Senior Living Apartments in Oklahoma City, OK

Most retirees pay for senior apartments like they would any other type of apartment — with personal income sources and savings. Additional financial assistance programs, like veterans and Social Security benefits, can mitigate a senior’s costs of living. Some seniors also use public benefits like Medicare and Medicaid to help pay for in-home health care services.

Here you’ll learn more about the different payment options and how veterans benefits, housing assistance, Medicare, and Medicaid can help you with rental or in-home health care costs.

Senior apartments typically follow regular apartment laws and regulations since they’re not senior care facilities. These regulations help protect your rights, reduce discrimination, and provide safe living environments. You should always get a rental agreement in writing to refer to and use as a guideline for your rights as a tenant.

The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits Oklahoma landlords from discriminating against residents. This Act helps protect you from discrimination regarding race, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, etc. However, most senior apartments in Oklahoma City have a minimum age requirement for their renters. This helps distinguish senior apartments from regular apartments by requiring residents to be aged 55+ or 65+.

What are landlords required to provide?

Landlords in Oklahoma have strict requirements they must follow by law, such as providing a safe, clean, and habitable living environment. This includes keeping the following in good condition:^[03]

• Electrical
• Plumbing, like running water (hot and cold)
• Sanitation, like trash removal
• Heating and air conditioning
• Ventilation and smoke detectors
• Outside areas

Landlords must quickly repair any issues inside the apartment and within common areas. However, landlords must give 24-hour notice before entering an occupied apartment, unless it’s an emergency. Similarly, in public housing HUD’s Real Estate Assessment Center inspections are conducted every one to three years, and landlords must fix any issues that are found during inspections.

What are your rights and responsibilities as a tenant?

While landlords have their own set of rules, so do tenants. As a tenant, you must ensure the previously mentioned utilities provided are maintained and used in a safe manner. Otherwise, a landlord can make a range of requests — from billing you for repairs to terminating your rental agreement.

If your landlord does not provide livable units, repairs, or essential utilities, you may be able to deduct money from your rent (if you repair it yourself), bill your landlord, or terminate the lease. However, this depends on your landlord’s response to your written notice of the current issue and whether the apartment is unlivable.^[03]

Before you make any decisions, it’s a good idea to consult with a local housing association or attorney. This way you can make sure you negotiate the best outcome for yourself according to your lease, so you do not suffer any unforeseen outcomes.

Are storm shelters required in apartment buildings?

While Oklahoma City is located in tornado alley and is in the top three states known for tornadoes, the law does not require storm shelters for commercial or residential buildings. Though it’s not legally required, some senior apartments may still have storm shelters or doors to help protect residents from storms.^[04]

In addition to storm shelters, flooding can be caused by a recent storm. For this reason, landlords must include any flooding within the past five years in your written lease. If this information is not in the lease and a flood occurs during your tenancy, the landlord is liable for flood damages.^[03]

Do Oklahoma City apartments follow the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?

Yes. As federal law mandates, landlords must provide reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. However, a landlord doesn’t have to make accommodations if it will alter programs, create an undue financial burden, or cause an administrative burden. Reasonable accommodations may include but are not limited to the following:

• Reserved accessible parking
• Ramps in entrances and exits
• Grab bars in bathrooms

Additionally, apartment buildings with more than four units built after March 13, 1991, must have accessible designs for the following:^[05]

• Entrances
• Public areas
• Routes through the units
• Light switches
• Outlets
• Thermostats
• Environmental controls

For more information, visit the Office of Disability Concerns resource guide to housing for people with disabilities in Oklahoma.

Can I have a service animal even if my apartments have a no pet policy?

Yes. If you have a disability that requires a service animal, you can request to receive accommodations, even if your complex has a no pet policy. That being said, landlords can request proof of your need for a service animal.^[03]

COVID-19 regulations for Oklahoma City senior apartments

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to relax their COVID-19 guidelines, so do individual states, like Oklahoma. However, the Oklahoma Department of Health (ODOH) has recommendations for high-risk people, like seniors, and for those who test positive for COVID-19.

Seniors are considered at higher risk for severe COVID-19 infection, so the ODOH recommends additional precautions. Higher risk individuals should do the following:^[06]

• Social distance
• Stay away from sick individuals
• Limit close contact
• Wash your hands frequently
• Avoid large crowds

Additionally, the ODOH still recommends everyone continues wearing masks in public, but this is up to each person’s preference and business requirements.

