Oklahoma City suburb built around a railroad and major university
The outpost that began life as the local headquarters for the Santa Fe Railroad might have remained a small dot on Oklahoma’s map. However, the 1890 decision to make Norman the home of the University of Oklahoma brought the future to town. Today, the suburb is the 3rd most populous city in the state, with 130,000 residents. The university, which began with 100 students, currently enrolls around 22,000, the highest population of any college in the state. “The university was here before Norman was even a town,” says Shavonne Evans, GRI, a Realtor and managing broker with Keller Williams Realty Mulinix. “So you could say that it’s a university town, but there’s a whole community that exists outside of it.” The University of Oklahoma (OU) is also the area’s top employer, followed by York International Corporation, a major HVAC&R provider. Other residents might pursue careers in healthcare at Norman Regional Hospital or commute to work in one of Oklahoma City’s Fortune 500 companies. “I feel like you get more diversity of thought here, not just diversity of people,” Evans says.
The University of Oklahoma, which began with 100 students, currently enrolls around 22,000.
Norman is an Oklahoma City suburb built around the Santa Fe Railroad.
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Anchored by the University of Oklahoma
Norman Public Schools gets an A-minus from Niche, which ranks the district as the second-best in Cleveland County. The district also has one of the highest numbers of U.S. Blue Ribbon and Oklahoma Reward Schools in the state. Participating students can use ExpandED, a virtual education solution, to complete their coursework remotely. The University of Oklahoma is regarded as Oklahoma’s premiere institution of higher learning and earns a Niche grade of A. “One of the biggest draws to Norman is the university,” says Amanda Kirkpatrick-Lawler, owner and managing broker of Metro-Mark Realtors. “We’re also a big football state, and OU and Oklahoma State University are rivals, so a lot of people come to Norman during the fall for football games.” The Oklahoma Sooners represent OU in the Southeastern Conference and command huge crowds at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on game days. The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History and the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art are affiliated with the university and offer enriching educational and cultural experiences. In the spring, the historic downtown area hosts the Norman Music Festival. The three-day event is Oklahoma’s largest music festival and highlights performers from many different genres. Other annual events include April's Medieval Fair and the Cleveland County Free Fair in the fall.
Norman is home to the University of Oklahoma.
Students are taught a challenging curriculum at Cleveland Elementary School.
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Homes centered around campus, with luxury estates in the east
Homes in Norman are priced slightly higher than homes in Oklahoma City. The university is a draw for buyers, as is the dialed-back suburban atmosphere. “It’s a good way to break out of the city center a little, and it’s a pretty drive,” Kirkpatrick-Lawler says. To put the prices into perspective, the median price of U.S. homes is currently around $416,000. In Oklahoma City, the average price is $300,000. Norman’s average home price is $327,000, still well below the national median price. Development has grown from east to west, with the campus in the center. The east side is characterized by the historic districts of Chautauqua, Southridge and Miller, where the old train depot still stands. Other distinctive homes can be found on the tree-lined streets of the Old Silk Stocking neighborhood, once the city’s premier residential district. Farther east, past the town center, luxury estates near Lake Thunderbird State Park preside over multiacre lots. The west side has seen a great deal of residential and commercial development over the past 20 years, with current growth extending into the northwest corner. Most houses in Norman are single-family builds, although some larger homes near the university have been transformed into multi-unit dwellings. Condos and townhouses are priced from $100,000 to $200,000, while starter homes and bungalows sell for $150,000 to $175,000. A split-level, ranch-style or contemporary home with three or four bedrooms might cost $300,000 to $450,000. Sizeable modern luxury homes with amenities like in-ground swimming pools typically sell for $500,000 to $2 million.
Some homes have been renovated in the University of Oklahoma neighborhood.
Victorian era houses are large and rich in the history of Larsh-Miller.
