Living in and around Kansas City

For KC living, let’s look at the Missouri side, followed by the Kansas side. There’s been buzz about downtown Kansas City living, with HuffPo having put it on their list of cities to watch. River Market is a popular, revitalized neighborhood that’s highly walkable. Primarily young adults, there are also some empty nesters living here. Back in 2008, Cottage Living magazine named Westside one of the country’s top 10 neighborhoods. It’s a very diverse community, largely Hispanic and working class, with some Mexican-American families who’ve been there for generations. Housing is a mix of renovated older homes and new construction. Country Club Plaza is considered the country’s oldest outdoor shopping center, and is a popular community. Spanish revival architecture, with remodeled buildings and new construction, condos, apartments and some single-family homes, are all situated around the edges of the shopping and entertainment district. Westport is a time-tested restaurant and shopping destination, with longtime residents and younger couples inhabiting quiet, tree-lined neighborhoods. Despite being in the city, Brookside is where Kansas City, Missouri’s first suburban shopping area was developed. A city neighborhood with a small-town feel, you find older homes, local shops, good restaurants and median household income is around $100,000. Well outside the city is Kearney. A fast-growing suburb with lots of big, newly-built homes, Kearny’s claim to fame is being the birthplace of the infamous outlaw, Jesse James.

On the Kansas side, Leawood is a classic American suburb. Good schools, good parks, good dining, townhouse living or single-family homes across a range of prices. Home to the largest church (Methodist) in the KC area. Adjacent Prairie Village is of a similar stripe, with pedestrian-friendly shopping and even some historic homes with Arts & Crafts architecture. Nearby Overland Park is a slightly more upscale community, with good schools, big homes, golf clubs and convenient shopping. Just beyond Overland Park is the more affordable Lenexa, with lower housing prices and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Neatly situated catty corner to both is Shawnee, which is also relatively affordable and has a reputation for good parks, good dining, and a range of new construction housing options, from condos to single-family homes.