Where the Young Professionals At? (Outside Metro Area) (Leawood, Craig: apartments, rental)

[umop ap!sdn]

I have recently taking a job in the Tomahawk Creek Parkway area of Leawood and would like some information about where to live. I know this has been asked before, but the plaza area is just outside my driving time range. Some criteria:

Required
1. Plenty of young professionals, age 20-35.
2. Easily accessible running/biking trails.
3. Close enough to the Plaza/Westport area.
4. 20-30 minutes from work, max (at 6-8 AM). No idea what the traffic is like in the morning.
EDIT: Price range, keep it under a grand please. But I'm flexible if its worth it.

Preferred
5. Within 4-6 mile running distance of a very nice fitness center. Just want something with plenty of amenities. City Gym would be alright in my book.
6. Closer to a Rock Wall the better. (IBEX, Emerald City being the only decent ones I know about).
7. Extra storage, preferably a garage space.

Also, if you have a favorite gym/fitness center, wherever it may be, what is it?

Thanks in advance.

[WiseOwlSaysHoot]

Well, I think the Plaza and Westport areas do fit within you specified driving time. I would say it would be about a 25 minute drive from most spots in the Midtown area to Tomahawk Creek Parkway in Leawood. You could even be in the Downtown/River Market areas and make it out there in 25 minutes due to the good highway access.

However, if you want to cut that down a bit and avoid highways on your commute, I think Waldo would be the perfect place for you. The demographics of Waldo won't be quite as young as the more urban areas closer to Downtown, but it will definitely have more young professionals than the suburbs around Leawood. It has the Trolley Trail for running and a City Gym in a central location. There are some apartments in the Waldo area, but your best bet for a rental would probably be one of the many small bungalow/ranch homes for rent. Some of those will have garages and most will have basements for storage.

If you prefer apartment/condo living, especially one with some nicer amenities, then I would suggest the River Market area. You've got GYMkc right there and the Riverfront Heritage Trail, plus a heavy concentration of young professionals.

[aragx6]

I definitely second Waldo.

You can definitely rent a little bungalow in your price range. Like this one from Craigslist:

Beautiful Waldo Home 2Bed / 1Bath / 1 Car Garage

[benji2.0]

I would take a look at the Prairie Village/Mission area as well as the waldo area. I've lived in the area since graduating in 09, alot of friends live in the area as well. Obviously not everyone is as young as in the plaza/westport area's but you would be suprised at how many young people are at the blue moose(71st and mission) on thursday nights.

Waldo would be a good choice as well, they are pretty much the same area seperated by a state line.

[umop ap!sdn]

Thank you for all the help. I'm starting the search tomorrow. Waldo looks like a great area and I'll have to figure out the commute for myself.