Wichita Student Housing Guide: An Expert's Guide to Finding Your Perfect College Apartment

One great thing about Wichita is the housing options. There are plenty of new high-rise apartments with all the latest amenities, and 100-plus-year-old houses loaded with more character than luxury. There's also a thousand shades in between. In all my years around Wichita, I've lived across that spectrum. Colleges in Wichita are smack in the middle of all that, with lots of choices for students of all shapes and sizes. Let's take a look at what is out there for students looking for their own pad.

Wichita State University.

Wichita State is the big dog and is a significant part of the city. It has around 19,000 students and is a mini-city in its own right. It has the usual campus housing options, and many local neighborhoods integrate student life with ease. It was started in 1895 as Fairmount College and eventually became part of the state's education system. It is one of the most affordable four-year colleges in the state. Wichita Tech is sort of a separate school, focusing on the aerospace industry and technical degrees. You can do the junior college part there and transfer to Wichita State very easily.

Fairmount

The Fairmount area is literally across the street, along 17th Street in Wichita, which follows the southern border of the campus. It has been a campus housing area as long as the school has been there. In many cases, classes will be an easy walk from your apartment. Fairmount Park and the Red Bud Trail are part of the community's amenities. It is an urban setting, however, and property crime rates are high. A lot of college students live there, making a social life even easier. It is as safe as any urban area, but you will have to be aware of your surroundings. You could find a single bedroom apartment for as little as $550, and shared houses can rent in the $1000-$2,000 range. Since it's by the college, it is slightly higher than some areas of Wichita, but it is still well below the national average.

North Fairmount

The area along 21st Street, north of Campus, is sort of an extension of Fairmont to the south, but it is still a distinctive neighborhood. It is very popular with college students. It is moving toward the northeast part of the city, and borders on Hillside, Belmont or Vassar communities that are more well-defined. North Fairmount is on the north side of campus and is in walking distance to many classes. Wichita State sits between 17th and 21st Streets. A 1-bedroom apartment will go for about $600-$900 a month, with small houses renting for $2,000. There are a lot of older homes, and slightly less costly than Fairmont itself. It is one of the safest areas immediately around campus.

College Hill

College Hill is my favorite area in Wichita - a small historical neighborhood with about 4,000 people. It's about two miles from campus, which makes for a very short drive to class. It has the most college neighborhood feel of any area around Wichita State. It was established to be a community for a Methodist college that was never built. Many of the houses were built in the early 1900s, giving it a historic charm. It has a lot of eateries and specialty shops, and is very walkable for the most part. The southern border is Kellogg Ave, which is the main business artery through the entire city. The College Hill area has high safety ratings and is below the state and national average for property and violent crime. Houses and duplexes are more common here than apartment buildings. A one-bedroom apartment can cost $700-$1200 a month, and small houses or larger apartments are around $1500.

Bel Aire

Bel Aire is one of the nicer neighborhoods in the entire city, and it is 5-10 minutes north-east of campus. It has about 7,000 people, mostly families, with lots of newer houses and apartment buildings. It has a solid suburban feel with a middle- to upper-class feel. It is one of the safer areas of the city with a very low crime rate. It has tree-lined streets and is very walkable. Bel Aire has a lot of small parks and open spaces. There are lots of options for entertainment, restaurants, and shopping. It is a solid balance of safety and space, and is close enough to campus to feel close. It is a little more expensive, with one-bedroom apartments going for $1,000 per month. Houses can be around $2,000. There are not many apartment complexes. Houses are newer, so you will find more modern amenities.

Friends University

Friends University is a private non-denominational Christian university with a strong Quaker heritage. It began as Garfield University in 1886, but was founded as Friends in 1898. It has about 3,000 students. Friends has a lot of religious-type training, but also offers arts and sciences degrees. It was out in the country when it started, but is now in the heart of Wichita, near Old Town and many local attractions.

Delano

Delano is right next door to the school; you could walk to some of your classes. It started as Elgin in 1871, a rival town to Wichita. It was later known as West Wichita and eventually became known as Delano. It is one of the more historic areas of the city and is in the midst of a revitalization program that started in 2001. It is very close to Old Town, and has an entertainment district with about 200 related businesses. It is bound to the north and east by the Arkansas River. The south border is Kellogg, the main thoroughfare from east to west. In addition to claiming Friends University, it is home to Riverfront Stadium and Exploration Place. It has its areas of crime, but is not the worst place in Wichita. Studio apartments go for $800. Apartments rent for $1000 to $2000. It is higher than the Wichita average, but still below the national average.

