Good relocate, or stay where i'm at (Kansas City, Lee's Summit: military, apartment)

[darrenKfrost29]

Hello, I am currently from the washington, d.c. area i am looking to relocate to kansas city, I am a disabled veteran who served in afghanistan, I am african american male who was born in New york city i am currently looking for a change of pace since i am on the verge of my 30th birthday and I have grown a little weary of the new york city, philadelphia, baltimore, washington d.c. lifestyle, i would like to start my own business, possibly a lounge that plays mostly neo-soul and progressive rap ( common, talib kweli, mos def, nas, jill scott, etc.,).

What I would like to find out is, how is the racial climate in KC, how are veterans treated in the area, are jobs readly available, and will i take a big hit in the pockets, I don't like to give out how much i earn but, i work for a telephone company and make $21.50 hour plus my earnings for veterans affairs which is around $1,200 now i will say that the houses in my area is about $400,000 for a townhome and $700,000+ for a 3 to 4 bedroom house i do pay $1195 for a two bedroom apartment in maryland. How is the dating climate in kansas city, I am a little reserved, most females in my area are to the point where you have to have a degree and good money to even step to them...

[GraniteStater]

I would check out the KC Power and Light District in the Downtown area. That is the big area that is developing right now with many restaurants and other shops opening up. Kansas City, MO is a very diverse place compared with some of the surrounding suburbs which are much less diverse. Apartment rental costs will likely be much less in KC compared with the DC area.

[kcmo]

Like a lot of midwestern towns, KC has some serious racial problems still. It's a very diverse city, but the black population seems to be in more of a rut than you will find in many coastal cities. Our "ghetto" is quite widespread for a city of 2 million people.
Like a lot of midwestern towns, KC has some serious racial problems still. It's a very diverse city, but the black population seems to be in more of a rut than you will find in many coastal cities. Our "ghetto" is quite widespread for a city of 2 million people.

Having said that, I think you would be pleasantly surprised that as an African American that is smart enough to realize that you are the only one that makes you successful you can do quite well in KC.

Too many minorities in KC have a chip on their shoulder and just sit around and blame others for their mishaps. Many inner city black don’t even like well to do blacks for some reason. You might get this in most towns to some degree though.

I honestly wouldn't do the P&L district. It's nothing but a suburban hangout in the city. If you want to really settle down and start a business etc, I would look into the Lee's Summit area. It's a suburb, but it's a very nice and fast growing suburb. It's also the top city in the area for the middle and upper-class black community that start up, own businesses etc.

If you want to stay in the city, I would look into areas south of the Plaza such as Brookside. This is a racially mixed area that is much closer to the "city".

There are also some very nice areas of KCMO that are nearly entirely African American, I can point you in that direction as well if you are interested.

There are some suburbs that I would stay away from, but most in KC are ok. Most of them (especially the Johnson County burbs) are just over the top when it comes to being dull and uninteresting places to live. The MO side burbs are going to be more diverse racially , socially etc.

Overall, I think you might really like the KC area. Hope this helps.

Having said that, I think you would be pleasantly surprised that as an african american that is smart enough to realize that you are the only one that makes you successfull you can can do quite well in KC.

Too many minoritys in KC have a chip on their shoulder and just sit around and blame others for their mishaps.

I honestly wouldn't do the P&L district. It's nothing but a suburban hangout in the city. If you want to really settle down and start a business etc, I would look into the Lee's Summit area. It's a suburb, but it's a very nice and fast growing suburb. It's also the top city in the area for the middle and upperclass black community that start up businesses etc.

If you want to stay in the city, I would look into areas south of the Plaza such as Brookside. This is a racially mixed area that is much closer to the "city".

There are also some very nice areas of KCMO that are nearly entirly african american, I can point you in that direction as well if you are interested.

Overall, I think you might really like the KC area. Hope this helps.

[kmflan]

Wow, KCMO, I really appreciate your insight. But I have to differ with you some. I grew up in Hampton Va. I have relatives in the DC area, Charleston, SC. and All over North Carolina.

While KC does have racial problems, they are refreshingly less part of the cultural psyche than where I grew up. People here are much more friendly and less class or race oriented. I am caucasian and live in an integrated neighborhood (mixed couples included) in sleepy Belton! My church is integrated. My old boss was a black woman (married to a white man) who successfully started her on company. Race-wise, KC has been an extremely positive experience for me and more than I could have hoped for for my children. I know there is no perfect city, but I can't say enough positive things about race relations in KC.

[kmflan]

oh, and as far as veterans go...this is the heartland. Veterans here are treated like gold. There may be some exceptions, but I don't know any. I've got 3 retired marines for neighbors, our pastor and his oldest son both served in Iraq (at the same time)....People out here bend over backwards to support the military.

[HeadWest]

Originally Posted by darrenKfrost29

Hello, I am currently from the washington, d.c. area i am looking to relocate to kansas city, I am a disabled veteran who served in afghanistan, I am african american male who was born in New york city i am currently looking for a change of pace since i am on the verge of my 30th birthday and I have grown a little weary of the new york city, philadelphia, baltimore, washington d.c. lifestyle, i would like to start my own business, possibly a lounge that plays mostly neo-soul and progressive rap ( common, talib kweli, mos def, nas, jill scott, etc.,).

What I would like to find out is, how is the racial climate in KC, how are veterans treated in the area, are jobs readly available, and will i take a big hit in the pockets, I don't like to give out how much i earn but, i work for a telephone company and make $21.50 hour plus my earnings for veterans affairs which is around $1,200 now i will say that the houses in my area is about $400,000 for a townhome and $700,000+ for a 3 to 4 bedroom house i do pay $1195 for a two bedroom apartment in maryland. How is the dating climate in kansas city, I am a little reserved, most females in my area are to the point where you have to have a degree and good money to even step to them...

I would strongly recommend against it. I've lived in D.C., I've lived in RI, Boston, SF, KC and Houston and the racial situation in KC is the worst.