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Are you thinking of moving or relocating to Kansas City, Missouri? Would you like to know what the quality of life is like living in Kansas City?
Erika Cox reports in this review:
| Weather | | How much crime? | | What are the neighborhoods like? | | What are the people like? | | Kansas City experiences very hot and humid summers. The winters are very cold with a typical snowfall of at least five inches. Spring time has fairly warmer temperatures but it can experience very cool weather up until late May. Tornadoes are a big occurrence in May and June. Kansas City's weather can change suddenly. It can be 70 degrees and hours later snowing. Pollen and mold is problematic for allergy and hay fever sufferers. | | Kansas City has been listed in the Top 20 and Top 10 cities with the highest crime rates. There are no official gangs, but many inner city youths commit crimes resembling gang violence. Most of the crime is committed in the inner city and Southeastern part of the city. The north side is also experiencing an increase in crimes. This area has a heavy concentration of Latinos and Hispanics. | | The best part of town is the Brookside area. It is one of the oldest and safest areas of the city. Most of the residents are middle-class working residents. The Plaza area is one of the most popular locations in the city, and is one of the main tourist locations. There are a couple of fountains, a park, and many places to shop and eat like the Cheesecake Factory and Barnes and Noble. During the Christmas season, the area will display Christmas lights on every building, which makes for a very picturesque view. The homes around the Plaza are pretty expensive, single-family homes. The average cost of homes in the Plaza and Brookside are between $75,000-$200,000.
The worst parts of town are the streets and neighborhoods that run alongside of Prospect and Troost streets. Much of this area is known as the inner city, which includes the East, Central, and Southeast neighborhoods. The homes are older, poorer, and single-family homes. Northeast is also a pretty bad area. Unlike the other worse sections that are made up of African-American residents, the Northeast section has a blend of races. Most of the homes in the Northeast are old and not expensive. | | Kansas City is becoming more of a mixed town, socially, racially, and economically. Even within the different neighborhoods, there is a mix of races and age groups. The city does have a large population of senior citizens. There are more families than there are singles living in the city. There are more Whites than Blacks. Hispanic and Asian populations are growing. Not too many hippies. However, the Westport area provides the greatest diversity in the city. Westport is a couple of miles north of the Plaza. There are a number of bars and clubs where most singles go. The area has the largest "hippie" area. | | Downtown Area | | Restaurants | | Schools | | Single life | | The downtown shopping area is known as the Power and Light district. It is okay, but could be better. There are several bars, restaurants, and a couple of nightclubs. There's also a bowling alley. However, there are not many shopping places downtown. One would have to go the Plaza or one of the shopping malls located in Overland Park, KS or Independence, MO. | | The best restaurants are the Barbecue restaurants that the city is known for. Gates BBQ, Smokestack, Jack Stack, and LC's BBQ. | | The quality of Kansas City schools are poor. The district lost its accreditation a few years back and has struggled to regain it. Most students attend charter schools. The city has also closed many of the city's schools which has left vacant buildings. | | Not many opportunities at all for singles. Kansas City is more of a family town. | | Noise | | town comparison vs. | | Best hospital | | Tourist attractions | | There are not too many unusual noise sources. However, you will hear the trains at night. | | Compared to Overland Park, KS and Lenexa, KS, which are surrounding cities, Kansas City is less desirable to live in. The reason being is the neighborhoods are much better to live in Overland Park and Lenexa. The neighborhoods are newer, with newer homes and quieter neighborhoods. Movie theaters, shopping malls, and restaurants are more plentiful in Overland Park and Lenexa. There is also more development in Overland Park and Lenexa. | | There are a couple of very good hospitals in the area - St. Lukes hospital, St. Josephs, and Children's Mercy hospital. | | The best places to visit is the Plaza, the Kansas City Zoo, the Sprint Center, Starlight Theater, which is an outdoor theater, and Worlds of Fun, which is a popular amusement park. | | General comments | | | | | | | | Kansas City actually feels like a small town with some big city attractions but not many. Most residents don't get involved with a lot of growth opportunities and pretty much are content with what the city has to offer as opposed to being interested in new ideas that could help promote the city's image and increase tourism. The town could use a couple more big attractions. There is the new Sprint Center and Power and Light district, but more could be available for its residents. The most popular places, besides the Sprint Center and the Power and Light district, seems to be Wal-Mart and the parks. | | | | | | |
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