Tulsa, located along the Arkansas River in the northeast part of the state, is a commercial, industrial, and cultural center for a large agricultural and oil-producing region. Many say it is “where the South meets the West”, mixing characteristics of a traditional, genteel and historic Southern city with the ruggedness, ambitions and appearances of the West.
Not surprisingly, energy is the biggest industry. Several oil and gas companies make Tulsa their home, and some 1,000 more companies have energy-related operations here. This industry is on an uptrend and more recently the economic base has broadened into high-tech, telecommunications, banking, and financial services. The downtown area is prosperous and modern with parks, gardens, and attractive older areas, such as the oil-boom era Art Deco district. Although not the largest city in the state, Tulsa has a full set of performing arts and museums. Excellent suburbs lie east, northeast and south, and Tulsa is coming into its own as a good family city. The low Cost of Living Index makes Tulsa a good value for what is available.
The city of Tulsa lies along the Arkansas River surrounded by gently rolling grassland and hardwood trees, mostly oaks. Tulsa is far enough north to escape long periods of heat in summer and far enough south to miss extreme winter cold. The influence of warm moist air from the Gulf of Mexico often brings high humidity but the climate is essentially continental.
Summers are hot with frequent 100 degree days, but low humidity and southerly breezes can moderate temperatures. Winters are generally mild with temperatures occasionally falling below zero but only for a short time. Falls are long with pleasant, sunny days and cool nights. Precipitation occurs evenly throughout the year, with spring being the wettest. Thunderstorms are common and occasionally severe. Snow is light and remains only for brief periods. First freeze is early November, last is late March.