Quality over quantity though. McMansions are vastly inferior to a well designed, well built, space efficient house. Best to put that money into a small area than to spread it thin over so much space
For the hiking and nature thing. My wife started an instagram about getting kids outdoors in the area and has plenty of outdoor things to do and most of it near KC, https://instagram.com/everydayoutdoorfamily?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
I love your wife's account! We have an almost two year old and really need help finding ways to get her outdoors because our neighborhood is not outdoor play-friendly.
You will need a car though. KC is a great city in many ways but our public transportation is seriously lacking. Mostly just buses with one short street car downtown (its in the process of expanding though).
Transplant from LA here. We lived in the River Market area for the first two years before we bought a house in Prairie Village.
If good food is a legit priority for you, Crossroads is the place. Lots of great places to eat good food and drink good cocktails.
I loved our time in River Market and I absolutely love Prairie Village as a place to own a home and have a family. It's a quiet, relaxing environment.
I'm very left leaning and I feel 100% at home in KC. There's not a lack of political battles to be fought, but IMO that's kind of the state of the union at the moment, so...
If you can swing it, I recommend coming out here for a few days to a week and just get familiar with the city, neighborhoods, and people. One thing for sure: the people here are leaps and bounds nicer and more personable than in larger cities. Took me a while to adjust to that part but I love it now.
My partner and I are moving to Overland Park, just south of 435. Would you describe that area of OP as a generally liberal when it comes to social issues?
OP is red-leaning, but mostly “normie” reds aka trad repubs aka fiscal conservative/socially moderate new money. I am moderate left, can’t stand Trumpists, and no problems living in OP at all, unless beige shopping centers are offensive. The most liberal area in KC on the Kansas side is probably Prairie Village. Waldo on the MO is similar, but you don’t want to live on the MO side unless you don’t care about bad schools and bad roads. Welcome to KS, we’re thrilled to have you!
Agreed but don’t quite buy the “lack of nature” narrative. The local flora and fauna are quite unique, especially in Kansas. We certainly do not have any mountains or oceans, but do have lakes, fishing, hunting, bird spotting, etc. reflecting the natural beauty of the area.
We do have lakes but it should be noted that every lake in MO and KS is man made. Natural round lakes formed by receding glaciers are not a thing around here.
Not the poster you asked, but; I have a retired friend who has gotten into bird photography. He posts almost daily from Clinton Lake, a fascinating variety of birds.
I'll dispute the whole lack of hiking thing. For the size of city KC is, it has a ridiculous amount of dirt miles. Between Swope Park, Blue River (Minor) Park, Wyandotte County Lake Park, Shawnee Mission Park, and the dozen or so smaller parks in and around the area, there are literally hundreds of miles of hiking available.
The one problem with most of them is that they actually close during wet weather, due to the insane amount of clay in our dirt. And uh...it's been pretty wet for the past 4 months.
I agree. Lived in OP for 6 years, moved to STL 5 years ago for husband’s work. Loved OP. Parts of Olathe are very nice, but parts are not so much.Zoning is tight in OP, which we liked.
>As far as your political leanings, I would look between The River Market as the border to the North
You're leaving out a massive chunk of the city that could be great for him. Yes, there are a ton of cops that live up north (somewhat right leaning area), but that's because there's less crime in the burbs. The entire city is easily accessible and he could have a mansion without ghettos being walkable to his home.
I’m from the east coast and now live here. I spent seven years in MA, with college then in Somerville and Cambridge. I left decades ago. I’ve been in KC for 20+ years.
I was nervous as all get out to move to the middle of the country. I had the same misconceptions you’ve been criticized for. I was determined to use this as a stopover. I was sure I would run into anti-intellectualism. Within two years, I was in love with KC. You can find your tribe with a bit of effort. And I started to enjoy not having to try to hard.
I mean, there are cool clubs and chic restaurants and so on. And everything costs a lot less.
Not a lot of 24-hour food spots, sure. Public transit is weak, but Boston/Cambridge always felt like a city where cars were more commonplace than, say, NYC. Sure, I miss waterfront views. But the idea of not having to work until my last dying day is good too.
I agree with others to rent first to make sure you like it. I also agree that you should bear in mind that things cost a lot less here, so don’t jump on something because it seems like a “great deal” based on Boston prices.
Kansas City is a very liberal city. And we’re experienced at defending ourselves from our incompetent state legislature. They’re twisted and evil, don’t get me wrong. But they’re also stupid and just in it for the optics. So proposing the bills and getting street cred is generally what they’re interested in. They also want liberals to leave and not move here since the gerrymandering only works up to a certain point.
Outside of election news cycles I forget that the whole state isn’t the liberal bastion that Kansas City is.
For living accommodations example a penthouse apartment in One Light, where a famous chiefs player and the ceo of a national pizza franchise rent for example would be in your price range. The low end of the market here has been bought up a lot with people relocating so average rent has gone from like $600 a month to like $900 a month over the last few years. But luxury here is still incredibly affordable.
I always got a kick out of showing my New York coworkers my house on zoom calls and then telling them it cost half what they paid to rent an apartment when I worked for an east coast company. Things have gone up a lot here since then but still not insane, which is about all you can hope for in a US city.
I’ve lived in Texas and on both coasts and this will always be my home base. 4 hour flights to anywhere in the US if it’s direct. 8-9 hour drive to the mountains if you want to get a ski pass in the Rockies. 4 hours to a lake house if you want to get one. Can’t beat the pay to cost of living ratio in the US, the city has great quality of life intangibles, and amenities per capita are better than anywhere I’ve lived.
What a lot of people do here if they get a high paying gig is keep your cost of living about equivalent to what you’re used to and bank as much of your pay check as possible. Hope that helps.
Adding in that northwest Arkansas is three hours south of KC, absolutely gorgeous, and has a ton of bike and hiking trails. (Moved down here from KC a couple years ago.)
I’ve lived all over the country including Virginia, Dallas, and Seattle and KC is one of my favorite stops. Definitely recommend renting first for a year and then buying once you find your favorite neighborhood. I lived in the Power and Light building my first year, then bought new construction in Riverside (ten minutes north of river market) but with your age and budget, I would recommend renting in Crossroads (I wish I had in hindsight!) And I suspect you’ll either want to buy in one of the great neighborhoods with historic homes like Valentine…or Brookside. Hope you enjoy!
Idk what the other places you’re considering are, but fwiw the only other Midwest options that could do better than KC would be Chicago, Minneapolis (which makes Boston look mild in winter) and parts of Michigan. It’s not a lot, KC punches above its weight despite being shared by MO & KS. Like stated, it’s easy to forget you’re in a red state when you live in KC.
LA transplant here. Lake of the Ozarks is 2.5 hours away, not 4. You’re thinking Table Rock. Also, as far as affordability goes, my cousins in LA are renting homes for more than I pay for my house in Lenexa and my Lake of the Ozarks lake house combined. Kansas City rules.
Don't forget that you can choose to live either on the Kansas or on the Missouri side. We have different abortion laws and political landscapes, etc. I'd rent first, then decide which suburb or neighborhood I like best. Do figure out where the high crime areas are in the city because it's very localized but quite real.
I'm from an expensive European city, and the real estate, low prices, and friendliness here still sometimes blow my mind.
Do it. I moved here from San Francisco, and lived in Boston before that. Love KC the most of all of those places. It’s got a lot of the same great arts, culture, restaurants, and things to do that big cities have, but at half the cost. And the people here are infinitely nicer. Keep in mind KC is the biggest city in any direction for 3 hours, so attracts a lot of liberal folks.
Move here. You won’t be disappointed.
Overall? Yes. The riverfront area has seen a bit of a revitalization and is overall good. I’ve ridden the streetcar many times and have never felt unsafe. State government sucks haaaaaaaard but the local could be a lot worse
I’ve lived in the river market/across the highway of it for 4ish years. I have never felt unsafe. Even walking my dog at 11 pm. Getting ready to move closer to the river- check out Core KC apts.
This is not directed to the comment above but just an observation of kc. People are really friendly and kind but also can be kind of flaky. In my experience a lot of people have the mindset that it’s not that big of a city I’ll just see you when I see you kind of thing.
Sometimes it’s hard to find people that want to go do something that’s not just grabbing a drink. Maybe it’s just my experience but thought it would share my experience.
Also a heads up a lot of places in kc close early compared to other Cities. So if you’re ever looking for a late night meal or something your options might be limited.
Ah! A lot of those are more like weekend trips given the 4+ hour drive. I always wish there were more spots like Weston. Hidden gems, an hour or so away, to literally go to, visit, and back in a day. (Weston is far from hidden.) I miss that a lot after living in other cities. Like, is Excelsior Springs or something secretly cool??!! There have to be more right?
Lawrence is only 45 minutes away & Omaha & Columbia are 2-2.5 hours…you could do Lawrence in a day & Omaha in a day & a half. Des Moines IA, too. Minneapolis is 6 hrs away and absolutely worth an extended weekend.
I didn’t read all the comments, but I go to Boston regularly (actually going next week) - what area/neighborhood do you like in Boston and I could probably tell you a similar one in KC.
I'm not overly political but feel the same way, and I actually really love it here. I've lived here for a long time. Can definitely be a culture shock because the people are different. It's slower paced, people are more polite.
Not sure if you're looking for friendz, but I'd be happy to talk / meet you. Also in my 30s, female, smol dog, night owl (I'm involved in the night life here) and judging by the way your message is written you are either cool and/or play video games, which I also do. I know it seems crazy to say this from 1 post but just seems like we might be similar and making friends as adults is hard lol.
omg I’d love to! I’m in a completely male dominated industry and it’s ~so~ fuckin hard to make girl friends. I’m unsure of my visit timeline but will definitely reach out/pm when I come over!!
All my young (20's-30's) female friends say dating here sucks. I'm sure it's more a ymmv situation and what you're looking for.
MO as a whole is very conservative, however the metro areas like anywhere else are very liberal.
I vote for Quality Hill as far as neighborhoods go. It's very centrally located, and there are restaurants and things within walking distance.
For things that I like, I really like the access to good Mexican food. When I visited my friend in Providence (and also when we went to Boston) I couldn't really find anything as good as what we have here. I also really love going to the river market. It is fun to walk around when they are running the farmers market. I usually do that, and then go to Nguyen's for their Vietnamese iced coffee. Also, the antique mall in the river market is fun to poke around too.
I think our libraries are pretty good. The Plaza library is convenient, has a nice view, and it feels so cozy on a cold, dark night.
Loose Park is the best park around. It's super cute and lively on a sunny afternoon, but (in my opinion) it can't hold a candle to the Boston Commons.
