OSU-COM Housing

[shindog]

Anyone in the OSU-COM class of 2007 that has questions about Westport on the River apartments next to the school feel free to ask me.

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[DrMom]

I'll add to Shindog's offer.

I'll be happy to give feedback on living elsewhere in Tulsa or the surrounding area. I've lived here for 21 years and know the area well.

 

[Homunculus]

best advice i heard before coming to OSU-COM-- "please for the love of God don't live in westport" lol so i stayed at Slumdance (Sundance) Apts at 31st and Riverside instead. I liked it there-- close to the riverparks, easy commute. I live in a rental house now with the wifey and soon-to-be-born kiddo. That's probably the nicest aspect of living here-- the commute to the school isn't bad no matter where you live.

 

[shindog]

I disagree that students should stay away from Westport. I think the good outweighs the bad. That's why I'm inviting people to ask questions. Every student should be informed of the positives and negatives.

 

[Homunculus]

you're right that everyone needs to know the positives and negatives, but i can't see any positives that westport offers other than walking to class, lol. Cars being stolen (i know of one second year who had her car stolen, and a fourth year that had TWO cars stolen), places being broken into, bikes being stolen from second story balconies, people being shot (one of my classmates saw that one from his balcony, lol), the sh*tty management and maintenence all outweigh the walking to school thing IMO.

i guess having some classmates living in the same complex would be cool too, but every person i know who has lived there wasn't impressed.

Dr. B. cruises these boards occasionally, maybe he can weigh in, too-- he;s got some nice stories as well.

 

[lindajane]

I grew up in Tulsa, just a couple of miles from OSU-COM, and although I will be at TCOM in Ft. Worth next year, I just wanted to throw in my two cents.

Almost every house in the neighborhood I grew up in, Maple Ridge, has a garage apartment in back, and many are rented out. I have no idea what rent is like these days in Tulsa, but it would be worth a drive through the neighborhoods to try to find something for rent. (I am going to be living in a garage apt. in Ft. Worth, and I think it will be good to not have to share walls with anyone and to live in a quiet neighborhood).

I would look between 15th and 21st streets, and Utica and Riverside. Any further south and the rent will skyrocket. It is a very safe neighborhood, full of families, and very quiet. One summer I lived in a very cool 1930s apartment building right across from Lee Elementary on 21st. There are also some other nice refurbished apt bldgs. along 21st St. west of Peoria. You will be about 5-10 minutes from OSU-COM by car.

Thanks for indulging my trip down memory lane. Enjoy living in Tulsa!

 

[Dr. B]

Originally posted by Homonculus
you're right that everyone needs to know the positives and negatives, but i can't see any positives that westport offers other than walking to class, lol. Cars being stolen (i know of one second year who had her car stolen, and a fourth year that had TWO cars stolen), places being broken into, bikes being stolen from second story balconies, people being shot (one of my classmates saw that one from his balcony, lol), the sh*tty management and maintenence all outweigh the walking to school thing IMO.

i guess having some classmates living in the same complex would be cool too, but every person i know who has lived there wasn't impressed.

Dr. B. cruises these boards occasionally, maybe he can weigh in, too-- he;s got some nice stories as well.

Ah, I knew my ears were burning for a reason.
Good to see you're still around Homonculus. Congrats on the pending new addition to your family. I'm happy to hear it.

Yes, I have some experience with Theftport. I have lived there for three years and while I must agree that the location and convenience are very nice, they come with a price. Westport is located in a rough area of town and is surrounded by several low-income housing projects. I'll briefly expound upon what Homonculus has stated above.

Theftport has a huge theft problem (hence the name). Bikes are stolen on a regular basis from second and even third floor balconies by neighborhood thugs and management refuses to admit that it even happens at all and turns a blind eye to it. A classmate of mine had a $1200 mountain bike stolen from his second floor balcony and when he alerted management of the theft they acted like it was a rare occurrence. Then later, after learning from several other classmates and neighbors how widespread the problem actually was, he put up signs by the mailboxes warning residents to lock up their bikes on balconies or take them inside to avoid theft only to have mgmt tell him that his signs "make the apartments look bad" and remove the signs. Mgmt fails to realize that their apathy and lack of security they promised when you signed the lease actually feeds into the problem, creating a neighborhood free-for-all where ignorance is bliss until it happens to you.

Cars have been stolen, apartments broken into and robbed, and the "new craze" is car burglaries. I can count about a dozen cars that have had their car stereos stolen on my end of Theftport alone, some of them were classmates. What happens when you tell mgmt?--You get the standard answer, "Well, that happens at every apartment complex." OK, maybe occasionally, but not NIGHTLY. One of my neighbors recently saw another neighbor chasing a would-be thief with a pistol after a foiled car break-in.

Several months ago a man was shot several times at close range and killed in Westport. As mentioned by Homonculus, one of our classmates witnessed it. What was mgmt's response?-- A letter to all tenants saying "This shooting was an isolated incident, however, we advise you not to go out of your apartment alone at night without at least one escort, keep your doors and windows shut and locked at all times, and (get this!) purchase personal insurance and insurance for your belongings". So....this was a freak occurrence yet we are advised to buy health/life insurance??

Also, mgmt is infamous for nitpicking you out of your deposit. It is a very rare occasion when I hear of someone getting their deposit back when they move out. I will find out if I am an exception to the rule at the end of this month. Wish me luck.

Bottom line: If you choose to live at Theftport, you should be aware of what goes on there. Hopefully I have shed some light on the cons, which I feel are very significant as it can be very distracting when you are trying to study but you are worried about what you will do when you wake up and your car is gone. The pros are close proximity to the school, nice view of the Arkansas River, quick access to the Riverside jogging trail, and free parking for Oktoberfest.

That being said, knowledge is power. CAVEAT EMPTOR!

P.S. I'm not bitter........