● The cost of living in the state, just like the Oklahoma real estate market, is significantly more affordable than the national average. 

● Oklahoma is part of the region of the United States known as Tornado Alley. Over 60 tornadoes on average touch down in OK every year, more than almost any area in the world. Building requirements throughout the state have been improved throughout the years to ensure safety, so your home is likely to have a storm cellar and be within hearing distance of a municipal tornado siren.