Residents of Edmond’s southern suburbs may find that neighboring a local university makes shopping, dining and nightlife a little more interesting. Oklahoma Christian University is a private university sandwiched between Smiling Hill Boulevard and E Memorial Road. Less than 4 miles from Downtown Edmond, residents of the school’s surrounding suburbs can bask in the convenience of nearby highways, trendy restaurants and commercial retail.
Oklahoma Christian University divides Edmond’s subdivisions of Georgetowne and Smiling Hill to the north, Northwood to the south and Heritage Heights to the east. The Georgetowne gated community is a homeowners association with a $125 monthly fee. Most properties were built in the early 2000s with Dallas-style architecture, neat lawns and multi-car garages. Other subdivisions feature midcentury modern brick ranch-style homes with Tudor revival elements, including exposed wood beams. Average home prices range from $230,000 to $500,000, but newer, larger builds tend to hover between $500,000 and $600,000. Neighborhoods north of the university are more likely to have wide, neatly trimmed sidewalks.
Grade-school students surrounding the university attend Edmond Public Schools. The district earns an A-plus on Niche and is the largest employer in the city. Chisolm Elementary School receives an A rating on Niche, while Cimarron Middle receives a B-plus. The school is known for its athletic and academic teams, drama field trips and random celebration days, like Kona Ice Day and Fun Food Friday. Memorial High School earns an A on Niche, participating in all-state orchestra competitions and local swimming invitationals.
Many local parks practice “xeriscaping,” the replacement of grass with drought-tolerant plant species, mulch and rocks. Bickham-Rudkin Park is one such spot, inviting folks to view a xeriscaping demonstration garden. The park also provides pavilions, a playground, walking paths and most notably the Edmond Dog Park. Residents looking to fish – and those with pets – are welcome to the pond. Playful equipment and waste bins are scattered with dog owners in mind. On the south end, the Margaret Annis Boys Centennial Arboretum has over 100 species of flora surrounding a large weeping Japanese pagoda. Whispering Heights Park is adjacent to Bickham-Rudkin, providing tennis and basketball courts. The university’s Lawson Commons is also a nice area to walk when it’s not overpopulated by students.
Historic Downtown Edmond has everything from gaming to ice cream, vintage boutiques and fresh produce markets. “There are 300 pieces of public art downtown,” Stevens says. “And lots of art events.” Most notable may be the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival, featuring over 140 artists, food vendors and live music. Most nationally recognized holidays are celebrated, as well. A pie-eating contest is held on Independence Day, and the Edmond Turkey Trot marks Thanksgiving. Oklahoma Christian University additionally hosts orchestral concerts, sports games and dance performances throughout the year.
Encompassing a university and in such proximity to the art scene of Downtown Edmond, the area’s local businesses can feel quite trendy. Ellis Island Coffee and Wine Lounge off E 33rd Street and S Bryant Avenue serves gelato, pastries and spirits, while Campfire Pizza and Gelato is known for its over-the-top gelato displays and brick-oven pizzas. Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Store is both a grocery market and ice cream parlor with a full menu of American fare like milkshakes, burgers and fries. Less than 4 miles north, residents can shop at Walmart Supercenter or Sam’s Club off I-35. TJ Maxx and Natural Grocers are just off E 33rd Street.
“Edmond has a strong bus system, but they’re really more like vans,” says Amy Stevens, director of the Edmond History Museum. “We also have Lime scooters, but there aren’t any subways or trolleys.” Edmond’s Citylink bus routes travel to various administration buildings and hubs, but most folks are car-dependent. I-35 leads 13 miles south into Oklahoma City, parallel to Route 77. The interstate is accessible via John Kilpatrick Turnpike, a local toll road. While the turnpike can be followed 22 miles southwest to Will Rogers World Airport, Route 77 takes residents north into Downtown Edmond and south into the city. The university’s main thoroughfares are N Bryant Avenue, providing an array of shopping and dining options, and N Eastern Avenue which allows access to the turnpike.
Mandy Apple
Engel & Völkers Edmond
(405) 546-4793
115 Total Sales
1 in Smiling Hill/Whispering Heights
$195,000 Price
Kaci Kaiser
Solas Real Estate LLC
(405) 766-8427
163 Total Sales
1 in Smiling Hill/Whispering Heights
$415,000 Price
Tristan Edge
CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company
(405) 384-8768
127 Total Sales
1 in Smiling Hill/Whispering Heights
$237,500 Price
Benjamin Tubbs
Keller Williams Realty Elite
(405) 246-9778
425 Total Sales
1 in Smiling Hill/Whispering Heights
$300,000 Price
Kristy Beissel
Whittington Realty
(539) 202-7939
242 Total Sales
1 in Smiling Hill/Whispering Heights
$274,000 Price
Matthew Neill
Keller Williams Central OK ED
(405) 938-0566
96 Total Sales
1 in Smiling Hill/Whispering Heights
$190,000 Price
On average, homes in Smiling Hill/Whispering Heights, Oklahoma City sell after 32 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Smiling Hill/Whispering Heights, Oklahoma City over the last 12 months is $268,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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