The Oklahoma Department of Health can help you determine how long you should isolate and quarantine through their COVID-19 infection calculator. Below is a summary of Oklahoma’s recommendations for what to do if you test positive for COVID-19.

While there are a limited amount of senior apartments in OKC, many seniors in this area may choose independent living, considering there are more senior living options. That being said, the city still has a small number of senior apartments with a broad range of atmospheres, from affordable to conveniently comfortable. You can find cost-friendly, simple yet safe senior apartments, as well as modern, amenity-filled options. Plus, public housing organizations in Oklahoma City offer access to similar services that are typically provided in an independent living community.

Read on to learn more about what it’s like to retire in an Oklahoma City senior apartment.

Oklahoma City senior apartment general features

Oklahoma City’s senior apartment options maintain a set standard with certain features and amenities. Only a couple apartment complexes offer studios or three-bedroom units; senior apartments in OKC typically offer one- and two-bedroom units with the following features:

• Fully equipped kitchens with a dishwasher, refrigerator, stove, oven, etc.
• On-site laundry facilities or in-unit washer and dryer connections
• Some or all utilities included in the monthly rent

OKC senior apartments do not have consistent standards for parking. Depending on the apartment building, there may be an on-site parking lot or off-street parking. Additionally, most senior apartments in OKC are pet-friendly but have various pet policies and restrictions. So it’s important to ask the landlord about their specific policies, especially if you require a service or therapy pet.

Comfortable senior apartments with extra amenities

Many of these standard apartments also add on some type of feature to combining comfort and convenience. While features depend on the apartment complex, they can all help residents feel at home in their newly downsized living space. Some examples include the following:

• On-site maintenance and landscaping
• Private patios and/or balconies
• Walk-in closest
• High-rise ceilings
• Extra storage space

A majority of the senior apartments in OKC, outside of affordable housing options, go beyond the local standards by adding extra amenities to their buildings and units. These complexes go above and beyond by walking the fine line between independent living and senior apartments. In OKC, you can find age-friendly apartments with these lavish on-site amenities that promote leisure and relaxation:

• Fitness centers
• Swimming pools
• Dog parks
• Libraries
• Computer/business rooms
• Clubhouses

Oklahoma City senior apartment neighborhoods

The small amount of senior apartments in OKC are scattered throughout the area, but most are outside the downtown area. Instead, they are nestled in smaller parts of OKC and the following suburbs:

• Edmond
• Norman
• Moore
• Midwest City

These suburbs are not in view of the city skyline and instead rest in cozy and quaint neighborhoods. As the heart of the Bible Belt, Oklahoma City has churches on nearly every corner, including these suburbs. Our research shows that most OKC senior apartments are nearby at least one church.

Features of OKC’s affordable public housing options for seniors

Oklahoma City has multiple affordable public housing options for senior apartments through the Oklahoma City Housing Authority and Volunteers of America Oklahoma (VOA), a nonprofit organization funded by the federal and state government and various donations. In fact, a majority of senior apartments in Oklahoma City are budget-friendly public housing options. Between the two of these affordable options, there are 10 senior apartments in OKC. These apartments provide typical senior apartment features, like maintenance, utilities, and added security.

Most of these public senior housing options are unfurnished studios with open floor plans and one-bedroom apartments. Additionally, Oklahoma City Housing Authority properties offer access to a service coordinator who can help you find services like the following:

• Social activities
• Housekeeping
• Personal care
• Health services

These properties also have their own senior community center, where you have access to meal programs and planned activities. This is similar to life in an independent living community, just without automatic access to services like meals and housekeeping.

In Oklahoma City, you can find specialized care for common adult conditions and senior care, as well as home health services from these distinguished hospitals. Below are a few of the highly recommended OKC health care options.

Since Oklahoma City is such a large metropolis, most locals have their own means of transportation to get around the area. If you don’t own your own vehicle, there are still ways to get around OKC. A majority of public transportation options are provided through EMBARK — the local transit system with a variety of different options, like the following:

• Local buses. The city has a variety of bus schedules and routes, with a majority running Monday through Sunday.
• EMBARK Plus. This local paratransit service assists those who can’t use other public transportation options due to a disability.
• OKC Streetcar. The OKC Streetcar has two different routes. One is in the downtown area, available every day, and the other is in Bricktown, available on the weekends. The OKC Streetcar offers reduced rates for seniors aged 65+ and those with disabilities.
• Oklahoma River Cruises. This option can get you to various places while offering a beautiful view. The ferry provides five different landings in Bricktown, Regatta Park, Stockyards, Exchange, and Meridian.

