Need advice about the Northland area of Kansas City (Gladstone / Liberty) (Grandview: section 8, apartment complexes)

[ngimst]

Hi - I will be relocating to Claycomo, MO for work later this year and I'm looking for some advice in living in the Northland area.

I will be living on my own so my main concern is about safety and crime rate. So far I am looking to rent a apartment at the Gladstone, MO or Liberty, MO area and it seems (based on my online research) that the crime rate there is relatively low compare to Kansas City. I would appreciate if someone can offer me some insights on these areas or to recommend me some other towns in the Northland area of MO.

Thank you very much.

[kcmo]

Ford Plant?

First off, since you are looking at the Northland (suburban area north of the river), I wouldn't worry about crime stats too much.

Most of the residential development in the Northland is in the city of Kansas City, MO. Most of the growth and nearly all of the nicer apartment complexes will also be in Kansas City, MO's Northland or as many peope call it. Kansas City, North.

Kansas City, MO is a large city that has around half million people. About 150,000 live in the area north of the river, even though it's still KCMO. This area is suburban in nature.

The crime stats you will get when you look up KCMO will be from the rough areas of KCMO south of the river.

I would just look into the apartment complexes along the MO-152, Barry Road and I-29 corridors.

There are some more run down and section 8 complexes in the southern part of KC,North and even in Liberty and Grandview. I'm sure you will notice a price change from some of the nicer places to the more questionable ones, even if they have pretty pictures on the internet.

For the most part, if you stick to KCMO along 152, you will find something nice with good access to Claycomo, which is a dump by the way...

[RjRobb2]

I have lived in the Northland my entire life. As said above, I wouldnt worry too much about crime stats.

I cant say enough good things about Gladstone and the KC North area that surrounds it. It is nice, clean, safe, quiet, and has about everything you need. Plus, it is only about 15 minutes to about anywhere in the city you would need to go.

I would stay away from living in Claycomo, that place is an eyesoar. I dont even like driving through there.

[KCRichard]

In fairness to Claycomo, the 69 highway corridor is vastly improved over what it was when we were growing up in the Northland. I suppose you could say that there are areas of Gladstone that could also be considered "eyesores', such as Gladstone Plaza. Claycomo is more than the area that you see from your drive down 69 highway. Most of the area is well maintained and being a small "village", city services and the streets benefit from the tax revenue generated by Ford Motor company's assembly plant. Taxes are lower than surrounding areas, and it is in the same school district as Gladstone and most of Kansas City north. Police, fire and EMT services have fast response times and crime is virtually non-existant. Claycomo is not unlike other ares of the northland, an older area surrounded by Kansas City, with challenges that many small towns face. I think it unfair to take potshots at a town that has made great strides in the last twenty years and is working to revitalize their business district. Old businesses are being replaced, such as the new drug store that will sit on the site of the former Standard station. Next time you drive down 69 highway, stop in at El Sombreo and enjoy some of the best tacos in the city. Have Larry or Jeannie bring you a marguerita, RJ, sounds like you need one.

[kcmo]

Good post Richard.

I should really get up there and check it out in more detail. I tend to forget how small the town is. But I'm just surprised they are not able to do more with that Ford Plant being in town. Does Ford pay almost no taxes to the city?

I would think with that plant, US-69 would be lined with foutains or something. Such a small town with such a large plant in its city limits.

[RjRobb2]

Originally Posted by KCRichard

In fairness to Claycomo, the 69 highway corridor is vastly improved over what it was when we were growing up in the Northland. I suppose you could say that there are areas of Gladstone that could also be considered "eyesores', such as Gladstone Plaza. Claycomo is more than the area that you see from your drive down 69 highway. Most of the area is well maintained and being a small "village", city services and the streets benefit from the tax revenue generated by Ford Motor company's assembly plant. Taxes are lower than surrounding areas, and it is in the same school district as Gladstone and most of Kansas City north. Police, fire and EMT services have fast response times and crime is virtually non-existant. Claycomo is not unlike other ares of the northland, an older area surrounded by Kansas City, with challenges that many small towns face. I think it unfair to take potshots at a town that has made great strides in the last twenty years and is working to revitalize their business district. Old businesses are being replaced, such as the new drug store that will sit on the site of the former Standard station. Next time you drive down 69 highway, stop in at El Sombreo and enjoy some of the best tacos in the city. Have Larry or Jeannie bring you a marguerita, RJ, sounds like you need one.

I've eaten at El Sombreo several times. It is the only reason I would ever drive through Claycomo. Fantastic food.

