Waterstone Apartments/other apartments (Kansas City, Overland: apartment complex, rentals, house)

[srgmezzo]

I'm moving to KC from the Cleveland area, to work at the opera house and study at UMKC -
I know it's on the Kansas side, but does anyone know anything about the Waterstone Apartments? i.e. - is it nice, safe, etc?
Any recommendations for SAFE, $800 max, apartment complexes? Looking for good location with easy access to downtown and UMKC/plaza area.
Thanks!

[stevman22889]

I'd look at Plaza Apartment Center: Plaza Apartment Center | Country Club Plaza apartments rent, lease

They own a lot of older buildings on the plaza, and their studios start in the range of $625 a month. Can't beat the location, and if you're into the art deco style architecture, then any of their buildings would be a great place to live! Only thing I know if you won't get is in-unit laundry.

[WiseOwlSaysHoot]

I knew someone who lived in that complex who also went to the UMKC Conservatory (I assume you're going to the Conservatory). I don't remember him having any particular complaints (this was around 10 years ago though, so it could have changed management).

Is it safe? I would think so. Is it nice? That's a matter of opinion. It is a typical newer cheap construction sprawling suburban style complex. In my opinion, it's not nice.

Personally, I wouldn't choose to live in that location, especially if you're going to UMKC and working at the Kauffman Center. I would live near campus, near the Crossroads, or anywhere in between. Not only would you cut down commuting, but you would also be living among more of your peers (University students, musicians, artists, etc) and nearer more amenities and culture.

[srgmezzo]

I'm having trouble finding a 2 bedroom in my price range ($800 max) in that Plaza/UMKC and downtown area that don't have weird 'student restrictions.' Perhaps I'm being unrealistic, and that's why I was looking for something with only a short commute. I've dealt with that since I've been in grad school, and it isn't too much of a bother.
The Plaza Apartment Center looks amazing, but is a little outside what I want to pay. Any other suggestions? And thanks for the opinions and ideas!

[WiseOwlSaysHoot]

Hmmm.... I haven't heard of apartments having student restrictions - maybe that's a new thing.

There should be a pretty decent selection of 2 bedrooms for $800 (do you have a roommate and require the second bedroom? If not, you would have many more options for 1 bedrooms).

Where are you looking? I think Craigslist is a generally better tool than apartment search websites, particularly for smaller apartments and duplexes that tend to be lower priced.

[MOKAN]

Originally Posted by srgmezzo

I'm moving to KC from the Cleveland area, to work at the opera house and study at UMKC -
I know it's on the Kansas side, but does anyone know anything about the Waterstone Apartments? i.e. - is it nice, safe, etc?
Any recommendations for SAFE, $800 max, apartment complexes? Looking for good location with easy access to downtown and UMKC/plaza area.
Thanks!

That area is nice and safe. It's kind of nice-average, if you will. It's the Roeland Park area, but some of the apartment complexes are on the north side of 47th or County Line, which puts you in the city of Kansas City. If you want a more upscale suburban locale close to UMKC and with easy access to the urban core and within your price range, you might check out the Cornith apartment complex in Prairie Village. I wouldn't rule out any area of Johnson County close to the city though (Roeland Park, Prairie Village, Mission, Overland Park, maybe Merriam. But you should be able to find something in your price range actually in the city, if you want. However, there has been talk over the last year of a rental crisis (very high occupancy rates), especially downtown.

[srgmezzo]

Originally Posted by WiseOwlSaysHoot

Hmmm.... I haven't heard of apartments having student restrictions - maybe that's a new thing.

There should be a pretty decent selection of 2 bedrooms for $800 (do you have a roommate and require the second bedroom? If not, you would have many more options for 1 bedrooms).

Where are you looking? I think Craigslist is a generally better tool than apartment search websites, particularly for smaller apartments and duplexes that tend to be lower priced.

A lot of the loft-style buildings downtown that are newly renovated with lower rent costs have a 'no full time student' policy - which is crappy for me, because I'm also a full time employee and have sufficient means to pay a rent. They have a specific tax break or something like that because they want to keep their housing affordable. It was very strange to me.

I will be needing the second bedroom, yes.

I've looked pretty much everywhere. I'd like to stay in Missouri. I have found something interesting in Westport on Craigslist, but it is an older building with a lot of square footage, right at the top of my budget. I was concerned about the electric bill (the only utility payment) being high - hard to heat/hard to cool, etc.

I'm also used to parking being an issue in Cleveland - my roommate and I will each have a car and we need a building or location that has adequate parking, preferably free. There is almost nothing that frustrates me more than not being able to park my car in a decent location.

[srgmezzo]

Originally Posted by MOKAN

That area is nice and safe. It's kind of nice-average, if you will. It's the Roeland Park area, but some of the apartment complexes are on the north side of 47th or County Line, which puts you in the city of Kansas City. If you want a more upscale suburban locale close to UMKC and with easy access to the urban core and within your price range, you might check out the Cornith apartment complex in Prairie Village. I wouldn't rule out any area of Johnson County close to the city though (Roeland Park, Prairie Village, Mission, Overland Park, maybe Merriam. But you should be able to find something in your price range actually in the city, if you want. However, there has been talk over the last year of a rental crisis (very high occupancy rates), especially downtown.

Thanks! I've requested more info on the Corinth properties.
Ideally, I'd like to be in Missouri and more in the Plaza area, but it doesn't really seem to be working out for me. I think I'm too picky!

[Okey Dokie]

Originally Posted by srgmezzo

A lot of the loft-style buildings downtown that are newly renovated with lower rent costs have a 'no full time student' policy - which is crappy for me, because I'm also a full time employee and have sufficient means to pay a rent.

If you have a full time job and can pay the rent, do you even need to tell them you're a student???

[MOKAN]

Originally Posted by srgmezzo

Thanks! I've requested more info on the Corinth properties.
Ideally, I'd like to be in Missouri and more in the Plaza area, but it doesn't really seem to be working out for me. I think I'm too picky!

Try harder. You should be able to get into the city. Another person's "Plaza Apartment Center" recommendation is an excellent one, but those buildings keep a very high occupancy rate. You should try Dunleith Towers, Craigslist, or anything you come across. Don't avoid looking at rentals in the Art Institute or museum area, it's just across the way from UMKC and right off the Plaza.

Dunleith Towers Apartment Homes | Apartments for rent in Kansas City MO 64112