Bartlesville : Oklahoma

What Bartlesville is like for active adults

One of the world’s top Mozart Festivals, Frank Lloyd Wright’s only skyscraper, an Arts Center, a stunning Community Center, plus 2 college campuses – these are just some of the surprising treasures in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. This small town of 34,000 in northern Oklahoma is greatly underappreciated as a retirement community for active adults. The town got its start when the Phillips Petroleum Company (now part of Conoco) began here in 1905 – when Oklahoma was still an Indian Territory. Frank Phillips’ vision and money has resulted in a livable city with cultural treasures unusual for a town of this size.

Price Tower is the only Frank Lloyd Wright skyscraper ever built, according to the Wikipedia. One of his disciplines, William Wesley Peters, designed the stunning Bartlesville Community Center. Among many other events held here is the annual OK Mozart International Festival, which attracts world class performers for the week long event. Frank Phillips’ home and ranch is now a museum run by the Oklahoma Historical Society. Two colleges are in town: Oklahoma Wesleyan University and Rogers State University, Bartlesville. The town is only 40 miles from Tulsa and just a short drive to the Ozark Mountains. Bartlesville is located in Washington County.

There is at least one development for active adults (see listing at top right). However there are many nice neighborhoods where the oil executives live. According to City-Data the median selling price of a home in late 2009 was about $120,000, although Zillow suggests the average listing price of a home was below $100,000.

Edit | History

What is special about this retirement community

• Only Frank Lloyd Wright skyscraper, the Price Building • A city with unusually strong cultural facilities • Price Arts Center • Jo Allyn Lowe Park and arboretum • Pathfinder_Parkway (bike and walking paths) • Two colleges • Near the Ozark mountains • Bartlesville Community Center

Edit | History

What is not special about this retirement community

Other than being somewhat remote, it doesn’t seem to have many drawbacks, provided that you like small towns.

Edit | History

What kinds of people like retiring here

Bartlesville attracts a community of retirees who want to live in a small town with unusually strong cultural and community facilities. Working age people like it here too, particularly business execs. Use this link for a page that explains the various types of retirement communities

Edit | History

Local economy is driven by

Bartlesville's economy is vital and primarily driven by Conoco Phillips, which has more than 1000 employees here in its headquarters. Wal-Mart has administrative offices and a distribution center with 1000 employees. Bartlesville is a good place for active adults to work or volunteer in retirement due to the presence of some large employers and many cultural organizations. Costs tend to be low.

Edit | History

Climate and Physical Environment

Bartlesville is located near the northwest corner of Oklahoma near Kansas. The Ozark Mountains are just a short distance away.

Edit | History

Cultural environment

The Bartlesville Community Center (94,000 square feet) is one of the country’s top venues for arts and entertainment. Theater Bartlesville, Bartlesville Civic Ballet, and the top Bartlesville Symphony perform here. The Community Center has an Auditorium, Galleries, Outdoor Photography, 1700 seat Studio Theatre, and Community Hall. Its Broadway in Bartlesville Season offers plays, opera, and many other high level entertainments. The Price Tower Arts Center in Frank Lloyd Wright’s skyscraper is dedicated to art, architecture, and design with frequent exhibitions. The Tower even has an Inn!

Edit | History

Medical facilities

Jane Phillips Medical Center, named after the wife of Phillips Oil's founder.

Edit | History

Transportation

Bartlesville Municipal has a 6200 ft. paved airstrip. Tulsa International Airport is 40 miles. Public transportation available through CityRide (918) 336-2233. TThe Interstate is about 40 miles to the south.

Edit | History

Was this review helpful?

Yes

Please share your opinions on this community in the Forum
Register to become a Site Guide to Edit these sections or Add a Community If you have suggestions on how Topretirements.com could improve these reviews, contact us.
Suggest a community we want to know about your top retirement spots

Please note that all contributions to Topretirements may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you don't want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then don't submit it here. By submitting content and/or photographs here you agree to give Topretirements.com the rights to use them in any manner without cost or attribution.You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Project:Copyrights for details). DO NOT SUBMIT COPYRIGHTED WORK WITHOUT PERMISSION!

Forward to a Friend | print

Facts about BARTLESVILLE

State: OK
Environment: College Town,Small Town,
City Population: 25,001-50,000
Median age of Population: 25-44
Avg Jan Temperature: 21-40
Median HH Income: 41,001-60,000
Average Home Price (MLS): $100,000-$200,000
Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: NA
Total Crime Index: <80 (Very low)
Cost of Living Index:
Culture Index: 111-120 (high)
State Sales Tax:
State Income Tax:
Name of the Guide: boomer1

Can you add to or correct these Facts? Or do you have a photo of this community we could use? If so, please click on Edit these facts

Add Your City Photo here

Vote on the Ratings for Bartlesville

Total Ratings

1. Overall Retirement Ratings Discuss

Currently 0.00>/5
1
2
3
4
5