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Days in Downtown Norman and nightlife at Campus Corner
Campus Corner is the happening hub of OU, with plenty of dining and nightlife options. It’s also a popular game-day gathering spot. Lindsey Street, a thoroughfare that swings through campus, is home to a few community shopping centers. On Main Street, shoppers will find everything from boutiques to big-box retailers, and Downtown Norman boasts a blend of public art, antique shops, galleries, local restaurants and specialty stores. More retail therapy is available around the I-35 corridor, which is crowded with shopping centers and car dealerships. “We have a lot of the amenities of being in a big town without being in a big town,” Evans says. “You don’t have to leave the area to get things done.”
Families enjoy the music during the 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk.
Original Townsite locals peruse Guestroom Records for the perfect find.
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Miles of sidewalks, I-35 and Will Rogers World Airport
More than 700 miles of public sidewalk weave through the streets of Norman. The city places high value on this network, viewing it as the connective tissue of the community. As such, several programs exist to maintain and improve pedestrian infrastructure. Examples include the Citywide Sidewalk Reconstruction Program, the Downtown Area Sidewalks and Curbs Program and the Sidewalk Accessibility Program, which increases the network’s utility for people with mobility challenges. Public transportation options include Norman Express, a commuter bus service, and shuttle services provided by Campus Area Rapid Transit (CART). Parking in Norman can be challenging on game days when road closures occur around the stadium. Two major highways border the downtown area: Interstate 35 and U.S. Route 77, which merge in Norman for the 20-mile trip north to Oklahoma City. That’s where residents find Will Rogers World Airport, served by seven major airlines that provide nonstop flights to hubs like Atlanta, Charlotte, and Chicago.
Fishing and archery at Lake Thunderbird
More than 60 neighborhood and community parks are scattered throughout Norman. One of the largest is Griffin Community Park, spanning 84 acres just outside the Old Silk Stocking neighborhood. The public space incorporates a disc golf course, dog park, exercise trail and a lake stocked with fish. Also on site are the 21 soccer fields that make up the Gillis-Rother Sports Complex. Lake Thunderbird State Park occupies a significant chunk of real estate in the eastern half of Norman, offering a host of water-based recreational activities. Boats launch from the nine ramps at Calypso Cove and Little River Marinas, which include two swimming beaches. Anglers cast for walleye, catfish and bass in the 6,000-acre lake. Folks who prefer land recreation can hike, bike or saddle up for the hiking and equestrian trails. Deer and waterfowl hunting are permitted in season, and an archery range allows marksmen and -women to keep their skills sharp all year long. Families can make a weekend of it by reserving one of the RV sites or primitive campsites or hosting gatherings at one of the 10 picnic shelters.
The equestrian trails at Lake Thunderbird offer a scenic ride just east of Norman.
On the northeast side of Norman, Franklin-Denver overlooks Lake Thunderbird.
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Things to consider
The crime rate in Norman trends below the state average and well below the rate for Oklahoma City. According to FBI data, Norman’s crime rate generally falls in line with the national average, occasionally dipping lower or spiking higher. Statistics also suggest that the risk of property-related crime is much higher than that of violent crime and that most incidents are reported in the downtown area around Old Silk Stocking and Rotary Park. Also worth noting: Norman’s tornado risk is high even by Oklahoma standards, which already tower miles above the national average. “When you think of Oklahoma, you think of tornadoes,” Evans says. Though residents should always take storm warnings and watches seriously, local firefighters and other agencies have been lauded for their quick and efficient responses to recent weather events.
A potential investment
Norman’s Chamber of Commerce is working with the university to build an arena district in the city. If they’re successful, the district will host OU athletics, concerts and other events. However, the project has stirred up a hornet’s nest of controversy among residents, who fear these events will negatively affect the local economy. “It’s the county that’s going to be on the hook for it —it’s not private development money,” Evans says. “All these things will drive money into the city that the city won’t collect the taxes on. That’s what people are upset about.” Whatever the outcome, the controversy highlights the citizens’ commitment to their community. “That’s what Norman is about — a very passionate group of people,” Evans says. “It’s just not always the same passions. That’s what shows the diversity of thought here. You have people with really strong opinions, people that care.”
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
