A KC Experts Top Recommendations for College Neighborhoods in Kansas City

As a Kansas City native and the ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for the area, I can confidently say that this city is not only a great place to live, but also a great place to go to school, too. Whether you want to pursue research, study the arts, practice medicine, or get a business-related degree, there are several great options to choose from.

And what about student apartments? In my experience, there are plenty of those, too. Students flock to the Downtown and Midtown areas, which are close to both the biggest schools and the best nightlife—but there are lots of other close-to-campus areas to check out, as well. That’s why I’m going to break down our biggest schools, and show you which neighborhoods to look into for each of those schools. Together, we’ll make it easy for you to find great student apartments in Kansas City!

1. University of Missouri—Kansas City

The University of Missouri—Kansas City (or UMKC, as we call it around here), is the largest and best known university in the Kansas City metro. In fact, it’s actually a satellite school of the University of Missouri, which is better known in these parts as “Mizzou.” 

UMKC has a lot of great selling points—strong athletics programs, an outstanding academic record, and a great reputation as a nationally ranked school for nursing, pharmacy, and law programs. Perhaps its best feature is the fact that it’s a highly regarded public research university that has the potential to receive the prestigious R1 designation, a classification that only goes to the best of the best when it comes to research.

Plaza Area

If you’re looking for Kansas City apartments near UMKC, the Plaza Area is one of the best places to start. This is a large neighborhood that surrounds the UMKC campus, and there are lots of amenities to enjoy. 

The Plaza and Westport are just to the north, and these areas offer lots in the way of shopping, dining, and nightlife opportunities. A bit further north but still only minutes away from the Plaza area, you can visit Kansas City’s beautiful Downtown and all the attractions there. Or you can head south down State Line Road on the Kansas-Missouri border to access groceries and the rest of your essentials.

Countryside

Countryside is a small neighborhood nestled in the southern part of the Plaza Area. It’s a quiet spot where you’ll find a range of well-appointed student apartments, from inexpensive studios to upscale two-bedroom apartments. The neighborhood itself is just to the south of the UMKC campus. It’s bordered on the west by Loose Park, which is the site of a historic Civil War battle—and a 75-acre green space where you can go for a stroll, play tennis, or stop and smell the roses at the rose garden.

Country Club Plaza

Country Club Plaza is another sub-neighborhood of the Plaza area, and it’s worth mentioning because if you’re looking for student housing in Kansas City within walking distance of entertainment options, then this is the place to be. Fewer apartments are available here, but you’ll still find a few good (and affordable) options. 

You’ll also be just a block or two away from shopping at the boutiques in the Plaza itself, visiting the famous Jack Stack Barbecue joint, or sampling the many other pubs and restaurants in this area. There‘s also tons of green space nearby—Mill Creek Park, Frank A. Theis Park, and the extensive green space at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, which is famous for its sculptures.

Sunset Hill

Students who want a quieter place to live and study may be interested in Sunset Hill apartments. This neighborhood is on the west side of the Plaza area, bordered to the east by Loose Park and by the Mission Hills Country Club to the west. While this neighborhood is a little more out of the way than some of the others, you’ll still be pretty close to UMKC and the Plaza, which are about a mile away.

2. Rockhurst University

UMKC is the biggest and most widely known university in Kansas City—but you don’t want to sleep on Rockhurst University. This is a fantastic school that boasts more than 70 different bachelor’s and graduate programs, and it also features a world-class faculty with a 14-to-1 student to faculty ratio. Nationally recognized programs at this school are business centric, including the marketing, management, and analytics programs.

Rockhurst University also has an absolutely beautiful campus. You’ll discover 60 acres of amazing architecture and shady walkways situated in the midst of one of KC’s most thriving cultural centers.

Blue Hills

If you’re looking for affordable student rentals near Rockhurst University, don’t overlook Blue Hills. This neighborhood puts you just east of the university, well within walking distance. 

Both the university and Blue Hills are central to Kansas City, too, which means you’ll be very close to attractions like the Plaza, Westport’s dining and nightlife, and the KCMO downtown area. These are just a few minutes' drive northwest of Blue Hills.

Crestwood

If you want convenience, search for Crestwood student apartments. It’s the closest thing you’ll get to on-campus living without actually living on this school’s campus. The school is situated in the middle of this neighborhood, meaning classes will always be within walking distance.

You’ll also be close to the same attractions as in Blue Hills. Even better—Rockhurst University and UMKC feature joint programs, especially in nursing, engineering, and business. Crestwood might be your best bet if you’re enrolled in one of these programs since the UMKC campus borders it to the west.

