It takes a village to raise a family.
There was a time when home was the heart of a community. Neighbors knew each other by name, and front porches were meant for rocking chairs, sweet tea and conversation that stretched into the evening. Backyards were filled with the smell of barbecue and the sound of laughter. In the summertime, kids ran barefoot through the grass, cooled off in the sprinkler and chased fireflies as the sun faded into the night.
Back in the day, life felt simpler—before schedules stretched past sundown and the world felt a little less familiar.
Yet, in a small but growing community south of Norman, many are discovering that a way of life once thought lost is still within reach.
Located 10 minutes from central Norman, 15 minutes from Newcastle and a half-hour or so from Oklahoma City, the New Urbanism community of Selah “is the way communities were originally designed,” said Kalyn Stropes, director of sales for Selah Realty.
“From the very beginning, Selah’s visionaries and developers, Brett and Tina Adkins, set out to create a community where everyone feels welcome and connected. Many homes feature spacious front porches designed for gathering, while block parties bring neighbors together in a way that feels both natural and timeless.”
The community’s name, Selah, is derived from a Hebrew blessing found in Psalms, focusing on sustainability, agrarian urbanism and community building.
“Selah feels safer for your kids to run around and play in,” Kalyn said, noting that all entry points in Selah are gated.
“Whether you are tucked in the woods in a cottage or have a 2-acre lot with a pool, everyone is able to live life having fun at the amenities our community provides,” she said.
“In Selah, there really is such a wonderful variety of options in housing,” Kalyn said. “We have small condos that reside over commercial space, called “Liveworks”. We also have townhomes that can be purchased or leased.”
Selah is thoughtfully designed into distinct villages, each offering a unique living experience. Cottage Woods and Storybrooke feature charming homes ranging from 900 to 2,000 square feet, while the Sweetwater District offers mid-sized residences between 2,000 and 3,500 square feet. For those seeking more space, The Vineyards and East Ridge boast half-acre lots along Selah’s border or overlooking the vineyards, with Estate Homes ranging from 3,200 to 4,500 square feet.
Estate Homes can also be found in Selah’s Entry District, welcoming residents and guests into the heart of the community.
For those who prefer a custom-built home, The Acres district offers 1- to 2-acre lots, allowing for even larger estate homes with space for a shop. And with future phases already in the works, Selah’s vision continues to grow, offering even more opportunities to find your place in this thoughtfully crafted community.
“We have numerous residents currently living in Selah who purchased their lot and built custom. We have 14 more customs being built this year. The buyer just has to work with our architects and choose a builder from our builders’ guild,” Kalyn noted.
Architecture in Selah “is unlike any other community in Oklahoma,” Kalyn observed. “Our architects specifically design for New Urbanism communities all over the U.S. Our plans provide more windows to provide more natural light, larger islands, hidden pantries or rooms, etc. Our exterior designs are meant to be timeless. We don’t follow trends, we stick to our new urbanism roots to allow our homes to not age’ over time.”
Though Selah is just a short drive from Norman and the greater OKC metro, residents will soon find little need to leave for everyday essentials and conveniences.
The community already features a variety of amenities, including Pryor’s Pizza Kitchen, a family-friendly restaurant with an outdoor playground, pickleball and ping pong, and live music. Sip at Selah, a boutique coffee shop, offers craft coffee, tea and grab-and-go options, while The Reserve at Selah provides an elegant venue for private events and gourmet dinners.
And the community continues to grow—later this year, work will begin on Founder’s Market, a boutique grocery store designed to bring everyday essentials even closer to home. With more additions planned for the future, Selah is shaping into a destination where everything you need is just around the corner.
“A huge misconception about Selah is that you have to have a million dollars to live here,” Kalyn concluded. “That is not true. You may need to rent while you save; we have options for that. You may want to start small and let the equity in your home grow so you can build bigger in a few years; we can set you up for that as well! Selah Homes appreciate at a quicker rate due to the amenities being added to our development. You really cannot go wrong by buying now and getting almost immediate equity!”
To learn more about Selah, visit SelahOK.com. To schedule a tour of the community and to learn about the various housing options available to you, call 405.267.HOME
Did You Know?
Selah is designed as a New Urbanism community, emphasizing sustainable living, walkability and a mix of land uses. The community features acres of preserved green space with miles of nature trails connecting homes, restaurants, arts and businesses.
Selah offers a variety of housing options to suit different lifestyles. From cozy cottages in Storybrooke Village to elegant estate homes in The Vineyards Estates, and traditional family settings in Sweetwater Village, there’s a place for everyone.
Residents and visitors can enjoy amenities like Pryor's Pizza Kitchen, a family-friendly restaurant with an outdoor playground and live music; Sip at Selah, a boutique coffee shop; and The Reserve at Selah, an elegant event venue.
Our architects specifically design for New Urbanism communities all over the U.S.
A huge misconception about Selah is that you have to have a million dollars to live here.