Moving to KCMO from the UK (Kansas City, Center: to rent, Home Depot, neighborhood) - City-Data Forum

Owl79 · 10-11-2010, 09:17 AM

Hi,

I've been offered a job in KC (dependent on getting the required visa etc) and was hoping to get some more info about life in KC. I'm a single 31 year old male and would ideally like to live in an urban area, with restaurants, coffee shops and decent bars within easy walking distance. From the (admittedly limited) research that I've done so far I really like the look of the River Market and Plaza areas. I've read some previous posts on this forum which suggested that a car is a necessity to get the most out of the city, but I was hoping to get by without one initially. I'll be working at UMKC Dental school, so the River Market looks as though it would be within walking/biking distance but the Plaza seems much further away. Is there a decent bus service that connects the downtown area? The other US cities that I've been to (Denver, Seattle, NYC) all had good public transport links but, from what I've read, this isn't the case for KC. I'm sure I'll get a car eventually but with the expense of relocating it's something that I'd rather avoid to start with. Are there any other areas that people would recommend? I'm sure I'll be using this forum a lot over the next few months so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Matt

brewcrew1000 · 10-11-2010, 09:35 AM

It looks like the School of Dentistry is at 650 E 25th St, so both the plaza and river market are very similar in distance.
If you will be working during the daytime, the busline will be just great to get where you need to go.

Another area i would look into is the Crossroads Art District which is becoming a vibrant area with tons of new restaurants/Shops/Bars, the new performing arts center on the horizon will make this area the place to be.

TabulaRasa · 10-11-2010, 04:59 PM

The Max bus line will get you close to the School of Dentistry from either River Market or the Plaza...I used to do some work at Truman Medical Center, which is nearby, when I was working downtown and living in the Plaza, and I typically took the bus there from either point of origin. The Max doesn't run very late into the night, if memory serves, but def. during working hours.

famusdarlin · 10-11-2010, 05:32 PM

Interesting. My husband works at the Dental School. Welcome to KC, I hope!

I believe you can get by without a car for a while in Kansas City. Without a car it will be difficult to venture into the burbs, but I have seen so many more people in KC on bake lately. I think the areas you're looking at, adding crossroads to the list are your best bets. I know there is the City Market in the city market, but I'm not sure if you could do all your food shopping there, perhaps someone else can address if there are grocery stores there outside the ethnic markets. Being a mommy to three little ones I always think about the convience of shopping and IMO there is not alot of shopping in the area, but you could catch a taxi to costco or target and get most necessities.

Good luck in your decision!

I'll check with the hubs to see if there is an alt bus option in the area. There are so many students, I can't imagine they all have access to cars if they are working on something late.

brewcrew1000 · 10-11-2010, 06:26 PM

The Costco and Home Depot are both on the Max Line, so basically you could do all your big box shopping at those places and the Taxes are cheaper at the Midtown Costco because it's a TIF area. I looked at my bill yesterday and only paid 4.75% taxes on all the grocery items.

TinaMcG · 10-11-2010, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewcrew1000

The Costco and Home Depot are both on the Max Line, so basically you could do all your big box shopping at those places and the Taxes are cheaper at the Midtown Costco because it's a TIF area. I looked at my bill yesterday and only paid 4.75% taxes on all the grocery items.

Well that would be interesting, trying to get anything from Costco n a bus, LOL! My Jeep is barely big enough most of the time!

Owl79 · 10-12-2010, 04:31 AM

Thanks for the replies. The MAX seems to link most of the areas that I'd want to go to, which is useful. As far as shopping goes, I'm happy to buy most things from smaller, independent retailers, as long as I could get to a supermarket every few weeks. I might just rent a car for one or two weekends a month, to do some shopping and exploring.

The Crossroads area also looks great, so I'd definitely consider living there as well.

Samantha S · 10-12-2010, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owl79

I might just rent a car for one or two weekends a month, to do some shopping and exploring.

That's going to get expensive quick. You might consider buying an inexpensive used car instead. Over the course of a few years, you will probably save money.

famusdarlin · 10-12-2010, 08:21 AM

Spoke to my husband last night he shared, there are two researchers at the dental schools, that he knows of, who walk to work every day. He did not know where they lived.

aragx6 · 10-12-2010, 01:17 PM

There is the Cosention's right downtown as well, which from the River Market would be easy.

On the weekends it's easy to rent a car for $12-$20/day. They're more expensive during the week for business travelers. I think that's certainly an option.

Also make sure to look at Westport -- walkable area with lots of young singles and would be along plenty of bus routes to get you anywhere in the city you need to go. And the benefit to Westport is that there's a supermarket -- SunFresh -- right in the heart of the neighborhood.