Your choice! (Kansas City, Lee's Summit, Raytown: sales, crime, homes)

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by luzianne

I didn't say north Overland Park isn't as safe. It's safe. It's just not as new and thus, to me, not as nice. Depends what you like. Newer, to me, is nicer.

That is your opinion. I always associate "new" in terms of house developments as generally inferior. I like neighborhoods with more of a Midwest flavor instead of a Sunbelt flavor.

[luzianne]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

That is your opinion. I always associate "new" in terms of house developments as generally inferior. I like neighborhoods with more of a Midwest flavor instead of a Sunbelt flavor.

I live in one of those older houses, and I do like it. It probably is built better than a house I could buy in southern OP. But it is 55 years old and was built for people who lived differently than people live today. One car garage, one small bathroom, smallish bedrooms. If I bought another house in the Kansas City area, it would definitely be in southern Overland Park, where the houses are bigger, newer, more modern, bigger windows, open living spaces, first floor laundry room (instead of basement like I have now). Also, I may be mistaken but I think some if not all of southern Overland Park has underground instead of overhead power lines, and I like that too.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by luzianne

I live in one of those older houses, and I do like it. It probably is built better than a house I could buy in southern OP. But it is 55 years old and was built for people who lived differently than people live today. One car garage, one small bathroom, smallish bedrooms. If I bought another house in the Kansas City area, it would definitely be in southern Overland Park, where the houses are bigger, newer, more modern, bigger windows, open living spaces, first floor laundry room (instead of basement like I have now). Also, I may be mistaken but I think some if not all of southern Overland Park has underground instead of overhead power lines, and I like that too.

Well, the neighborhood I grew up in (Overland Park) had underground power lines and was built during the 1960s. It was also NORTH of 435 The entire neighborhood was built during multiple stages from about 1966 to 1973. Many architectural styles are present, many trees were conserved, and good shade plantings were selected (unlike many new developments today). So, I wouldn't make a broad brush statement about everything in north Overland Park north of 435. What, is everything north of 119 st now in north Overland Park too

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

What, is everything north of 119 st now in north Overland Park too

Ha! It certainly seems that way a lot of times!

[northbound74]

Any of the three would get the suburban job done. I agree Olathe is by far the least attractive, but it does have some okay areas. Lee's Summit is more my style of those three. Overland Park is tolerable, but just too dull and crowded in an annoying way. For the Kansas side, I'd pick pretty much any town in the northeast corner of Johnson County and maybe Lenexa if you want to be further out. On the Missouri side, I wouldn't overlook Liberty or Parkville... or most any other area of the Northland.

[Samantha S]

Originally Posted by northbound74

Overland Park is tolerable, but just too dull and crowded in an annoying way.

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

I wouldn't make a broad brush statement about everything ......

[northbound74]

Originally Posted by Samantha S

So perhaps it's not crowded, certainly not by urban standards, but poor city planning means that an I-Metcalf is necessary. After driving nearly every square inch of the town, I still say it's dull place where split-levels go to die. The only thing remotely interesting is it's 1 little block of 'downtown', but it's pretty uneventful even by suburban standards. Even the residential stuff near it doesn't feel like they're a part of any walkable downtown core. Of course not every town has the history of Independence or Liberty to work with, but Overland Park could take a cue from Lee's Summit in that department.

[MabelMeister]

Lee's Summit, because I don't want to live in Kansas.

[Samantha S]

Originally Posted by northbound74

So perhaps it's not crowded, certainly not by urban standards, but poor city planning means that an I-Metcalf is necessary. After driving nearly every square inch of the town, I still say it's dull place where split-levels go to die. The only thing remotely interesting is it's 1 little block of 'downtown', but it's pretty uneventful even by suburban standards. Even the residential stuff near it doesn't feel like they're a part of any walkable downtown core. Of course not every town has the history of Independence or Liberty to work with, but Overland Park could take a cue from Lee's Summit in that department.

And you are entitled to your very biased opinion. I was just pointing out the ongoing double standard here.

Rather than just saying what you prefer, you disparage a very broad and yes, diverse area based on personal biases. That seems to be okay and even a favorite pasttime when it's directed at anything JoCo. Some posters can barely post at all without taking a stab at JoCo or suburban life in general.

If I went into the neighboring thread where Raytown has been recommended and said that I would avoid it because it's too redneck, there would be hell to pay!! (And FTR I've never said that) If someone asked about specific urban neighoborhoods and I told them to consider the great suburban options in JoCo, I would be raked over the coals!!

It's amusing in a sad little way.

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by Samantha S

If someone asked about specific urban neighoborhoods and I told them to consider the great suburban options in JoCo, I would be raked over the coals!!

Well you shouldn't be.

Based on the three locations provided by the OP and their spread across the metro, I think it's a fair guess that they have employment in the city, so I don't think it's out of line to suggest a fairly suburban urban area that would also be worth looking into.

On the same token, if someone came to the forum and asked about the Plaza, Volker and Union Hill and said they'd be working in Overland Park, I would have no problem if you suggested they look at the area surrounding downtown Overland Park, as it is fairly walkable and would put them closer to work.