The Kansas vs Missouri debate, why does half of KC hate the other half? (Miami: to live, nicest)

[CrownVic95]

Originally Posted by cp1969

It depends entirely upon who you have to share the ocean breeze with. No offense, but I would not trade you. Using the 'square peg in a round hole' analogy is maybe a little too descriptive for how I wouldn't fit in in S.F.

Very valid point - and I'm not a very good "fit" with the culture here either. I'm many respects I'd rather be in KC, but I thrive on cool and that makes this area a little easier to live with.

[cp1969]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

I know this thread is getting off-topic, but the best car for snow driving is the certified used Subaru I bought a few years ago. It plows through deep snow, and can handle class IV through class VI dirt roads with ease. I am much more cautious when the roads become icy, though.

It's not a traction problem (for me, anyway); it's the traffic. There is always somebody out in a bald-tire beater who jams traffic up for miles.

[northbound74]

Originally Posted by cp1969

Can't speak to the allergy issue; I guess I don't have any.

Bottom line is, what affected you adversely may not do the same to others, correct?

I came across something a while back where they did a study and concluded Kansas City is the worst place in the nation for allergy sufferers.
I never knew I had allergy problems until I moved here.

[luzianne]

Originally Posted by Samantha S

I like the cold down to about 50 degrees. If I have to put on more than a jacket, it's too cold.

For me if it's below 60 it's too cool, and I'd really prefer to be able to wear shorts and sandals year round. Kansas City summers are just fine to me! Bring it on!

[TabulaRasa]

Originally Posted by WiseOwlSaysHoot

One of the primary issues that I have with the KS side is the aforementioned lack of contribution towards civic projects, as well as the unhealthy competition that detracts from downtown KC.

But really, I have a problem with suburbs in general - especially exurbs. The Kansas side just happens to embody all of the worst characteristics of suburbs and is home to the most sprawling exurbs in the metro.

A large part of my distaste for suburbs is due to the history of their origins and their impact on urban centers. I know that most people living in suburbs today didn't have anything to do with it, but these cities still stand as a symbol of the scourge of White Flight and the resulting devastation of Urban Renewal.

Before the advent of the suburbs, Kansas City had a remarkably dense and thriving urban core filled beautiful historic buildings and an extensive streetcar system. Suburban White Flight devastated the city.

Also suburbs are horrible for the environment. The sprawl makes public transportation difficult and forces everyone to drive miles for everything. Moreover, the McMansions and strip malls that are continually sprouting up devour natural resources. Suburbs embody unsustainable American consumerism.

Most suburbs are disturbingly homogenous (see previous paragraph re: White Flight). Segregation is not good for our culture. Living in the suburbs doesn't mean you are racist, but it just so happens that they are the areas that most racists prefer to call home.

That's the end of my rant. No offense meant towards any suburbanites. Plenty of good people live in the suburbs, and if that's what makes you happy, go for it. They're not for me, and I don't agree with what they embody.

I agree with this post wholeheartedly. I moved to Kansas City several years ago, and chose to live in the urban core versus the suburbs (those on either side of the state line) very deliberately, for this reason. As a newcomer with no real background on the area upon which to draw, any state line rivalries were not a part of my choice of where to live, I have no MU OR KU ties that factor into my decision, etc.; just plain and simple, I do not have any desire to live in suburbia. That doesn't necessarily make me an anti-Kansas person, as I view Lee's Summit, et al in the same light as I do the KS burbs, i.e. not for me.

[bgandl]

Here's the difference--

On the KANSAS side: being Republican and pro-business, they do a great job plowing in winter, because commerce depends on it--however, they build homes in flood plains, to squeeze just a little bit more profit out of the individuals (suckers) who buy them. Taxes are actually higher for homeowners, because businesses get the breaks.

In MISSOURI, the Democrats there can't plow worth anything, but all of their flood plains have been made into beautiful parks. Government is typically inefficient. The schools are generally worse because they just can't get it together enough to make them work.

Dave Barry once said that a (MO) Democrat will always stop to help you change your flat but will accidentally set fire to your car -- and a (KS) Republican can do the job but won't in case he'd be late for ugly pants night down at the country club. Pretty much sums it all up.

[RjRobb2]

Originally Posted by Samantha S

You're not alone, that's for sure! Although I wouldn't move because of the extreme Summers, it's the winters that will eventually send me away.

Same here. My wife and I will eventually move when our kids get a little older to get away from winter weather. We want to live in San Diego, Southern Texas, Miami, or somewhere else that is warm year around with very little precipitation. If I could iive somewhere where is it 75-90 all the time with no rain, snow, wind, or any other type of weather I would be in heaven.

I honestly do not see how someone could prefer cold weather and snow.