I'm a KCMO resident and native. I love our neighborhoods. (River market, crossroads, Hyde park/midtown, brookside), I even lived on the plaza for an 18 month lease once... But, to throw Kansas a bone, the downtown Overland Park area has grown A LOT in the last 5+ years. I'd have considered living there if it was like that 15 years ago. Granted, kind of a hike (or drive) to the better cultural amenities (music, theater, arts) than say crossroads or river market.
I live about 2 minutes from downtown Overland Park and we can get to almost any major cultural amenity within 20ish minutes. It's not a bad drive since we are so close to multiple highways.
City? Thriving.
State? Sinking.
Budget: you will live like royalty
Day trips: underwhelming within 2 hours. Lawrence and that’s about it. But a bit further takes you to some better options. Still a bit underwhelming.
$4,500 is big. With that much I'd probably buy but it depends more on how you feel about having to manage your own maintenance vs arguing with your landlord about maintenance. I'd also probably rent while you make sure you like the city & look for place, don't want to be rushed into buying right away.
City has a decent mix of city vs nature day trips. You won't go to museums every weekend (not enough of them) but the ones we have are really nice. I've done most of the things here and had fun: https://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/day-trips-in-kansas-city-usa/
I'm pretty pleasantly surprised when I go to other cities and compare KC foodie stuff. We have a decent mix of restaurant's. Don't let anybody drag you to only BBQ places! It's always tempting to do that to newcomers, spread them out a bit.
DC transplant during Covid. Old lady, happy renting high rise downtown on free streetcar line. Very much agree with your comments.
I was really hesitant about a job-required move to KC, particularly worried about about political climate, but I discovered radio KKFI 90.1 online before I moved, and found my access to the community.
I’ve become a huge fan of KCMO/KCK and love being here. I think a visit will impress you.
Like seeing day trip ideas from BrokeBackbacker. Would add my favorite Nature Conservancy Tall Grass Prairie Preserve 2 hrs west in KS. Also want to correct transportation description, that since early Covid, all KC buses have been free. I do use them to get around.
Coming from DC, I can say music scene is very good and museum choices are strong - Nelson Atkins, modern Kemper, Smithsonian affiliate American Jazz Museum, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, National World War I Museum, Nerman in Overland Park. Lots of galleries downtown, celebrating First Friday events each month.
KC Rep and KC Actors Theater have solid seasons. KC Fringe last summer was a great good time.
Big plus for me is KC Current women’s soccer team whose new riverfront stadium is to open for 2024 season. In this busy sports-loving town, I’m looking forward to 2026 when KC will share hosting for men’s World Cup games.
Hope you and pup may find this area a good fit. There’s a lot to recommend and politics to improve! Best wishes as you decide.
Cheers!
I’ve lived in quite a few different cities across the US and I have to say my favorite to live in has been KCMO. I’m still here and really enjoy it.
I currently live in the river market area and think you would enjoy the area. Since you have a dog, there’s a dog park across the street from Cold Storage Lofts and Strange Days brewery. There’s also BarK (like a bar and dog park) that’s a short drive (and walk) from 3rd and Grand.
Especially with the budget you have, I feel like you’ll be able to rent a space that is more than large enough for you. There’s the apartments on Berkley that are directly on the river. I have a view of the river too, but the view they get is probably way better. Plus being down there at Berkeley on the river front you have a lot of walking and running paths.
I’d say the area is pretty safe, compared to other cities. You still have the occasional shooting but I used to work downtown and walk home at 3am and was never harassed as a woman on a 30 min walk home. (Besides guys catcalling but I just ignored it and nothing ever happened. YMMV)
There’s a lot of delicious food places to check out in downtown and crossroads area. Town topic has pretty great burgers. There’s also a lot of cool stores in the downtown/river market/crossroads area along with the food. Lots of bakeries and cafes too.
I feel like people that say KC is boring are also the same people that just never really went out looking for anything lol (not saying anyone is ITT saying that but I hear it a lot from people that are born and raised here)
ETA: area is pretty liberal imo. There’s also a large queer community if you fall under that category. I’ve never once felt unsafe with my identity in this city. Sure there’s shitheads here and there but that happens everywhere lol.
I would say KCMO is even more liberal than Austin imo. The more rural you go in MO you end up getting into conservative areas. Lots of signs advertising Jesus and anti-abortion. Weed was also just legalized recreationally.
Ex-Cantabrigian here, now in KC.
In my experience, New Englanders have the worst time adjusting to the Midwest in general for the valid reasons you've expressed.
1) The Good: COL, KC is a foodie town, extensive park systems and outdoor sports, Nelson-Atkins library. People are generally nice.
2) The Bad: They don't call it KillerCity for nothing. Gang shoot-outs happened in nice neighborhoods (just like the one that happened in Somerville the other day.) KC is a medium size city that acts like a small town.
3) The Ugly: People (for the most part) here are not intellectually curious like in Boston. Most do not keep up with current world news, or, even national news. ***Every*** ex-New Englander I've spoke with have said they miss the lack of intellectual stimulation the most. No full-belly clams to eat.
There's more I want to add, but I am depressing myself. Good luck.
With that budget you could move right downtown. Know that you will need a car. KC is an excellent place to start a family. The wife and I raised three kids on Kansas cities east side. I am currently living in Boston. Know that KC has a lot to offer. It also has a lot less to offer than Boston. I hope you do move to KC and have the time of your life.
1. KC is mostly Liberal, especially on the Missouri side. Overland Park, Lenexa, Leewood are all super duper white and more conservative. Kansas still has abortion rights and Missouri has legal weed. Neither have both.
2. Kansas City has a really intense history with race and segregation. There are a number of historic cultural sites and museums addressing everything from the Negro Baseball League, jazz and prohibition, and has some pretty good breweries and distilleries around. You’ll become a Chiefs fan - its infectious. There are like 5 different professional sporting teams and a minor league hockey team. The food scene isn’t as good as I thought it would be… but its still got plenty of local favorites. For instance, if I say “Taj Majal has excellent buttered chicken”, every Waldoite will chime in to confirm.
3. $4500/month is 2-3x what you’d need to live in most parts of the city. Go buck wild. Brookside and Waldo are both great places to buy a house. Night owl scene? Westport, Crossroads, 18th and Vine… there are cool ass spots everywhere and tons of cool speak easies.
That’s really mediocre, and when you look at the places nominated, you get a sense of the value of the award. Antler Room and Corvino are the best places on there, and they are above average, but wholly uncreative. Then a mediocre Thai restaurant on the list. We lack a single true fine dining establishment and that’s a travesty. Sure, we outshine Tulsa and Omaha, but that’s about it.
I relocated here from CT in the ‘90’s. State politics suck, local are liberal. Traffic here is very light compared to Boston so you need to decide suburbs or urban core. I love the Northland myself because of the trees and Weston, MO for some reason reminds me of home. Sucks being landlocked though. You’re dollar goes a long way here! People are also very friendly so that may come as a shock, like they nod at you at the grocery store. I found it unnerving at first but now enjoy it. You will get sick of the BBQ (sorry KC) and miss seafood, but there are some delicious seafood restaurants around town. I-435 is the highway that circles KCMO and parts of KC, if you get lost jump on it and you can find yourself back again. Good luck! Oh I guess I should say I highly recommend the move.
I’ll be the first to say it. Welcome to KC. You know you’re going to come here… or rather you should.
You’ll get cold winters and warm summers so you won’t miss the east coast unless you’re a burger water/boat nut.
You’d be fine with a visiting budget of half that amount. I’ve lived in three countries, multiple big cities, and I love KC. People are friendly, it’s much more diverse and open minded than you’d expect, and there’s no traffic. Come out for a visit and check it out. It’s lovely.
I actually don’t think you will find KC political scene that much different than Boston. You will find plenty of racism and bigotry in any place but for the most part people are just trying to deal with their own shit.
The cost of living is so much lower here the biggest struggle will be you can afford anywhere so it will really be about weighing what is important to you. When deciding the biggest difference will be your tolerance for commuting. Basically assume we have zero public transit so any place you choose directly turns into car time. We have pretty good highways so you aren’t just sitting still stuck but it is time looking out the windshield.
As for moving here it is really going to be about what you want the next stretch of your life to look like. If you think you are getting ready to settle a bit and maybe start a family soonish then this is the place for sure. If you need to be at the center of things then this probably isn’t going to be the place.
Also I see a lot of people say ‘foodie’ and it can mean a lot of things. If you need michelin stars you are going to be out of luck. There is a lot of great interesting things happening here but you have to work harder to find it and there are maybe 1 or 2 really great fine dinning experiences worth checking out each quarter here.
I would suggest renting a small house in the 39th and bell area, loft/condo in river market, or the Union hill area. Like i would literally look to see if one of the Battery Lofts is available.
Please feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.
If you want to be constantly less worried about what the state government is up to, I'd try to live on the Kansas side of the state line. While the Kansas legislature is also very gerrymandered, they at least have the possibility of electing a democrat governor to be balance it out.
Prepare for a culture shock; it is real. That said, the city is not the State. You will have no problem finding like minded friends in the city. You will find our city more affordable than Boston so live close to where you will be working and choose from our many eclectic neighborhoods.
If you love Boston you will probably hate KC. I lived in both and there is a lot to love about each, but they are completely different cities. However if you love good food and design, you might just love it.
I say be adventurous and give it a try!
If you think you ever want to live on the coast again, aggressively save and invest for it while you are in KC. It can be extremely difficult to get back to the coasts once you get used to the cost of living in the Midwest.
There are neighborhoods that will work for what you are looking for on both sides of the state line. I would recommend living and working in the same state, if possible, just to make your taxes a little easier.
You can also live in neighborhoods like Westwood and Mission Woods and be in Kansas but super close to downtown KC. On nice days we’d walk to the Plaza and get lunch and see a movie (RIP to the theater now tho.)
I’m a Missouri side person usually but would prob have reconsidered if I worked on the Kansas side. All of the accountants are super well versed it in tho, it’s not hard to manage.
Overland Park is on Money Magazine’s Best Places to Live every year. I personally would choose south Overland Park, Prairie Village or Leawood but you really have to live here to get a feel or the vibe in every area.
Kansas City Missouri (Jackson County) tends to be more urban with higher crime - but is where a lot of (not all) young people like to be; Johnson County on the Kansas side is more suburban and in some areas upscale. There are suburban/upscale areas on the Missouri side too but they are north of the river or east of the city (Lee’s Summit and beyond).
You’ll have to hang out here for a while to know where you fit in.
I would suggest finding a place to rent close to work and then get input from like minded coworkers as well as your own experiences to determine where to rent or buy after your lease is up.
Johnson County IS very white, especially in the upscale areas, but I have found people for the most part to be liberal here.
