Wichita Apartments and Rentals

Nestled against the beautiful Arkansas River, Wichita has been the center of commerce in the state of Kansas since the 19th century. Ranked 9th in Money magazine's 10 best U.S. big cities to live in 2006, and #1 on MSN Real Estate's list of most affordable big cities in 2008, Wichita is a solid choice for those who're looking to get down to business. And with the city's abundance of nightclubs, sporting events, restaurants, parks, and museums, as well as its numerous public and private educational institutions, Wichita has something to offer just about anyone looking for a rental apartment or home in the southern Kansas area.

Nicknamed the Air Capital of the World, due to the large number of aircraft manufacturers who've made the city their home in the early 20th century, Wichita is situated where the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers converge. This geographical feature, as evidenced by recent archeological digs, has allowed Wichita to serve as a hub of trade in the area for literally thousands of years. Officially incorporated in 1870, early Wichita quickly gained a reputation as a raucous town, and lawmen such as Wyatt Earp were brought in by the city to keep the more unruly members of the community at bay. In the early 20th century, aircraft pioneers like Clyde Cessna and Walter Beech made Wichita their home as the fledgling aircraft industry continued to grow. Wichita saw a population boom during World War II when it became a major manufacturing center of aircraft used in the war effort, and to this day the city remains a major manufacturing center for the aircraft industry with Boeing, Cessna, and Airbus all having major assembly plants within the city.

Today you can Wichita apartments in several different, recognized neighborhoods. Downtown contains various historical landmarks of the city and is home to numerous clubs, bars, movie theaters and restaurants, as well as various warehouse-style apartments and condominiums. College Hill and Riverside make up the more residential neighborhoods of Wichita. Riverside is situated to the northwest of Downtown, and contains the 120-acre Riverside Park, while College Hill is east of Downtown and is just south of Wichita State University, making it an ideal location for would-be students.

As manufacturing and production is the predominant force driving the city's commerce, Wichita is a town that can proudly proclaim that there are still places in America where people make things. Manufacturing accounted for 21.6 percent of area employment in 2003, as aircraft production, and manufacturing in general, continues to play a major role in Wichita's economy. The healthcare industry and education are also major employment sectors in the city.

Speaking of education, Wichita is home of the largest school district in Kansas, Wichita Public Schools, consisting of more than 60 elementary schools, 16 middle schools, and 10 high schools. Wichita is also home to several large university campuses, including Wichita State University, a four-year public university which offers 60 undergraduate degree programs in more than 200 areas of study. Wichita Area Technical College, a two-year public college which offers associates degrees, diplomas and certificates in over 70 different programs, also has its main campus and two satellite locations in the city.

Wichita is primarily a driving town, and its system of interstates provides easy access to every corner of the city. In addition, Wichita Transit operates 53 buses along 18 different routes throughout the city. With an average commute of less than 20 minutes, getting around from your Wichita rental is a breeze.

Apartment and home hunters looking for rentals in Wichita will be pleasantly surprised by the big-city amenities and the small-town prices. As mentioned earlier, Wichita took the top spot in MSN Real Estate's list of most affordable big cities in 2008, so it comes as little surprise that Wichita's cost of living comes in well under the national average. With the average price of a one-bedroom apartment rental at around $450 per month, and two bedrooms at just over $600, Wichita is a place that can truly match just about any budget, from college students to business executives.

There's no shortage of things to keep you entertained in Wichita. The Old Town warehouse district in downtown is the centerpiece of Wichita's nightlife, with a multitude of nightclubs offering a variety of live music to please even the most discerning of tastes, all within walking distance of one another. Independent local musicians and artists take their turn in the spotlight on a monthly basis with the First Friday music crawl and Final Friday art gallery crawl, which brings an added sense of festivity to the nightlife in the downtown area. If the theatre is more your speed, the Music Theatre of Wichita is a springboard for Broadway-bound talent. Additionally, Mosley Street Melodrama and Cabaret Old Town offer quality live theater featuring local and regionally known casts.

Wichita's natural beauty is also on display via the Great Plains Nature Center in northeast Wichita, which allows visitors to experience the native plants and animals of Kansas along an extensive nature trail. Or take a trip to the Sedgwick County Zoo and experience the Slawson Family Tiger Trek - a world-class tiger exhibit that recreates the experience of being in the Asian countries where these big cats roam.

If you're looking for a chance to stretch your legs, the city of Wichita's 117 parks and greenways cover more than 4000 acres. And with 127 miles of trails, 52 athletic fields, 11 swimming pools and 10 recreation centers, Wichita has more than enough facilities to keep even the most diehard sportsman happy. No matter what you're in the mood for, Wichita has the means to oblige.

Wichita may be evolving with the times, but its heart is steeped in Americana. As such, events like the Celebrate America, an Independence Day festival held annually, is one party you won't want to miss. Activities include a pie-eating contest, a cow pie throwing contest, Dixie Lee Saloon Girls, magic show, food, and musical performances.

And celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2012, the Kansas State Fair is a massive festival whose long-running history speaks for itself. With its world-class midway, blue-ribbon animals and family-friendly activities, there's truly something for everyone. Check out the hottest performers at the U.S. Cellular Grandstand, tour the many agricultural and educational displays, brave heart-pounding carnival rides and sample culinary delights at a Kansas tradition that never gets old.

Various multicultural special events occur year-round in and around Wichita as well, and the eclectic lineup of things to do in and around the city continues to grow and evolve every year. No matter what flavor suits you, come discover how Rent.com® can help you easily find the rental apartment or home in Wichita, Kansas that truly fits your style.