How do you gauge the activity of the rental market?

[Steven Moore]

I am new at this, and am looking at buying in the Tulsa, OK market from San Diego. I grew up in Tulsa, and it seems like a pretty good market for income property. 

In thinking about parts of town in which to purchase, how do I gauge how likely I am to find renters for my property? Obviously some parts of town are more desirable for renters than others. How do I figure that out? 

Many thanks.