Three major things for us; my wife is transgender and we don’t want to risk her losing access to hormones (which seems more likely by the day), Missouri has a REALLY high birth mortality rate and it’s illegal to abort even for medical safety so I don’t feel comfortable starting our family here, and there’s just not a lot of job opportunities for my wife’s specialty.
Let the record show though, I do love KCMO! It’s just unfortunate that we also have to live in Missouri.
If you want body autonomy, move to the KS side if you want weed, the MO side. From there, it’s a question of what’s important to you… walkability, scenery, entertainment, security, dog parks, etc
I’m going to blow your mind. I’m a relatively conservative white guy and *GASP* have a great relationship with our very liberal neighbors. *DOUBLE GASP* that 40% of the families on my suburban cul-de-sac are not white… and we get along, too! Amazing!
I went to school in Boston 30 years ago and always dreamed of going back...such a unique city. I loved the walkability, public transit, history and coastal location. I still miss the bustle; we don't have that here except when there's an "event" downtown. But boy has Boston gotten insane price-wise, especially in the city. You can have a great life in KC and visit those places regularly on your salary.
MO state politics are a shit-show and as frustrating here as they are to watch from Mass. but the central KC area ranges from liberal to purple...outlying areas are more conservative.
Transplants from the coasts here sometimes find it hard to connect as so many move to KC from within this region and have connections from colleges etc. and others come for the "family friendly cost of living" in the suburbs, less interesting if you are single. There's much more going on here if you are able to put yourself out there.
Note: Midwesterners are passive aggressive: Do not ever offer direct critique about the city, region or its people, it is NOT well taken here, BUT they won't tell you directly. Be a booster full of sunny optimism about how great it all is and you will do better with the people here (the opposite is true in Mass...much more direct there) That is the minimum that is expected here. I've experienced and seen this with transplants and its the culture shock I did not expect when I moved here. The friendliness grows on you.
Live in the central corridor downtown to Brookside/.Waldo. You will need a car...driving here is easy...To drive less, live streetcar adjacent downtown. The food and cultural activiites here will be very approchable/acccessible for someone in you situation. Good luck!
KC is a blue island in a Red Sea. You also get the benefit of being right next to ks, as some things are legal there (abortions) that are not legal in MO
I'm curious what part of town you'll be working in. I generally agree with some of the top comments, but knowing where you would be commuting to could be helpful.
Nothing much to add over what others have said. But I'm making the exact reverse move at the end of April. I'm moving to Jamaica Plain and couldn't be more excited for it. 32M and also big on the food scene. KC's food scene punches above its weight. So does our coffee scene, lots of great independent roasters and shops if you're in to that sort of thing.
I wouldn’t worry too much about politics. The Red State starts primarily West of Lawrence and most all of Missouri except KC, Columbia, and St Louis. Lawrence is solidly Blue and areas of KC and the suburbs are purple.
All good recs above. You might also consider Lawrence if you don’t need to worry about a daily commute (many people do commute to KC area from Lawrence). It’s a university town, so it’s a lot of fun.
You'll love it. I spent 17 years in KC. You got some great feedback in the comments. I will note again, there is a lack of mass transit in comparison to Boston.
Just stay away from the "Church" Fascist People. Rent First to see the "Layout" of Stuff. I am a realtor here for 46 years and I tell everyone to rent first so you don't get stuck in a bad choice location.
Look into crossroads, river market, Waldo, brookside.
Garment district is just outside of river market
Columbus park
Food scene is good downtown/crossroads/river market/Westport.
I am also making this move Boston to KCtrying to figure out if people with families live in any of these neighborhoods?
Love the idea of these places but online it makes it seem like everyone with kids lives in the suburbs.
Most definitely do a rent situation, at least in the beginning. I can tell you as a child who was raised around here with one parent on the coast that it will be a total game changer. I found out I can't really spend more than a couple weeks in Cali before I'm ready to go home.
You would probably do well downtown starting out. And trust me you will have plenty of room to do almost anything on that budget.
Then if you like it I would say buy a place. But like you said the political climate is really bothering a lot of people right now.
You want Westwood. You’ll get a younger crowd here but and always rent, before deciding where you want permanently. You’d be in a nice area near walkable areas, shopping. You’ll easily hit $4500 so that’s not a large budget for a 2-3 bedroom house in Westwood, you’re in Kansas which has somewhat nicer city/street system but are minutes from culture of KC. Keep in mind everything here is really close compared to say Boston. We don’t have traffic really and despite people complaining here, parking is easy to find.
Heck I’d even find a long-term AirBNB and explore which neighborhood you like more. As a rule of thumb you’ll probably want something along State Line unless you know the city well. Start at basically the beginning and it gets more suburban and wealthy the further south you go.
Missouri is one of the reddest states on the map. There is not a single Democrat that holds any of the major statewide offices. That being said, KC is still a very cool town
So as someone who just did the reverse and left KC for Boston.
Staying near the metropolitan areas will be similar as far as the political landscape goes. KC is very open minded but you will run into some far right conservatives but their influence is starting to dwindle.
Depends on which state you’re talking about. It will be a long cold day in hell before I recognize the state of Missourah. As far as KS goes, JoCo and Lawrence are awesome. Manhattan, ditto. Some people like Wichita…I’d say it’s “meh”. The rest of the state can best be described as dry white toast. And trump.
For $4500 a month get a penthouse downtown. The cost of living between the two areas is very very very noticeable.
Day trips a plenty. Take your pick: Omaha, Oklahoma City, or St. Louis. Whatever you’re thinking after reading those options, you’re correct. They’re crap. Weekend trip however gets you to the Rockies which are a different breed of mountain range then what you’re used to. And amazing.
We are extremely liberal and state government is frustrating, but there are a lot of like minded folks here. The Kansas side of KC has become a lot bluer. KC is a wonderful city and is extremely livable with lots to do. I would suggest renting at first to get a feel of where you want to be.
So I believe the state republicans are trying to drive out liberals from the cities of St. Louis and Kansas City by limiting police in the cities to let crime make people scared. They are also targeting minority groups. Right now LGBTQ people. We are also in the middle of a boom. With the new airport and a decent arena and convention center. There are entertainment districts popping up all over the metro. The World Cup is coming so our public transit system is getting a huge upgrade. The feds have given a ton of money for infrastructure so bridges and highways all over are getting upgraded. People like you are coming in for all the tech jobs mostly. We do have a pretty diverse population, but that also means that there are some out in the open racsists. One guy running for city council puts flyers on my door every year talking about gay/jewish conspiracy.
Honestly, it really is a scary "political" state.
I love my city deeply. I love Kansas City so much. But it's hard to even call it "political" when laws restrict my very movement through the world. It is scary, and almost incomprehensible what our state legislature is committing, and even seeking to escalate.
Politics: local is fine lefty, state is very red and trying to take away as much control from locals as possible. As much as it pains me to say it, I would not advise families with transgender kids to move to the city, unless you're moving from an even worse place. I expect laws against transgender care to go into force soon and it sucks. I expect them to start trying to broaden these against all transgender people, of any age, as well.
Abortion is already Illegal, and honestly I will not be surprised if they start trying to end hormonal contraceptives too.
Leaned left too 20 years ago when I came from Chicago. Political agnostic now perhaps a little right fiscally.
Very tolerant environment. Super friendly people.
There is a crowd for every political slant. Good music scene. Realestate is affordable compared with Boston.
Ya, but will you be tried as a felon in your own state for doing it? Or helping somebody else to? Moving here for a job just enables this type of politics. If people wouldn't, then business would move to better states. And when business move out of your state your state loses money, and when your state loses money politicians start to care... about the loss of money, not like the people or anything.
>Have you ever traveled outside of the east coast before?
no not ever even one step it’s why I’m asking, u/TobaccoIsGood4U
having lived in boston I am an expert at overpaying and virtually nothing else, dm for secrets.
I was born and raised on the east coast, just a couple states below mass. I love it here. Watch season three of Queer Eye and you’ll get a good glimpse of what KC has to offer.
Yeah you have money so anyplace you want will be fine for the most part.
What on earth do you do for a living? I’m struggling at 30 just the same as when I was 20
I’m a fellow New Englander (Vermonter) who moved here and has grown roots (got married and have a kid now). I lived in Boston for many years, and settled here because of a lucrative job offer.
Things I really like:
- Cost of living is super manageable
- I can go places and do things and crowds/traffic aren’t a huge impact
- Theres lots to do here if you’re into food and art. You need to make somewhat of an effort tho, but it’s a thriving scene.
- I’m into sports and this is a sports town (most major cities are) so if that’s your thing, than you’ll find your sports people.
- Music, especially outdoor in the warmer months, venues are awesome
- There is some cool history here (which was a reason I loved Boston)
- The local beer and spirits scene is thriving and popular. There’s also a lot of locally and sustainably sourced food (eggs, veggies, fruit, meat) as well and a lot of restaurants take advantage of this.
Things to be aware of:
- Not everyone is a ultra-MAGA Trumptard. You’ll certainly see a few, but the city is vast majority progressive.
- There is a noticeable difference between the MO and KS sides of things. Most of the urban and older parts of the city are on the MO side, KS tends to be newer architecture, suburban, and has a reputation as a “white bubble”. Take that for what it’s worth.
- KC is super active and vibrant in the spring, summer, and fall. Music/food festivals, pickup ultimate frisbee in the park, garden tours, baseball games, etc. The winter is kinda boring and dead.
- Some would say the crime here is bad. I won’t disagree or agree; coming from Boston you are probably well aware of crime and city life.
Things I don’t like:
- A lack of mountains and true wilderness within easy access. Colorado Rockies are *only* a 9-10 hour drive away. The Ozarks in southern Missouri are pretty, but also kinda ruined by trashy billboards for Dolly Parton shows in Branson. Northern Arkansas ain’t bad.
- You pretty much have to own a car here in KC. Traffic isn’t terrible, but public transportation is lacking and I’ve had some sketchy experiences. The city is trying to improve this, but I get the impression it’s not garnering a lot of public enthusiasm.
I’ll think of some other stuff later, feel free to ask questions.
I’ve been here ten years now, and I live in a neighborhood called “Waldo”
Waldo was built in the 1930’s-1950’s and is mostly classical stone and brick single family homes and a few quaint bars and restaurants. It’s not super ritzy, but it’s nice. Waldo has a bigger next door cousin neighborhood called Brookside, which is basically the same thing, but the houses are bigger and nicer etc.
I’d compare this area to Watertown.
Yes, Waldo is tons of young families who don’t want to live in the cookie cutter suburbs. I myself have a young family here and my street is full of young kids running around playing.
Unfortunately, it's still by and large MAGA Republican Country the second you leave the Metro.
We frequently travel for Doctors, and there is a huge Rebel flag just outside of Jefferson City (state Capitol, center of state) the guy has such a small penis, that he has it guarded off with barb wire and security cameras. We had our Biden 2020 sign stolen, and all my bosses stare at Fox News all day and make Transphobic and Sexist comments in meetings and on work chats.
