35 Degrees North Apartment Homes, an upscale complex, is under construction at 2800 NW 192.

Jake and Kristin Fisher started out their marriage by buying a house — because they didn’t know any better. 

“We felt like that was what we were supposed to do,” Jake Fisher said. “That’s what a married couple did.”

Now they rent an apartment — by choice. 

Others may feel “stuck” in an apartment while home prices spike across the Oklahoma City area. In the past year, prices jumped 15%, according to the Metro Association of Realtors. 

But apartment rents have risen here no more than usual, with one-bedroom units up 3.1% and two-bedroom units up 2.5% year over year, according to Capstone Cos. 

The Fishers have a message for anyone feeling stuck as a renter. 

Apartment life’s not bad. In fact, it can be pretty good.

Renting on purpose

Kristin and Jake Fisher, who owned a home in Norman but now live at Level Urban Apartments at 123 NE 2 in downtown Oklahoma City.

The Fishers, who are in their late 40s, started out in a four-bedroom, two-bath house in Norman. But after several years, work drew them to Oklahoma City. He’s president and a partner in Bridges Strategies & Digital Marketing, just west of downtown. She is an administrator at Westminster School, about 5 miles north. 

They landed in an apartment downtown at what is now Aviare Arts District Apartment Homes.