Kearney, MO

116 Apartments for Rent

Kearney, Missouri is the birthplace and final resting place of Jesse James. Every September the town holds a three-day festival to honor the world-famous outlaw.

Depending upon who you talk to, you'll find out that Kearney was named after either Charles E. Kearney, president of the railroad, or Kearney, Nebraska. Either way, this small Missouri town is a pretty nice place with a rich history and lots to enjoy in the present. Located in Clay County, Kearney is only 20-minute commute from Kansas City. Although Kearney's population was only 8,381 in 2010, it is currently one of the fastest growing communities in Missouri.

Moving to Kearney

Put simply, moving to Kearney makes people happy. In addition to being affordable, Kearney's housing market is varied and boasts everything from condos to luxury homes on large lots in the hills outside of town. Most of Kearney's homes are owned rather than rented and although rental properties aren't impossible to find, it is smart to leave yourself a few months of search time in order to make sure you end up with a house rental you love.

Signing the Lease

In order to score your dream place, be sure to come prepared with all the usual suspects -- photo ID, proof of income, rental history, information on any pets that will be moving in (there are many pet-friendly rentals in this area) and a list of references.

Neighborhoods in Kearney

Although Kearney is small it does have a few charming neighborhoods and choosing where you'd like to rent makes a big difference in things like walkability and proximity to certain attractions.

Hills of Westwood: This is a new neighborhood West of downtown Kearney. It is close to the business and industrial parks and offers easy access to the interstate without the inconvenience of hearing trucks whiz by at all hours. In addition to being in a convenient area, this neighborhood has walking trails and peaceful streets. But beware: finding a house to rent can be difficult in this area.

City Center: Living in downtown Kearney means historic houses and easy access to local shops, restaurants and parks as well as the quiet pace of front-porch living on tree-lined streets.

Liberty: Liberty, MO is about nine miles away from Kearney. It offers small town charm, and a historic main street made up of brick buildings, a local microbrewery and many locally owned shops. This neighborhood is great for people who like good food, friendly neighbors and the feel of country living.

Apartments in Kearney

Before searching for apartments for rent or a house rental in Kearney, it's important to consider what exactly you're looking for. Do you want a large lot outside of town, an apartment in the country or an place that's only blocks away from the town center? How close would you like to be to the parks and community trails? Would you prefer to be closer to the interstate or within walking distance of main street? With these things in mind, here are several options:

Columns of Kearney Apartments: These apartments are located on the North end of Kearney just a short distance from main street. They feature one- and two-bedroom units and their location makes it easy to access I-35. These apartments are also close to Lion's Park and the MariMac Golf Complex. Month-to-month and all-utilities-paid rental options may be hard to find in this neighborhood.

Kearney Estates: This neighborhood is in the City Center and its great for those who want to be close to historic downtown and within walking distance of restaurants like Stables Grill and The Pizza Shoppe. It's also just around the corner from a local coffee shop called A Cup T'Go. If you rent an apartment in this neighborhood, you'll be a ten-minute drive from the interstate, Crown Hill Plaza shopping complex and a great local grocery market called Mr. Dell Foods. Additionally, this neighborhood boasts a pond and an extensive community trail system.

Jefferson Park: These apartments are out in Liberty's quiet, tree filled countryside and they're a good deal less expensive than housing closer to Kearney. They're close to a community park, miles of walking trails and and several main roads which makes commuting easy.

Living in Kearney

Get outside and take a walk on the 6 1/2 mile community trail system or head to the fishing pond in Jesse James park. If you'd like to take in some outlaw history, go check out the Jesse James Homestead and Museum. The house he was born in still stands and has been hosting tours since the late 1800's, at which time his own mother reportedly offered tours and sold pebbles from her son's collection. If you're in the mood for a play, head down to the community amphitheater for a Shakespeare in the Park production. For the shoppers, there's downtown Kearney, which boasts several charming boutiques and restaurants.