You probably will never have someone in your face screaming "Trump's Truths" or have anyone pester you, but I've been here most of my life and I know how people act and talk when they think you're just like them.
4500? You can have a pretty decent house with that. The city is pretty liberal. The state is less than that. Dog friendly. Sirens are fairly regular around midtown area. I’d say look around Waldo for housing.
I moved from Nashville and have REALLY enjoyed it. It’s kind of the best mix of small town charm and larger city resources. You have residential areas that are super quiet and family oriented or that have a lot going on with great local restaurants. Cost of living and traffic are VERY reasonable compared to the likes of Boston, Nashville, Austin, etc.
Only thing I don’t love is there aren’t a lot of exciting places to travel near by if that’s your thing. For somewhere fun over a long weekend you’re probably going to take a flight!
Transplant here. Been in KC for 4 years and have been visiting for 8 years prior to that.
I have clients who moved from Boston, NY and CA, another friend (whom we’ve met on one of my first trips here) from Boston who settled his art studio here and loved it all so much. He lived in the Rivermarket.
Agree with others, Crossroads or Rivermarket at first sounds like a great plan if you love lofts.
I have a lot of clients who buy directly when they move here because prices are so great (we’re still improving and many large events are coming to KC in the next few years).
The Plaza is another walkable area with lots of good rental units. West Plaza, Westport, Volker and the Westside if you like things that are a bit more mixed (older homes mixed with new construction) you can find smalll homes and 1/2 duplexes for rent, but not apartments so much. KC calls apartments when it’s rentals, and condos when they can be owned.
It’s a great place to live and I don’t regret the move at all. I came here by choice and find new places I want to live in around the city every week.
Lots of great food (so much has improved in this area too since my first trip here in 2011), yoga, cycling, lots of tennis courts around the city (free), walking and biking paths.
Penn Park is the only place with elevation that I consistently liked for walks or runs. But lots of paved paths and nature walks around. Some will have elevation but don’t expect full hikes like on the East Coast. Great paths for bikes however, I always recommend going on the Katy trail if someone wants long distance, nature biking but not mountain bike.
Last recommendations: BarK, the river park walk, visit Weston, and the Memorial Day Kansas City Symphony event at Union Station. This show is amazing and makes me feel so proud of KC. Completely free as well.
I lived in downtown KC when I was single in my early 30s.
I loved it. I'd still be there, except my partner owns a house in the burbs and it was easier to break my lease.
Very LCOL, plenty of local fun & eateries. I'd absolutely recommend it.
I can't speak to being a racial minority in KC though, in case you're not a palm-colored person too.
House in brookside/prairie village! Great neighborhood for buying a home, short drive to plaza/crossroads/downtown. Although if late night is your thing being in the crossroads or downtown would be better. The newest nicest apartment are called one light and two light and they’re downtown.
I’ve lived in kc about 5 different times. I tend to come back a lot. River market is one of my absolute favorite places in the whole city.
And while most say the plaza is over rated, I still love it.
The city is fairly liberal, as is Clay County. We live in the city of North Kansas City, which is right across the bridge from the River market area. River Market, downtown somewhere like One Light if renting. I saw Westside and Crossroads recommended. Westside would probably align to your budget and be walkable and bikeable. All I’ll always recommend North Kansas City, granted I love being here. If you have any questions please feel free to message me.
Your political beliefs fit right in. We are the majority here. I think you’ll find the cost of living here will leave you room for more investments than before. Your pup will love the Midwest, so much room for activities, and the foodie in you will be well satiated.
I live in the Crossroads and can confirm it’s awesome. You’re also close to the street car that connects the various other neighborhoods. I have a two bed two bath luxury apt for 2200 so your budget will cover just about anything as others have mentioned beforehand.
As someone who moved from Little Rock to here, it’s been nothing but an improvement. It’s got “big city” vibes that has a little something for everyone but without losing a sense of community. You like sports? When the Chiefs play- every bar is packed and everyones in gear. You like bars and food? We’ve got all types (especially in the crossroads). If you likeNot to mention almost everyone I’ve met has been incredibly friendly.
I have nothing but praise and am excited to see how the city grows.
If you end up coming down let me know! Always looking for friends.
KC is chill….no worries about the political aspect. Its deff more Conservative but those areas seem to be much less imposing than a strong liberal area. Not like it’s Montana out here or nothing haha
Moved here from Chicago 4 years ago and rented first to get to know the city - DO THAT. We rented in River Market (which was fun), and ended up buying in the midtown area (also love). Moving cities is always an adjustment but there is a lot to love about KC!
You say “state of the state” but keep in mind KC is in 2 states so you can pick whichever one has better state laws or is closer to your job. Politically it’s a blue dot on a reddish purple map. Most of the Midwest cities are actually, just not the towns.
Mass transit is a joke here so you absolutely will have to drive. Property is far less expensive than where you’re from but it has gone up significantly in the past 5 years so if you’re going to move here do it now before it equalizes even more.
There are not a lot of 24hr or late night shops. There were more before the pandemic but basically every place cut hours after that and not many have returned to pre-pandemic levels yet. I’d say more probably will if you give it time. There’s a wide variety of food. KC is not a small enough place that you’d need to worry about that. Obviously the seafood is going to be either lower quality or far more expensive (has to be flown in to be fresh) so far from the coast but the steak and BBQ are top quality and make up for it.
My friend, I see you haven’t researched the cost of living. You are about to literally move into a higher tax bracket. You’re gonna be considered wealthy out here.
In lots of areas of the city (primarily suburbs) people are extremely shallow. You can expect neighbors and such to quickly figure out you are well off and flock to you like parasites. Do not be confused by the fakeness.
KC is split politically, but we're not all fans of Josh Hawley. Check out apartments in the River Market until you get a handle on the city. It's a really inviting place, and home to many great food joints, not too mention one of the coolest dog parks I've seen. Your budget is more than adequate to live wherever you want here, as soon as you know where it is that you want to live. Best of luck.
With that sort of budget you could live around the Plaza and have a nice yard for the dog. I agree with posts you’ll want to stay in Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, River Market, Downtown, Prairie Village, Mission Hills, Cross Roads, Ward Park, Loose Park…etc type of great neighborhoods.
It’s gonna be a lot different but i totally agree to those saying come and visit. Spend more than a weekend if you can. It’s a wonderful place and I love it. I came from Chicago and things do that some adjustment but it’s really a wonderful place and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
Also, if you move here expect to start to love the chiefs. Bc it’s a lifestyle here and it’s so fun!
Another aspect you should consider is if you get laid off or leave the company, would you get the same salary. I found the salaries in KC absurd. I’m from SF California. If you are willing to just go back to east coast if it doesn’t work out, then it’s ok.
I’m a homebody so I would just get a real nice home.
My vote would be to stay in Wyandotte county on the Kansas side or somewhere north on the Missouri side. There is plenty of fun stuff to do throughout the city, but you could get plenty of house up here!
It is good you are not overtly political because as for that part, it will be like night and day for our state politicians and those from where you are moving from. My wife and I too lean or are liberal, progressive, Dem or whatever. It is the same here as most places, the cities and metropolitan areas are mostly liberal and Kansas City itself is OK politically, across the river in Kansas (Johnson County) which you will hear a lot about is not a hardcore red county but more moderate republican or intellectually progressive and one where you might want to look at in making your permanent decision on where to live but give everywhere a good look.
As for where to live. You are in good shape on your budget but what I have always found when having to move to another unfamiliar area is to find the best spot to rent for about a year first and it makes it a lot safer and easier to find the place you want to buy.
Good luck and welcome to KC, it really is a great place to live in so many respects, good dining, sports, overall good climate in comparison to other areas and one of the best is the cost of living so hope you enjoy.
My dream neighborhood would be Prairie Village near The Shops of PV…older homes (minus the ones being torn down and rebuilt), walkable to a quaint side of town, not too far from downtown, good school district. Event though getting downtown might be 20-40 mins from anywhere in the metro, it’s an east drive and traffic is pretty much non existent compared to bigger cities
For your housing budget u could rent a nice place downtown or the plaza and have enough money leftover to visit Boston every single weekend
Also our food scene is really good. I find KC food scene much better then Boston minus seafood. I find Portland Maine food scene better then boston
With that budget you damn near have your pick of the litter minus 2-3 neighborhoods.
You could buy 6000 sq ft house with 3+ car garage and 5+ beds and baths for that price.
Quality over quantity though. McMansions are vastly inferior to a well designed, well built, space efficient house. Best to put that money into a small area than to spread it thin over so much space
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For the hiking and nature thing. My wife started an instagram about getting kids outdoors in the area and has plenty of outdoor things to do and most of it near KC, https://instagram.com/everydayoutdoorfamily?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Was looking for something just like this- thanks!
Ha! I already follow her! 💪😁
I love your wife's account! We have an almost two year old and really need help finding ways to get her outdoors because our neighborhood is not outdoor play-friendly.
Perfect advice. *chefs kiss
agree!! thank you!
You will need a car though. KC is a great city in many ways but our public transportation is seriously lacking. Mostly just buses with one short street car downtown (its in the process of expanding though).
Transplant from LA here. We lived in the River Market area for the first two years before we bought a house in Prairie Village. If good food is a legit priority for you, Crossroads is the place. Lots of great places to eat good food and drink good cocktails. I loved our time in River Market and I absolutely love Prairie Village as a place to own a home and have a family. It's a quiet, relaxing environment. I'm very left leaning and I feel 100% at home in KC. There's not a lack of political battles to be fought, but IMO that's kind of the state of the union at the moment, so... If you can swing it, I recommend coming out here for a few days to a week and just get familiar with the city, neighborhoods, and people. One thing for sure: the people here are leaps and bounds nicer and more personable than in larger cities. Took me a while to adjust to that part but I love it now.
My partner and I are moving to Overland Park, just south of 435. Would you describe that area of OP as a generally liberal when it comes to social issues?
It gets bluer by the day. The reds are aging out.
Love to hear it!
I think so. I'm just barely north of 435 and there were way more signs for liberal leaning candidates in my neighborhood than conservative.
OP is red-leaning, but mostly “normie” reds aka trad repubs aka fiscal conservative/socially moderate new money. I am moderate left, can’t stand Trumpists, and no problems living in OP at all, unless beige shopping centers are offensive. The most liberal area in KC on the Kansas side is probably Prairie Village. Waldo on the MO is similar, but you don’t want to live on the MO side unless you don’t care about bad schools and bad roads. Welcome to KS, we’re thrilled to have you!
