Oklahoma City - the "where and why.."

scongdon · July 13th, 2008, 06:11

So, I took my AT-SAT in OKC, and I have a few questions for the current academy-goers. Not to put the cart before the horse, but one can never be too prepared...

One thing I noticed... downtown was beautiful (I went to see WALL-E the night before my test

), as are other areas of town, but there are definitely some "rougher" looking areas. If, by chance, I start looking for a place early, what "areas" of town would you recommend avoiding? Where is the academy located anyway, and what would be the best place to reside to avoid 44?

The day I took my test, I barely missed a 3-truck pileup (mind you, the "BOOM BOOM BOOM" occurred right outside my rolled-down passenger window), and being able to cut through town would be nice. Any advice?

esw2005 · July 13th, 2008, 06:21

Check out the following website for crime stats....

http://spotcrime.com/ok/oklahoma+city

Delta Romeo · July 13th, 2008, 09:53

You need to stay at one of the FAA focused apartment complexes like Walnut Gardens. These places have furniture, a TV, dishes, everything. And NO leases. They know how much per diem you are getting so the will charge you a daily rate which already includes your utilities....kinda like a hotel, but these are actually apartments. Some even offer really cheap car rentals. Many units have washers and dryers right inside them. Most of the complexs are fenced and have bus service to/from the Acadmy. All you really need to bring with you is your clothes, cell phone, and computer.

The academy is located on the OKC (Will Rogers) Airport (which is located at the extreme SW corner of the city). It is laid out along the western side of the field and looks very much like a college campus. I always stay at Walnut Gardens and have been very happy with them over the past 20 years, but there are 2 more apartment facilities that do the same thing.

I have incorporated a link for you to look at whats available. If you click on FAA housing, then click on the "sign" pictures for each complex it takes you to more specific data (rates, pictures, etc) on each facility. Also for initial training you are considered Long Term for their rental rates:
http://www.faahousing.com/FAA_walnut_gardens.html

BoomerSooner77 · July 13th, 2008, 10:17

I've taken the liberty to highlight in red the "shady" parts of town. Fair warning...

AUPilotAU · July 13th, 2008, 10:30

hehe there are some rough areas around here, but the OKC rough areas are nothing really bad...I have yet to find a place throughout OKC I feel unsafe driving around.

Check down in Miami and you'll understand why I have no fear of OKC

MrFent · July 13th, 2008, 11:07

Just carry a gun with you & you will be fine.

GeorgeM · July 13th, 2008, 13:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoomerSooner77

I've taken the liberty to highlight in red the "shady" parts of town. Fair warning...

There are some wonderful places inside the shaded areas, and some bad places not shaded. The shaded areas seem to be neighborhoods with a high percentage of Hispanic and Asian families. I don't see that as automatically being "shady".

I'd stay about a mile away from I40, and about a mile away from I35. The worst neighborhoods seem be be close to the freeways. IMHO.

FAA_ATC · July 13th, 2008, 16:21

I'm at Walnut Gardens now. Not bad at all. Sure, surrounding neighborhood isn't the best, but in all honesty who cares? It's cheap here (as far as the FAA "approved" places). I am paying $26.50/night for a small efficiency. Everyone here are Academy students and it's fairly quiet. Walnut Gardens, like most FAA approved apartments, is located right on the Academy bus route.

Best advice is reserve your place EARLY. With all the hiring going on the places are filling up fast.

BoomerSooner77 · July 13th, 2008, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeM

There are some wonderful places inside the shaded areas, and some bad places not shaded. The shaded areas seem to be neighborhoods with a high percentage of Hispanic and Asian families. I don't see that as automatically being "shady".

I'd stay about a mile away from I40, and about a mile away from I35. The worst neighborhoods seem be be close to the freeways. IMHO.

Doh, I forgot the area just to the south of Quail Spring's Mall between May & Penn. It was nice up there when I first moved there (12 years ago) and after a couple years it got shady.

On_welfare · July 13th, 2008, 17:15

"shady", as in, alot of trees?? COOL! I'm there!

scongdon · July 13th, 2008, 17:17

Thanks for all the info - especially the academy based housing. I've always been a small-town guy (we think nothing of leaving our windows down / doors unlocked up here!), and there were definitely some areas in OKC I wouldn't feel safe leaving my vehicle parked.

Again, I'm on step 3 of about 200, but I don't like things to bottleneck

mugenfan_98 · July 13th, 2008, 23:17

Since we're on the subject how's apple tree housing?

nathanw · July 13th, 2008, 23:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAA_ATC

I'm at Walnut Gardens now. Not bad at all. Sure, surrounding neighborhood isn't the best, but in all honesty who cares? It's cheap here (as far as the FAA "approved" places). I am paying $26.50/night for a small efficiency. Everyone here are Academy students and it's fairly quiet. Walnut Gardens, like most FAA approved apartments, is located right on the Academy bus route.

Best advice is reserve your place EARLY. With all the hiring going on the places are filling up fast.

