Possibly relocating from Denver to K.C. (Garmin) (Overland: house prices, neighborhoods)

[matt_s_canida]

Hello!

I am pursuing a career with Garmin and am nearing my goal. I am originally from K.C. but have been bouncing around the country working in the aviation industry for over a decade trying to find my dream job and I think I have found it!

I am new to the forum and am posting this to connect with people who are currently working for Garmin and get some advice on the best location for myself and my family to live in Johnson County and maybe some insight into a typical day on the job.

When I lived in K.C. I lived in the Northland and never got too familiar with neighborhoods in and around Olathe and Overland Park. Now that I have a family I am looking for 1) Good schools 2) Nice neighborhoods for a $225K home budget 3) Areas that will provide a tolerable commute.

Thanks in advance! And GO ROYALS!

[ginmqi]

I think Garmin is in south Overland Park. Homes/neighborhood is nice but there is more commute/drive and also prices willl be bit higher. 225k should find a decent home...not a super nice/big one but decent I would say. You do need to look around though. Schools in OP area are usually good: Shawnee Mission, Blue Valley are the two that come to mind.

Good luck and welcome back to KC!

[matt_s_canida]

Thanks!

[luzianne]

Garmin is in Olathe, but close to Overland Park too. Olathe School District for Olathe and Blue Valley for southern Overland Park. House prices will likely be less in Olathe than in south Overland Park. Gardner isn't far away and you could definitely find something in your price range there. But it's a whole different vibe than Olathe and Overland Park, more rural and small townish. Olathe and Blue Valley school districts are fine (of the two, Blue Valley is better). I don't know anything about Gardner schools.

[ea1420]

Garmin's headquarters are at 151st and Ridgeview in Olathe.

There is several large subdivsions that start around 159th street and go south to about 175th (between Ridgeview and Murlen) that would have a lot of great homes in your price range (some will be higher, but most range from 200-250K). So there are a lot of choices available very close to Garmin's headquarters. There is housing school north of 151st to around 143rd that is slightly older, but still nice. Once you start getting south of 143rd the housing stock turns into much older homes and duplexes.

A more rural option would be Spring Hill. It's got some lovely homes around your price point, and it would be close to where you work. Overland Park also has some great options as well, but most of Overland Park is more expensive than Olathe, and it's definitely much more expensive than Spring Hill and Gardner.

Gardner for me is hit or miss. I think Spring Hill is a much nicer area but it is pretty rural, and most amenities are in Olathe, so it's a bit of a drive. Both Gardner and Spring Hill schools are pretty good (they are rated 8 & 9 on the great schools ratings). Olathe schools in general are very good. Not quite as good as Blue Valley though. But, a lot of Overland Park will also district into Shawnee Mission schools. Shawnee Mission is like Olathe. Overall good schools, some much better than others, very few better than Blue Valley schools.

[Maltee]

Garmin is in south Olathe. Actually, the headquarters are oddly planted right in the middle of an area of mostly suburban houses. I'd look right in that area, around 159th. You would easily find a nice home in your price range, in the Olathe school district, within 10 minutes of Garmin. It would also be close to shopping, and the freeway.