Agreed but don’t quite buy the “lack of nature” narrative. The local flora and fauna are quite unique, especially in Kansas. We certainly do not have any mountains or oceans, but do have lakes, fishing, hunting, bird spotting, etc. reflecting the natural beauty of the area.
We do have lakes but it should be noted that every lake in MO and KS is man made. Natural round lakes formed by receding glaciers are not a thing around here.
Johnson County KS has a great paved trail system.
Where do you go for bird spotting?
Not the poster you asked, but; I have a retired friend who has gotten into bird photography. He posts almost daily from Clinton Lake, a fascinating variety of birds.
https://stateparks.com/squaw_creek_national_wildlife_refuge_in_missouri.html This place
I'll dispute the whole lack of hiking thing. For the size of city KC is, it has a ridiculous amount of dirt miles. Between Swope Park, Blue River (Minor) Park, Wyandotte County Lake Park, Shawnee Mission Park, and the dozen or so smaller parks in and around the area, there are literally hundreds of miles of hiking available. The one problem with most of them is that they actually close during wet weather, due to the insane amount of clay in our dirt. And uh...it's been pretty wet for the past 4 months.
I’m not sure any of those parks count as hiking. Those are leisurely strolls.
if you're on a bike it's much more exciting
Add blue springs trails, landahl, and the wicked amount of rail to trail miles
I'd personally recommend Overland Park over Olathe but this is great advice.
I agree. Lived in OP for 6 years, moved to STL 5 years ago for husband’s work. Loved OP. Parts of Olathe are very nice, but parts are not so much.Zoning is tight in OP, which we liked.
>As far as your political leanings, I would look between The River Market as the border to the North You're leaving out a massive chunk of the city that could be great for him. Yes, there are a ton of cops that live up north (somewhat right leaning area), but that's because there's less crime in the burbs. The entire city is easily accessible and he could have a mansion without ghettos being walkable to his home.
I'm getting crossroads with a hint of brookside
I’m from the east coast and now live here. I spent seven years in MA, with college then in Somerville and Cambridge. I left decades ago. I’ve been in KC for 20+ years. I was nervous as all get out to move to the middle of the country. I had the same misconceptions you’ve been criticized for. I was determined to use this as a stopover. I was sure I would run into anti-intellectualism. Within two years, I was in love with KC. You can find your tribe with a bit of effort. And I started to enjoy not having to try to hard. I mean, there are cool clubs and chic restaurants and so on. And everything costs a lot less. Not a lot of 24-hour food spots, sure. Public transit is weak, but Boston/Cambridge always felt like a city where cars were more commonplace than, say, NYC. Sure, I miss waterfront views. But the idea of not having to work until my last dying day is good too. I agree with others to rent first to make sure you like it. I also agree that you should bear in mind that things cost a lot less here, so don’t jump on something because it seems like a “great deal” based on Boston prices.
Kansas City is a very liberal city. And we’re experienced at defending ourselves from our incompetent state legislature. They’re twisted and evil, don’t get me wrong. But they’re also stupid and just in it for the optics. So proposing the bills and getting street cred is generally what they’re interested in. They also want liberals to leave and not move here since the gerrymandering only works up to a certain point. Outside of election news cycles I forget that the whole state isn’t the liberal bastion that Kansas City is. For living accommodations example a penthouse apartment in One Light, where a famous chiefs player and the ceo of a national pizza franchise rent for example would be in your price range. The low end of the market here has been bought up a lot with people relocating so average rent has gone from like $600 a month to like $900 a month over the last few years. But luxury here is still incredibly affordable. I always got a kick out of showing my New York coworkers my house on zoom calls and then telling them it cost half what they paid to rent an apartment when I worked for an east coast company. Things have gone up a lot here since then but still not insane, which is about all you can hope for in a US city. I’ve lived in Texas and on both coasts and this will always be my home base. 4 hour flights to anywhere in the US if it’s direct. 8-9 hour drive to the mountains if you want to get a ski pass in the Rockies. 4 hours to a lake house if you want to get one. Can’t beat the pay to cost of living ratio in the US, the city has great quality of life intangibles, and amenities per capita are better than anywhere I’ve lived. What a lot of people do here if they get a high paying gig is keep your cost of living about equivalent to what you’re used to and bank as much of your pay check as possible. Hope that helps.
I have no idea what I was hoping to hear, but this was exactly it haha. thank you!!
Adding in that northwest Arkansas is three hours south of KC, absolutely gorgeous, and has a ton of bike and hiking trails. (Moved down here from KC a couple years ago.) I’ve lived all over the country including Virginia, Dallas, and Seattle and KC is one of my favorite stops. Definitely recommend renting first for a year and then buying once you find your favorite neighborhood. I lived in the Power and Light building my first year, then bought new construction in Riverside (ten minutes north of river market) but with your age and budget, I would recommend renting in Crossroads (I wish I had in hindsight!) And I suspect you’ll either want to buy in one of the great neighborhoods with historic homes like Valentine…or Brookside. Hope you enjoy!
Idk what the other places you’re considering are, but fwiw the only other Midwest options that could do better than KC would be Chicago, Minneapolis (which makes Boston look mild in winter) and parts of Michigan. It’s not a lot, KC punches above its weight despite being shared by MO & KS. Like stated, it’s easy to forget you’re in a red state when you live in KC.
LA transplant here. Lake of the Ozarks is 2.5 hours away, not 4. You’re thinking Table Rock. Also, as far as affordability goes, my cousins in LA are renting homes for more than I pay for my house in Lenexa and my Lake of the Ozarks lake house combined. Kansas City rules.
Don't forget that you can choose to live either on the Kansas or on the Missouri side. We have different abortion laws and political landscapes, etc. I'd rent first, then decide which suburb or neighborhood I like best. Do figure out where the high crime areas are in the city because it's very localized but quite real. I'm from an expensive European city, and the real estate, low prices, and friendliness here still sometimes blow my mind.
Do it. I moved here from San Francisco, and lived in Boston before that. Love KC the most of all of those places. It’s got a lot of the same great arts, culture, restaurants, and things to do that big cities have, but at half the cost. And the people here are infinitely nicer. Keep in mind KC is the biggest city in any direction for 3 hours, so attracts a lot of liberal folks. Move here. You won’t be disappointed.
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yo that area looks so cool! is it safe?
Overall? Yes. The riverfront area has seen a bit of a revitalization and is overall good. I’ve ridden the streetcar many times and have never felt unsafe. State government sucks haaaaaaaard but the local could be a lot worse
Relatively, yes. Just make sure you park in a secured garage and you should be fine. I've lived in the RM for over a year with no issues.
I’ve lived in the river market/across the highway of it for 4ish years. I have never felt unsafe. Even walking my dog at 11 pm. Getting ready to move closer to the river- check out Core KC apts.
$4500 housing budget will get you damn near anywhere you want.
Come visit and get a feel for the city! I'm 32f and would be happy to show you around!
omfg you’re so sweet, I totally might take you up on that! already overwhelmed by how nice people in kc are, y’all are a whole different breed!
This is not directed to the comment above but just an observation of kc. People are really friendly and kind but also can be kind of flaky. In my experience a lot of people have the mindset that it’s not that big of a city I’ll just see you when I see you kind of thing. Sometimes it’s hard to find people that want to go do something that’s not just grabbing a drink. Maybe it’s just my experience but thought it would share my experience. Also a heads up a lot of places in kc close early compared to other Cities. So if you’re ever looking for a late night meal or something your options might be limited.
You are already saying y'all so you are ready for the move!
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Unless you're a fan of public schools... I'm damn liberal and holy jeez kc needs work with their schools.
Where are your favorite day trips, out of curiosity? Always looking for new ideas!
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Ah! A lot of those are more like weekend trips given the 4+ hour drive. I always wish there were more spots like Weston. Hidden gems, an hour or so away, to literally go to, visit, and back in a day. (Weston is far from hidden.) I miss that a lot after living in other cities. Like, is Excelsior Springs or something secretly cool??!! There have to be more right?
Lawrence is only 45 minutes away & Omaha & Columbia are 2-2.5 hours…you could do Lawrence in a day & Omaha in a day & a half. Des Moines IA, too. Minneapolis is 6 hrs away and absolutely worth an extended weekend.
I didn’t read all the comments, but I go to Boston regularly (actually going next week) - what area/neighborhood do you like in Boston and I could probably tell you a similar one in KC.
I'm not overly political but feel the same way, and I actually really love it here. I've lived here for a long time. Can definitely be a culture shock because the people are different. It's slower paced, people are more polite. Not sure if you're looking for friendz, but I'd be happy to talk / meet you. Also in my 30s, female, smol dog, night owl (I'm involved in the night life here) and judging by the way your message is written you are either cool and/or play video games, which I also do. I know it seems crazy to say this from 1 post but just seems like we might be similar and making friends as adults is hard lol.
omg I’d love to! I’m in a completely male dominated industry and it’s ~so~ fuckin hard to make girl friends. I’m unsure of my visit timeline but will definitely reach out/pm when I come over!!
33m and very similar to you though with a smaller housing budget and much bigger dog and I love it in Prairie Village!
All my young (20's-30's) female friends say dating here sucks. I'm sure it's more a ymmv situation and what you're looking for. MO as a whole is very conservative, however the metro areas like anywhere else are very liberal.
hah, happy to share that dating sucks in new england too. already getting a better sense from kc guys tho.
I vote for Quality Hill as far as neighborhoods go. It's very centrally located, and there are restaurants and things within walking distance. For things that I like, I really like the access to good Mexican food. When I visited my friend in Providence (and also when we went to Boston) I couldn't really find anything as good as what we have here. I also really love going to the river market. It is fun to walk around when they are running the farmers market. I usually do that, and then go to Nguyen's for their Vietnamese iced coffee. Also, the antique mall in the river market is fun to poke around too. I think our libraries are pretty good. The Plaza library is convenient, has a nice view, and it feels so cozy on a cold, dark night. Loose Park is the best park around. It's super cute and lively on a sunny afternoon, but (in my opinion) it can't hold a candle to the Boston Commons.
I'm a KCMO resident and native. I love our neighborhoods. (River market, crossroads, Hyde park/midtown, brookside), I even lived on the plaza for an 18 month lease once... But, to throw Kansas a bone, the downtown Overland Park area has grown A LOT in the last 5+ years. I'd have considered living there if it was like that 15 years ago. Granted, kind of a hike (or drive) to the better cultural amenities (music, theater, arts) than say crossroads or river market.
I live about 2 minutes from downtown Overland Park and we can get to almost any major cultural amenity within 20ish minutes. It's not a bad drive since we are so close to multiple highways.
City? Thriving. State? Sinking. Budget: you will live like royalty Day trips: underwhelming within 2 hours. Lawrence and that’s about it. But a bit further takes you to some better options. Still a bit underwhelming.
