Single 30-Something Needs Relocation Advice (Kansas City: apartment, salary, rental)

[Smo]

Hello everyone, I have an interview in Mission, KS next week. After reading many posts, I believe I'd rather live in Missouri. I'm single and in my mid-thirties, so I'd like to live in an area that's close (walking distance would be great) to nightlife, restaurants, trendy shops, etc. Although I don't know what my salary will be exactly, I'm guessing that I will be able to afford around $600 to $700 on rent. I've lived in Chicago's Wicker Park and I'm looking for a similar vibe (funky, artsy, hip, etc.). And I'd also like a relatively short commute. Being within walking distance to a park would be great because I have a dog, but not a requirement. Am I asking too much?!

I've seen a lot of neighborhoods suggested in other threads, but I'm not sure which would be best for me.

Westport, Brookside, the River Market, the Plaza, Downtown, Midtown, Crossroads, and Valentine are only a 15-min. commute to Mission according to Google Maps. Is this accurate during rush hour? Also, these are the neighborhoods I found in the threads, if there are others that I should look into, please let me know.

I'd like to do some neighborhood scouting while I'm there next week, but I'm not sure where to start. Based on all of this, do you have any suggestions? I would appreciate any help you can give! Thanks!

[melissajo]

Do check out the River Market area. You will read great things about it online, however it is way better in person. For more pictures you can google KC Rag Forum and then view pictures. There are tons of pictures of individual neighborhoods throughout the city. There are great photographers on there who literally walk to all different sections of the city to take photographs, and then post them on the site.

My second choice would be in the heart of downtown, near the Power and Light district, however there will be lots of traffic around there on the weekends. Not a bad thing, I like to see all the people flowing back in to downtown.

[chrisl999]

Any of those areas would be an easy commute to Mission. Even driving from downtown wouldn't take more than 15mins, since all the commuters are headed the other direction. I live near the Waldo/Brookside area; it's a more well-esablished area but with a younger vibe. If you want to be closer to downtown but not on top of it, I'd check out Westport - great bar scene and close to everything. $600/mo would easily get you an apartment in any of those areas.

[WiseOwlSaysHoot]

Here's my thoughts on how the neighborhoods you listed will fit your needs. All of them offer a pretty easy commute to Mission, although some might be a bit quicker than others.

Westport: would be a great fit.
-pretty artsy and hip with wide selection of nightlife/restaurants
-plenty of rental options in your price range
-good for your dog, with access to Hyde Park on the east and Roanoke Park on the West

Brookside:
-mostly single family homes and not a whole lot for rent in your price range
-not as artsy/hip and not as much nightlife
-good for parks

River Market:
-might not be a huge selection of rentals in your price range, but there are some
-good hip vibe and nightlife and close to downtown
-not very good for dogs/park access

The Plaza:
-Directly on the Plaza may be out of your range, but there are some good rentals just outside the district
-more upscale rather than hip and artsy, but plenty of restaurants and bars on the Plaza
-Loose Park to the south might be the city's nicest park

Midtown: See Westport

Downtown:
-not many rentals in your range
-pretty good nightlife with the Power & Light District among others, but not as artsy/funky
-not good for park access

Crossroads:
-Not much selection for rentals
-Very hip/artsy galleries and bars
-no parks

Valentine:
-The specific Valentine neighborhood itself doesn't have many rentals, but look nearby in the West 39th/Volker/Roanoke/West Plaza neighborhoods, pretty good selection of rentals
-artsy and funky with nice little shops and restaurants on 39th and easy access to Westport for more nightlife options
-Roanoke park for the dog

So, in conclusion, I think the greater Westport/Midtown/W 39th St area looks to be the best fit, but if you want a bit more urban area the River Market or possibly Downtown could work.

[RadioSilence]

I actually live in Mission. Indeed, it only takes 15 minutes to drive to downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

[kcmo]

Anywhere within a mile of the SW trafficway between the plaza and into downtown.

You will just have to go explore that area and find something you like. You will find it in that area.

[Smo]

Thanks so much for the advice everyone!! I'm glad to know that the commute really is about 15 minutes. It sounds like Westport is my best bet, but I think I'll check out some of the other suggested areas too. Thanks again!