Paul Smith, the man who originally settled Pauls Valley, described the lush green area as "a section where the bottom land was rich and blue stem grass grew so high that a man on horseback was almost hidden in its foliage".
Pauls Valley is a small town in Garvin County, Oklahoma
Paul Smith, the man who originally settled Pauls Valley, described the lush green area as "a section where the bottom land was rich and blue stem grass grew so high that a man on horseback was almost hidden in its foliage".
Pauls Valley is a small town in Garvin County, Oklahoma. It was one of the earliest settlements in the South and the town currently spans 8.4 miles. The area was home to the Chickasaw nation when the aforementioned Paul Smith discovered the lush, green valley and, being so taken with its verdant nature, decided to marry a local Chickasaw woman, become a member of the community, and settle in the area. Since the days of ole' Paul, Pauls Valley has created an economy that is mostly based on agriculture, cattle ranching and oil production. The town has a rich history and currently boasts more brick streets than any other town in the country. According to the 2010 census, Pauls Valley has a population of 6,187 people.
Pauls Valley is a vibrant area with several distinct neighborhoods. Due to the town's small size, you'll be close to everything no matter where you rent in this quirky little town, but it is important to consider what is important to you before you sign the lease.
What You'll Need
Before you start looking for rentals in Pauls Valley, make sure you leave yourself some time to find your dream rental. Again, Pauls Valley is small so most of the housing is made up of owned homes rather than apartments for rent but don't despair, dear renter, because there are several nice apartments for rent and houses for rent within city limits, just be sure to leave yourself enough time to find the one you love.
Hoover/Brady Neighborhood: This neighborhood is located South of the City Center. The area is rich with walking trails and is only a short drive from the banks of Oknoname Reservoir and a tasty little bakery called Field's Pies.
City Center: Since 12 blocks of the downtown business district are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, living in City Center will give you access to beautiful brick buildings and historical attractions. Additionally, being downtown puts you close to the Amtrak Station and a quirky, much-loved barbeque place called Bob's Pig Shop. Most of the homes in the City Center are owned rather than rented, so it can be somewhat difficult (but not impossible) to find an apartment or rental home here.
Tanglewood: This neighborhood is just a bit West of downtown and it's great for those who would like to enjoy the feel of country living. This area is mostly comprised of owned homes so it can be a bit difficult to find a rental, so put on your persistent detective persona and be prepared for some work.
Top Apartment Communities
Pleasant View Apartments: This apartment complex is located in the Hoover/Brady Neighborhood and offers one- and two-bedroom apartments. The units are close to the hospital, the historical Bethlehem Cemetery and a great barbeque joint known as Stevenson's BBQ.
Town Oaks IV Apartments: These apartments are located several blocks from the City Center. They are only blocks from beautiful Rush Creek and in the same neighborhood as Jackson School. Living here also means you'll get to pay frequent visits to Al's Smoked Meats, a wonderful local butcher shop a few blocks away.
Sandpiper Apartments: These apartments are located near the airport and although you won't find all bills paid apartments here, these units do allow easy access to I-35, which is great for commuters. An added bonus -- they're only a few blocks from Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Store -- the perfect way to beat Oklahoma's summer heat.
Pauls Valley may be small, but it is packed full of things to do. Grab your fishing pole and head out to Pauls Valley City Lake or release your inner child at the famous Toy and Action Figure Museum. If you're more of a history buff, head down to the Santa Fe Depot Museum where you can see a beautifully restored steam engine from 1902. When you've had enough exploring, finish the day off with dinner at Punkin's Bar-B-Que and Catfish Restaurant, which draws diners from all over Oklahoma.