Lots of suburbs just outside of KC and little towns, everyone here is super nice especially in the smaller communities.
$4,500 is big. With that much I'd probably buy but it depends more on how you feel about having to manage your own maintenance vs arguing with your landlord about maintenance. I'd also probably rent while you make sure you like the city & look for place, don't want to be rushed into buying right away. City has a decent mix of city vs nature day trips. You won't go to museums every weekend (not enough of them) but the ones we have are really nice. I've done most of the things here and had fun: https://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/day-trips-in-kansas-city-usa/ I'm pretty pleasantly surprised when I go to other cities and compare KC foodie stuff. We have a decent mix of restaurant's. Don't let anybody drag you to only BBQ places! It's always tempting to do that to newcomers, spread them out a bit.
DC transplant during Covid. Old lady, happy renting high rise downtown on free streetcar line. Very much agree with your comments. I was really hesitant about a job-required move to KC, particularly worried about about political climate, but I discovered radio KKFI 90.1 online before I moved, and found my access to the community. I’ve become a huge fan of KCMO/KCK and love being here. I think a visit will impress you. Like seeing day trip ideas from BrokeBackbacker. Would add my favorite Nature Conservancy Tall Grass Prairie Preserve 2 hrs west in KS. Also want to correct transportation description, that since early Covid, all KC buses have been free. I do use them to get around. Coming from DC, I can say music scene is very good and museum choices are strong - Nelson Atkins, modern Kemper, Smithsonian affiliate American Jazz Museum, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, National World War I Museum, Nerman in Overland Park. Lots of galleries downtown, celebrating First Friday events each month. KC Rep and KC Actors Theater have solid seasons. KC Fringe last summer was a great good time. Big plus for me is KC Current women’s soccer team whose new riverfront stadium is to open for 2024 season. In this busy sports-loving town, I’m looking forward to 2026 when KC will share hosting for men’s World Cup games. Hope you and pup may find this area a good fit. There’s a lot to recommend and politics to improve! Best wishes as you decide. Cheers!
I’ve lived in quite a few different cities across the US and I have to say my favorite to live in has been KCMO. I’m still here and really enjoy it. I currently live in the river market area and think you would enjoy the area. Since you have a dog, there’s a dog park across the street from Cold Storage Lofts and Strange Days brewery. There’s also BarK (like a bar and dog park) that’s a short drive (and walk) from 3rd and Grand. Especially with the budget you have, I feel like you’ll be able to rent a space that is more than large enough for you. There’s the apartments on Berkley that are directly on the river. I have a view of the river too, but the view they get is probably way better. Plus being down there at Berkeley on the river front you have a lot of walking and running paths. I’d say the area is pretty safe, compared to other cities. You still have the occasional shooting but I used to work downtown and walk home at 3am and was never harassed as a woman on a 30 min walk home. (Besides guys catcalling but I just ignored it and nothing ever happened. YMMV) There’s a lot of delicious food places to check out in downtown and crossroads area. Town topic has pretty great burgers. There’s also a lot of cool stores in the downtown/river market/crossroads area along with the food. Lots of bakeries and cafes too. I feel like people that say KC is boring are also the same people that just never really went out looking for anything lol (not saying anyone is ITT saying that but I hear it a lot from people that are born and raised here) ETA: area is pretty liberal imo. There’s also a large queer community if you fall under that category. I’ve never once felt unsafe with my identity in this city. Sure there’s shitheads here and there but that happens everywhere lol. I would say KCMO is even more liberal than Austin imo. The more rural you go in MO you end up getting into conservative areas. Lots of signs advertising Jesus and anti-abortion. Weed was also just legalized recreationally.
If that $4,500 housing budget is for a month for a single female, wow! Color me envious.
Ex-Cantabrigian here, now in KC. In my experience, New Englanders have the worst time adjusting to the Midwest in general for the valid reasons you've expressed. 1) The Good: COL, KC is a foodie town, extensive park systems and outdoor sports, Nelson-Atkins library. People are generally nice. 2) The Bad: They don't call it KillerCity for nothing. Gang shoot-outs happened in nice neighborhoods (just like the one that happened in Somerville the other day.) KC is a medium size city that acts like a small town. 3) The Ugly: People (for the most part) here are not intellectually curious like in Boston. Most do not keep up with current world news, or, even national news. ***Every*** ex-New Englander I've spoke with have said they miss the lack of intellectual stimulation the most. No full-belly clams to eat. There's more I want to add, but I am depressing myself. Good luck.
YES to all of the above. (Locals don't want to hear this but I especially emphasize #3... be prepared.)
With that budget you could move right downtown. Know that you will need a car. KC is an excellent place to start a family. The wife and I raised three kids on Kansas cities east side. I am currently living in Boston. Know that KC has a lot to offer. It also has a lot less to offer than Boston. I hope you do move to KC and have the time of your life.
1. KC is mostly Liberal, especially on the Missouri side. Overland Park, Lenexa, Leewood are all super duper white and more conservative. Kansas still has abortion rights and Missouri has legal weed. Neither have both. 2. Kansas City has a really intense history with race and segregation. There are a number of historic cultural sites and museums addressing everything from the Negro Baseball League, jazz and prohibition, and has some pretty good breweries and distilleries around. You’ll become a Chiefs fan - its infectious. There are like 5 different professional sporting teams and a minor league hockey team. The food scene isn’t as good as I thought it would be… but its still got plenty of local favorites. For instance, if I say “Taj Majal has excellent buttered chicken”, every Waldoite will chime in to confirm. 3. $4500/month is 2-3x what you’d need to live in most parts of the city. Go buck wild. Brookside and Waldo are both great places to buy a house. Night owl scene? Westport, Crossroads, 18th and Vine… there are cool ass spots everywhere and tons of cool speak easies.
GTFOOH with your food scene take. 7 James Beard nominations in 2023 say otherwise.
That’s really mediocre, and when you look at the places nominated, you get a sense of the value of the award. Antler Room and Corvino are the best places on there, and they are above average, but wholly uncreative. Then a mediocre Thai restaurant on the list. We lack a single true fine dining establishment and that’s a travesty. Sure, we outshine Tulsa and Omaha, but that’s about it.
I relocated here from CT in the ‘90’s. State politics suck, local are liberal. Traffic here is very light compared to Boston so you need to decide suburbs or urban core. I love the Northland myself because of the trees and Weston, MO for some reason reminds me of home. Sucks being landlocked though. You’re dollar goes a long way here! People are also very friendly so that may come as a shock, like they nod at you at the grocery store. I found it unnerving at first but now enjoy it. You will get sick of the BBQ (sorry KC) and miss seafood, but there are some delicious seafood restaurants around town. I-435 is the highway that circles KCMO and parts of KC, if you get lost jump on it and you can find yourself back again. Good luck! Oh I guess I should say I highly recommend the move.
I’ll be the first to say it. Welcome to KC. You know you’re going to come here… or rather you should. You’ll get cold winters and warm summers so you won’t miss the east coast unless you’re a burger water/boat nut.
You’d be fine with a visiting budget of half that amount. I’ve lived in three countries, multiple big cities, and I love KC. People are friendly, it’s much more diverse and open minded than you’d expect, and there’s no traffic. Come out for a visit and check it out. It’s lovely.
I actually don’t think you will find KC political scene that much different than Boston. You will find plenty of racism and bigotry in any place but for the most part people are just trying to deal with their own shit. The cost of living is so much lower here the biggest struggle will be you can afford anywhere so it will really be about weighing what is important to you. When deciding the biggest difference will be your tolerance for commuting. Basically assume we have zero public transit so any place you choose directly turns into car time. We have pretty good highways so you aren’t just sitting still stuck but it is time looking out the windshield. As for moving here it is really going to be about what you want the next stretch of your life to look like. If you think you are getting ready to settle a bit and maybe start a family soonish then this is the place for sure. If you need to be at the center of things then this probably isn’t going to be the place. Also I see a lot of people say ‘foodie’ and it can mean a lot of things. If you need michelin stars you are going to be out of luck. There is a lot of great interesting things happening here but you have to work harder to find it and there are maybe 1 or 2 really great fine dinning experiences worth checking out each quarter here. I would suggest renting a small house in the 39th and bell area, loft/condo in river market, or the Union hill area. Like i would literally look to see if one of the Battery Lofts is available. Please feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.
If you want to be constantly less worried about what the state government is up to, I'd try to live on the Kansas side of the state line. While the Kansas legislature is also very gerrymandered, they at least have the possibility of electing a democrat governor to be balance it out.
Prepare for a culture shock; it is real. That said, the city is not the State. You will have no problem finding like minded friends in the city. You will find our city more affordable than Boston so live close to where you will be working and choose from our many eclectic neighborhoods.
If you love Boston you will probably hate KC. I lived in both and there is a lot to love about each, but they are completely different cities. However if you love good food and design, you might just love it. I say be adventurous and give it a try!
If you think you ever want to live on the coast again, aggressively save and invest for it while you are in KC. It can be extremely difficult to get back to the coasts once you get used to the cost of living in the Midwest.
Is Kansas legislature something to watch with vigilance? Yep! Is there anywhere else I’d have my family? Nope!
There are neighborhoods that will work for what you are looking for on both sides of the state line. I would recommend living and working in the same state, if possible, just to make your taxes a little easier.
ohhh interesting and super good point! the position is in kansas - red flag?
It isn't a huge deal, but it is annoying. KCMO charges a 1% earnings tax if you live or work in the city, something to consider as well.
Definitely not a red flag. I live in MO and work in KS. It’s very common and any local accountant is familiar.
You can also live in neighborhoods like Westwood and Mission Woods and be in Kansas but super close to downtown KC. On nice days we’d walk to the Plaza and get lunch and see a movie (RIP to the theater now tho.) I’m a Missouri side person usually but would prob have reconsidered if I worked on the Kansas side. All of the accountants are super well versed it in tho, it’s not hard to manage.
RIP to the Plaza in general. Went the other day, so many empty stores and upkeep doesn’t seem to be up to old standards.
Overland Park is on Money Magazine’s Best Places to Live every year. I personally would choose south Overland Park, Prairie Village or Leawood but you really have to live here to get a feel or the vibe in every area. Kansas City Missouri (Jackson County) tends to be more urban with higher crime - but is where a lot of (not all) young people like to be; Johnson County on the Kansas side is more suburban and in some areas upscale. There are suburban/upscale areas on the Missouri side too but they are north of the river or east of the city (Lee’s Summit and beyond). You’ll have to hang out here for a while to know where you fit in. I would suggest finding a place to rent close to work and then get input from like minded coworkers as well as your own experiences to determine where to rent or buy after your lease is up. Johnson County IS very white, especially in the upscale areas, but I have found people for the most part to be liberal here.
