Kc zip codes to avoid (Kansas City, Lee's Summit: relocating, real estate, income)

[shantcie]

Can someone tell me what zip codes to completely avoid in KC? I am relocating from VA. I have been reading the best areas to go move to but dont know the areas well enough to conduct a real estate search. I need some zip codes to go by. Are there any I should absolutely avoid? Thanks

[Go Ne]

The Southeast side by the zoo seemed pretty bade when I was down there last weekend, so that would be 64132, 64130, 64131, and 64110.

[The Grim Reaper]

Originally Posted by Go Ne

The Southeast side by the zoo seemed pretty bade when I was down there last weekend, so that would be 64132, 64130, 64131, and 64110.

Actually I live in 64131 which covers all way to up Blue Ridge along Holmes and it is a very good area.

[Aiyas]

Okay, quick advice. It will save you some money to not have a Kansas City address, due to the additional income tax. You might want to try the northern surronding areas! Liberty *64118*, where I live, is very nice and relaxed, with lots of history. There are lots of smaller suburban areas surronding the city with pretty low rent compared to lots of cities.

[kcmo]

Kinda hard to judge a whole zip code isn't it?

Aiyas,

There are around 500,000 people in the city of KCMO. If the etax was so bad, KCMO wouldn't be the top city for new housing permits for the past decade.

Chances are very good that you will work in KCMO and pay the tax anyway. But if you live there, at least you get free trash pick up and other services which alone can cancel out the etax. Other taxes like property and sales tend to be lower in KCMO. Utilities like water, gas and electric tend to be lower in KCMO than the suburbs as well.

You have to look at the big picture.

I'll say it again, find a home you like, be it KCMO, Liberty or Lee's Summit.

The etax should be the last thing on your mind.

[UrbanTile]

I agree with "KCMO", the 1 % tax is not a big deal. If you live in surrounding areas of KC you end up paying more than what the 1% would be to live in KC because most other areas have higher taxes. Plus we dont pay for trash and a few other services as well.

It is hard to judge a area by the zip code because most areas that have the same zip code have their "good" and "bad" areas as well.

What type of area are you looking for? Suburbs? City (downtown)? City (neighborhood)? close to shopping, bars, restaurants, grocery store?

I live in a neighborhood of the city because I like the uniquness of the area. I like how my neighbors house looks different than mine, yet it still flows with the area. I like being close to the city, yet far enough away to not hear the noise and also still have a front and back yard.

[skippe36]

My husband and I recently moved to Kansas City, MO from Denver, CO (a job lay-off forced us here) and, unlike you, we did not do our homework on the neighborhoods in KCMO. We chose to rent for a year and get to know the area...I'm glad we did. The house that we are renting is in the Hyde Park neighborhood. It's a great area, with beautiful tree lined streets, a quaint ambiance and older houses that have loads of charm. The one BIG drawback is the neighborhood to the East of us. We are directly in the middle of the "haves and have nots." The street just 2 blocks East is called Troost and just a few blocks beyond that is The Paseo. They are areas of drugs, prositution and vagrants. Do yourself a favor, and avoid these areas at all costs! We were the victims of a house robbery (he broke in at 9:30am while I was in the shower) and later learned from the police that the crime rate has risen drastically in the past six months in this area of town.

The areas West of Hyde Park (Westport, Brookside) are much better. *NOTE: the crime rate in Kansas City is one of the highest in the nation, but there are certain areas that are worse than others. Be sure to have your home equipped with a GOOD security system and always be aware of your surroundings.

Good luck in your search and please feel free to email me for any further details or info! I would be more than happy to assist!

Kind regards,

D.

[keltec]

Just use this demographic website for your information. They use the latest census stats and crime reports. Also will give you exact tax rates, crime rates etc..

Best of luck since KC sets all kinds of records, including murders and all other crimes.
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[KansasChick]

KC is a large area. It might be helpful if we knew where you would be working, if you have kids and other things that are important to you in a community so we can help make some better recommendations.

Or at least let us know the areas you are considering.

[erock7100]

Jumping off of the original question for this thread, my wife has been offered a transfer to work in the 64153 zip code in KC, MO...we're told it's near the airport. We have two kids, if we want to stay within a 30 minute commute what suggestions would anyone have? Obviously safety is a concern, especially since I'm seeing crime concerns for some areas.

We're moving from the Tampa, FL area, it has it's bad areas as well...so are any of the crime issues in KC basically the same as any other city in having "good" and "bad" areas, or is there truly a rising concern in the majority of the areas of KC in general?

We've heard good things about Overland Park, is it too upscale? Decent commute?

Thanks for any information