I'm bringing my wife down. Would the small efficiency be big enough for us? Does it have a kitchen?

KindaRadley · July 14th, 2008, 00:03

Just wondering... are there any FAA Approved places that will allow me to bring my dog with me? She's a little 35 pound black lab/beagle and I'm worried that I'm going to get stuck dumping her on my parents, and I don't want to do that to them...

ZAB bound · July 14th, 2008, 00:27

Yes, some places allow dogs but you have to pay a non-refundable deposit. Go on the FAA approved housing website and each place tells you if they allow pets and how much the deposit is.

BoomerSooner77 · July 14th, 2008, 16:53

So I've noticed in many threads that people keep talking about bringing their spouse/significant other with them to OKC or not happy to be gone from them very long.

Am I the ONLY one that is sooo looking forward to 4 months of pseudo bachelorhood?!

Philip · July 14th, 2008, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoomerSooner77

Am I the ONLY one that is sooo looking forward to 4 months of pseudo bachelorhood?!

no.

KindaRadley · July 14th, 2008, 17:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoomerSooner77

So I've noticed in many threads that people keep talking about bringing their spouse/significant other with them to OKC or not happy to be gone from them very long.

Am I the ONLY one that is sooo looking forward to 4 months of pseudo bachelorhood?!

I am! *HIGH FIVE*

Jerrod · July 14th, 2008, 18:12

bloomer · July 14th, 2008, 18:14

First round on me!

mugenfan_98 · July 14th, 2008, 19:11

I think I'll miss my son more than my wife, just because he's to small to b#%&^ at me.

BoomerSooner77 · July 14th, 2008, 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by mugenfan_98

I think I'll miss my son more than my wife, just because he's to small to b#%&^ at me.

ROFLMAO! Amen!

July 13th, 2008, 06:11	#1
scongdon Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 118	Oklahoma City - the "where and why.." So, I took my AT-SAT in OKC, and I have a few questions for the current academy-goers. Not to put the cart before the horse, but one can never be too prepared... One thing I noticed... downtown was beautiful (I went to see WALL-E the night before my test ), as are other areas of town, but there are definitely some "rougher" looking areas. If, by chance, I start looking for a place early, what "areas" of town would you recommend avoiding? Where is the academy located anyway, and what would be the best place to reside to avoid 44? The day I took my test, I barely missed a 3-truck pileup (mind you, the "BOOM BOOM BOOM" occurred right outside my rolled-down passenger window), and being able to cut through town would be nice. Any advice? __________________ PUBNAT 2,4,5. AT-SAT 97.3% GeoPref: ZKC Referral list PUBNAT2 .... Hoping for the next step before 06/09/2014

July 13th, 2008, 06:21	#2
esw2005 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arlington home of the Dallas Cowboys Posts: 825	Re: Oklahoma City - the "where and why.." Check out the following website for crime stats.... http://spotcrime.com/ok/oklahoma+city __________________ 2/08 Applied OTS 6/08 Selected for ZFW (Fort Worth ARTCC) 7/08 MEM PEPC - TOL 02/13 OKC class date

July 13th, 2008, 09:53	#3
Delta Romeo Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: ATL Posts: 45	Re: Oklahoma City - the "where and why.." You need to stay at one of the FAA focused apartment complexes like Walnut Gardens. These places have furniture, a TV, dishes, everything. And NO leases. They know how much per diem you are getting so the will charge you a daily rate which already includes your utilities....kinda like a hotel, but these are actually apartments. Some even offer really cheap car rentals. Many units have washers and dryers right inside them. Most of the complexs are fenced and have bus service to/from the Acadmy. All you really need to bring with you is your clothes, cell phone, and computer. The academy is located on the OKC (Will Rogers) Airport (which is located at the extreme SW corner of the city). It is laid out along the western side of the field and looks very much like a college campus. I always stay at Walnut Gardens and have been very happy with them over the past 20 years, but there are 2 more apartment facilities that do the same thing. I have incorporated a link for you to look at whats available. If you click on FAA housing, then click on the "sign" pictures for each complex it takes you to more specific data (rates, pictures, etc) on each facility. Also for initial training you are considered Long Term for their rental rates: http://www.faahousing.com/FAA_walnut_gardens.html

July 13th, 2008, 10:17	#4
BoomerSooner77 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dallas (Plano, really) Posts: 947	Re: Oklahoma City - the "where and why.." I've taken the liberty to highlight in red the "shady" parts of town. Fair warning... __________________ 2/08 Applied OTS 3/08 AT-SAT (90.8) 5/08 Geo Pref (ARTCC & Terminal - TX & GA) 6/08 Selected for ZFW (Fort Worth ARTCC) 8/08 Chicago PEPC - TOL in hand (Age is frozen! )

July 13th, 2008, 10:30	#5
AUPilotAU Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ft. Myers, FL Posts: 169	Re: Oklahoma City - the "where and why.." hehe there are some rough areas around here, but the OKC rough areas are nothing really bad...I have yet to find a place throughout OKC I feel unsafe driving around. Check down in Miami and you'll understand why I have no fear of OKC __________________ Applied: 2/2007 AT-SAT: 10/2007 Interview: 1/2008 Physical, Psyc exam, drug test, fingerprinting: 2/2008 Arrived at Academy: 4/18/2008 Departing Academy: 7/14/2008 First day at RSW: 7/21/2008

July 13th, 2008, 11:07	#6
MrFent Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 125	Re: Oklahoma City - the "where and why.." Just carry a gun with you & you will be fine.

