BikeBookBread Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 DH was informed today that his next assignment will be at Tinker AFB in OKC. We will be moving next summer. I am not unhappy about the location, but I am sad to be leaving Virginia. We really like it here. Oh well... Such is military life. So... Pleasant neighborhoods within 15 miles of the Base, preferably bicycle commute friendly? Reasonable driving distance to Starbucks, Whole Foods or other natural markets, parks, library (of course!)... TIA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 (edited) DH was informed today that his next assignment will be at Tinker AFB in OKC. We will be moving next summer. I am not unhappy about the location, but I am sad to be leaving Virginia. We really like it here. Oh well... Such is military life. So... Pleasant neighborhoods within 15 miles of the Base, preferably bicycle commute friendly? Reasonable driving distance to Starbucks, Whole Foods or other natural markets, parks, library (of course!)... I'm from Moore, which is just south of OKC. I haven't lived there in 20 years (thanks to the Army, lol!), but there are a few things I can tell you. There is only one Whole Foods in OKC and it's on the north side, in a fancier area than Tinker. Tinker is on the southeast side of OKC. It's about a 15-25 minute drive from Tinker to Whole Foods. The problem in the area around Whole Foods? It's a typical historic area problem with million dollar neighborhoods, up and coming neighborhoods and not-so-nice neighborhoods. A local upscale grocery store, Crescent Market, apparently recently decided to close its doors in a reaction to Whole Foods entering the picture. Whenever my sister shopped there they asked if she was a nanny, lol. Lots of people stationed at Tinker AFB live in Moore or at least in that school district. It's the best school district in the area. Some people think I'd blow that off as a homeschooler, but it's indicative of the area and makes it easier to sell your house. Moore is between OKC and Norman. Norman has a lot to offer in the way of cultural and learning opportunities. Moore would be about the same drive to Whole Foods, because either way it's mostly highway. When I was in college it took me 10-15 minutes to drive to campus, unless there was bad weather. Bike friendly is not something you generally find except in the more upscale areas on the northside. I'm sure someone who lives there *now* could help more than I can. Just sharing what I know. :) Edited November 17, 2011 by Mrs Mungo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Land of the free and the brave for homeschoolers!! Homeschooling is written into the state constitution ;) We lived about 2 hrs away in Tulsa, and I still remember it as a nice spot ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I grew up in North OKC, worked at Tinker in college, and currently live in Moore. I love Moore. We lived in a very small town in Missouri for 7 years before we move home. With Moore, I get the benefits of a small town (everything close, even walking distance) plus the benefits of a big city (LOTS of shopping around S 19th Street, several malls within 20 minutes, and lots of activity options). MidWest City/Del City is the closest area to Tinker. There are some nice areas/housing additions; but the school district is pretty bad. As mentioned previously, that is a big factor in resale value of a house if you buy. In general, the area is not very nice. We have two Crests withing 15 minutes of our house. It is a local grocery chain that we love. I don't know what you like about Whole Foods, but I have been to a couple of Whole Foods (not the one here), and I prefer Crest. The newer Crests have great produce and meat sections. The new one by our house has a fresh sushi bar. Norman is a great area too, again, top notch school districts; but housing is more expensive. I prefer Moore because of the easy highway access. My parents live in North Edmond (far north end of the metro area) it takes us 20 minutes to get there, all on the highway. :) Homeschooling is easy, as long as your kids have never been in a school in the state, you don't have to do anything. I track our work and days, just in case, but the only reason you need it is if someone questions your HS. To my knowledge, that rarely happens. We have more homeschool support groups, mom groups, and co-ops than I can keep track of and an amazing convention in May. PM me if you want specific information on activities in the area (dance, theatre, sports, music, co-ops, gymnastics, etc.) If you can't tell...I love my home state :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyrooch Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 DH was informed today that his next assignment will be at Tinker AFB in OKC. We will be moving next summer. I am not unhappy about the location, but I am sad to be leaving Virginia. We really like it here. Oh well... Such is military life. So... Pleasant neighborhoods within 15 miles of the Base, preferably bicycle commute friendly? Reasonable driving distance to Starbucks, Whole Foods or other natural markets, parks, library (of course!)... TIA! You actually have a few options. You don't have to live in OKC city limits if you don't want to. There are a couple of suburbs that are within minutes of Tinker. One is Del City and another is Midwest City. All of these areas are very developed so things like Starbucks, Super Wal-Mart, etc. are close. There are 2 libraries close to Tinker. They are both part of the Metropolitan Library System. http://www.mls.lib.ok.us/ One is the Del City location and the other is the Midwest City location. There are two parks that are pretty close. One is Ray Trent Park in OKC and the other is Regional Park in Midwest City. Keep in mind that these three towns are basically like one town in 3. They are minutes apart and unless you're really familiar with the area you really can't tell where one ends and the other begins. They are just that close together. There is also a 2 year college that is within minutes of Tinker. It is called Rose State College. Just in case you're interested. ;) Unfortunately there isn't really a mall close. Crossroads Mall used to be there within minutes of Tinker but it has more or less gone out of business. The closest malls would be either Sooner Mall in Norman (which is small) or Penn Square Mall in OKC, which is much bigger. ;) There is a very large theatre in Moore called Warren Theatre. It is really nice. All theatres have stadium seating. There is also a grand theatre with balcony where you can order from the restaurant and have you meal brought to you during the movie. From the balcony you can even order alcoholic beverages, etc. Only adults 18 and older can sit in the Balcony (because of alcohol) but it is really nice if you are going for a special occasion like an anniversary etc. In the theatre there is also a restaurant, cafe and game room. There in an AMC theatre that is closer to Tinker but it's not nearly as nice as Warren. It is right off of the 1-35 / I-240 interchange next to what used to be Crossroads Mall. Wow. How exciting! I live about 20 minutes SW of OKC. My husband works about 10 minutes from Tinker just south of the I-35 / I-240 interchange. When you finally get here you should let me know. It would be great to meet a fellow WTMer. :001_smile: Good luck with your move!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 OKC isn't really a biking city. It's been about ... omg! 20 years! Anyway... I know things have changed a lot as far as amenities, but I will say with certainty that you will not find more genuinely friendly people anywhere. Oh sure.... lots of people say their area is friendly. I'm from the South originally and I thought that was a friendly folk, but NOTHING beats Okies for friendly folks. NOTHING. You'll be happy there. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatCyndiGirl Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 OKC is a commuter city-rather sprawling and not exactly bike-friendly. However, there are some good bike trails all around the OKC metro. We moved here 12 years ago. Edmond is a GREAT town to live in and was recently voted one of the best suburbs in America. There are so many homeschooling activities that we really have to pick and choose what to get involved in. GREAT bookstores-both new and used! I'd love to get together when you get here. Ya know, somewhere public where the kids can play. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 Resurrected thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 Ha! I didn't realize it was old until the last post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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