Questions about Independence (Kansas City, California, Houston: high crime, house, job market)

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by Okey Dokie

I think Mad A.'s finger slipped on the keyboard...I think he meant 100s not 120s.

Of course I meant 120s! That was back when we walked 20 miles to school through 8 feet of snow, uphill, both ways.

Fact checking myself I was thinking of the summer of 1980. July had 15 days at 100 degrees or higher, many of those days had a heat index over 120. I think that weather fried my memory a bit!

Thankfully summers like that one are rare around here.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by Vallombrosa

It really sounds like my kind of place. Thanks for the informative reply.

How long does it take to travel from, let's say, a suburb on the east side of Independence to Prairie Village or Westwood KS?

An average of 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic and where you begin and end. I based this estimate from 23rd St. & M-291, which is near the center of the east half of Independence. Your mileage may vary, tax and fees not included.

[James Bond 007]

If there isn't much traffic you might even be able to do it in 20 minutes.

[kcbluesprings]

Originally Posted by Vallombrosa

It really sounds like my kind of place. Thanks for the informative reply.

How long does it take to travel from, let's say, a suburb on the east side of Independence to Prairie Village or Westwood KS?

About 20-25 minutes, depending on traffic

[pacificwhim]

OP, I'm a native Californian, 44 years in SoCal, mostly OC and Ventura County, before ending up in KC after a side trip to Seattle. I love the city (I live in KC proper, just barely on the MO side), so I know what it's like to make the switch. What are you after? Where are you in Cali now and what kind of lifestyle are you hoping to find? Maybe I can lend a little expat insight. Peace.

[Vallombrosa]

Thanks to the commenters who responded to my question about travel time.

Pacificwhim, I appreciate your questions. I live in the upper 1/3 of the state, in a small city surrounded by farmland. My "wish list" will probably sound impossible, but here it goes --

I'm looking for a place to semi-retire that is inexpensive (by CA standards), where a home in a decent neighborhood can be had for under $200K.

I'm looking for reasonably low crime where you don't have to live like a hunted animal.

I'm looking for either a small city, or a big city suburb that feels like one.

I'm looking for tolerable winters, a little warmer than the upper midwest.

I'm looking for tolerable summers, cooler than Phoenix and less humid than Houston.

I'm looking for close proximity to classical and bluegrass music scenes (odd combo, I know).

I'm looking for a place where conservative Catholics and other Christians aren't considered weird or extreme.

I'm looking for a place that is supportive of home schooling.

I'm looking for somewhere to escape CA's torrential and overwhelming political correctness.

I'm looking for a place where it is legal to open carry firearms.

I'm looking for a place with a Vietnamese ethnic community somewhere nearby.

I'm looking for a place with decent employment prospects for my children.

Now, I realize that's a tall order and I'm willing to compromise on some things. Or at least I like to think so!

[Vallombrosa]

To get even more specific, the one non-negotiable is the ability to live within 30 minutes of a Catholic parish with the traditional Latin Mass. Independence has St. Mary's, Kansas City has Old St. Patrick's and Christ the King, and there is St. Philippine Duchesne in Westwood KS.

[rwiksell]

Originally Posted by Vallombrosa

Thanks to the commenters who responded to my question about travel time.

Pacificwhim, I appreciate your questions. I live in the upper 1/3 of the state, in a small city surrounded by farmland. My "wish list" will probably sound impossible, but here it goes --

I'm looking for a place to semi-retire that is inexpensive (by CA standards), where a home in a decent neighborhood can be had for under $200K.

I'm looking for reasonably low crime where you don't have to live like a hunted animal.

I'm looking for either a small city, or a big city suburb that feels like one.

I'm looking for tolerable winters, a little warmer than the upper midwest.

I'm looking for tolerable summers, cooler than Phoenix and less humid than Houston.

I'm looking for close proximity to classical and bluegrass music scenes (odd combo, I know).

I'm looking for a place where conservative Catholics and other Christians aren't considered weird or extreme.

I'm looking for a place that is supportive of home schooling.

I'm looking for somewhere to escape CA's torrential and overwhelming political correctness.

I'm looking for a place where it is legal to open carry firearms.

I'm looking for a place with a Vietnamese ethnic community somewhere nearby.

I'm looking for a place with decent employment prospects for my children.

Now, I realize that's a tall order and I'm willing to compromise on some things. Or at least I like to think so!

This is a tough list, as you admitted. But I'd say your best bet might be in the metro areas of Tulsa or Oklahoma City. Kansas City area might be the better option if the Latin Mass is a must-have. Although it's less conservative and a bit colder than you apparently would prefer. DFW area is more expensive, but worth a look. To try another direction, you might consider Louisville.

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by rwiksell

This is a tough list, as you admitted. But I'd say your best bet might be in the metro areas of Tulsa or Oklahoma City. Kansas City area might be the better option if the Latin Mass is a must-have. Although it's less conservative and a bit colder than you apparently would prefer. DFW area is more expensive, but worth a look. To try another direction, you might consider Louisville.

The OPs wish list pretty much describes Louisville to a T, right down to the Vietnamese area and Catholics. Louisville, like KC, is not as conservative as OKC or Tulsa, so you definitely need to look there. Maybe even Little Rock? I cannot think of a single area on the OP wish list that Louisville does not meet except for it can get a bit liberal in areas, but nothing like CA. I also agree with your other recommendations and the OP would be best to consider all options. Probably best to spend a week at an airbnb in each different city.

[Vallombrosa]

Thanks Rwiksell and Peter1948 for the great suggestions. I've ruled out Tulsa for a number of reasons, but OKC-Edmund is still a contender.

Now Louisville, there's a place I haven't considered yet. Someone told me the humidity was really bad there, so I must've written it off subconsciously. But I'll give it another look. It doesn't have the multiple parish options of the KC metro, which is a huge attraction, but it does have a thriving parish with the Latin Mass in a good central location that doesn't appear to be crime-ridden and with nice affordable homes nearby.

Just curious, of the points I listed, which of these don't apply to Independence, or might be doubtful?