North Central Columbia Apartments for Rent

The North Central Columbia neighborhood, named for its location just north of downtown, is dedicated to the arts and the intellect. Two colleges provide focal points for the neighborhood and so does the vibrant commercial and arts area called the Old Shoe District. The North Central holds heritage homes, but also offers a variety of apartment buildings and condominiums both vintage and modern.

The zip code for the North Central Columbia neighborhood is 65201. The district is bounded on the north side by Business Loop 70. On the east side, the boundary is College Avenue. The southern boundary is East Broadway, while on the west the dividing line falls at Providence Road.

Stephens College sits at the southeast corner of North Central Columbia. One of the few remaining women’s colleges in America, it’s also one of the few that allows dorm residents to bring their pets. Joan Crawford attended Stephens, as did Jeane Kirkpatrick, first female U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Picturesque liberal arts Columbia College was established in 1851. It offers day and evening classes, as well as an online education. Though the college has many graduates who have had great success in the arts or sciences, Columbia College’s most famous graduate is notorious fan dancer Sally Rand.

The two schools give the North Central Columbia neighborhood a cosmopolitan air and the beautifully preserved campuses are city oases. Nearby is another urban escape, peaceful Stephens Lake Park. The public park is two blocks east of the Stephens campus, near the college stables. Amid its rolling lawns and winding paths, the lake holds a whimsical island with shade trees and picnic pavilions.