McCormick  (or Sunflower)

McCormick and Sunflower are immediately south and west of campus. They are technically separate communities but end up being the same one. It is a quiet area with a lot of single-family homes and some rental buildings. It is close to campus and quieter than Delano. It does not have the nightlife or shopping options that Delano has. The property crime rate is still higher than the national average, but lower than Delano. Many houses are rented out to students who share the houses. Apartments rent for $900 to $1500, and a bit lower as you get into the Sunflower area. It is probably the most popular area for Friends University students who want to share houses. Delano has that college town feel, while McCormick - Sunflower has more of an urban residential feel.

Riverside

The Riverside community is just to the north, across the river, from Friends University. That bridge is the only connector in the area, which can be an issue during rush hour, but the river also provides a bit of a barrier. Riverside has an uncrowded suburban feel with nice yards and tree-lined streets. It is 10 minutes from campus and has access to trails, the river, and museums. It is popular with students who have families. It is much quieter and peaceful than other areas around the campus, but it does not have a lot of restaurants or shopping nearby. It is one of the safer areas of Wichita, with a very low crime rate. Housing is a little more expensive than in other areas, but there are more modern houses. Apartments rent for $800 - $1100. Houses can approach $1500 per month.

Stanley/Aley

The Stanley - Aley area is on the other side of Delano and Sunflower. It is a little further, about a 15-minute drive from campus, but it offers an even more suburban feel and is often cheaper. There are many older single-family homes, and a good number of rental complexes. On the positive side, you could get a one-bedroom apartment for as little as $700, with the average being around $900. Houses often rent for around $1,500. There are some issues with crime, with property crime being above the state average. The West Wichita area continues beyond this community, which is more spread out and even more suburban. Rentals vary, and it's often even less expensive than Riverside.

Newman University

Newman University is a small private Catholic college founded by the Adorers of the Blood of Christ sisters in 1933. It has about 3,000 students and a low student-to-faculty ratio of about 10-1. There is a lot of personal mentoring for students. It has strong liberal arts programs and is known for its nursing and education programs. Newman has a strong Hispanic influence, making up about 30 percent of its student body. Newman offers several Bachelor's, Master's, and PHD programs.It is rather expensive at $35,000 per year, but financial aid is readily available with almost all students getting some aid. It is just two miles from Friends University.

Delano

Delano is between Friends and Newman Universities. That, along with Wichita State, not too far away, makes Delano into sort of its own college town smack in the middle of Wichita. It has all the appeal of a college town, walkable, nearby nightlife, parks, open spaces, and access to the Arkansas River. Even if you are not a student, Delano is a pretty cool place to live. Delano is a great choice if you want that college feel but don't want to live on campus.

Riverside

Riverside is across the river from both Friends and Newman University. The river is a natural barrier that gives you a little separation from college life. Riverside is popular with faculty and older students, who may want a little more peace and quiet. It has slightly less crime than Delano and is a little bit more upscale than the houses you might rent.

West Wichita

The West Wichita area is a bit newer and further out. It is a 10-15 minute drive from the campus, and has less of a college town feel. There is a lot of variety here, with a lot of new apartment complexes in the area. It has a more suburban and modern feel than the more traditional areas closer to the colleges. It has plenty of shopping and parks, and more of a family-type atmosphere. It is often less expensive than living closer to campus. One-bedroom apartments go $700-$1000, and you can get a small house for $1500 per month. The areas with newer apartments are very safe. There is more crime as you get closer to main highways. One real positive is the open space. You could easily find a small house with a big yard.

Southwest Village

Southwest Village, and the general Southwest area, is a great cost-saving measure if you don't mind a little drive. It is about a 20-minute drive to Newman University, but it is close to the airport, making travel a little easier. It has a lot of residential neighborhoods, a few apartments, and just enough retail and industry to remind you that you are still in the city. There's ample space, with big yard, parks, and schools giving it that classic suburban feel. Rentals are cheaper, with it being further out. You can get a solid one-bedroom apartment for $700. Houses also rent cheap, which is ideal for families or groups of students. The area is growing with new housing units opening up often. It is a longer commute, however, and you will need to have a car.

Conclusion

There are three main colleges in Wichita, and I have always liked the fact that they are not too far apart. Friends and Newman are just 2 miles apart, and Wichita State is less than 10 miles away. This creates an area within Wichita oriented to the college lifestyle. I've always enjoyed living in that part of town, whether I was affiliated with one of the schools or not. There is a lot of housing available in all shapes and sizes. My advice is to take your time and find what really fits you. There's no need to settle, because with all the variety out there, I am sure there is at least one place that will be absolutely perfect.