OKC College Life: Top Neighborhoods to Rent for Students and University Staff

I am Mike, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The city has many great colleges and universities, including Oklahoma State University at Oklahoma City, which is part of the Oklahoma public university system. Two other universities also provide quality educational opportunities, but students need affordable student apartments that are in good condition. Here are some suggested neighborhoods to consider near the city’s major universities.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma State University at Oklahoma City

Westlawn Gardens

Westlawn Gardens is positioned north of the Oklahoma River and Interstate 40, which places it very close to Downtown Oklahoma City. The quiet residential neighborhood is renowned for its well-kept homes and friendly community, which makes it a peaceful place in which to live. Westlawn Gardens is situated about a mile east of the university and next to the State Fairgrounds. It has easy access to Interstate 40 to the south and Interstate 44 to the west, which enables you to get around quite easily.

Corbin Hills

Corbin Hills is a very clean, safe, and peaceful community with plenty of affordable Oklahoma City apartments near Oklahoma State University – OKC. Corbin Hills is about a mile from the university campus and just northwest of it. North Portland Avenue makes it very easy to commute to classes, and the neighborhood has two parks for relaxing or studying outdoors when the weather allows it. Interstate 44 is just east of the neighborhood and makes it easy to get around the city.

Reed Park

The Reed Park neighborhood is an inclusive, multicultural, and multi-ethnic community with a diverse local economy. It’s a relatively peaceful community that is directly north of the university, with Interstate 44 bisecting its western portion. Reed Park is about a mile from the school and has public transportation available to make commuting easy and affordable. It also includes Givin Park and Reed Park, which support outdoor activities.

Miller

Oklahoma City’s Miller neighborhood is one of the first to be established in the late 1800s, and it has benefited from unique architecture inspired by its namesake Miller family and their fondness for two-story, Queen Anne-style homes. There are newer structures, too, including student apartments. The neighborhood is very close to the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, which makes it easy to walk to fun events. The university is next to the fairgrounds and on the west side of Interstate 44, which makes commuting a very simple task for students.

Oak Grove

Oak Grove is positioned on the Oklahoma River’s southern bank and has lots of large shade trees that include oaks, but more often are sweetgum trees. The Oak Grove neighborhood is about 3 miles south of the university, and Interstate 44 abuts the neighborhood’s eastern boundary. Easy freeway access makes it very easy to drive to classes, but you also might opt for riding a bike or taking public transportation north along South Portland Avenue.

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Students who seek careers in the healthcare industry can get educated and earn related degrees from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. The university has more than 4,000 students and residents who become healthcare professionals and conduct research to help cure diseases and other conditions. The university teaches all specialties to ensure the state and nation have capable healthcare professionals available to deliver effective medical care. The following are some neighborhoods to consider for student apartments.

Pitts Park

The Pitts Park neighborhood is very close to the Oklahoma Capitol and the city’s interstate system. It’s also about three blocks from the Health Services Center’s campus to the southwest. The neighborhood includes Riley Leroy Pitts Park, which is perfect for spending time outside studying or enjoying recreational activities. It’s a quiet neighborhood with traditionally styled homes and student apartments.

Culbertson East Highland

The neighborhood is relatively new and occupies a large tract within the Oklahoma City limits. Its homes and apartments also are relatively new, which makes it a great neighborhood for finding newer student apartments with the latest in modern conveniences. The Culbertson East Highland neighborhood is directly east of the Health Sciences Center and perfectly located for easy commutes to and from classes.

Mesta Park

Mesta Park was founded in 1902 and is another terrific historic district that is located in the heart of Oklahoma City and very close to the Health Sciences Center. The neighborhood is relatively large and has good options for Oklahoma City apartments near the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, which is less than a mile to the south. It also contains Perle Mesta Park, which offers several hiking and biking trails if you like those kinds of activities, as I surely do.

John F. Kennedy

It’s no secret for whom the John F. Kennedy neighborhood is named. The neighborhood has many newer, traditionally designed homes and student apartments that are close to the Oklahoma City Health Sciences Center, which abuts the neighborhood along its northwest corner. Booker T. Washington Park also is adjacent to the community, and Interstate 235 is a bit further west and very easy to access when you need to get around the city.

Midtown

The Midtown District resides in the middle of the city and is one of its many historic districts. There are a lot of dining, shopping, and recreational opportunities within and near it, and the neighborhood is due west of the university. Student apartments are plentiful, and you can enjoy trips to the nearby Oklahoma City Museum of Art and the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. The university is situated about 3 miles northwest of Midtown, and many students use public transportation to reach it. Driving, biking, and even walking also are viable options.

Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City University was established in 1904 and offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in many fields of study. It is a private university and affiliated with the United Methodist Church and situated in an urban setting on 104 acres in the heart of Oklahoma City. The university has about 2,750 students who can find quality student housing in the following nearby neighborhoods.

Gatewood UCD

The Gatewood UCD neighborhood is a historic area and is directly south of the Oklahoma City University campus. The neighborhood has a good mix of residential and commercial properties, so you don’t have to go far to go shopping or dine out. It offers a very easy commute to the university and has lots of great options for student apartments. The neighborhood has a good mix of historic and much more modern housing, including apartments that are in good condition. It also is situated just south of the city’s Chinatown Market, which is great if you like Chinese food as much as I do.

Crestwood

Oklahoma City’s Crestwood neighborhood is situated in an urban setting and less than 2 miles from the university. Ample public transportation is available to support student commuters. The community is just north of the Downtown Oklahoma City, so there are ample recreational, dining, and shopping opportunities close to the neighborhood. The University is due east of it and about a mile away, which you can get to by driving east on Northwest 23rd Street.

Paseo

If you like art, you will love living in the Paseo neighborhood, which contains a namesake arts district in Oklahoma City. More than 20 art galleries are located within walking distance, which makes it a popular community for local artists. Paseo is about 1.5 miles east of the university. The Chinatown Market is nearby, and a Farmers Market is contained within the neighborhood’s boundaries. Paseo apartments near Oklahoma City University offer an ideal location to the university and lots of extracurricular activities when you aren’t in class or otherwise studying.  

Las Vegas

Yes, there is more than one Las Vegas in the United States, including the great neighborhood in Oklahoma City. The neighborhood is situated about 2 miles southwest of Oklahoma City University and encompasses about 21 city blocks. It’s a quiet and mostly residential neighborhood with a good mix of working families and retirees. The neighborhood is relatively safe and peaceful, which makes it very easy to get your studies done and commute to and from the university.

Find the Best Deals on Student Apartments in Oklahoma City

We can get you started on your student apartment search and help you find the best and most affordable ones that are available near the college or university of your choice. Oklahoma City has a lot to offer and plenty of great educational institutions. When you aren’t studying or attending classes, the area has lots of terrific recreational opportunities to ensure you always stay engaged and active.