Oklahoma City Area 55+ Retirement Communities

Known for cattle and oil fields, the Oklahoma City area may not be high on the list of retirement options for 55+ adults but it deserves to be. With a revitalized downtown in Oklahoma City, affordable cost of living, and a large variety of leisure activity options the area has a lot to offer.

Cost of Living

Cost of living in the Oklahoma City area is about 10 percent lower than the national average with lower housing prices accounting for most of the difference. Groceries, utilities and transportation are in line with average U.S. costs but healthcare is more expensive.

55+ communities are mostly located in the suburbs and towns outside of the city limits and prices vary depending on the suburb or town. Homes in Edmond tend to be slightly more expensive than those closer to the city. In general 55+ adults can expect a price range of low $200s to high $700s. 

Oklahoma income tax ranges from 0.25 percent to 4.75 percent. Social Security is not taxed and up to $10,000 in retirement income is excluded. Sales tax is high and groceries are not exempt. Property tax rates are about average and there are some programs available to help low income seniors.

Climate and Geography

The Oklahoma City area has hot summers with average temperatures ranging from 72 to 92 degrees. The highest temperature recorded is 113 degrees in 2012. Winters are cool with a temperature range of 33 to 50 degrees and an average of 9 inches of snow. The coldest temperature on record is -17 degrees. The area sits at the center of the well known "tornado alley" so thunderstorms and tornadoes are common, especially in the spring. 

Oklahoma City lies in the center of the state in an area known as the Sandstone Hill region. The North Canadian River bisects the city and there are several lakes in the area. The lakes and river are large and make up almost twenty square miles of the city's total area.

Recreation, Culture, and Entertainment

Oklahoma City and the surrounding area offers a variety of popular entertainment options. Here are favorites enjoyed by both visitors and residents:

Golf Courses

• Belmar Golf Club in Norman
• Cobblestone Creek Golf Course in Norman
• Earlywine Golf Course in Oklahoma City
• Gaillardia Golf Club in Oklahoma City
• Lake Hefner Golf Club in Oklahoma City
• Lincoln Park Golf Course in Oklahoma City
• Oak Tree Country Club in Edmond
• Quail Creek Golf & Country Club in Oklahoma City
• Rose Creek Golf Club in Edmond
• The Golf Club of Edmond

Visual and Performing Arts

• Armstrong Auditorium Concert Hall in Edmond
• Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City
• Firehouse Arts Center in Norman
• Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in Norman
• Oklahoma City Museum of Art
• Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center in Oklahoma City
• Sooner Theatre in Norman

Museums and Historical Sites

• Edmond History Museum
• Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma City
• National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City
• Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
• Oklahoma Firefighters Museum in Oklahoma City
• Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City
• Oklahoma Railway Museum in Oklahoma City
• Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman
• Science Museum Oklahoma in Oklahoma City

Outdoor Recreation

• Bluff Creek Park in Oklahoma City
• Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory in Oklahoma City
• Lake Overholser Park in Oklahoma City
• Margaret Annis Boys Centennial Arboretum in Edmond
• Martin Park Nature Center in Oklahoma City
• Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City
• Spring Creek Trail - Integris Trailhead in Edmond
• Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge in Yukon

Other Activities

• Blue Zoo Aquarium Oklahoma City
• Clauren Ridge Vineyard and Winery in Edmond
• Native Spirits Winery in Norman
• Newcastle Casino in Newcastle
• Oklahoma City Zoo
• Oklahoma Motorsports Complex in Norman
• Paycom Center - home to Oklahoma City Thunder NBA team

Healthcare

There are several medical centers in the Oklahoma City area ranging from small community hospitals to large university medical centers with Level I trauma services. 

• Integris Health Edmond is a 40 bed community hospital in Edmond.
• Summit Regional Medical Center Edmond is a 9 bed community hospital in Edmond.
• Norman Regional Hospital is a 324 bed hospital with a Level III trauma center.
• OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center in Oklahoma City is a 500 bed teaching hospital with a Level I trauma center.
• Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City is a Level II trauma center with 500 beds.