Ryan Henze
Top Hat Connections
​Why People Love Tulsa
​Neighborhoods
​From the brick streets of Cherry Street and Brookside to the riverfront trails and the Gathering Place, every part of Tulsa has its own feel. I will help you find the neighborhood that fits your life — the schools, the commute, the coffee shops, and the neighbors.
​Things to Do
​Weekends here are full: live music on the river, food trucks and farmers markets, the Philbrook and Gilcrease museums, and the Gathering Place — one of the best parks in the country. And when the sun goes down, Tulsa's music and food scene keeps going.
Cost of Living: Housing costs in Tulsa are significantly lower than in coastal metros, so your dollar stretches further, whether that's a historic Craftsman in Midtown, a modern loft downtown, or a spacious new-construction home in the suburbs. The market is stable, so you can buy or build and grow equity over time.
The Job Market: Tulsa was long known as the Oil Capital of the World, but today it's a diversified economy. Energy and aerospace and defense manufacturing remain strong. Tech and entrepreneurship are growing through the George Kaiser Family Foundation and 36 Degrees North. Healthcare is big, with Saint Francis and Ascension St. John, plus higher education. Tulsa Remote has attracted thousands of remote professionals. Commutes are manageable and the business community is collaborative, with a low cost of doing business.
Getting Around: Getting around Tulsa is easy, with a manageable commute. The River Parks Trail runs along the Arkansas River with miles of paths, parks, bridges, and scenic overlooks.
Four Seasons: Tulsa has four distinct seasons — vibrant springs, warm sunny summers, crisp falls, and manageable winters.
Tulsa's Food Scene: Tulsa has locally owned barbecue, diners, burgers, and upscale restaurants, plus international food including Mexican, Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, Korean, and Middle Eastern. There is a strong coffee culture, craft breweries, food trucks, and dessert shops. A few favorites: Andolini's, Arnold's, and Uncle Paco's, Ryan's favorite Mexican place. Mother Road Market is a favorite food hall.
Parks & Outdoors: Green Country has rolling hills and oak trees. The Gathering Place is a world-class park. Turkey Mountain is a 300+ acre natural reserve with trails. The River Parks Trail runs along the Arkansas River. There are neighborhood parks, splash pads, sports complexes, and the Tulsa Zoo.
Arts & Culture: Tulsa has one of the finest collections of Art Deco architecture in the world, from the 1920s oil rush, including the Philcade and Mid-Continent Buildings, Tulsa Union Depot, the Fire Alarm Building, and Boston Avenue Methodist Church with its 255-foot tower. Venues include the BOK Center, the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, and Cain's Ballroom, plus theater and live music.
Shopping: Utica Square, Woodland Hills Mall, Tulsa Hills, and Tulsa Premium Outlets.
Route 66 & Landmarks: Route 66, the Mother Road, runs through Tulsa. Landmarks include the Philbrook Museum of Art, the Tulsa Zoo, and the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks.
Events: Winterfest, Oktoberfest, the Tulsa State Fair, Mayfest, and the Rhema Christmas Lights.
Community: Tulsa offers big-city amenities with small-town warmth and diverse communities, a place where newcomers are welcomed.
Why Tulsa?
Tulsa has a thriving economy with diverse career opportunities, plus vibrant arts and culture with world-class venues. You'll find stunning parks and outdoor spaces like the Gathering Place, all with a lower cost of living than major metros. It's big-city amenities with small-town warmth — the best of both worlds.
Neighborhoods — Love Where You Live
One of the best parts of moving to Tulsa? There's a neighborhood for every lifestyle. Whether you want walkable city streets, historic charm, top-notch schools, or room to roam, you'll find your spot here.
Urban Vibe
Downtown, the Brady Arts District, and Cherry Street are perfect if you love being where the action is. Think walkable streets, historic character, cozy coffee shops, and fun nightlife.
Historic Charm
Midtown is all about timeless architecture and tree-lined streets. If you've dreamed of a gorgeous historic home, this is where you'll want to start looking.
South Tulsa & Suburbs
South Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, and Owasso are favorites for families. You'll find great school districts, master-planned neighborhoods, and plenty of parks.
Space, Privacy & Acreage
Coweta, Claremore, Glenpool, and the surrounding areas offer acreage, quiet country roads, and lake living. You get privacy without giving up convenience.
Cost of Living & Real Estate Reality Check
Here's the good news: housing costs in Tulsa are significantly lower than in coastal metros, so your dollar stretches further. Whether you're dreaming of a historic Craftsman in Midtown, a modern loft downtown, or a spacious new-construction home in the suburbs, there's an option for every stage of life. Everyday costs like groceries, utilities, healthcare, gas, and entertainment run noticeably lower than the national benchmark, and Oklahoma property taxes are lower than the national average too. You get award-winning parks, a vibrant arts scene, and a booming job market, all at a lower cost of living.
The Job Market
Tulsa was long known as the Oil Capital of the World, but today it's a diversified economy with room for all kinds of careers. Here's where the opportunity is.
Energy & Aerospace
Energy roots run deep, and Tulsa is also a major hub for aerospace and defense manufacturing.