[northbound74]

Originally Posted by bgandl

Here's the difference--

On the KANSAS side: being Republican and pro-business, they do a great job plowing in winter, because commerce depends on it--however, they build homes in flood plains, to squeeze just a little bit more profit out of the individuals (suckers) who buy them. Taxes are actually higher for homeowners, because businesses get the breaks.

In MISSOURI, the Democrats there can't plow worth anything, but all of their flood plains have been made into beautiful parks. Government is typically inefficient. The schools are generally worse because they just can't get it together enough to make them work.

Dave Barry once said that a (MO) Democrat will always stop to help you change your flat but will accidentally set fire to your car -- and a (KS) Republican can do the job but won't in case he'd be late for ugly pants night down at the country club. Pretty much sums it all up.

There aren't enough high spots in Kansas for everyone to live on a hill.
As for plowing, I live in Independence, and the roads are taken care of just fine. With only 20 inches of snow a year, it's almost a non-issue to me. What is that? 4-5 days of inconvenience out of 365? Who cares.

I consider myself to be pro-business and somewhat conservative. I do have a liberal stereotype of hating sprawl, however.
The pro-business attitude of JoCo is one of the few things I admire about the place. I don't think they handle the growth very well, though. Very bland and needlessly spread out.
I absolutely hate it when a company moves from KCMO to Kansas, but I think it's much more KCMO's ineptness than Kansas stealing the company.
The issues that are pointed at Missouri as a whole are usually problems that are unique to KCMO proper.
Schools in the MO suburbs are great.
The city governments are mostly fine.
Most suburbs in MO are pro-growth, and showing it.

Originally Posted by RjRobb2

Same here. My wife and I will eventually move when our kids get a little older to get away from winter weather. We want to live in San Diego, Southern Texas, Miami, or somewhere else that is warm year around with very little precipitation. If I could iive somewhere where is it 75-90 all the time with no rain, snow, wind, or any other type of weather I would be in heaven.

I honestly do not see how someone could prefer cold weather and snow.

I don't think Miami has very little precipitation. Nor does southern Texas, really. I lived in south Texas for a while. What a dump.
The desert southwest is the only place that it hot and dry most of the time.

Some of us have fair skin that burns easily.
Some of us sweat profusely when the temps are above 75 degrees.
Some of us are downright cranky when it's hot. Crime rates generally are higher in warmer climates. There are a few exceptions.

Some of us love winter.
We love the snow, and all the activities that go with that.
Some of us like to do outdoor activities in the summer, but resist because of the heat. Believe it or not, people in Arkansas don't get out much for about 3-4 months out of the year. You're more likely to see them barbeque in January rather than July. Some of them, at least.
The south would never grow without air-conditioning.
Some of us couldn't care less about swimming in the ocean year-round.
Some of us think shorts are dorky, and makes one look like a tourist.
Some of us like changes in the weather.
I loved the rain we got over the weekend.
I'd also love to go see Zack Greinke pitch tomorrow night, but I may not bother since there's a good chance of rain. Oh well. There's more to life than baseball.

[luzianne]

Originally Posted by RjRobb2

Same here. My wife and I will eventually move when our kids get a little older to get away from winter weather. We want to live in San Diego, Southern Texas, Miami, or somewhere else that is warm year around with very little precipitation. If I could iive somewhere where is it 75-90 all the time with no rain, snow, wind, or any other type of weather I would be in heaven.

I honestly do not see how someone could prefer cold weather and snow.

I too would like to live somewhere that it is 75 to 90 all the time but I would like occasional rain and I like wind - especially when it's 90 degrees! I love to sit outside on summer nights and hear the wind rustling the treetops, and also the wind blowing leaves in the fall. Cold wind, snow and ice I could live without.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by northbound74

Some of us love winter.
We love the snow, and all the activities that go with that.
Some of us like to do outdoor activities in the summer, but resist because of the heat. Believe it or not, people in Arkansas don't get out much for about 3-4 months out of the year. You're more likely to see them barbeque in January rather than July. Some of them, at least.
The south would never grow without air-conditioning.
Some of us couldn't care less about swimming in the ocean year-round.
Some of us think shorts are dorky, and makes one look like a tourist.
Some of us like changes in the weather.
I loved the rain we got over the weekend.
I'd also love to go see Zack Greinke pitch tomorrow night, but I may not bother since there's a good chance of rain. Oh well. There's more to life than baseball.

I completely agree with most of those points. I think many people are highly split regarding whether they prefer warm/hot weather most of the time or cool/cold weather most of the time. Of course, those climates where the temperature is always between 55-75F are super expensive.

Send some cooler weather this way... It was 92F this afternoon in central NH. That is a record high.