Relocating from Scottsdale to KC, advice please! (Kansas City, Overland: house hunting, apartments)

[KCBound]

Hello everyone,

I'm being relocated from Scottsdale AZ to Kansas City in the next couple months. Having no knowledge whatsoever about Kansas City besides what I find on the internet I am really having problems deciding where to look for a house/condo and which lifestyle would suite me best.

About me. I'm mid 20's and single. I do work alot, but love going out on the weekends. Not knowing anyone yet in Kansas City I was thinking maybe a condo in a good part of the city would work best for me. I think being out away from everything in a house by myself with the dogs could get a bit depressing, but then again I do love big yards, so a house within a short distance is always an option.

I typically prefer the newer more modern design, so country isn't really an option. My office is located in Overland park in Leawood. I don't know the area. In a couple weeks I'll be flying in to check it out.

Any sugguestions as to where to check out housing for rent or sale would be appreciated. I most likely see myself renting a condo or house.

Thanks!

[kcmo]

Well, I would look anywhere between the plaza and downtown. A young single guy should enjoy life!

If you can give me an idea of what you can afford, I will give you some options.

[kcmo]

Here are the areas: You can easily rent in this urban corridor till you learn more about the KC area and then find a single family home if you want be it in the city or suburbs or a condo in the city, but there are plenty of very nice rental options in the city. I would try to find a nice place in the Downtown, , Crossroads, River Market, Crown Center, Union Hill, Plaza area first. That way you will really enjoy living in KC and not get caught up in our suburban culture here which can be horrible to new, young people from other large towns. People here think living and never leaving places like Overland Park is heaven on earth and can be extremely anti-city or negative towards anything urban or KCMO or Missouri. Coming from Phoenix, I think you will be amazed at what KC has to offer.

Downtown:


Crossroads with Downtown in the background:


Midtown and Crown Center area:


Plaza area:
[/quote]

[KCBound]

Thanks so much for the photos! As far as rent/mtg I'd say anything under $1300 is ideal. What about the new power & light district I keep hearing about?

[northbound74]

Nice photos, KCMO.
1300 would get you nice, fairly large place. The Power & Light district is very, very cool. It's a retail/restaurant/bar district, with live entertainment on a regular basis.... outdoors in a courtyard type of area. I don't know if there's much in the way of condos overlooking it yet, but there should be in the future. The Crossroads district is very close by, to the south.
I agree that the suburbs are quite dull, especially for a young, single person. The only suburb I would recommend would be North Kansas City, just across the river from downtown. Very walkable, with sidewalks everywhere, and a great little park system. Several new apartments and houses, too.

[alwaystraveling25]

Do not live on the KS side at all if you are young and single. I cannot recall how many times people assumed my "wife was at home with the kids" when I would be out grocery shopping or doing other errands, because I am 25, and should be "settled" by now (and no, I am not making this up).

Definitely live in KCMO, the Plaza, Midtown, Crown Center area should be good...the cost of living in KCMO is AMAZING compared to other places in the country - you get a really good bang for your buck. Even if you live on the on the Country Club Plaza, the most trendy/swanky place to rent, 1300 will at least get you a fairly big 1BR with a patio.

Good luck - and remember - commute to KS for work and live in MO. I lived and worked in KS and hated every minute of it!

[KCBound]

Originally Posted by alwaystraveling25

Do not live on the KS side at all if you are young and single. I cannot recall how many times people assumed my "wife was at home with the kids" when I would be out grocery shopping or doing other errands, because I am 25, and should be "settled" by now (and no, I am not making this up).

Definitely live in KCMO, the Plaza, Midtown, Crown Center area should be good...the cost of living in KCMO is AMAZING compared to other places in the country - you get a really good bang for your buck. Even if you live on the on the Country Club Plaza, the most trendy/swanky place to rent, 1300 will at least get you a fairly big 1BR with a patio.

Good luck - and remember - commute to KS for work and live in MO. I lived and worked in KS and hated every minute of it!

Thanks! That is what I kind of imagined. Do you know which condo's to consider? I've found a couple but are up for ideas.

Thanks again,

mike

[christina0001]

ditto alwaystraveling25

[kmflan]

Welcome to KC, KCBound. If your office is OP/Leawood, a good option for you might be downtown Overland Park. You can find an older home to rent with a reasonable yard yet still be within walking distance to Main Street in Downtown OP. There are many nice locally owned restaurants, shops, coffee houses, and an independent films theatre. Also, there is an incredible farmers market every Saturday with lots of locally grown organic veggies, food that can be eaten on the spot, live music, plants, artists' wares. Some of the restaurants are open at night and are local hang-outs.

Downtown Overland Park is just off Metcalf, which is a main thouroughfaire through Johnson County, putting you within easy driving distance to parks, grocery stores, more restaurants, pubs, theatres, etc..... I think you should check into it. Happy house hunting

[KCBound]

Originally Posted by alwaystraveling25

Do not live on the KS side at all if you are young and single. I cannot recall how many times people assumed my "wife was at home with the kids" when I would be out grocery shopping or doing other errands, because I am 25, and should be "settled" by now (and no, I am not making this up).

Definitely live in KCMO, the Plaza, Midtown, Crown Center area should be good...the cost of living in KCMO is AMAZING compared to other places in the country - you get a really good bang for your buck. Even if you live on the on the Country Club Plaza, the most trendy/swanky place to rent, 1300 will at least get you a fairly big 1BR with a patio.

Good luck - and remember - commute to KS for work and live in MO. I lived and worked in KS and hated every minute of it!

My work is actually in overland park. Would a nice place in Overland Park be a good option or 'boring'? It seems they have some nice shopping, resturants, pubs, etc.