Tech & Entrepreneurship
Backed by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, the startup scene is buzzing, with 36 Degrees North coworking as a go-to spot.
Healthcare & Higher Ed
Healthcare and higher education are big employers, including Saint Francis and Ascension St. John.
Remote Work
Tulsa Remote drew thousands of remote professionals who keep their big-city salaries while enjoying Tulsa's cost of living.
Getting Around Tulsa
Here's one of my favorite things about life in Tulsa: almost everything is just 15 to 20 minutes away, with minimal traffic stress. Easy highway access via I-44, I-244, Highway 75, and the Creek Turnpike keeps you moving. Buying back your free time is a total game-changer!
Four Seasons — and the Tornado Question
Tulsa gives you all four seasons: vibrant springs with blooming dogwoods and redbuds, warm sunny summers made for Grand Lake and Keystone Lake, and breathtaking autumns full of fall foliage (a local favorite). Winters are mild and manageable, and heavy snow is rare. As for tornadoes? Direct hits on the Tulsa metro are remarkably rare, and with modern forecasting and shelters, it's about basic awareness, not daily worry.
Tulsa's Food Scene
Locally owned restaurants are the real heart of eating in Tulsa, and you'll find them all over town. Swing by standouts like Andolini's, Arnold's, and Uncle Paco's, then branch out into Mexican, Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, Korean, Mediterranean, Italian, and Middle Eastern flavors. Add in a thriving coffee culture, craft breweries, food trucks, and farmers markets, and you'll never run out of new spots to try.
Downtown
Locally owned restaurants, coffee, and craft brews right in the heart of the city.
Brookside
A go-to stretch for local favorites and laid-back dining.
Cherry Street
Locally owned gems and a lively coffee scene.
Kendall Whittier
Independent spots with plenty of character.
Pearl District & the Suburbs
From the Pearl District out to the suburbs: food trucks, craft breweries, farmers markets, and international flavors.
Green Tulsa — Parks & Outdoors
Welcome to Green Country! The Gathering Place spans nearly 66 acres along the Arkansas River and ranks among America's best public parks — kids love the Chapman Adventure Playground and Peggy's Pond. Want something wilder? Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness offers 300+ acres of rugged trails in south Tulsa, and the River Parks Trail runs for miles along the river. Round it out with the 84-acre Tulsa Zoo in Mohawk Park and the nearly 170-acre Tulsa Botanic Garden in the Osage Hills.
Arts, Music & Culture
Downtown Tulsa boasts one of the finest Art Deco collections in the world, born from the 1920s oil boom — think the Philcade and Mid-Continent buildings, Tulsa Union Depot, and Boston Avenue Methodist Church with its 255-foot tower. Catch a show at Cain's Ballroom, the Carnegie Hall of Western Swing and home of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, with its famous spring-loaded dance floor, or at the César Pelli-designed BOK Center for concerts, Broadway, and Tulsa Oilers hockey. The Tulsa Performing Arts Center brings Broadway tours, Tulsa Opera, and Tulsa Ballet. And don't miss Philbrook Museum of Art, a 1927 Italian Renaissance villa — the 72-room former home of oil pioneer Waite Phillips — set on 25 acres of gardens.
Shopping
Whether you love strolling an outdoor center or hunting for a great outlet deal, Tulsa has you covered. From the classic charm of Utica Square in Midtown to the shopping hubs in Jenks and South Tulsa, there's a spot for every style. Here are a few local favorites to get you started.
Utica Square
Midtown's upscale outdoor shopping center, a Tulsa favorite since 1952.
Tulsa Premium Outlets
Outlet shopping just down the road in Jenks.
Woodland Hills Mall
A go-to indoor mall for everyday shopping trips.
Tulsa Hills
Another popular shopping destination on the local list.
South Memorial Corridor
A busy stretch of shops and stores for all your errands.
Route 66 — The Mother Road
Tulsa has more miles of the original Route 66 than any other city in the country. Along the route, you can find Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza on the Arkansas River, retro neon on 11th Street and Admiral Place, the Blue Whale of Catoosa just up the road, and the Pearl District.
Landmarks & Big Events
Say hi to the 76-foot Golden Driller at the Tulsa Expo Center, home of the Tulsa State Fair and the Chili Bowl Nationals. Down in Jenks, the 72,000 sq ft Oklahoma Aquarium boasts one of the world's largest bull shark collections. And every year brings traditions locals love — Arvest Winterfest, Tulsa Oktoberfest, Tulsa International Mayfest, and the Rhema Christmas Lights in Broken Arrow.
Finding Your Tribe
One of the best things about Tulsa? It's a welcoming community of faith and values. With diverse congregations and neighborhood hubs all around town, it's easy to plug in and meet your neighbors fast. You won't feel like the new kid for long!
Is Tulsa Safe?
It's a fair question! Like any growing metro, safety varies neighborhood by neighborhood. But overall, Tulsa is a welcoming, community-focused place where people feel secure raising their families. And helping you find the right neighborhood fit is part of my job, so you never have to guess.
Eat & Explore: Utica Square
Bar Serra
Shop at J. Spencer
Utica Square in bloom
Tulsa at dusk