Crime non-existant? Is that why my aunt and uncle had to sell their house and move due to their house being broken into a few times and their motorcycle stolen? They arent the only ones that have had issues living in Claycomo either. I have had a few friends break leases early due to problems with vandalism.


I am sure there are some good parts of Claycomo but my experience with myself, friends, and family has made me seperate Claycomo from the rest of the Northland in my mind and I consider it an eyesoar. El Sombreo being the exception of course.

[ngimst]

Originally Posted by kcmo

Ford Plant?

First off, since you are looking at the Northland (suburban area north of the river), I wouldn't worry about crime stats too much.

Most of the residential development in the Northland is in the city of Kansas City, MO. Most of the growth and nearly all of the nicer apartment complexes will also be in Kansas City, MO's Northland or as many peope call it. Kansas City, North.

Kansas City, MO is a large city that has around half million people. About 150,000 live in the area north of the river, even though it's still KCMO. This area is suburban in nature.

The crime stats you will get when you look up KCMO will be from the rough areas of KCMO south of the river.

I would just look into the apartment complexes along the MO-152, Barry Road and I-29 corridors.

There are some more run down and section 8 complexes in the southern part of KC,North and even in Liberty and Grandview. I'm sure you will notice a price change from some of the nicer places to the more questionable ones, even if they have pretty pictures on the internet.

For the most part, if you stick to KCMO along 152, you will find something nice with good access to Claycomo, which is a dump by the way...

Yes, I will be relocating to the Ford Plant at Claycomo.

Thank you all very much for the detailed information. It is very helpful for me. I am now looking into the apartments in Kansas City North along the MO-152, Barry Road and I-29 corridors. The apartments in the area looks new and well maintained from the pictures posted on the internet but I think I'll make a visit before I decide to sign the lease. If anyone has experience in renting the apartments in the KC North area I would really appreciate if you can share some insight! I am looking for a Studio or a 1-bedroom apartment with price range from $500~$700.

I will definitely visit El Sombreo once I get settled!

Thank you very much again!

[RjRobb2]

Originally Posted by ngimst

Yes, I will be relocating to the Ford Plant at Claycomo.

Thank you all very much for the detailed information. It is very helpful for me. I am now looking into the apartments in Kansas City North along the MO-152, Barry Road and I-29 corridors. The apartments in the area looks new and well maintained from the pictures posted on the internet but I think I'll make a visit before I decide to sign the lease. If anyone has experience in renting the apartments in the KC North area I would really appreciate if you can share some insight! I am looking for a Studio or a 1-bedroom apartment with price range from $500~$700.

I will definitely visit El Sombreo once I get settled!

Thank you very much again!

Most all apartments in that area are very nice. I recommend the Ethans which are at 169 and Barry Rd. They are spacious, clean, and well-maintained. They have also have three pools and several different options of apartments.

If you like lots of amenities, I would recommend Barr-e Woods.

[KCRichard]

Ford pays a lot of taxes to Claycomo, and Pleasant Valley and Clay County as well. U.S. 69 highway is part of the original roadway that ran from Minnesota to Texas, being replaced by I-35 as the major north-south highway in the central US. Up until about 15 years ago, there was a median and the old post and wire barriers running most of the length of the road from KC to Pleasant Valley, making access to businesses difficult. Its removal has helped with that issue. City taxes remain low because of the revenue from Ford, which also has enabled the city to construct a new community center and public safety facilitiy.

Sorry about your family's troubles in Claycomo, RJ. The area toward the southern city limits with Kansas City is one of the oldest in the northland, and being a life-long northlander, you are aware that basic infrastructure and services such as sewers, roads, and even access to city water and gas were neglected for years, making that area more prone to deterioration and blight. No area is immune from crime. I hope that your family has relocated to a place where they feel more comfortable. We all deserve to live without fear of burglery and physical harm.

I suspect the varied types of businesses along U.S. 69 contribute to the perception of the city being an eyesore. Before the Ford plant relocated to Claycomo, most of the corridor was lined with gas stations, liquor stores and hamburger stands. Remember the Wisconsin Cheese Mart, Bena's and Pixie hamburger stands, Standard, NcCall, Derby, Sinclair, Sunrise, and Clark gas stations? The old laundrymat that was formerly the firestation, Mel's Pharmacy and Doc Rodericks's original office in an old house? Most of the gas stations are gone or have been rebuilt, and new businesses have located on the sites of some of these old businesses.

Claycomo still has a long way to go but has made advancements that could not have been acheived without the residents and business working together.