Question for Tulsa DU'ers

[Big Kahuna]

My family will be moving to OK next month, (most likely to Tulsa). Our main concern is that our kids (age 10 and 12) are happy and safe. How would you rate Tulsa as far as crime, drug problems, public schools, etc?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[OKNancy]

1. I've lived in Tulsa almost 30 years

I'll try to give you the run-down as best I can.

Although as a Democrat and liberal person, I'd like to support Tulsa Public Schools, it's been difficult lately. A lot of people move to the outlying areas for the school system. That would be Broken Arrow, Union School District ( this is not a suburb, but a school district that the city grew around ) and Jenks. A lot of where you move will depend on your income and the type of home you want.

If you move into Tulsa "proper", the best grade schools are Salk, and Carnegie. Middle School would be Byrd. You can also try to get into the magnet school system. That would be Carver for middle school and Booker T. Washington for High School. If you want to live where the more liberal types congregate, that would be mid-town or the Brookside area. I don't live in either area and I imagine that I live around Republicans...but they all seem nice and/or apolitical. I've never had any incident of any kind that has been unpleasant with a neighbor.

As far a crime, drugs, etc. go, I'd say it's pretty average for a city of 350,000+ There are certainly parts of the city I wouldn't go in.

There is no public transportation so you will need two cars.
The Democratic Party organization has none...that is, they aren't very organized. LOL
I have found a big disconnect in what people say and how people vote from what actually goes on here.
For example, there is a large gay community here. From my observation, there doesn't seem to be too much conflict or even talk about discrimination. I'm in the arts community, so maybe I see "the good side" and don't really know what the real story is.

I can give you more information later if you want.

[Big Kahuna]

2. Thanks for the info

The house I am looking at is in the Union district and the schools look pretty decent.

[OKNancy]

3. Yes, the schools are pretty good there

they have LOTS of money and tax support. Football is first, but they also have a well-supported music and arts program. The neighborhoods in the Union district are pretty white-bread... if you get my drift.

I forgot to mention one thing. If you want a church try All Souls Unitarian. It is one of the largest Unitarian Churches in the US and they are really progressive, yet traditional ( it's hard to explain ) I'm a non-believer, but I go and they welcome all souls. :-)