Kingfish Bay
Calabash, North Carolina
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
What It Is Like to Retire in Bartlesville
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 northeastern 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. Photo of Downtown Bartlesville courtesy of Wikipedia and Justin Cozart, Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0/
Where to Retire in Bartlesville and Home Prices
There is at least one development for active adults (see listing at top left). However there are many nice neighborhoods where the oil executives live.
According to Zillow, the median home value in mid-2021 was $175,000, about half the national median.
What Is Special about Bartlesville
• Only Frank Lloyd Wright skyscraper, the Price Building • A city with unusually strong cultural facilities • Price Arts Center • Jo Allyn Lowe Park and arboretum • 11 mile Pathfinder-Parkway (bike and walking paths connecting parks and running along the Canal) • Two colleges • Near the Ozark mountains • Bartlesville Community Center
What Is Not Special about Bartlesville
Other than being somewhat remote, it doesn't seem to have many drawbacks, provided that you like small towns.
Who Will Like Retirement in Bartlesville
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.
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.
Climate and Physical Environment
Bartlesville is located near the northeast corner of Oklahoma near Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas. The Ozark Mountains are just a short distance away. Summers are hot with average temperatures in the 80's and 90's; winters can get into the 20's and 30's. There is a lot of nice vegetation in the form of trees and grass
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
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 was dedicated to art, architecture, and design with frequent exhibitions, but is no longer there.
Crime
The crime rate is below the national average.
Medical facilities
Jane Phillips Medical Center, named after the wife of Phillips Oil's founder, serves Bartlesville. With 103 beds, it is part of the St. John's Health System in Tulsa.
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.
Comments on "Bartlesville"
Admin says:
Sad news in Bartlesville is that Frank Lloyd Wright's masterfull skyscraper (and his only one) is in trouble. After it became the PriceTower Arts Center and a hotel, its financial woes forced a sale to a local couple with big plans to save it. Unfortunately that has not worked out, and who knows what will become of this iconic towner in downtown Bartlesville. It is now on the auction block and some of its precious furnishings have been sold off. See https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/30/arts/design/frank-lloyd-wright-skyscraper-price-tower.html?unlocked_article_code=1.PE4.lkE3.BFdqhe6UmxKJ&smid=url-share