Edgewater/Lakepointe - Oklahoma City, OK

Construction of the man-made Lake Hefner ended in 1947, and developers soon began building houses along its banks. While development continues in the area, residents and organizations such as Friends of Lake Hefner work to limit industrial encroachment and preserve the original serenity of the lakeside community.

Edgewater Lakepointe lies within 10 miles of Oklahoma City’s many museums, including the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, the Science Museum Oklahoma and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

Edgewater Lakepointe residents need never go hungry with an array of restaurants serving everything from home-style cooking and barbecue to vegetarian dining and international cuisine. Most area restaurants operate near the Northwest Expressway, though several lie right on the banks of Lake Hefner.

Overlooking Lake Hefner, Hefner Grill creates a sophisticated atmosphere perfect for romantic dinners, business lunches and small banquets. Serving a selection of gourmet seafood dishes, including cedar plank salmon and pecan crusted trout, as well as other signature dishes such as pan-fried chicken and vegetarian pastas, Hefner Grill serves something to suit every palate. The private dining room accommodates groups of up to 55 for everything from sales meetings to wedding rehearsal dinners.

Green & Grilled serves fresh local foods with no GMO or processed ingredients. The extensive menu proves pleasing to both vegetarians and meat eaters, with the grilled tofu and bacon spinach salad consistently proving the most popular dishes. Minimalist décor featuring panoramic photos of rolling grasslands creates a soothing atmosphere to sit and enjoy a meal, while the restaurant’s catering services bring food to any event.

Gyros Etc brings Mediterranean cuisine to the neighborhood. In addition to the signature gyros, the restaurant draws customers back with the falafel, cabbage rolls and baklava. Hidden away in a small storefront, the restaurant offers limited seating, but diners can always count on a quick takeout order.

Henry Hudsons Pub serves as the neighborhood bar. With a selection of domestic beers as well as over 30 specialty brews, the pub provides an unpretentious atmosphere to try a new brand. Alongside the full bar, Henry Hudsons also serves a menu of standard pub fare such as chicken fingers and burgers, as well as original dishes, including fried tacos. A constantly changing schedule of events, including live music, make the pub an entertaining night spot.

A sprawling neighborhood away from city center, Edgewater Lakepointe proves unaccommodating of pedestrians. Bike lanes run around the lake, but no bike lanes exist on main roads or near centers of commerce, making commuting by bike difficult. Living in the area requires a car, but fortunately drivers find ample free parking everywhere. The neighborhood lies 2.5 miles from I-40, offering direct access to downtown Oklahoma City.

Local bus service, EMBARK, operates one bus route near the neighborhood into downtown. Taxi services pick up passengers who call ahead, but hailing a cab proves impossible. Uber and Lyft both provide alternatives to traditional taxi services to Edgewater Lakepointe residents.

Stars & Stripes Park located on Lake Hefner offers fishing docks and a covered pavilion on the lake. The park also features a range of athletic facilities, including baseball and softball fields, basketball courts and walking trails. The annual Sandridge Stars & Stripes River Festival, held around Independence Day, features rowing and paddleboat races, live music and fireworks displays.

Lake Hefner Park, located on the southeast side of the lake, features a dog park with separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, as well as a dog-washing station.

The Children’s Park caters to younger kids. Located near the lake but not directly on its banks, children can enjoy the view without parents having to worry about them getting too close to the water. Playground equipment lets kids climb, slide and swing, while wide-open fields provide the perfect place to play ball or fly a kite.

The cost of living in Edgewater Lakepointe runs lower than the average Oklahoma City cost of living, with housing costs being the primary contributing factor. A typical Edgewater Lakepointe apartment rents for $596 per month, compared to the average Oklahoma City price of $726.

Riding the bus to downtown costs $1.75 each way, or commuters can purchase daily unlimited passes for $4, weekly for $14, or monthly for $50. Seniors, children and people with disabilities can purchase all passes and single-fare tickets for half price. Commuters traveling by car find gas prices run 15 percent lower than the national average.

Local pubs routinely offer $2 beer specials.

The area in and around Edgewater Lakepointe features a wide range of shopping options, ranging from malls dominated by big box stores to a variety of local boutiques and services. The primary retail districts lie along Northwest Expressway and May Avenue.

The trendy boutique Blue Seven sells an eclectic blend of apparel, home décor and gifts. Specializing in unique and locally made goods, customers at Blue Seven find merchandise ranging from kitschy gifts such as Oklahoma-themed magnetic poetry sets to high-end fashions, including organic twill jeans.

With a spacious showroom and knowledge staff, Bike One supplies the needs of area cyclists. Providing custom bike fittings, the shop ensures that everyone from novice recreational cyclists to pros find the equipment best suited to their needs and body type. An on-site service center, employing bicycle mechanics with a combined 50 years of experience, services all makes of bikes.

Crest Foods, Sprouts and Homeland serve as the primary neighborhood grocers, while Akins Natural Foods sells organic foods and nutritional supplements, and Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store provides local dairy products. The OSU-OKC Farmers Public Market, located about six miles down I-44, serves as the nearest farmers market. Open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the market stocks fresh local produce, meats, pecans, and honey along with handmade crafts.