Relocation to Olathe (Overland Park, Lenexa, Prairie Village: real estate, affordable apartments, rentals)

[cyerby]

I have accepted a job in Olathe, Kansas. I will be moving from SC. I have some questions and need your advice. First, I need suggestions for temporary housing. I'll need a place to stay when I first get to the Olathe area. I am open to any suggestions, safe appartments, hotels, B&B...I'd like any and all ideas from you all. Keep in mind it's temporary, so low cost is most important.

Second, I'd like suggestions on nice subdivisions in the area..Olathe, Overland Park, Gardner, etc. Convient to 151st and I-35 in Olathe is key. I don't mind a short drive if I can get a little more for my money out of town. I'm looking for 3+ bedrooms a basement and something under 170,000. I am open to, in fact I think I'd prefer, older more established areas over new stuff. Good schools...that will always help re-sale value. I'd love to hear areas you all reccomend, from city level down to specific subdivisions.

Thanks in advance for your replies!

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by cyerby

I have accepted a job in Olathe, Kansas. I will be moving from SC. I have some questions and need your advice. First, I need suggestions for temporary housing. I'll need a place to stay when I first get to the Olathe area. I am open to any suggestions, safe appartments, hotels, B&B...I'd like any and all ideas from you all. Keep in mind it's temporary, so low cost is most important.



Second, I'd like suggestions on nice subdivisions in the area..Olathe, Overland Park, Gardner, etc. Convient to 151st and I-35 in Olathe is key. I don't mind a short drive if I can get a little more for my money out of town. I'm looking for 3+ bedrooms a basement and something under 170,000. I am open to, in fact I think I'd prefer, older more established areas over new stuff. Good schools...that will always help re-sale value. I'd love to hear areas you all reccomend, from city level down to specific subdivisions.

Thanks in advance for your replies!

I am not sure I will be able to help you with your first question, but apartment rentals are affordable comapred with other metro areas. I would avoid renting near Downtown Olathe because those neighborhoods aren't as nice for the most part.

In terms of nice subdivisions I would definitely avoid most of the newer ones. The quality is generally subpar, and they throw up the houses in short periods of time. I would recommend older established neighborhoods in Overland Park north of 103rd street. I would look at Nall Hills or maybe Brookridge, although that is more in the 200K+ range. Those two neighborhoods are about 40 years old. All of the areas in Overland Park are convenient to highways and should be about a 20 minute drive to I-35 and 151st in Olathe.

[cyerby]

Thank you for the info. Keep it coming everyone!

[2005hawk]

There are many affordable apartments in Olathe that would work well for your temporary housing. There arent many in west Olathe, but near Santa Fe & I-35, there are many options. There are also many near 119th & Strang Line (near 119th & I-35), but these are a little more expensive because they are newer developments. Most apartments in this area will run $600 per month and up. The area near I-35 and & Santa Fe will be a little more affordable.

As far as buying a home, there are many good schools in Johnson County Kansas, so you really cant go wrong with that. Some districts are better than others, but they are all good. Olathe District Schools are among the best. If you want to live in an old or historic neighborhood, your out of luck in Olathe. There are some old neighborhoods dating from the mid to late 1800s near to downtown, but they are not very well-kept. If you're looking for established neighborhoods (as opposed to old neighborhoods) there are plenty in Olathe, particularly in the area bounded by I-35 on the west, Santa Fe on the north, Ridgeview on the east and 151st Street on the south. If you dont want the newest suburban starter-home style development, avoid Gardner.

If you're willing to drive, try the mid-section of Overland Park or Lenexa (somewhere between 75th & 95th Streets). Northeast Johnson County like Prairie Village and Fairway are very very nice, but that would be a 20 minute drive from Olathe, so that might be pushing it for a regular commute.

Welcome to Kansas.

[2005hawk]

I have a correction...

In my reference to a good established neighborhood in your price range in Olathe, I meant to suggest the area bounded by Santa Fe on the north, I-35 on the west, Mur Len on the east and 151st Street on the south.

Instead I said Ridgeview on the east.... Ridgeview would be to the west of this area. Sorry about that!

[cyerby]

Thank you for the advice 2005Hawk!

[Steve Kornspan]

Don't get too concerned about old and new in Olathe. There are many very nice, newer subdivisions in Olathe. Unfortunately, due to the rise in building costs the new home prices have gone up much faster than resale homes. It could be hard to find anything under 10 years old in the 170 price range. But over 200K there are some nice newer homes.

The real key about Olathe is WATCH THE TRAIN TRACKS. Not that one side is better or worse thant he other, but you might not want to be too close, due to noise considerations. Midwesterners tend to be sensitive to noise and the tracks run rught through town.

I'd be glad to help with some subdivisions and more specifics if you like. Or you can search the area on my website, I am a real estate specialist in this area.

google kornspan olathe or ([MODCUT] Send a Direct Message to others regarding real estate in the area if they request it.)

Good Luck and Welcome to town. You are going to enjoy it here.

Steve