Need help with KC, MO neighborhoods!!!!!! (Kansas City, Lee's Summit: house, safe area, to buy)

[thriftylefty]

I would not totally rule out the new area of Kansas City Kansas ,I think it is called West gate , there are some new developments out there, the shopping and the proximity to lawrence is also nice. The traffic in Johnson County makes you feel like you are in a much bigger city, you can get to Downtown (MO) or the PLaza, or Overland Park pretty quick from Western Wyandotte Co.
Via I-70. The only draw backs are the KCK schools.

[Samantha S]

Originally Posted by shawnceltic

Thank you for the responses everyone. I love this site. It's quite informative.

My son is 2.5 years old. So school systems will not be an issue for a couple of years. He will be in daycare though, but I'm assuming there are some quality childcare centers in Overland Park where my wife will be working. She can bring him there going to work.

I have to admit that after going through these posts the last couple of weeks that the folks in Johnson County seem very arrogant. I'm all for taking pride in where you live, but to think that everywhere besides were you live isn't a quality place to live is just up surd.

Perspective is so interesting here in this forum. I often find myself thinking, "Really? That's what you heard?"

luzianne notwithstanding (she's a little hard-core) I find people like kcmo to be much more arrogant and narrowminded about places and lifestyles other than that which they live.

Yes, people in JoCo really do think that where we live is the "best" place to live. But doesn't everyone??? Those folks in MO, who live in places that are similar believe they have chosen the "best" because to them it has all the advantages they want, but is less expensive. Thinking you have chosen the "best" for you doesn't mean you look down on someone else's choice.

What's interesting is that JoCo is the measuring stick for all the other suburbs in the metro area. People from Lee's Summit will say, "We're just like JoCo!" Same with the people from the new areas of the Northland. Yet, these same people look down their noses at JoCo and call us arrogant, snobby and whatnot because they claim we are looking down our noses at them.

So they don't want to be like JoCo -- and yet they are doing everything they can to be like JoCo. Something doesn't add up. (I think this is what luzianne was saying, but not all of us mind that folks from MO come over to work, shop and eat. Welcome! Bring your money!

Truth is, there are some very nice areas on both sides of the state line and some not-so-great areas on both sides. You will have an abundance of nice neighbors no matter which side you choose - and you will meet your share of both rednecks and snobs on either side.

It is best to take your time and see which area feels most like home to you. Because you will want to feel (won't you?) that you made the "best" choice for you and your family. Best of luck!

[kcmo]

Samantha,

I have no problem with suburban living. If you haven’t noticed, I promote and give advice on suburban areas as well as urban. I will even give Johnson County as on option especially when they will work there.

But the arrogance and snobbyness from JoCo is very apparent to newcomers as well as long time MO side residents. If you live in JoCo, I’m sure you don’t see it. It’s not directed at you. Ask my wife, she is not from KC and she hates JoCo with a passion. I can tolerate JoCo and the overall arrogance of the area, but she simply doesn’t like it. She’s quiet about it, but believe me, she hates how the people think their **** don’t stink. And she is from suburban St Louis. She also doesn’t like the nasty parts of the city either, like the east side of KCMO and parts of KCK and SKC.

So I don’t have a problem with a certain “lifestyle”. Or I wouldn’t recommend Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit, Parkville, Gladstone, KCNorth, NKC, Liberty etc.

There is an undertone in JoCo that most people in JoCo just don’t see. But as a long time KCMO (I have also lived in most MO side burbs) guy, I have run into more people like luzianne than I care to admit.

I’ll say it again, you have to wonder why so many people think the county is arrogant, selfish and snobby.

If people from JoCo were more like people from the Northland or Lee’ Summit and didn’t think that the metro revolved around JoCo and if you have a brain at all, you would live there, then I don’t think people on the MO side would have any problems with the area.

But the resentment you see from me and many others didn’t just come out of thin air and it’s not because we are “jealous” which is typically the first reason you will get from JoCo people. The resentment is there because something is causing it.

JoCo is now only ¼ of the housing starts in the metro which is about the right proportion to its population. The Northland alone builds more new homes than JoCo. So apparently people are either just stupid or they actually think that other parts of the city are worthy of investment.

My only point has been that you have options across the metro area from the urban core to the suburbs on both sides of the state line and most of the MO side suburbs offer just as nice areas, schools, parks retail etc as the JoCo suburbs. Many of the older suburbs that are really looked down on by JoCo people like Independence, Raytown etc even have some very nice areas where a family can live a fulfilling life with good schools etc and urban KCMO has some of the best neighborhoods in the metro if you ask me.

And the more people on the MO side, the easier it is to fund regional assets so we don’t have to ask the KS side to join in on regional issues. Believe me, I would just assume the MO side do it alone because I don’t want to hear how everything the MO side touches is crap from JoCo residents and I don’t want to hear how JoCo’s “money” is the only thing that funds regional attractions like I did with Union Station. We don’t want your money, we want your community spirit, but apparently that sprit stops at the county line in Johnson County.

