Opinions on Independence, MO? (Lee's Summit, Blue Springs: section 8, crime, houses)

[Duece8282]

Lees Summit all the way if it's a nice place to live with a good Music Program for your kids. You'll know what I mean if your children end up in the Lees Summit North High School.

[Lynda in KC]

Yes, I agree. I would probably stay on the east side also. For the main reason, the school district. If you are on the west side you have the chance of being in the Kansas City School District, and you do NOT want that for sure. They are still working on getting full accretidation back. But they are working on getting the schools that are in the Independence city limits out of the KC district and in the Independence district. The Fort Osage school district is a very good one as far as I have heard. And Truman High has been a nationally ranked high school for some time. Like someone else said, you have good and bad areas no matter what side of the city you are on. Rough and bad area right as you go into the west side of the city, rough and bad area right off of 291 and 24 hwy, etc. The farther east you go the more you get out of the actual city and the quieter it would be.

If you move here, welcome to the KC metro area.

[oceanblue76]

Independence is a great place to live. They have homes for all incomes.
Some areas are older and some historical and then they have the newer
communities near the Independence Mall. Its a great area, close to shopping and parks. You will love it. Don't rule out Blue Springs. It has a small town feel, larger homes (a little pricey) just look around you may find a good deal, but its near Independence. Hope this helped and good luck with your house hunting.

[russ_sutton]

I found this website that evaluates all public schools http://www.schoolmatters.com/. You can compare schools based on academic scores and teacher-student ratios.

[punz]

Independence is a lovely town to live in. So many nice homes, a great mall, plenty of groceries, churches,drugstores, parks,doctors, a new, large hospital with state of the art provisions, shops and restruants to choose from. Lake Jacomo close by. The old historical square area along with Truman's home and library. Most of the schools here have a good reputation, my son went to Glendale elementary, Bridger, Truman. Consider choosing a home close to I-70, many are available in good neighborhoods. We love it here.
punz

[MrsMo]

Independence, Raytown, and Fort Osage school districts are all good. My kids are in the Raytown Schools and have been pleased. I attended Raytown schools. My kids did go to Catholic Elementary school so I only know about the high schools. Friends of my kids go to Indep schools and their parents are all happy with them. Grandson attended Fort Osage schools and DD was happy, although she has now moved back to the Raytown District. Raytown has new housing areas now. I like the area we are in, alot of empty nesters, but quite a few are now selling and younger families are moving in. A really neat new area is at 59th and Raytown Trafficway, called Crescent Creek. Was impressed with the homes as we considered moving a few blocks as the homes have the feel of an older established community.

[LABRAT16]

For the most part Independence is good and parts are bad. The eastside is the best with the mall, the commons, and shopping centers sprouting up all around the area. Great restraunts and the AMC. Blue Springs and Lee's Summit are good areas to live, but the eastside of Independence is where the action is, and it's pretty reasonable living in all three.

[cheryljo]

We are the 4th largest city in Missouri with over 114,000 people.

[city-man]

Independence is the meth capitol of the planet! What a disgrace to Harry Truman!

[bigchoye]

Will,
I live in independence in an older home near Truman's house. I love the area. The cost of living is low and ive got about an acre of land. I work at the old Marion lab complex too. Its a leisurely drive down 435. It takes 15 minutes to get to work. I personally dont like eastern Independence. too much action if you ask me. Its kind of scary walking into the mall over there now. you see it on the news all the time over there... bomb threats, fights, bank robberies. Ill stick to my quiet house (the loudest thing i ever hear is some horses neighing across the street!) Plus ive heard really good things about
William Chrisman high school where my kids will be going; its a Missouri gold star school. I hope you find a home soon- good luck
-Joe

Just out of curiosity, which company are you working for? Im at Aptuit...