Sand Springs

Prattville was annexed from Sand Springs, which is located across the Arkansas River, in the 1960s. Today, the proximity to the river and Keystone Lake attracts outdoor enthusiasts who have access to lots of recreation and even more adventure in downtown Tulsa, which is just 10 miles away. Commuters have multiple convenient, public bus stops around the neighborhood, which helps them reach work in Prattville and Tulsa. Large employers in the area include the Baptist Woman’s Shelter, Utica Park Clinic - Sand Springs and the Reasor’s grocery chain. When the neighborhood was annexed long ago, three schools immediately cropped up to accommodate the population boom. Since then, all three schools, which are a part of the Sand Springs School District, have become the focal point of this highly sought-after neighborhood. “Houses here tend to fly off the market,” says Tammy Rice, a Realtor with eXp Realty, who is also a Tulsa native. “It’s desirable because people want to be in this school district.” Prattville’s three elementary schools – Limestone Technology Academy, Angus Valley and Pratt Elementary – are all Project Lead The Way Distinguished Schools, meaning they have increased access to STEM programs and overall student engagement. “The schools are very family oriented, like Limestone Elementary, they put on a huge craft fair right before Christmas,” says Rice. All three elementary schools earn a B from Niche. Children can move on to Clyde Boyd Middle School, which receives a B-minus and offers an Earn a Degree program that helps students get ahead and earn an associate degree once they graduate from high school. Middle schoolers may advance to Charles Page High School, which has a B from Niche and participates in the College Board National Recognition Programs, which recognized three of its students last year. The Tulsa Community College - West Campus is very central to the area, while the University of Tulsa is 13 miles away. People head to Keystone Lake for fishing and camping, while Arkansas River is used for activities such as whitewater rafting and kayaking. Every Fourth of July, neighboring Sand Springs has a huge fireworks display on the river that many look forward to, according to Rice. There are three parks in the community with vastly different offerings. Shaded by oak trees, Angus Valley Park offers a fenced-in turfed playground that sits next to a multi-use grass field and a basketball court. Residents visit Freedom Field Park to do yoga, throw a frisbee around on the open green space, or practice their technique on the baseball and softball fields. Meanwhile, Pratt Civitan Park has a seasonal splash pad, tennis courts and a reservable shelter. Golfers head to The Canyons at Blackjack Ridge for its public 18-hole course that comes with landscaping views of downtown Tulsa. Locals can head to Crescent Café off State Highway 97 for a menu that features home-cooked meals ranging from traditional breakfast dishes to savory dinners. Another popular restaurant is Little Venice that’s located on N Main Street.” Little Venice is one of the best Italian restaurants in the area, anyone will tell you that,” Rice says. “If you’re looking for fine dining, go there.” More beloved eateries await within the neighborhood’s mall, Springs Village Shopping Center, which is located just down the road. Highly rated Mi Pueblo serves up authentic Mexican dishes, while large dishes of Lo Mein are found at Chinese Express. Residents stock up on groceries at Reasor’s, which is conveniently right across from Mi Pueblo’s. A Walgreens is also nearby for medication and prescription refills. Just west down 41st Street, a cluster of consignment stores – Reclaimed, Second Chance and Time After Time – promise gently used name-brand clothes below retail price. Bookworms visit Grace & Truth Books, a family-run Christian store that’s been open for more than 30 years and has expanded to include three buildings’ worth of books. While Grace & Truth mainly focuses on selling contemporary titles that center around family, counseling and relationships, it also publishes books. Residents visit downtown Tulsa for concerts and sports games at BOK Center and dance and theatre performances at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Most homes in Prattville are new builds, springing up from the late ’90s. Brick ranch-style homes and contemporary dwellings with steep gabled roofs and broad front yards range from $200,000 to $450,000. Many houses have proximity to one another with manicured porches and small sidewalks perfect for walking dogs or going on runs. Commuters can use the public bus service offered by Tulsa Transit to reach their destination, while drivers utilize State Highway 97 to get around town. Tulsa International Airport is 18 miles away.

On the outskirts of Tulsa, Berryhill's wide, residential streets unfold with ample space to grow. East of the rural sprawl of Outer West Tulsa County and with views of the city from alongside the Arkansas River, Berryhill's laid-back vibe and proximity to the city's amenities are some of its primary draws. "Berryhill has a small-town feel right on the edge of the city," says Jennifer Sanders, a Realtor associate with Keller Williams Advantage. "It attracts people that wish they could live in the country, but can't because of the drive or other circumstances." For Berryhill residents, downtown Tulsa is a quick nine-mile run over the river via the Gilcrease Expressway Toll Road. Homes in Berryhill are mostly single-family properties, comprised of newer constructions from the latter half of the 20th century into the early 2000s. “That area has unique home styles,” Sanders says. “Generally, Tulsa has ranch homes, but the Rolling Oaks area is hilly and has more multi-level homes. There’s more green space, lots of trees and it’s kind of a park-like neighborhood.” Styles in Berryhill include split-level homes, some with gabled roofs, which can range from $100,000 to $250,000. Craftsman properties with brick and vinyl features can cost between $225,000 and $350,000, and other accents like stone, siding and colorful exteriors can be found in Berryhill. Ranch homes and large lots are also common in the neighborhood, but the hilly landscape means split-levels primarily populate the rolling topography. More unique homes, like custom remodels and even some vibrantly-painted residences, are located in Berryhill as well. Berryhill South Elementary School is where students can begin their education, with the entirety of the school system located within the neighborhood. “It’s unique because of the small-town, pocket school district,” Sanders says. “People like the smaller classrooms, smaller feel and that’s one of the reasons they like to live here.” Earning a B-minus with Niche, Berryhill South Elementary goes through sixth grade and leads into Berryhill Middle School. Berryhill Middle scores a B-plus with Niche, while Berryhill High School is given a B, ranks in Niche’s top 100 high schools statewide and its students can play sports like football, baseball and soccer. Chandler Park arcs along the northern boundary of Berryhill and the banks of the Arkansas River, spanning nearly 200 acres. From the Lost City Trail within the park, featuring mini cliffs, to the splash pad, visitors can find ways to expend energy. Other features at Chandler Park include a golf course, baseball fields, playgrounds and a lookout with views of downtown Tulsa. Case Community Park is just across the river, featuring trails along the water and play areas while allowing pets. A few miles from Berryhill, Pratt Civitan Park has a basketball court, while close by Challenger 7 Park has tennis courts, green space and more. Shopping and dining options within Berryhill are limited, and residents typically travel beyond the neighborhood for retail, work and entertainment. The Springs Village Shopping Center is the primary spot to shop for Berryhill residents, located just west in the arm of the interchange of Route 97 and 41st Street. Here, groceries can be found at the area Reasor’s and health food is served at Plum Crazy, while the Crescent Café is just up the street. Other establishments close to Berryhill include Simple Simon’s Pizza, Daylight Donuts and both Boulder Coffee and a Walmart Supercenter across the river. Personal vehicles are crucial to those who live in Berryhill, as there isn’t any public transportation for its residents. Route 344 connects Berryhill to Tulsa at large and to Interstate 44, which lies to the south and takes its motorists straight into the city. Downtown Tulsa is less than 15 miles away, while Sand Springs is where residents can find more shopping a few minutes from Berryhill. With the industrial area close by, representing automotive and oil projects, noise could potentially be a factor for residents. The Gilcrease Expressway Toll Road also cuts through the neighborhood, making access onto the thoroughfare easy for Berryhill locals.