Park Central Research Park

Park Central Research Park is mostly green space—and that’s one good reason why this neighborhood is worth a look. Apartment options are limited, but what is available is both affordable and surrounded by amazing parks. The Frank A. Theis Park, the Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden, and the Kauffman Legacy Park are all in this neighborhood, and they’ll all provide you with hours of beautiful trails and landscapes to explore.

You’ll still be close to Rockhurst and UMKC. Both are just south of Park Central Research Park, just across the lovely Brush Creek.

3. Kansas City Art Institute

Students looking for instruction in art and design will do well to check out the Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI). This is a well-respected school that has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and Higher Learning Commission. It has also earned the Fulbright Top Producer Honor, which is an award for high numbers of faculty and administrators selected for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.

KCAI is notable for more than its art and design instruction. This school also focuses heavily on environmental stewardship—and that’s why KCAI’s campus is comprised of beautiful green spaces mixed in among interesting art and architecture.

Plaza Westport

Start your search for Kansas City student apartments near KCAI in Plaza Westport. This is a bustling neighborhood a few blocks to the west of the school, and it features a plethora of housing options—everything from affordable lofts and studios to upscale condos. 

In this neighborhood, you’ll always be near something to do. KCAI sits at the center of a thriving arts district, which means you’ll be within walking distance of two great art museums: The famous Nelson-Atkins and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. You’ll also have lots of great shopping and dining options both to the south in the Plaza and to the North in Westport.

Southmoreland

KCAI itself is situated in the Southmoreland neighborhood, so if you’re searching for student apartments here, you’ll find both on-campus options and off-campus. Just as with Plaza Westport, you’ll also have easy access to both the Plaza and Westport for a variety of entertainment options.

It’s also important to note that these neighborhoods are all in the heart of the Kansas City Metro, which means you’ll be within minutes of the downtown area and all the attractions it has to offer, too.

Rockhill

Rockhill is a super small neighborhood just to the west of KCAI—but it’s an excellent place for students looking for a quieter lifestyle compared to the bustle and buzz of the Plaza area. Apartment options are limited, but you’ll find a few affordable options toward the neighborhood's southern end. 

The northern portion of Rockhill is devoted solely to the Robert Gilham Park, which is a beautiful place to go for a stroll. In fact, if you live in Rockhill, you can walk these trails to reach KCAI.

4. Park University

Park University isn’t widely known outside of Kansas City—but it’s a well-respected institution that boasts many happy graduates throughout the metro area and beyond. It’s an affordable and accessible school that offers career-focused education, internship opportunities, and pathways to build connections in the professional world.

It also boasts perhaps the greenest campus in the entire metro. That’s because Park University is situated in the Northland’s Parkville neighborhood. The campus is nestled in a beautiful wooded area on the north side of the Missouri River. 

English Landing

If you want a quiet retreat to study—and one that is on Park University’s doorstep—then search the English Landing area for student apartments. The options are limited since this is a relatively unpopulated area, but students can still find studios and cozy apartments in English Landing and nearby Parkville.

Aside from the pastoral surroundings and laid-back way of life, you’ll also have access to historic Downtown Parkville. Imagine a picturesque, small Midwestern town and all the charm that comes with it—that’s what you’ll get here, even though Parkville is only a fifteen-minute drive from Downtown KCMO.

Walnut Creek Acres

The Walnut Creek Acres area is just to the north of Park University and Parkville. Here, the vibe is a little more suburban—and student apartment options are a little more plentiful, too. 

Students living near the Walnut Creek Acres area will still be a short distance away from Park University, and they’ll be even closer to Zona Rosa and Northwest Barry Road, which are the major shopping and dining destinations on the western side of KCMO’s Northland.

Canterbury Estates

Want a huge selection of student apartment options? Look in and around Canterbury Estates. This area is even further north than Walnut Creek Acres, but as a thriving and modern suburb, you’ll find dozens if not hundreds of apartments to choose from. 

On top of that, while this area is the furthest from Park University, it’s still not far. A few minutes’ drive south on Route 9 will get you to class—and you’ll be closer yet to the groceries, restaurants, and shops along Northwest Barry Road and in the Zona Rosa shopping center.

In Conclusion

Kansas City is not just a great place to live. It’s also a great place to get an education. We have a diverse selection of colleges and universities to choose from here, some of which are world-renowned for excellent programs, stellar faculty, and more. 

When you’re looking for Kansas City apartments for students, it’s hard to go wrong. While I’ve highlighted some of the best places to look, you can extend your search a little farther into the metro area to find even more options. KC is a very well-connected city—and that means that most of our major colleges and universities are just a short drive away from suburbs, the thriving Downtown area, and other cool places to check out.