Mustang is the story of the little town that could. Once known as the Garden of Eden, because the land here was so fertile and great for growing crops, it lost everything when the rich topsoil was destroyed forever during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. But that wasn't the end for this little Oklahoma town.
Although decimated due to the Great Depression and Dust Bowl of the '30s, Mustang saw a population boom of over 1,200 percent between 1960 and 1970
Mustang is the story of the little town that could. Once known as the Garden of Eden, because the land here was so fertile and great for growing crops, it lost everything when the rich topsoil was destroyed forever during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. But that wasn't the end for this little Oklahoma town.
Although decimated due to the Great Depression and Dust Bowl of the '30s, Mustang saw a population boom of over 1,200 percent between 1960 and 1970. While this meteoric rise in residents has not yet and likely never will be mirrored, a continuous growth in the number of residents in the area proves that there's just something about Mustang that people cannot get enough of.
Mustang is only minutes from the population center of Oklahoma City, but its smaller population avoids the typical undesirable aspects sometimes seen in larger cities. This quickly growing city is perfect for those who want to find apartments that are close to everything in large cities but far enough away to avoid the downfalls of actually living in one. Don't get too excited, though; if you don't properly prepare for the move, you could be sent on your merry little way.
When to start looking
You definitely want to give yourself at least a couple of months to look for places to live in Mustang. This will give you time to scout out different areas and actually find a place, and trust me, finding a place definitely won't be the easiest thing you ever do. The population here has grown pretty consistently since 1990, and it's become difficult for the supply of everything from apartments to townhouses for rent to keep up with demand. The bright side in all of this? About one of every four residents in Mustang is a renter, so you can rest assured that you'll be in good company. And if you don't like your neighbors, at least you're still in a pretty cool town.
When to make the move
You should probably aim for between March and May or September and November. Mustang is one of the special cities in America that can experience extreme high temperatures during the summer, hitting 113 degrees at one point in 1936, and extreme low temperatures during the winter, actually dropping to -17 degrees back in 1899. Your best bet of avoiding sweltering temperatures of icy roads during either of these seasons is to avoid both of them altogether. Of course, you could just ignore this advice and go whenever you want, but don't blame us for your heat stroke or frostbite.
What to bring along
Certain areas of Oklahoma City are the places to go if you're looking to get into any old apartment or house to rent, but if you want a great place with added safety, you want to aim for Mustang. This means showing up to your renter interview with referrals from former landlords and a good explanation if you don't have any. If you don't really have any rental experience, you should note this, but come prepared with proof of income and even a credit check to let them know that you're responsible. Okay, maybe you're not that responsible, but when you become an adult, you've at least got to become good at faking it!
Whether you're looking for a large house or just a studio for rent, you can bet that just about every area of Mustang has what you're looking for. Oh, and you should take a look at Mustang's perimeter shape. It's a perfect rectangle with intersecting highways, so you can easily divide the city up into quadrants and make your decision on where to live based on those specific areas. Or you could just throw a dart at a map of the city and go from there. Either way, you'll find some pretty nifty things around.
Northeastern Mustang: This area has several residential communities, and you'll even find nice parks around such as Curtis Park. Don't fret, though; you're also right next to Silver Shopping Center. A perfect combination of industry and nature!
Southwestern Mustang: The subdivisions and areas in this quadrant of Mustang have large yards and plenty of wide open space. In addition, they've also got Lakehoma Acres Lake and Mustang Lake Number 1. Hey, don't look at us; we don't name them.
Northwestern Mustang: If you're in the western part of this area, around North Clear Springs Road, you've got an insane amount of open space. If you're further east, you're closer to your neighbors, but you've also got Wild Horse Park where the aquatic center, community center, and even an awesome climbing wall are located.
Southeastern Mustang: This area is intersected by Highway 4, and this makes it quite simple to hit Interstate 44 and head south. On top of that, you'll find various housing choices, whether you're looking for a large home or just a 1 bedroom apartment for rent, along with Meadow Brook Park and Meadows Park.
There's not much to dislike about Mustang. It's a quiet little peaceful community getaway from the headaches of the big city. Don't get all emotional on us, but it's sort of like seeing an old homestead movie from the '50s. All right, you can shed a tear. The beauty and tranquility of the area, though, isn't its only draw. If it were, people could just live in the forest, although there aren't many of those around Oklahoma in general.
In-Your-Face History
Mustang is a history lesson in and of itself, but they've got a few places you can check out for a more focused approach. Check out the Mustang Historical Society attractions and the Mustang Veterans Memorial.
Peaceful Yet Happening
People come to Mustang for the peace and quiet it offers away from Oklahoma City. This doesn't mean the larger city isn't necessary, though; in fact, many people take refuge in Mustang after working all day in the city. In fact, it's actually known as a bedroom community.
Pet Lovers Rejoice
Plenty of townspeople head to Wild Horse Park to take in the beauty of their city, and fortunately, they can take their little family members with them. The Mustang Dog Park is actually within the more popular park.
Camping in the Great Plains
There aren't many chances for camping in Mustang unless you live in one of the areas with vast amounts of open land. Just a few minutes away, though, you can enjoy the outdoors at Council Road RV Park.
