Help with suburbs, areas, etc (Kansas City, Independence: apartment, condo, rent)

[slyspyder]

Hello!

I am considering a position in Independence and am looking at possible places to live. What are the better or more upscale suburbs to live in that area? I am willing to have up to a 30 minute commute. I have done some reading about various areas and suburbs and my head is spinning.

We are from small towns originally, but like the activities closer to cities and yet a smaller town feel. We do need greenspace, want a decent yard, like to golf and bicycle. Being close to nightlife isn't a need. We are between 34-45 years old. We are likely interested in renting a home (not condo or apartment) at first and maybe buy at a later time.

So, what area would you recommend for us?

Thanks so much for your help!

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by slyspyder

Hello!

I am considering a position in Independence and am looking at possible places to live. What are the better or more upscale suburbs to live in that area? I am willing to have up to a 30 minute commute. I have done some reading about various areas and suburbs and my head is spinning.

We are from small towns originally, but like the activities closer to cities and yet a smaller town feel. We do need greenspace, want a decent yard, like to golf and bicycle. Being close to nightlife isn't a need. We are between 34-45 years old. We are likely interested in renting a home (not condo or apartment) at first and maybe buy at a later time.

So, what area would you recommend for us?

Thanks so much for your help!

It depends on whether you want to live in Missouri or Kansas?

For upscale Missouri suburbs I would recommend:
Lee's Summit
smaller size towns include: Liberty, Weatherby Lake, Platte City, Pleasant Hill, etc.

In Kansas I would recommend:
Leawood
De Soto
Lenexa
Shawnee

[slyspyder]

Wouldn't it be best for me to live in Missouri since I would be working in Independence?

I don't think I have a strong preference as to which state I live in. I live in Missouri now, but am open to Kansas if it is a better community, etc.

[kcmo]

Lee's Summit.

[MrsMo]

What part of Independence will you be working? Nice areas off of 39th st. Raytown wouldn't be a bad commute. Lots of houses for rent in Raytown. Not upscale, Raytown is definitely a middle class area.

[Versatile]

Check out Blue Springs as well.

[slyspyder]

Thanks, I sure will! I have also heard about Green Valley. Is that a good area?

As an aside, we also like to boat. Where are the boating locations for Kansas City? What lakes and/or rivers do people use for recreational boating/water sports?

[bls5555]

Originally Posted by slyspyder

Thanks, I sure will! I have also heard about Green Valley. Is that a good area?

As an aside, we also like to boat. Where are the boating locations for Kansas City? What lakes and/or rivers do people use for recreational boating/water sports?

It's Grain Valley, and yes it is a nice area. There is also a Greenwood by Lee's Summit that is a nice area also. That's a bit further out though.

Im not sure how upscale you are looking but you might want to check out Parkville, MO. It is a very very nice area in a very very good school district with reasonable housing but also some very upscale stuff. To get to Independence though you would be hitting it pretty close on that 30 minute commute time.

I live in KC, MO technically but it's like a mile from the Parkville city limit. You can find some very nice areas up in the northland for a very reasonable amount of money.

You really can't go wrong, with areas like Parkville, Blue Springs, Lee's Summit, Grain Valley.

[MrsMo]

For recreational boating there is Longview Lake and Smithville Lake, its a 3 hour drive to Lake of the Ozarks, which is what we prefer. But with the price of gas we will be staying closer to home this year.

[Z. Carta]

If you are looking to stay within a resonable commute time from Independence
A small town feel is just 10 minutes east in Grain Valley.
North Blue Springs...more upscale
Lee Summit is upscale as well.
North Grain valley is fairly new with moderately upscale homes going in.
or Liberty which is a little of upscale to moderatly priced homes.
Independence itself has pockets of nice neighborhoods.