Commute from Brookside to Independence? (Richmond: home, living in, moving)

[five05]

Hello,

My wife and I are relocating to KC from Richmond, VA. After doing some research, ie reading about a thousand postings on this site... we're really interested in the Brookside area.

My question is, as I will be working in Independence, any idea what my commute would be like? I'd need to be in Independence around 8ish (am) and would be heading home after 5.

I've been told that the traffic in KC can sometimes be an issue. Would I be okay to assume that I'd probably be going against traffic or is it bad going that way as well?

Thanks!

[Cairo_East]

You'd be going the opposite way of traffic. If possible, I would recommend being on the north side of Brookside as your commute (either directly east or up US-71) would be much shorter than on the south side (I-435 eastbound) to Independence.

[kcmo]

Brookside. You will not be sorry you chose that area. It’s an awesome area and worth the commute.

I would budget about a half hour to 40 minutes for the commute. I’m guessing you are talking about the eastern Independence area, like around the Mall?

Brookside is kind of buried in the city. It’s not the easiest area to get to via freeways.

If you take 70 North for example, you really go a long ways north and west before you start heading southeast and will be in NB 71 rush hour traffic. Plus, there is no direct connection between NB 71 and EB 70. You have to get off and take side streets to switch freeways. So I wouldn’t go that way.

The fasted and easiest way to get to Independence from Brookside is to simply jump on 63rd Street and go east to 435 and take that to 70. 435 is not congested in that area in either direction and you will be going against traffic on 70. 63rd Street is a fast moving street, especially through Swope Park.

Like I said, about a half hour for the commute unless traffic is just real slow for some reason.

But you will love living in Brookside!

[five05]

Thanks so much for the info. That was the one thing that I was really concerned about. I'm definitely looking forward to getting out there and seeing it in person but if what everyone says is true I think we'll be really happy there.

Thanks again!

[kcmo]

Next thing you know, you will have a BKS sticker on your car. Here is a photo of one of my cars from back when I lived in Brookside. I know, euro stickers are lame .

[TabulaRasa]

Originally Posted by kcmo

I know, euro stickers are lame .

Unless they're ones that say "Waldo," like mine.

[butterfly5]

I did that commute for several years....I took 63rd street.....not through Swope Park.....not a bad commute ...it took 20 minutes.

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by butterfly5

I did that commute for several years....I took 63rd street.....not through Swope Park.....not a bad commute ...it took 20 minutes.

63rd borders the north side of Swope Park. That's what I meant by taking 63rd through Swope Park.