A Guide to 55+ Active Living Communities in Oklahoma

 

Friendly And Affordable Retirement in Oklahoma’s Growing Active Adult Communities

Oklahoma is one of the fastest-growing states for retirees in the USA. The centrally-located state is affordable, wide-open, and abundant in natural beauty. Called the “Sooner State” due to the land rush of people in the 1800s, Oklahoma has a long history of people moving into the state looking for an affordable and tranquil lifestyle. 

The state of Oklahoma is located in the plains region of the country. The weather varies widely across the state and from season to season. The dry, cold winters are perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking and golf. The warm, humid summer weather invites residents to spend the afternoons by the pool or kayaking in the rivers and streams of the many parks and reserves that dot the state. 

When the outdoor weather gets too much, plenty of casinos in Oklahoma offer respite and a chance to win your fortune! 

Fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing are abundant in Oklahoma. The state has the largest preserve of native grasses in the country that supports indigenous birds, reptiles, and mammals, many of whom are protected species, including the state mascot, the American bison.  

Because of the abundance of flat land, most housing options in Oklahoma are single-family homes in or near golf-course communities. Many homes are in all-ages communities, while you’ll find maintenance free options in the condominiums and rental communities available in urban areas. 

 

Luxury Living On A Budget 

Oklahoma is ideal for active older adults looking for a home with room to spread out and store their toys. The houses range from 1,500 to 3,000 or more square feet in neighborhoods just minutes from the major metropolitan centers of Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Fort Smith. 

Oklahoma City Metro 

Oklahoma City’s suburb of Edmund was founded as a railway stop and is now home to around 95,000 people and Integris Health, the top-rated hospital in the state. Edmund is an established suburb with terrific fishing in the local lakes. 

The suburb of Yukon is the perfect blend of natural beauty and suburban life. Located near the lush green banks of the North Canadian River and only minutes away from the bustle of downtown Oklahoma City, the all-ages communities of beautiful homes make Yukon one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area.  

Norman, Oklahoma, is almost a small city itself. Norman is home to the University of Oklahoma and Lake Thunderbird State Park. With over 100,000 residents, it has something for every active adult lifestyle. 

If you want the convenience of Norman without the crowds, Moore, Oklahoma, is a better fit for your retirement years. The prestigious Belmar Golf Club is located in Norman if the golfing lifestyle is how you envision spending your days.

Tulsa Metropolitan Area 

If golf is your game, the Tulsa suburb of Broken Arrow is where you want to live. With at least five major golf courses in the community, you will find a tee time nearby on any given day. The suburb’s condominium communities provide a maintenance-free lifestyle to add to your enjoyment. 

A more rural option is the all-ages communities in the small suburb of Kansas, Oklahoma. Here, you’ll find a beautiful, sprawling home sequestered behind gates that help keep your neighborhood safe. The community located here is a mix of full-time residents and resort-loving visitors. 

Tulsa is the second largest city in Oklahoma. The housing options in the city include affordable single-family homes in all ages communities. If you’re interested in living a maintenance free lifestyle, Tulsa offers both friendly condominium communities and a scattering of manufactured home communities. 

More than thirty percent of the population of Sand Springs are active older adults. This suburb of Tulsa is home to the beautiful Case Community Center that has a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Manufactured home communities are popular due to their low maintenance lifestyle and affordability. 

Located twelve miles from downtown Tulsa, the suburb Owasso has all age communities  dotted amongst the lakes, parks, and golf courses. With over 225 days of sunshine, the Tulsa metropolitan area offers active older adults a chance to indulge in their favorite outdoor activities. 

Located on the historic Route 66, Sapulpa offers active older adults an affordable and comfortable retirement lifestyle among your peers. Over thirty-five percent of the population in this suburb are over the age of forty-five, while many live a maintenance free lifestyle in manufactured home communities. From the quaint downtown to the almost two dozen parks, residents are treated to the best of rural living. 

Southwest Region 

If you’re looking for a home where the buffalo roam and the deer and the antelope play, it doesn’t get much better than Duncan. The green hills and miles of farmland ensure there is natural beauty from every window. 

Fort Smith Metropolitan Area 

If you’re looking for the perfect blend of rural and golf course community living, Wister is the place to be! Located near the border of Arkansas, surrounded by lakes and on the region’s premier golf course, this is where you can either build the house of your dreams or buy a single family home with golf course views. 

 

How Active Older Adults Spend Their Days In Oklahoma

Oklahoma is becoming a place that active older adults are retiring to due to it’s affordable lifestyle, central location, and well-appointed neighborhoods. 

Basketball courts are found in most communities.

It is the preferred pickup game of active older adults. On any of the over 200 sunny days, you can find neighbors sinking baskets on an outdoor court. The community centers are built around the indoor basketball courts in most suburbs. 

Golf is the other passion of Oklahoma’s residents.

The beautiful natural landscape and abundant land makes golf course living an affordable way to spend your retirement days. 

Oklahoma is a deer hunter’s paradise.

The white-tail deer is abundant in all regions of the state. Along with deer, other big game species are Bull Elk and Prairie Antelope. If bird hunting is more to your liking, turkey, ducks, and even sandhill cranes are fair game. For more exotic hunting, bear and rattlesnakes are on the list of legally hunted species. 

Fishing in Oklahoma

Due to the lakes, rivers, reservoirs and ponds that dot the landscapes, fishing is a wonderful way to pass the days in Oklahoma. Depending on the region and season, anglers are catching bass, crappie, catfish, and trout. An added bonus of retiring in Oklahoma is residents over the age of 65 are eligible for a lifetime hunting and fishing license, instead of the five year license that is usually issued.  

Casino

On those days when the weather isn’t ideal for basketball, golf, or hunting , active older adults can find entertainment in one of the state’s 133 casinos. Gambling is widely available and anyone over the age of 21 is welcome to try their luck. The venues range from electronic slot machines at travel stops to 5-star resorts with accommodation, live entertainment and fine dining. 

 

Oklahoma: The Hidden Gem In The Middle Of The Country ‘

Active older adults looking for a place to retire that offers wide-open spaces, andplenty of natural wildlife will find Oklahoma an attractive option. It’s affordable and centrally located, with plenty of opportunity to stretch out and explore. The state is undergoing an incredible revitalization and more retirees are starting to notice all the benefits of living here. Consider this hidden gem in the middle of the country if you’re looking for a quiet retirement that’s affordable and not too crowded.