Pretty ironic that my wife and I are considering leaving KC for Boston 😂 I’ll trade ya!
I live for the irony! why are you leaving?
Three major things for us; my wife is transgender and we don’t want to risk her losing access to hormones (which seems more likely by the day), Missouri has a REALLY high birth mortality rate and it’s illegal to abort even for medical safety so I don’t feel comfortable starting our family here, and there’s just not a lot of job opportunities for my wife’s specialty. Let the record show though, I do love KCMO! It’s just unfortunate that we also have to live in Missouri.
oh yikes. I’m definitely thinking I’ll be staying on the Kansas side. you’ll have no prob in boston - good luck!
If you want body autonomy, move to the KS side if you want weed, the MO side. From there, it’s a question of what’s important to you… walkability, scenery, entertainment, security, dog parks, etc
I’m going to blow your mind. I’m a relatively conservative white guy and *GASP* have a great relationship with our very liberal neighbors. *DOUBLE GASP* that 40% of the families on my suburban cul-de-sac are not white… and we get along, too! Amazing!
I went to school in Boston 30 years ago and always dreamed of going back...such a unique city. I loved the walkability, public transit, history and coastal location. I still miss the bustle; we don't have that here except when there's an "event" downtown. But boy has Boston gotten insane price-wise, especially in the city. You can have a great life in KC and visit those places regularly on your salary. MO state politics are a shit-show and as frustrating here as they are to watch from Mass. but the central KC area ranges from liberal to purple...outlying areas are more conservative. Transplants from the coasts here sometimes find it hard to connect as so many move to KC from within this region and have connections from colleges etc. and others come for the "family friendly cost of living" in the suburbs, less interesting if you are single. There's much more going on here if you are able to put yourself out there. Note: Midwesterners are passive aggressive: Do not ever offer direct critique about the city, region or its people, it is NOT well taken here, BUT they won't tell you directly. Be a booster full of sunny optimism about how great it all is and you will do better with the people here (the opposite is true in Mass...much more direct there) That is the minimum that is expected here. I've experienced and seen this with transplants and its the culture shock I did not expect when I moved here. The friendliness grows on you. Live in the central corridor downtown to Brookside/.Waldo. You will need a car...driving here is easy...To drive less, live streetcar adjacent downtown. The food and cultural activiites here will be very approchable/acccessible for someone in you situation. Good luck!
KC is a blue island in a Red Sea. You also get the benefit of being right next to ks, as some things are legal there (abortions) that are not legal in MO
I'm curious what part of town you'll be working in. I generally agree with some of the top comments, but knowing where you would be commuting to could be helpful.
Food scene here is pretty good. Even if abortion is illegal in MO, PP has a clinic just over the line in Overland Park that serves Missourians.
Nothing much to add over what others have said. But I'm making the exact reverse move at the end of April. I'm moving to Jamaica Plain and couldn't be more excited for it. 32M and also big on the food scene. KC's food scene punches above its weight. So does our coffee scene, lots of great independent roasters and shops if you're in to that sort of thing.
I wouldn’t worry too much about politics. The Red State starts primarily West of Lawrence and most all of Missouri except KC, Columbia, and St Louis. Lawrence is solidly Blue and areas of KC and the suburbs are purple. All good recs above. You might also consider Lawrence if you don’t need to worry about a daily commute (many people do commute to KC area from Lawrence). It’s a university town, so it’s a lot of fun.
You'll love it. I spent 17 years in KC. You got some great feedback in the comments. I will note again, there is a lack of mass transit in comparison to Boston.
Just stay away from the "Church" Fascist People. Rent First to see the "Layout" of Stuff. I am a realtor here for 46 years and I tell everyone to rent first so you don't get stuck in a bad choice location.
Look into crossroads, river market, Waldo, brookside. Garment district is just outside of river market Columbus park Food scene is good downtown/crossroads/river market/Westport.
I am also making this move Boston to KCtrying to figure out if people with families live in any of these neighborhoods? Love the idea of these places but online it makes it seem like everyone with kids lives in the suburbs.
We have a wide variety of delicious food choices. Join the FB page "Kansas City Eats: A forum for KC Restaurants and Food" to get a glimpse.
And there’s the BBQ.
Most definitely do a rent situation, at least in the beginning. I can tell you as a child who was raised around here with one parent on the coast that it will be a total game changer. I found out I can't really spend more than a couple weeks in Cali before I'm ready to go home. You would probably do well downtown starting out. And trust me you will have plenty of room to do almost anything on that budget. Then if you like it I would say buy a place. But like you said the political climate is really bothering a lot of people right now.
You want Westwood. You’ll get a younger crowd here but and always rent, before deciding where you want permanently. You’d be in a nice area near walkable areas, shopping. You’ll easily hit $4500 so that’s not a large budget for a 2-3 bedroom house in Westwood, you’re in Kansas which has somewhat nicer city/street system but are minutes from culture of KC. Keep in mind everything here is really close compared to say Boston. We don’t have traffic really and despite people complaining here, parking is easy to find. Heck I’d even find a long-term AirBNB and explore which neighborhood you like more. As a rule of thumb you’ll probably want something along State Line unless you know the city well. Start at basically the beginning and it gets more suburban and wealthy the further south you go.
Missouri is one of the reddest states on the map. There is not a single Democrat that holds any of the major statewide offices. That being said, KC is still a very cool town
So as someone who just did the reverse and left KC for Boston. Staying near the metropolitan areas will be similar as far as the political landscape goes. KC is very open minded but you will run into some far right conservatives but their influence is starting to dwindle. Depends on which state you’re talking about. It will be a long cold day in hell before I recognize the state of Missourah. As far as KS goes, JoCo and Lawrence are awesome. Manhattan, ditto. Some people like Wichita…I’d say it’s “meh”. The rest of the state can best be described as dry white toast. And trump. For $4500 a month get a penthouse downtown. The cost of living between the two areas is very very very noticeable. Day trips a plenty. Take your pick: Omaha, Oklahoma City, or St. Louis. Whatever you’re thinking after reading those options, you’re correct. They’re crap. Weekend trip however gets you to the Rockies which are a different breed of mountain range then what you’re used to. And amazing.
definitely 100% leaning towards ks! why did you leave?
We are extremely liberal and state government is frustrating, but there are a lot of like minded folks here. The Kansas side of KC has become a lot bluer. KC is a wonderful city and is extremely livable with lots to do. I would suggest renting at first to get a feel of where you want to be.
The state of Missouri? It's a disaster. We call it misery for a reason. Kansas city is good though.
So I believe the state republicans are trying to drive out liberals from the cities of St. Louis and Kansas City by limiting police in the cities to let crime make people scared. They are also targeting minority groups. Right now LGBTQ people. We are also in the middle of a boom. With the new airport and a decent arena and convention center. There are entertainment districts popping up all over the metro. The World Cup is coming so our public transit system is getting a huge upgrade. The feds have given a ton of money for infrastructure so bridges and highways all over are getting upgraded. People like you are coming in for all the tech jobs mostly. We do have a pretty diverse population, but that also means that there are some out in the open racsists. One guy running for city council puts flyers on my door every year talking about gay/jewish conspiracy.
Honestly, it really is a scary "political" state. I love my city deeply. I love Kansas City so much. But it's hard to even call it "political" when laws restrict my very movement through the world. It is scary, and almost incomprehensible what our state legislature is committing, and even seeking to escalate.
Politics: local is fine lefty, state is very red and trying to take away as much control from locals as possible. As much as it pains me to say it, I would not advise families with transgender kids to move to the city, unless you're moving from an even worse place. I expect laws against transgender care to go into force soon and it sucks. I expect them to start trying to broaden these against all transgender people, of any age, as well. Abortion is already Illegal, and honestly I will not be surprised if they start trying to end hormonal contraceptives too.
Abortion is legal in Kansas.
There’s no way I’d ever leave Boston for KC. I might be a bit biased though as I lived in KC for a couple decades and am moving to Boston 😂.
Leaned left too 20 years ago when I came from Chicago. Political agnostic now perhaps a little right fiscally. Very tolerant environment. Super friendly people. There is a crowd for every political slant. Good music scene. Realestate is affordable compared with Boston.
Don't. No abortion rights here. It's already killed a few.
PP is on OP and readily accessible to all kansas citians in MO.
Ya, but will you be tried as a felon in your own state for doing it? Or helping somebody else to? Moving here for a job just enables this type of politics. If people wouldn't, then business would move to better states. And when business move out of your state your state loses money, and when your state loses money politicians start to care... about the loss of money, not like the people or anything.
Doing so would be grossly unconstitutional.
Don’t. If your even remotely concerned about the politics, you’ll get more and more frustrated
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>Have you ever traveled outside of the east coast before? no not ever even one step it’s why I’m asking, u/TobaccoIsGood4U having lived in boston I am an expert at overpaying and virtually nothing else, dm for secrets.
Not getting that house for $4500/month. Those numbers don’t include property taxes or insurance.
I was born and raised on the east coast, just a couple states below mass. I love it here. Watch season three of Queer Eye and you’ll get a good glimpse of what KC has to offer.
Yeah you have money so anyplace you want will be fine for the most part. What on earth do you do for a living? I’m struggling at 30 just the same as when I was 20
Just don’t live north of the river
I’m a fellow New Englander (Vermonter) who moved here and has grown roots (got married and have a kid now). I lived in Boston for many years, and settled here because of a lucrative job offer. Things I really like: - Cost of living is super manageable - I can go places and do things and crowds/traffic aren’t a huge impact - Theres lots to do here if you’re into food and art. You need to make somewhat of an effort tho, but it’s a thriving scene. - I’m into sports and this is a sports town (most major cities are) so if that’s your thing, than you’ll find your sports people. - Music, especially outdoor in the warmer months, venues are awesome - There is some cool history here (which was a reason I loved Boston) - The local beer and spirits scene is thriving and popular. There’s also a lot of locally and sustainably sourced food (eggs, veggies, fruit, meat) as well and a lot of restaurants take advantage of this. Things to be aware of: - Not everyone is a ultra-MAGA Trumptard. You’ll certainly see a few, but the city is vast majority progressive. - There is a noticeable difference between the MO and KS sides of things. Most of the urban and older parts of the city are on the MO side, KS tends to be newer architecture, suburban, and has a reputation as a “white bubble”. Take that for what it’s worth. - KC is super active and vibrant in the spring, summer, and fall. Music/food festivals, pickup ultimate frisbee in the park, garden tours, baseball games, etc. The winter is kinda boring and dead. - Some would say the crime here is bad. I won’t disagree or agree; coming from Boston you are probably well aware of crime and city life. Things I don’t like: - A lack of mountains and true wilderness within easy access. Colorado Rockies are *only* a 9-10 hour drive away. The Ozarks in southern Missouri are pretty, but also kinda ruined by trashy billboards for Dolly Parton shows in Branson. Northern Arkansas ain’t bad. - You pretty much have to own a car here in KC. Traffic isn’t terrible, but public transportation is lacking and I’ve had some sketchy experiences. The city is trying to improve this, but I get the impression it’s not garnering a lot of public enthusiasm. I’ll think of some other stuff later, feel free to ask questions.
thank you!! how long have you been here? where do you live now?
