Tulsa is a city of over 400,000 people that lies between the Southwest and Midwest. The city has been described as "a blend of the best of urban and rural America." The skyline is evidence of the health of corporate Tulsa. More than 50 major companies are headquartered here. Yet quiet, bungalow-lined streets exist just a few blocks away from the city bustle The most important attribute of any city is its people. To say that Tulsans are friendly is an understatement. This is a place where people wave and say "good morning" as they pass you on the bicycle trail, or greet you by name on campus. The favorable weather allows for a variety of activities at the city's hundreds of parks and nearby lakes, where you can enjoy boating and jet skiing. Some parks are rugged, tempting the brave with rock climbing, while others feature formal gardens. Rollerblading and bicycling are popular activities along Tulsa's River Parks, a well-developed system of jogging trails along the Arkansas River. City slickers can take advantage of horseback riding, and still catch experimental theater in the park during the evening. Two of the city's favorite pastimes are music and food. Tulsa is one of the smallest cities in the nation to support professional, full-time ballet and opera companies, and a symphony orchestra. Tulsa Opera consistently ranks among the top 10 regional opera companies in the nation. Tulsa Ballet Theater tours nationally and has been critically acclaimed by publications such as The New York Times. Tulsa is home to two world-class art museums. The Philbrook Museum of Art contains renowned collections of Native American, Renaissance, European, American, African, and Southeast Asian art, and is ranked among the nation's top 75 art museums by the American Association of Museums. The Gilcrease Museum boasts one of the world's largest and most prestigious collections of Western and Native American art and artifacts. Students are admitted free to both museums. The city is served by several major airlines at Tulsa International Airport, and is a short trip from Dallas, Chicago, Kansas City, and St. Louis. It would be impossible to enumerate all the advantages of living in Tulsa. The city is recognized for its high quality of life and abundance of recreational opportunities.