Oklahoma City is the third largest city in America in terms of land. At 635 square miles, the city is built on a gigantic grid, keeping traffic to a minimum. Keeping visitors coming and residents happy are the area's rich cowboy and Indian culture and heritage, seen largely at the area's Stockyards and fine museums. Also, there is the relatively new Bricktown canal and riverwalk, rivaling San Antonio's in charm, with places to eat and visit, and a wide variety of cultural happenings.

One-third of Oklahoma's residents, one million people, live in Oklahoma City, which began with a rich and bloody history. When native Indians were being driven from their lands onto reservations, some lands were reserved by the federal government. In 1889, Oklahoma's unassigned lands were opened up to homesteaders who ran over each other with covered wagons to put their stakes in the ground that would become Oklahoma City. Martial law was established and the population had doubled by 1900. Railroads, cattle drives, and oil discovered in the town, built the area into a lively center of commerce.

"The real estate market in Oklahoma City and surrounding communities is strong," says Realtor Narcesa Vaughn Igo. "The market is moving rapidly. In fact, many new houses for sale are needed at this time. When priced right and in good condition, houses are selling quickly."

Inevitably, growth expanded to nearby towns.

"Edmond is a growing community that is a suburb of the greater Oklahoma City Metro," says Realtor . "and homes continue to sell well in the Edmond and North Oklahoma City area.

"With the continuation of new construction starts," adds the team, "the used housing market is still strong. The interest rates have continued to stay low this year and should continue throughout the fall. Now truly is a wonderful time to consider moving up to a larger home if you have a growing family and it is also a great time to consider a home that has less maintenance if you are a recent empty nester. The market continues to stay strong in Edmond in most all price ranges and we are not seeing any trend that would change that very soon."

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Published: August 2, 2002

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