[Samantha S]

Originally Posted by kcmo

Samantha,

I have no problem with suburban living. If you haven’t noticed, I promote and give advice on suburban areas as well as urban. I will even give Johnson County as on option especially when they will work there.

But you say things like "what exactly would a person be missing by not venturing out into the suburbs?" and "You “might” find a total shack in northern OP in that price range".

Your disdain for all things suburban is very apparent.

I know JoCo has its share of snobs. But your attitude, IMO, is just as snobby and narrow.

People on the MO side don't think I notice that they roll their eyes at me and give each other "knowing" looks when I say where I live. I hear comments quite frequently like, "ooohhh, Johnson County! Whatta ya slummin???"

"Um, no - I thought I was just shopping. "

The rivalry between the states continues to flourish. But both sides add their share of fuel to the fire.

Yes, something is causing the resentment. But I think a great deal of it does have to do with the fact that JoCo neighborhoods are - in many cases - better maintained than many on the MO side. (you really can tell after a snow storm when you cross the state line - we do enforce city ordinances regarding home maintenance and lawn mowing, more so than you will see in MO) We do have less crime. We do have consistently good schools (yes, in MO you can find good schools, but in JoCo, it takes less effort.)

JoCo is the measuring stick for suburban life in KC. And people who don't feel that their community measures up, will often blame the stick. It's human nature. Then you perpetuate that with neighbors and subsequent generations (I know MO kids who will tell you they hate JoCo who have never been there. They just hear their parents talk about it.)

I also think this is why so many of the MO burbs like Lee's Summit and the new ones I see in the Northland have tried to emulate JoCo. And they have similarly higher taxes to show for it! But they also have nicer neighborhoods. And they know it. But they don't seem to get the snotty eyerolling that JoCo still gets.

Wheels grind slowly I guess.

But you know -- the most interesting part is -- I don't get the snotty comments and eyerolls from people who live in the nicer parts of the Northland nor from those who live in Lee's Summit for example. Why is that, do you suppose?

Could it be that they know their neighborhoods are nice? They know their schools are good? They know they need not compare themselves?

The snottiest comments I've heard directed at JoCo have come from Raytown, Independence and the further out "burbs/small towns". Hmmmm.... which one of us is looking down on you?

JoCo is now only ¼ of the housing starts in the metro which is about the right proportion to its population. The Northland alone builds more new homes than JoCo. So apparently people are either just stupid or they actually think that other parts of the city are worthy of investment.

I've NEVER called anyone stupid for living in MO. That is your characterization of JoCo. (But ask the developers upon which communities they are modeling theirs.)

There are some very lovely areas all over the metro. But if you ask me which one I like the "best" - I will tell you.

Believe me, I would just assume the MO side do it alone because I don’t want to hear how everything the MO side touches is crap from JoCo residents and I don’t want to hear how JoCo’s “money” is the only thing that funds regional attractions like I did with Union Station. We don’t want your money, we want your community spirit, but apparently that sprit stops at the county line in Johnson County.

Right. So is that why you started a thread about how to get more money for the metro from JoCo to pave your streets???

And I will venture a guess that there is not one thing anyone could do in JoCo that would measure up to your notion of what "community spirit" ought to be. (so pardon us for not caring that you think we have no community spirit.)

[kcmo]

I have lived in the Northland. I lived around I-29 and 64th for several years. I have also lived in Waldo, Brookside, Plaza, Midtown, Grandview, SKC and Lee’s Summit. I now live on the border of Lee’s Summit/Blue Springs. That’s right, I’m currently a suburbanite. We moved out of the urban core when our kids got older because we could not afford private schools and an expensive home in the city. We miss the city dearly and plan to move back soon, but enjoy living in the suburbs as well. We plan to build a home in KC,North near Zona Rosa and live there till we can move to a condo in the city when the kids move out.

I can tell you that the resentment toward Johnson County is by no means limited to Raytown or small rural towns. It’s wide spread all across the MO side. Again, there is a reason for that.

I do think that JoCo “should” chip in more, but most people there see it only as a grab for JoCo money and don’t see the big picture. I will tell you how I think things should be. KC should have more bystate cooperation, but I don’t ever see that happening, so the next best thing is to have as many people living on the MO side as possible.

Oh and one more thing, there is a difference when you cross from Leawood into Waldo or something. Sure there is. Different demographic, the streets are taken care of by a small suburb, not a large complicated city etc. The yards will not be quite as pristine in some cases. You have to drive out to places that are more like JoCo to really compare something like that which will be in the outer suburbs of the MO side counties. But there are many very nice, well kept yards and entire neighborhoods in Broodside, Waldo etc, don’t kid yourself.

And if you think the MO side strives to be JoCo, think again, the Mo suburbs strive to be suburbs. Period. Suburbs. Suburbs are suburbs.

