| Weather | | How much crime? | | What are the neighborhoods like? | | What are the people like? |
| Independence, MO has four distinct weather seasons. The summers are hot and humid. Temperatures can reach over 100 degrees. The winters are cold and almost every winter experiences some significant snowfall. Temperatures can deep to sub degree temperatures. The spring experiences warmer temperatures but there are days can be cooler and even cold. This is the rainiest season with an increase in tornadoes. The worst time of year for allergies and hay fever is during the spring and fall months. The trees bloom beautifully in the fall. | | Crime in Independence, MO is not as bad as some of the cities in the surrounding area such as Kansas City. The most common forms of crimes are mostly theft-related such as robberies and burglaries. Murders do occur but because the area doesn't have much of a low-income or poverty-based neighborhoods, crimes from gang-activities are not as common. Independence has a high-level of police presence which cuts down a lot of criminal activity. | | There are a number of neighborhoods that will give you that sense of serenity and community togetherness. The city has a strong feel of an older, small-town city. It has a lot of older homes. Most homeowners have a good sense of American pride and American values. Being the birthplace of an American president, Harry Truman, much of the city has retained it's 1950's values. However, the city is expanding and progressing in some areas with the expansion of shopping malls and popular restaurants. The city doesn't really have any bad neighborhoods.
The Lexington neighborhood is surrounded by railroads from the 19th century, this neighborhood is lined with older and larger homes. The neighborhood is quiet and peaceful with many older residents. The Winner neighborhood is another neighborhood reminiscent of the 19th century. Railroads still crisscross the streets, and much of the area is comprised of single-family homes with mostly older residents and families.
Independence has a growing mixture of races, but it still mainly consists of White Americans.
| | Independence was known as an area where most elderly White residents lived. It still has a significant amount of older White residents but more ethnic groups are moving in. However, the city is mostly comprised of White, blue-collar, married residents. The city is pretty laid-back and has a small town mindset. There is not anything that would attract hippies or those looking for a variety of entertainment or culture. Most of the educated people live in Lee's Summit or Blue Springs, MO. Most of the people are elderly and have lived in the city for a long time. |
| Downtown Area | | Restaurants | | Schools | | Single life |
| The shopping area is one of the best areas in the city. Known as the Independence Shopping Center. The area includes a large mall, surrounding shops, bookstores, restaurants, Wal-Mart, Target, PetSmart, and a host of other shops. This is not the downtown area but is considered the shopping area. Downtown Independence is a small-town area with not much surrounding it other than railroads. | | The best restaurants in Independence is Cheddars and Joe's Crab Shack. Both are located in close proximity to the large Independence Shopping Center mall. Cheddars is very popular and often has a waiting list. The menu has a variety of food items and is a wonderful family oriented restaurant. Joe's Crab Shack is a seafood restaurant with indoor and outdoor eating. At various times, the waiters and waitresses will dance for the patrons. | | The quality of schools is average. The schools are better than the Kansas City School district but worse than the neighboring city of Lee's Summit and Blue Springs, MO. There are two private schools in the city. | | There's not much an opportunity for young singles in Independence. Most of the residents are married or older. However, there is a good opportunity for elderly singles in the city. There are a couple of popular restaurants that many elderly people dine at. There are also bingo centers. |
| Noise | | town comparison vs. | | Best hospital | | Tourist attractions |
| Depending on what part of Independence you live in the noisiest area is the area close to the Independence Shopping Center, especially on the weekends. The other noisiest areas would be in the old neighborhoods that are surrounded by railroads. | | Among other cities East of Kansas City, Independence is probably the second desirable city to live in. The first being Lee's Summit which has out-shined Independence. Lee's Summit is more progressive than Independence. Compared to Kansas City, Independence is like a neighborhood instead of a city. Independence still has a small hometown feel to it with very few attractions. Since there is a large number of older people that live in the city, this has given the city a reputation of being pretty slow-paced with not much in the way of entertainment. Independence has often been overlooked due to the growth of Lee's Summit and Blue Springs, MO. | | The local hospital is the Centerpoint Medical Center and The Medical Center of Independence. Both are very good hospitals. Centerpoint is the better of the two. | | The Truman Presidential Library and Museum is a must see. The Latter Day Saints (Mormon) church is also a nice venue that hosts many events. And the Independence Shopping Center is a must if you love shopping. |
| General comments | | | | | | |
| Independence will feel like a nice area to raise a family. There's not too much activity or entertainment that goes on. It's not as progressive as Kansas City or some of the other cities in the surrounding area. Independence is a no thrills or frills city. It sticks out as a mid-sized city with enough restaurants and shops that keep its' citizens enjoying a comfortable, basic life. | | | | | | |
