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Oread

Oread

Neighborhood in Lawrence, Kansas

Douglas County 66044

$368,392 Average Value
$208 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

Historic Lawrence neighborhood between city’s top attractions

This neighborhood with a name rooted in Greek mythology draws those looking to live between Lawrence’s biggest attractions. Oread borders both the University of Kansas to the west and downtown Lawrence to the east. The downtown puts many here within walking distance of an eclectic lineup of shops, eateries, watering holes and even a vintage movie theater that’s been transformed into a live music venue. KU brings college sports, which lead to tailgating and a variety of small neighborhood festivities during the year. “On game days, there’s just hundreds of people around and the shops are busy with a lot of life,” says Jacob Oglesby, pastor at the neighborhood’s First Christian Church. Although students make up much of the neighborhood, it’s home to many who appreciate the historic character and stories of the homes here. One example is a two-story stone house that once belonged to the widow of a man who died during Quantrill’s Raid, one of the state’s most infamous incidents. The stone house neighbors a brick Italianate on Tennessee Street that was once home to the city’s first mayor and was one of the first properties in Lawrence added to the National Register of Historic Places. “They’re totally different houses, but there’s a really amazing history regarding both houses,” says Dennis Brown, former president of the Lawrence Preservation Alliance. “Those are the kinds of fun things you can see once you start walking around the neighborhood.”

The Spence Art Museum on KU campus is just a few minutes walk from the Oread neighborhood.
The Spence Art Museum on KU campus is just a few minutes walk from the Oread neighborhood.
Raven Books is an independent book store specializing in literary fiction, mysteries.
Raven Books is an independent book store specializing in literary fiction, mysteries.
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Victorian era cottages, Craftsman bungalows, ranch-style houses and rentals

Rows of houses from different eras sit along Oread’s tree-lined streets. Many two-story and colorful Queen Anne cottages and a few Italianates represent the Victorian era. The Italianate on Tennessee Street stands out with its red brick siding and ornate porch columns and eaves. A fountain with a gaping fish sculpture on its base make up part of the lawn decor. Oread also has a large collection of Craftsman bungalows from the first half of the 20th century, and some of them showcase distinct features like gambrel roofs. The neighborhood also has ranch-style and midcentury houses, including one with a prominent stone exterior and chimney. Price points here can go from $300,000 for a less than 1,500-square-foot bungalow to $500,000 for a larger Queen Anne cottage. Due to the many renters who live here, the neighborhood also has many multi-family investment properties that can run between $600,000 and $900,000.

Oread is home to many historic homes with ice curb appeal.
Oread is home to many historic homes with ice curb appeal.
The Oread neighborhood has a great selection of historic homes.
The Oread neighborhood has a great selection of historic homes.
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Surrounded by Lawrence and KU bar scene

The proximity to downtown Lawrence and the university puts many in Oread within walking distance of the city’s different bar scenes. Institutions within the neighborhood and near the campus include the Bullwinkles Bar, which has televisions and a fenced patio for large standing crowds. The Jayhawk Cafe, or “The Hawk,” has been around for over a century and is a night time and weekend tradition for the many who live around KU. The rustic-themed bar and nightclub is the oldest existing establishment on campus. A little farther down West 14th Street is the Wheel, a Jayhawk-themed staple that gets its name from the wagon wheel chandeliers hanging from its ceiling. Patrons can pair their beers with a bowl of chili or basket of grilled sandwich and crinkle fries. Framed photos and thousands of short messages scribbled by patrons over the decades cover the bar’s walls. Oread residents can also walk over a few blocks to downtown Lawrence, where they’ll find a range of eateries and shops in rows of low-rise brick buildings with vintage storefronts. The Red Lyon Tavern and the Mad Greek are just a few of the popular places closest to the neighborhood. A Dillons south of the neighborhood offers a nearby grocery shopping option, and those looking for farm fresh produce and artisan goods can visit the Lawrence Farmers Market downtown. The farmers market runs every Saturday between April and late November.