The area I live in doesn’t even exist in JoCo, I am surrounded in all directions by recreational and residential lakes. We can rent a pontoon boat, ski etc or go to one of the many events put on by the community lakes and the parks department. Schools are awesome, roads are fine, snow is plowed. But I sill wouldn’t tell people it’s the only place to live in KC, because it’s not. I would live in a lot of places in KC, even JoCo, if I didn’t feel like I was leaving the metro area. JoCo is Kansas. The metro MO side is more “KC”.

[Samantha S]

Originally Posted by kcmo

I have lived in the Northland. I lived around I-29 and 64th for several years. I have also lived in Waldo, Brookside, Plaza, Midtown, Grandview, SKC and Lee’s Summit. I now live on the border of Lee’s Summit/Blue Springs. That’s right, I’m currently a suburbanite

Okay - I stand corrected. So you just have a very apparent hatred of all things Johnson County. Please don't tell me you would move here under any circumstances. I don't believe you for a second.

I can tell you that the resentment toward Johnson County is by no means limited to Raytown or small rural towns. It’s wide spread all across the MO side. Again, there is a reason for that.

Certainly. In fact I contradicted myself above. I get resentment from ALL areas of the MO side. I get the eyerolls, I get the "oooOOOOOooohhh" knowing looks that people don't think I notice.

But here's the thing. The nicer the area they are from in MO - the less I get it. Go figure.

But there are many very nice, well kept yards and entire neighborhoods in Broodside, Waldo etc, don’t kid yourself.

Agreed -- I have NEVER said otherwise.

And if you think the MO side strives to be JoCo, think again,

Uh -- okay -- yeah -- it's still true. The suburbs of the MO side strive to be more like JoCo. Ask any developer. It's one of the things they will even use as a selling point!

The area I live in doesn’t even exist in JoCo, I am surrounded in all directions by recreational and residential lakes. We can rent a pontoon boat, ski etc or go to one of the many events put on by the community lakes and the parks department. Schools are awesome, roads are fine, snow is plowed.

Actually areas like that do exist in JoCo. (about 5 minutes from my house) Although I will readily grant you that the MO side has much more/better of it. And they are starting to make the most of it -- good for them!!

But I sill wouldn’t tell people it’s the only place to live in KC, because it’s not.

Agreed. I would never tell anyone that JoCo is the only place to live in KC.

I will tell people that right now, it's the only place I will live. But that certainly doesn't mean that it's the best choice for everyone. Why is that such a hard concept for people to grasp???

[shawnceltic]

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I was wondering about these specific zips. I read another post which said that this area will be improving because the Bannister Mall, and Benjamin Plaza are going to be redone. There seems to be quite a few homes in these zips that meet my initial requirements.

Any thoughts on this??

[Samantha S]

Originally Posted by shawnceltic

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64134
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I was wondering about these specific zips. I read another post which said that this area will be improving because the Bannister Mall, and Benjamin Plaza are going to be redone. There seems to be quite a few homes in these zips that meet my initial requirements.

Any thoughts on this??

I could comment, but I'd be called a snob for it because of my own zip. You really have to check out the areas for yourself and compare them to others in the metro. The opinions here are quite subjective and people have varying tolerances for different neighborhood characteristics.

[luzianne]

Originally Posted by kcmo

There is an undertone in JoCo that most people in JoCo just don’t see. But as a long time KCMO (I have also lived in most MO side burbs) guy, I have run into more people like luzianne than I care to admit.
.

And you obviously don't see the undertone in YOUR posts; your hatred for Johnson County is palpable and yet you say your really don't have a problem with Johnson County. "people like luzianne"? You mean people who prefer to live in an area of the city with excellent schools and low crime? Snobbish is one thing I am not but if you want to characterize me that way, go ahead. I think your posts are very telling. You like urban living and you promote Kansas City, Missouri to anyone who comes here. Fine, but some of us do NOT like or want urban living, and some of the people coming to KC from other places don't either.

If I moved to another city I would want to find the area of that city that is comparable to Johnson County. Not because I am a snob. Not because I am rich (I'm not, especially by Johnson County standards). Not because I look down on people who like urban areas. But because I like what I have in Johnson County, which is great schools, low crime, property values that go UP, now down, and neighbors who take care of their property. If that makes me a snob then I guess I'm a snob, but I don't see how liking those things makes anyone a snob.

[Samantha S]

Originally Posted by luzianne

If that makes me a snob then I guess I'm a snob, but I don't see how liking those things makes anyone a snob.

luzianne, you do come across a little too strongly sometimes. I tell you that because I value your opinions and posts and it's great to have more voices from JoCo to even things out and call out the posts from people like kcmo who often assert things about the area and the people that are simply not true.

But it's important to realize that there is much more to the metro area than just JoCo. Those of us who live here love it and wouldn't live anywhere else - and it's okay to say that and to say why we love it. But it's not a perfect fit for everyone and others areas have pros and cons as well.