Independence Apartment Renter's Guide
Independence Apartment Renter's Guide
Overview
You don't have to like baseball to appreciate the fact that the first night game in professional baseball's history was played in Independence on April 28, 1930. On this night, the Muscogee Indians (from Oklahoma) beat the Independence Producers 13-3. After being settled on land purchased from the Osage Indians in September 1869, Independence has continued to grow and flourish.
With a total space of just under eight square miles, around 0
You don't have to like baseball to appreciate the fact that the first night game in professional baseball's history was played in Independence on April 28, 1930. On this night, the Muscogee Indians (from Oklahoma) beat the Independence Producers 13-3. After being settled on land purchased from the Osage Indians in September 1869, Independence has continued to grow and flourish.
With a total space of just under eight square miles, around 0.01 square miles are water. The roughly 9,500 residents who call Independence home enjoy a number of area attractions, not to mention the Neewollah Festival in late October. Didn't catch it the first time around? If you look closely, you'll see that Neewollah is actually Halloween spelled backwards. The festival is one of Kansas's largest Halloween celebrations and attracts thousands of people every year.
Moving to Independence
From Havana to Fruitland, not to mention the center of the city itself, you will notice a variety of housing markets to choose from. You may not get a grand selection of real estate rentals and sales as you would in a larger city, such as Topeka, but that does not mean that the pickings are slim in Independence. Before you start looking for an apartment of your own, it's important to learn what you can about the real estate market in Independence.
Housing Options
This area is chock full of single-family homes, especially ones with more than two bedrooms. You can still find apartment complexes if that is what you're looking for, but don't expect any giant apartment complexes or hi rise apartments here! Some people like to look for housing along the Verdigris River because it's so pretty while others like to live closer to Main Street to be within walking distance of shops and restaurants. A lot of the homes here were built in the early 1900s, so you might find yourself living in a historic gem! This does come with a downside though, as many older homes require more TLC. Ask your landlord what kinds of repairs and things they will cover so you don't get stuck with any expensive bills! Find out as much as you can about the house or apartment building before you sign any papers. The homes here are generally pretty high quality constructions, but you don't want to have any surprises after move-in day. You also want to spend some time checking out the neighborhood so you know what it has to offer. Think about what your neighbors are like, what kind of amenities are nearby, etc.
What you'll need
When you head here to start your apartment search, you're going to need to undergo a background and credit check. To do this, your landlord will need to see a copy of your ID, your bank statements, pay stubs, letter of employment, references and sometimes a few other documents that vary from apartment to apartment. Try to have all this ready when you go see apartments so that you don't waste any time jumping on a place that you really love! It's also a good idea to bring your checkbook with you so that you can put a deposit down on a place if you need to. Nothing will impress your landlord more than you writing a check right there on the spot!
Independence Neighborhoods
With a total of 7.75 square miles, it may seem like you are destined to live in the center of the city. If you prefer this location, you're in luck, because there are plenty of housing options in the heart of the city. For those who are more suited to solitary environments with tree-lined roads and unruly grass to mow, there are more suburban apartments for rent in Independence.
N. Penn Avenue/Taylor Road: If you are looking for a short commute, you will find it here. On average, the majority of residents here have a one-way commute time of 15 minutes or shorter. It's also where the Independence Country Club is for those who love to golf!
Havana/Dearing: Located in the southwest of town, this area has plenty of single-family homes for rent. Plus you'll be close to the Laurel Street Bakery where you can sample their famous croissants!
City Center: The name says it all. This is the place to be if you can't be without constant city noise and access to entertainment. It's home to the Vintage Steakhouse and the Brother's Railroad Inn.
Fruitland: An abundance of college students here means a consistently lower crime rate and activity that fluctuates throughout the school year.
W. Main St. / S. 16th St.: Biking, walking, and driving are popular ways to get to work in this suburban neighborhood. Walk up the street to Eggbert's for dinner!
Living in Independence
Many residents in this smaller city appreciate having one of the shortest commute times to work in the entire country. You can certainly get away without having a car, as it's pretty easy to walk around town. Head to Elk City State Park for a bit of fresh air and exercise, or treat out-of-town visitors to the childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder, which is designated as a historic site. The Independence Golf Course is a beautiful place to play a round of Golf and you can always go for a stroll along the Verdigris River if you're in the mood for some scenic beauty. The intersection of Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue is where you'll find plenty of fast food restaurants, pharmacies and convenient stores.