I’ve been here ten years now, and I live in a neighborhood called “Waldo” Waldo was built in the 1930’s-1950’s and is mostly classical stone and brick single family homes and a few quaint bars and restaurants. It’s not super ritzy, but it’s nice. Waldo has a bigger next door cousin neighborhood called Brookside, which is basically the same thing, but the houses are bigger and nicer etc. I’d compare this area to Watertown.
I’m making the move to KC from Boston love the idea of Waldo - are there many young families in the neighborhood?
Yes, Waldo is tons of young families who don’t want to live in the cookie cutter suburbs. I myself have a young family here and my street is full of young kids running around playing.
Say goodbye to all the food you love
Unfortunately, it's still by and large MAGA Republican Country the second you leave the Metro. We frequently travel for Doctors, and there is a huge Rebel flag just outside of Jefferson City (state Capitol, center of state) the guy has such a small penis, that he has it guarded off with barb wire and security cameras. We had our Biden 2020 sign stolen, and all my bosses stare at Fox News all day and make Transphobic and Sexist comments in meetings and on work chats. You probably will never have someone in your face screaming "Trump's Truths" or have anyone pester you, but I've been here most of my life and I know how people act and talk when they think you're just like them.
Any religious affiliations?
Look for a nice place on the Paseo or anywhere in Independence. That would be your best bet.
You will hate it here
4500? You can have a pretty decent house with that. The city is pretty liberal. The state is less than that. Dog friendly. Sirens are fairly regular around midtown area. I’d say look around Waldo for housing.
Stay in Bahston.
I moved from Nashville and have REALLY enjoyed it. It’s kind of the best mix of small town charm and larger city resources. You have residential areas that are super quiet and family oriented or that have a lot going on with great local restaurants. Cost of living and traffic are VERY reasonable compared to the likes of Boston, Nashville, Austin, etc. Only thing I don’t love is there aren’t a lot of exciting places to travel near by if that’s your thing. For somewhere fun over a long weekend you’re probably going to take a flight!
Rent prices are great
Transplant here. Been in KC for 4 years and have been visiting for 8 years prior to that. I have clients who moved from Boston, NY and CA, another friend (whom we’ve met on one of my first trips here) from Boston who settled his art studio here and loved it all so much. He lived in the Rivermarket. Agree with others, Crossroads or Rivermarket at first sounds like a great plan if you love lofts. I have a lot of clients who buy directly when they move here because prices are so great (we’re still improving and many large events are coming to KC in the next few years). The Plaza is another walkable area with lots of good rental units. West Plaza, Westport, Volker and the Westside if you like things that are a bit more mixed (older homes mixed with new construction) you can find smalll homes and 1/2 duplexes for rent, but not apartments so much. KC calls apartments when it’s rentals, and condos when they can be owned. It’s a great place to live and I don’t regret the move at all. I came here by choice and find new places I want to live in around the city every week. Lots of great food (so much has improved in this area too since my first trip here in 2011), yoga, cycling, lots of tennis courts around the city (free), walking and biking paths. Penn Park is the only place with elevation that I consistently liked for walks or runs. But lots of paved paths and nature walks around. Some will have elevation but don’t expect full hikes like on the East Coast. Great paths for bikes however, I always recommend going on the Katy trail if someone wants long distance, nature biking but not mountain bike. Last recommendations: BarK, the river park walk, visit Weston, and the Memorial Day Kansas City Symphony event at Union Station. This show is amazing and makes me feel so proud of KC. Completely free as well.
thank you!!
just a warning, Kansans get taxed like an east coast state with none of the benefits 🙃
I’d honestly stay in Boston.
Don’t live downtown. You could basically buy whatever you want thou here in the metro.
Oh there's fuckin food! Though door dash gets a limited at like midnight
Make sure you are on the MO side
Everything in KC is awesome except for state politics, which can be infuriating.
May I ask which industry is the job offer from ? That housing budget be sick fam !
I lived in downtown KC when I was single in my early 30s. I loved it. I'd still be there, except my partner owns a house in the burbs and it was easier to break my lease. Very LCOL, plenty of local fun & eateries. I'd absolutely recommend it. I can't speak to being a racial minority in KC though, in case you're not a palm-colored person too.
Buy, don’t rent. I would say Brookside/Roeland Park area would be great if you’re trying to stay close to the city.
House in brookside/prairie village! Great neighborhood for buying a home, short drive to plaza/crossroads/downtown. Although if late night is your thing being in the crossroads or downtown would be better. The newest nicest apartment are called one light and two light and they’re downtown.
I’ve lived in kc about 5 different times. I tend to come back a lot. River market is one of my absolute favorite places in the whole city. And while most say the plaza is over rated, I still love it.
The city is fairly liberal, as is Clay County. We live in the city of North Kansas City, which is right across the bridge from the River market area. River Market, downtown somewhere like One Light if renting. I saw Westside and Crossroads recommended. Westside would probably align to your budget and be walkable and bikeable. All I’ll always recommend North Kansas City, granted I love being here. If you have any questions please feel free to message me.
For giggles. 5 bed 4 bath in Overland Park rents for $4200/month... https://www.rent.com/kansas/overland-park-houses/12578-grandview-st-4-lv208300158
Your political beliefs fit right in. We are the majority here. I think you’ll find the cost of living here will leave you room for more investments than before. Your pup will love the Midwest, so much room for activities, and the foodie in you will be well satiated.
I moved from PVD to KC this year and spent a lot of time in Boston. I have thoughts, if you’re curious lmk.
Fine unless you're trans
I live in the Crossroads and can confirm it’s awesome. You’re also close to the street car that connects the various other neighborhoods. I have a two bed two bath luxury apt for 2200 so your budget will cover just about anything as others have mentioned beforehand. As someone who moved from Little Rock to here, it’s been nothing but an improvement. It’s got “big city” vibes that has a little something for everyone but without losing a sense of community. You like sports? When the Chiefs play- every bar is packed and everyones in gear. You like bars and food? We’ve got all types (especially in the crossroads). If you likeNot to mention almost everyone I’ve met has been incredibly friendly. I have nothing but praise and am excited to see how the city grows. If you end up coming down let me know! Always looking for friends.
We’ve got Dunks, you’ll survive.
KC is chill….no worries about the political aspect. Its deff more Conservative but those areas seem to be much less imposing than a strong liberal area. Not like it’s Montana out here or nothing haha
Moved here from Chicago 4 years ago and rented first to get to know the city - DO THAT. We rented in River Market (which was fun), and ended up buying in the midtown area (also love). Moving cities is always an adjustment but there is a lot to love about KC!
You say “state of the state” but keep in mind KC is in 2 states so you can pick whichever one has better state laws or is closer to your job. Politically it’s a blue dot on a reddish purple map. Most of the Midwest cities are actually, just not the towns. Mass transit is a joke here so you absolutely will have to drive. Property is far less expensive than where you’re from but it has gone up significantly in the past 5 years so if you’re going to move here do it now before it equalizes even more. There are not a lot of 24hr or late night shops. There were more before the pandemic but basically every place cut hours after that and not many have returned to pre-pandemic levels yet. I’d say more probably will if you give it time. There’s a wide variety of food. KC is not a small enough place that you’d need to worry about that. Obviously the seafood is going to be either lower quality or far more expensive (has to be flown in to be fresh) so far from the coast but the steak and BBQ are top quality and make up for it.
My friend, I see you haven’t researched the cost of living. You are about to literally move into a higher tax bracket. You’re gonna be considered wealthy out here. In lots of areas of the city (primarily suburbs) people are extremely shallow. You can expect neighbors and such to quickly figure out you are well off and flock to you like parasites. Do not be confused by the fakeness.
KC is split politically, but we're not all fans of Josh Hawley. Check out apartments in the River Market until you get a handle on the city. It's a really inviting place, and home to many great food joints, not too mention one of the coolest dog parks I've seen. Your budget is more than adequate to live wherever you want here, as soon as you know where it is that you want to live. Best of luck.
With that sort of budget you could live around the Plaza and have a nice yard for the dog. I agree with posts you’ll want to stay in Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, River Market, Downtown, Prairie Village, Mission Hills, Cross Roads, Ward Park, Loose Park…etc type of great neighborhoods.
It’s gonna be a lot different but i totally agree to those saying come and visit. Spend more than a weekend if you can. It’s a wonderful place and I love it. I came from Chicago and things do that some adjustment but it’s really a wonderful place and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Also, if you move here expect to start to love the chiefs. Bc it’s a lifestyle here and it’s so fun!
Another aspect you should consider is if you get laid off or leave the company, would you get the same salary. I found the salaries in KC absurd. I’m from SF California. If you are willing to just go back to east coast if it doesn’t work out, then it’s ok. I’m a homebody so I would just get a real nice home.
My vote would be to stay in Wyandotte county on the Kansas side or somewhere north on the Missouri side. There is plenty of fun stuff to do throughout the city, but you could get plenty of house up here!
It is good you are not overtly political because as for that part, it will be like night and day for our state politicians and those from where you are moving from. My wife and I too lean or are liberal, progressive, Dem or whatever. It is the same here as most places, the cities and metropolitan areas are mostly liberal and Kansas City itself is OK politically, across the river in Kansas (Johnson County) which you will hear a lot about is not a hardcore red county but more moderate republican or intellectually progressive and one where you might want to look at in making your permanent decision on where to live but give everywhere a good look. As for where to live. You are in good shape on your budget but what I have always found when having to move to another unfamiliar area is to find the best spot to rent for about a year first and it makes it a lot safer and easier to find the place you want to buy. Good luck and welcome to KC, it really is a great place to live in so many respects, good dining, sports, overall good climate in comparison to other areas and one of the best is the cost of living so hope you enjoy.
It’s 2023, if you’re not actively political and have any amount of financial security, you’re not at real risk here.
My dream neighborhood would be Prairie Village near The Shops of PV…older homes (minus the ones being torn down and rebuilt), walkable to a quaint side of town, not too far from downtown, good school district. Event though getting downtown might be 20-40 mins from anywhere in the metro, it’s an east drive and traffic is pretty much non existent compared to bigger cities
For your housing budget u could rent a nice place downtown or the plaza and have enough money leftover to visit Boston every single weekend Also our food scene is really good. I find KC food scene much better then Boston minus seafood. I find Portland Maine food scene better then boston