July 13th, 2008, 16:21	#8
FAA_ATC Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chicago. IL Posts: 19	Re: Oklahoma City - the "where and why.." I'm at Walnut Gardens now. Not bad at all. Sure, surrounding neighborhood isn't the best, but in all honesty who cares? It's cheap here (as far as the FAA "approved" places). I am paying $26.50/night for a small efficiency. Everyone here are Academy students and it's fairly quiet. Walnut Gardens, like most FAA approved apartments, is located right on the Academy bus route. Best advice is reserve your place EARLY. With all the hiring going on the places are filling up fast.

July 13th, 2008, 17:15	#10
On_welfare Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 32	Re: Oklahoma City - the "where and why.." "shady", as in, alot of trees?? COOL! I'm there! __________________ 2/15/08 Applied OTS 3/14/08 Took AT-SAT 85.8 5/2/08 Applied OTS 5/2/08 Geo pref (Tx, Ill) 6/6/08 Referral list 6/20/08 PEPC invite (Tx terminal) 7/10/08 TOL(Houston Int Tracon) 1/16/09 OKC start

July 13th, 2008, 17:17	#11
scongdon Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 118	Re: Oklahoma City - the "where and why.." Thanks for all the info - especially the academy based housing. I've always been a small-town guy (we think nothing of leaving our windows down / doors unlocked up here!), and there were definitely some areas in OKC I wouldn't feel safe leaving my vehicle parked. Again, I'm on step 3 of about 200, but I don't like things to bottleneck __________________ PUBNAT 2,4,5. AT-SAT 97.3% GeoPref: ZKC Referral list PUBNAT2 .... Hoping for the next step before 06/09/2014

July 13th, 2008, 23:17	#12
mugenfan_98 Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Earlville Posts: 127	Re: Oklahoma City - the "where and why.." Since we're on the subject how's apple tree housing?

July 14th, 2008, 00:03	#14
KindaRadley Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 145	Re: Oklahoma City - the "where and why.." Just wondering... are there any FAA Approved places that will allow me to bring my dog with me? She's a little 35 pound black lab/beagle and I'm worried that I'm going to get stuck dumping her on my parents, and I don't want to do that to them... __________________ 02/08- FEBOT/AT-SAT invite 04/08- AT-SAT-98.2% 05/08- Geo Pref (ZKC) 06/08- Referral List 07/07/08-NYC PEPC & TOL 09/03/08- FOL 11/10/08- OKC BABY!!!

July 14th, 2008, 00:27	#15
ZAB bound Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Orlando Posts: 29	Re: Oklahoma City - the "where and why.." Yes, some places allow dogs but you have to pay a non-refundable deposit. Go on the FAA approved housing website and each place tells you if they allow pets and how much the deposit is. __________________ 12/07 TOL 7/08 FOL 8/19/08 OKC ZAB Bound...

July 14th, 2008, 16:53	#16
BoomerSooner77 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dallas (Plano, really) Posts: 947	Re: Oklahoma City - the "where and why.." So I've noticed in many threads that people keep talking about bringing their spouse/significant other with them to OKC or not happy to be gone from them very long. Am I the ONLY one that is sooo looking forward to 4 months of pseudo bachelorhood?! __________________ 2/08 Applied OTS 3/08 AT-SAT (90.8) 5/08 Geo Pref (ARTCC & Terminal - TX & GA) 6/08 Selected for ZFW (Fort Worth ARTCC) 8/08 Chicago PEPC - TOL in hand (Age is frozen! )

July 14th, 2008, 18:12	#19
Jerrod Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 106	Re: Oklahoma City - the "where and why.." __________________ Applied Feb. '08 AT-SAT March '08 95.5 Geo-Preference May '08 Referral List June '08 PEPC July 22nd '08 TOL-ZAB July 22nd '08 FOL - Aug. 21st '08 OKC - Oct. 2nd '08 - Feb 5th '09

July 14th, 2008, 18:14	#20
bloomer Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 140	Re: Oklahoma City - the "where and why.." First round on me! __________________ Applied for PUBWA-05883 6/25/07 AT-SAT Taken 3/07/08 Attended LA PEPC 6/19/08 Job Offer for Spokane Terminal/GEG! FOL for GEG 7/10/08 OKC Class Date 9/8/08

July 14th, 2008, 19:11	#21
mugenfan_98 Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Earlville Posts: 127	Re: Oklahoma City - the "where and why.." I think I'll miss my son more than my wife, just because he's to small to b#%&^ at me.

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