While the downtown area of Oklahoma City is easily accessible with a Walk Score of 72, the overall metropolitan area is more difficult. Below are Oklahoma City’s scores out of 100, outlining the ease of ways to get around the city.^[09]

Whether you’re looking for historical museums or exciting water rafting, you’ll find something to enjoy in OKC. Oklahoma City includes something for everyone, from exploring the cowboy heritage to vibrant murals throughout the city. Here you’ll find just a few of the opportunities you can experience when you retire in Oklahoma City.

Senior centers and healthy aging

Oklahoma City recently opened four MAPS 3 Senior Health and Wellness Centers, with the most recent built in 2022. These senior centers offer seniors a place where they can find important services and socialize with peers. While programs depend on the senior center, they all offer a wide range of senior-friendly activities, which can include the following:

• Fitness programs
• Cooking classes
• Arts and crafts
• Pickleball
• Basketball
• Technology classes

Museums

From Western heritage to art galleries, you’ll explore numerous museums in Oklahoma City. The area is mainly known for its cowboy culture. And this culture is highlighted in its National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, affectionately called “The Cowboy.” The next most well-known museum in Oklahoma City is the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and Gaylor Pickens Museum. This museum offers a diverse array of interactive permanent exhibits and ever-changing special exhibits.

You can learn more about art, science, history, and First American cultures by visiting one of the many museums OKC has to offer:

• Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum is a local museum that honors the victims of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building, highlights lessons learned, and gives residents a beautiful place to reflect.
• Science Museum Oklahoma is a classic science museum where seniors can experience exhilarating add-ons like a planetarium, live shows, and the state’s first dome-screen theater.
• Oklahoma City Museum of Art is a local art museum that goes beyond its exhibitions of beautiful portraits and unique statues by adding film screenings, events, and shows each month.
• Skeletons: Museum of Osteology is a unique museum full of over 800 specimens, from Oklahoma wildlife to monkey skeletons.
• First Americans Museum Oklahoma tells the story of 39 different First American Nations that now reside in Oklahoma, so seniors can learn more about local Native American tribes.
• Oklahoma Route 66 Museum is a must-see of the famous open road, Route 66, despite the museum being in Clinton, Oklahoma, which is just a little further from OKC. It has special exhibits, images, information, and a 1950s diner to complete the experience.

Sports fan culture

The locals fiercely support their OKC teams. Whether you’re looking for professional or collegiate teams, Oklahoma City has both. Basketball fans can enjoy supporting the Oklahoma City Thunder, while baseball fans will enjoy the local minor league team, the Dodgers.

Lakes and water activities

While Oklahoma is landlocked, it’s still known for its exciting water activities. One of the most well-known companies to offer water adventures in OKC is Riversport. You’ll be able to enjoy a variety of splashes and calming waters alike with activities like those below:

• Whitewater rafting
• Kayaking
• Tubing
• Paddle boarding

Besides Riversport adventures, the various area lakes enable you to enjoy fishing, boating, and water skiing. OKC is home to three lakes: Lake Hefner, Lake Overholser, and Lake Stanley Draper. However, there are other nearby fishing lakes and ponds as well, including the following:

• Crystal Lake
• Kitchen Lake
• Dolese Youth Park Pond
• Edwards Fishing Pond

Vibrant street art

Oklahoma City was recently ranked No. 1 in the United States for its street art by USA Today readers. Colorful murals are splashed across the city, providing vibrancy for locals and visitors. On every corner, you can find beautiful murals spread throughout districts from Bricktown to Plaza. The Visit Oklahoma City page even has a guide to local street art.

Music venues

As the birthplace of famous country music stars, Oklahoma City has music venues with country music and more. Whether you’re looking for a well-known country music singer or local up-and-coming bands, you’ll find live music to enjoy year-round. Some of the notable live music venues include the following:

• 89th Street
• Civic Center Music Hall
• Oklahoma Opry in Stockyards City
• The Zoo Amphitheatre