Home to city meetup point in South Park and surrounded by local museums

Oread shares South Park with the neighboring community of East Lawrence. The green space is one of the city’s oldest parks and a frequent meetup point for all of Lawrence. Children often go to its playground and visit the butterfly garden. Other visitors enjoy walks on a path lined by eastern redbuds, sweetgums and sugar maples. Or they can sit down and relax by the Roosevelt Fountain, a granite structure that was once seen by the former president Theodore Roosevelt himself. Local history enthusiasts curious about Douglas County’s past can stop by the Watkins Museum of History. Visitors to this red brick Romanesque building will find a number of artifacts from the 1800s and interactive exhibits covering major events like Quantrill’s Raid and Lawrence’s past role as a free state stronghold. More art and wildlife exhibits exist west of Oread at KU’s Spencer Museum of Art and Natural History Museum. The Natural History Museum is based at Dyche Hall, also a Romanesque-style building with an exterior made out of Oread Limestone.

The Watkins Museum of History is a great place to learn about the history of Lawrence KS.
The Watkins Museum of History is a great place to learn about the history of Lawrence KS.
South Park has a great playground all the kids will love.
South Park has a great playground all the kids will love.
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South Park festivities and Free State Festival

Students and other residents in Oread won’t be able to conveniently go to Jayhawks football games for a while due to the ongoing reconstruction of the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Despite that, there remains no shortage of nearby entertainment and festivities. They can still make the less than 2 mile trip to Allen Fieldhouse, home of Jayhawks basketball. South Park on the eastern end of the neighborhood hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the acclaimed Art in the Park in September. Goers to this festival find a variety of items like jewelry and crochets. The park also hosts a free weekly concert series during the summer. The Lawrence Arts Center just north of the park hosts the annual Free State Festival over several days in June. The event’s entertainment includes indie film screenings at the center.

Access to strong schools and home to St. John Catholic School

Younger students here can start at Cordley Elementary School, which receives a B-plus from ratings site Niche. They then go on to Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, which Niche grades a B. Liberty Memorial is among several Lawrence public schools that emphasize science, technology and fine arts learning. The middle school is set to launch a STEAM initiative that will encourage students to choose a variety of fine arts activities like band and theater. They will also get to take courses in skills like coding. Oread is also home to St. John Catholic School, a private option for students in pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. To complete their secondary education, teens here go to Lawrence High School, which receives an A-minus from Niche.

Liberty Memorial Central Middle School has a B grading from Niche.
Liberty Memorial Central Middle School has a B grading from Niche.
St. John Catholic School has great after school programs the kids will enjoy.
St. John Catholic School has great after school programs the kids will enjoy.
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Within walk of downtown and proximity to Amtrak station

Oread is about 2 miles south of Interstate 70, which serves as a commuter route to both Kansas City and Topeka. The neighborhood borders the southern end of downtown Lawrence. The city’s Amtrak station operates near the downtown and provides an alternative transportation option for both permanent neighborhood residents and KU students looking to go on long distance trips. Those needing more alternative transportation choices can access several Lawrence Transit stops both within the neighborhood and along Massachusetts Street. For out-of-state flights, many go to the Kansas City International Airport about 50 miles east of Lawrence. The Lawrence Memorial Hospital less than 2 miles north of Oread addresses major medical needs.

Important to know

Oread has an overall CAP Index score of six out of 10, putting it slightly above the national average.

Yann Ranaivo
Written By
Yann Ranaivo
John Collins
Photography Contributed By
John Collins
Jessica Johnson
Video By
Jessica Johnson

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Crystal Swearingen, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Kansas City International

59 min drive

Bus

500 - Tennessee & 14th St.

Bus

357 - Indiana & 11th

Bus

111 - 19th & Tennessee

Bus

406 - 11th & Tennessee

Bus

217 - 9th & Arkansas Eb

Bus

120 - Mass & 14th

Bus

286 - 11th & Louisiana

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Oread US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 7 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 7 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 7 4
Larceny 7 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$405,000
Median Single Family Price
$412,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$208
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Last 12 months Home Sales
21
Months of Supply
0.60
Median List Price
$425,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
33%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
456
Median Year Built
1920
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,750
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,207
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
2,804
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
945
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,662

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Crystal Swearingen, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
6,986
Median Age
25
Population Density
26 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
2.8%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$23,472
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$35,593

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98.5%
College Graduates
55.2%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
25.2%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
11''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

83 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

85 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Reviews

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Oread
Crystal Swearingen
CRYSTAL CLEAR REALTY
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