The city of Skiatook was first founded in 1872 by the last hereditary chief of the Cherokee tribe, Native American William C. Rodgers. Rodgers set up a successful trading post business in the area and a post office within the shop--the beginnings of Skiatook in the making. An Osage tribesman by the name of Skiatooka was a frequent trader at the post--and he's regarded as the town's namesake. Now there's a frequent customer reward for you!
Skiatook is a small city community located in the counties of both Osage and Tulsa, Oklahoma in the northeastern part of the state. At the time of the last major census, the total population was at about 7,300 people. The population grew over 37% from the years 2000-2010 and Skiatook has become one of the most popular suburbs in the area. Skiatook is a close suburb of Tulsa, just 20 miles north and west of the city.
Moving to Skiatook, OK
You'll find a variety of options in a generally temperate climate when you're looking for places to rent in Skiatook, OK. Within this rapidly growing community, you'll find condos for rent, rental homes, many the duplex for rent, and a wide variety of single-family homes to choose from as well.
Now about the climate: summers are hot, spring, fall and winter generally cooler. Occasionally there will be winter snow. This isn't the land of billowing snow drifts, but you might want to hang on to your winter coat and boots all the same.
Because Skiatook is a convenient Tulsa suburb and an interesting town in its own right, you should be sure that you give yourself a good chunk of time to find a place in Skiatook. A month will probably do it, but rentals do go quickly, so be prepared to act rapidly when you find the home you want.
Where should you look? Try the local Skiatook newspaper, The Skiatook Journal, or read online listings. Naturally, it's always best to explore neighborhoods on your own. Maybe you're looking to be close to pretty Lake Skiatook, or you'd rather be in the center of town. You won't know for certain until you see for yourself!
What do you need to secure a rental? ID, credit information, and employment and rental history are always necessary to sign a lease these days. You may also need bank statements or W2s.
Neighborhoods
Finding your 'hood in Skiatook is easy with three main areas to choose from. Check out the list below for an overview of your options here:
Route 20/Timberwood: This sprawling Skiatook neighborhood is located on the west side of the city and is a great place to find a mix of single-family homes, condos and apartments to choose from. Residents love easy access to Lake Skiatook and Walnut Creek State Park. Like spacious front yards? This is for you.
Skiatook: The Town Center neighborhood is very centrally located and offers convenient access to downtown Skiatook attractions, such as the Skiatook Museum, City Hall, shops and restaurants like Luigi's Italian, and the green space of Mohawk Park. Potential residents can choose from a number of apartment options as well as single-family homes for rent.
N Cincinnati Avenue/E 176th Street N: Located on the easternmost side of Skiatook, this neighborhood is great for commuters going in and out of Tulsa, but still offers convenient adjacent access to the downtown Skiatook area. The rentals on this side of town are mainly condos and single-family homes that are owner occupied, but some condos and duplexes are available for rent as well.
Life in Skiatook
Do you like nature? Like parks, lakes, trees, open space and natural sunsets? Then you'll like Skiatook. There's a lot to explore and enjoy here. Vast Lake Skiatook is a popular destination for hiking, fishing and boating. There are also several major parks nearby, including Walnut Creek State Park, Mohawk Park, and the stunning Redbud Valley Nature Preserve, which is dedicated to preserving plant and animal life in the region.
Other outdoor attractions include the Arkansas River, Oologah Lake and Chandler Park--so keep those hiking boots at the ready! For those looking to get some time in for sports, you can go for a refreshing swim at the Skiatook Swimming Pool or play a round at the Cedar Crest Golf Course.
There are plenty of things to do indoors in Skiatook as well. The Skiatook Museum offers an inside look into Oklahoma history and art. Or check out the nearby Osage Hotel and Casino of Skiatook--a fun place to let your hair down and play some slots on a Saturday night and listen to some live music or enjoy dinner. Speaking of music, the BOK Center is the perfect venue to hear some great live touring acts or view a sporting event in season.
Skiatook itself hosts a number of fabulous community events throughout the year as well, including a Bluegrass Festival, the Pioneer Days Festival and the Fantasy in The Sky Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration. The Pioneer Days Festival has been a beloved yearly tradition in Skiatook for decades and includes a 5K run/walk, a carnival with rides for kids and adults, games music and a chili cook-off challenge...you better eat up; you'll need to stay strong, because there's still more to do during the festival. There's a parade, old fashioned cowboy rodeo, tractor pull and fireworks display. The Bluegrass Festival takes place each year at the Skiatook Sports Complex and hosts a number of well known bluegrass acts in addition to arts and crafts vendors, food and drink booths, and children's activities. Get ready to embrace this awesome traditional music--put on your dancing shoes! Many people flock to the city each July for the Fantasy in The Sky Celebration. The celebration begins with a city-wide parade, food booths, live music and games, and ends with a spectacular fireworks display at night. The event always takes place the day before the Fourth of July and brings over 75,000 people to Skiatook. But since you live right there in town, you won't have to worry about traffic!
Skiatook is a lovely all-American city with a strong community life and excellent convenience to businesses and attractions in Tulsa. Public transportation is quite decent here and many bus stops run frequently throughout town via the Cimarron Public Transit System. If you're planning to stay within Skiatook, you can get along with or without your own vehicle. If you're planning to commute into Tulsa, however, it may be a good idea to get your own car.
