Apartment Hunting in Overland Park (Kansas City, Topeka: apartment complex, to rent, crime)

[tumbleweedhips]

I am moving to Overland Park for work from Central Florida. I have been on apartment rating.com and seen some really alwful comments about nearly every single apartment complex in Overland Park. It seems like people have a lot of really bad things to say about almost every place, or the apartments all look the same, cookies cutter apartments. My question is, are there any good places for a single twenty something to live in Overland that has a little bit of character and style? At first I was thinking about living in Kansas City MO and commuting, but I hear that the taxes would be brutal.... is that true?
I guess my question is two fold, where are some nice reasonable places to rent in Overland Park or is it better to live in Kansas City and commute? (remember in Central Florida we have to drive loong distances to get anywhere so that is not an issue!)

Thanks so much!

[denverian]

Originally Posted by tumbleweedhips

I am moving to Overland Park for work from Central Florida. I have been on apartment rating.com and seen some really alwful comments about nearly every single apartment complex in Overland Park. It seems like people have a lot of really bad things to say about almost every place, or the apartments all look the same, cookies cutter apartments. My question is, are there any good places for a single twenty something to live in Overland that has a little bit of character and style? At first I was thinking about living in Kansas City MO and commuting, but I hear that the taxes would be brutal.... is that true?
I guess my question is two fold, where are some nice reasonable places to rent in Overland Park or is it better to live in Kansas City and commute? (remember in Central Florida we have to drive loong distances to get anywhere so that is not an issue!)

Thanks so much!

I know a lot of the older apartment complexes in northern OP and surrounding areas seem to have turned into total dumps. I've noticed many have become what appears to be illegal alien complexes (I can't say for sure, but when everyone is only speaking a foreign language, I'm guessing illegal - based a lot on my own experience in California in the '90s too)

You're not going to find old, architecturally interesting apartment buildings in OP either. Your best bet is going to be something newer and cookie cutter in southern OP. Or urban KCMO if you prefer a more urban lifestyle. The commute isn't that bad, but I don't know about taxes. If you're renting, does that matter?

[tumbleweedhips]

Thanks so much, Denverian! I guess my biggest question about making the commute from Kansas City to Overland would be winter driving and or driving in snow and sleet not something I have too much practice with! I will take my search back to Kansas City MO and skip Overland for now!

[denverian]

Originally Posted by tumbleweedhips

Thanks so much, Denverian! I guess my biggest question about making the commute from Kansas City to Overland would be winter driving and or driving in snow and sleet not something I have too much practice with! I will take my search back to Kansas City MO and skip Overland for now!

Personally, I think if you're young and single, KCMO is the place to be. You'll end up there most weekends anyway. The commute also depends on where your job is - Corporate Woods area would be further, but KC traffic is nothing compared to most cities. I forget how much it snows in KC - I live in Denver and haven't been there in the winter in many years.

[tumbleweedhips]

my job is around 91 and metcalf in overland park..... i was thinking mainly about looking in the garment/crossroads districts in downtown kansas city since it is about 20 minutes or so from work and i wouldn't have to take the highways to get back and forth in case the weather gets rough.... do you know of any other spots to look or avoid in kansas city?

thanks!

[2005hawk]

Overland Park is a suburb which is something I am sure you'd be used to being from Central Florida. The term "ghetto" is all relative. If one has lived their entire life in a place like Overland Park, then I am sure they may think that parts of the city are ghetto. I personally do not find any parts of OP to be ghetto, though some parts are nicer than others. If you want to live in a place where you'll be around more people your age, and closer to nightlife and in a walkable urban area, try the the west plaza area in KCMO or the area between the plaza and downtown. The garment district is right downtown, so that would be a 15 mile commute either way, but as you pointed out, you dont mind a commute too much. There are certainly a number of young professionals that live in OP, but you wont find a very urban lifestyle there. Good luck with the move.

[Isaiah30:18]

Originally Posted by 2005hawk

---- I personally do not find any parts of OP to be ghetto, though some parts are nicer than others. If you want to live in a place where you'll be around more people your age, and closer to nightlife and in a walkable urban area, try the the west plaza area in KCMO or the area between the plaza and downtown.
---- There are certainly a number of young professionals that live in OP, but you wont find a very urban lifestyle there. Good luck with the move.

Please, could you describe more specifically what you mean by "urban"? I know how others mean it, but want to be sure, as I'm considering relocation places, like Omaha and Nashville.

I'm not into bars, etc. To me a city is best with lots of art galleries, non-frou-frou restaurants, parks, great shopping, lovely architecture.
I've already read the forums about Topeka's architecture. (I've lived in other countries, too, so lovely architecture I consider to be anything from historic DT Denver to Venice, Italy and everything in between.)

Maybe there's s.thing in between KC & OP that's a little under-rated? Thank you for any leads.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Isaiah30:18

Please, could you describe more specifically what you mean by "urban"? I know how others mean it, but want to be sure, as I'm considering relocation places, like Omaha and Nashville.

I'm not into bars, etc. To me a city is best with lots of art galleries, non-frou-frou restaurants, parks, great shopping, lovely architecture.
I've already read the forums about Topeka's architecture. (I've lived in other countries, too, so lovely architecture I consider to be anything from historic DT Denver to Venice, Italy and everything in between.)

Maybe there's s.thing in between KC & OP that's a little under-rated? Thank you for any leads.

In terms of architecture I don't care for many of the newer houses at all. I think a lot of the new construction is very cookie cutter. KC is very middle of the road in terms of architecture. The Plaza is obviously the crown jewel of KC in terms of nice architecture.

[christopherj]

As a resident of Overland Park, Kansas for the past30 years I can't think of anywhere I would rather live! Central in the USA you can get anywhere from here roughly in equal time. The city has a good mayor and we keep t cleaner than many. The complex I live in I have been in since 1995 and have never had a problem with neighbors or the complex owners. My things get fixed fast and improvements are always being made, Rent is affordable and thats a big factor for me. Crime is here but not even close to what it is in Kansas city ,Kansas or Missouri! While we ,as all cities, have the "Orange Barrel" dilema it is still a quick drive anywhere once you know the area! Great places to eat , drink and shop really do make it an ideal place and don't get thrown by negative comments about the apartment complexes here! Sure some suck but most are very well kept..people just always seem to bring the crap out first so ignore it and give us a try! Also my own kids are 25 and 32 and live here! WELCOME!

[jeh]

to answer the original question, check out indian creek apartments by 103rd & metcalf. i really liked my apartment there. really high slanted ceiling, large rooms, fireplaces, and lots of windows. my one bedroom apartment was over 900 sq ft. first floor apartments have a decent fenced in yard and second floor apartments have a decent balcony. it's next to a golf course and close to 4-35.