Requesting Opinions - Possible move to KC (Kansas City, St. Louis: apartments, condos)

[WestboundFlight]

Greetings KC folks,

I am currently entertaining the idea of taking a major promotion/position for my employer in the Kansas City area. I am currently residing in St. Louis. The background on this is that I am originally from Colorado, I was transferred by my employer to St. Louis a few years, then let go. However, my new employer has treated me well and has a golden opp in KC.

When I moved to STL, I made the mistake of moving to an area that in the long run did not demographically or aesthetically suit me. I have been to KC four times since moving to STL, and I enjoyed each visit and was truly impressed by the character of KC. Certainly more Western, open and hospitable than STL.

My question is - (1) what area of KC is the best place to live for a mid-30s, extremely active, straight, educated professional male? I've been told the Power and Light District might be the best place. Also, how is the contemporary singles scene there?

I appreciate any and all opinions. Thank you.

PS Yes I am a Bronco fan but I respect the Chiefs and their fans. I only hate the Raiders/Chargers.

[northbound74]

Thank you for the Cheifs respect. It will help you a lot in the long run.

Yes, downtown is the place to be. There's a lot more to it than just the P&L, though. There's all sorts of stuff from the City Market area (up by the river), down to the Crown Center area.
There's some really cool places around the Country Club Plaza, as well.
North Kansas City, a little suburb just across the river from downtown, has some really nice new condos, and very easy to get around on foot.

[luzianne]

My opinion: Johnson County. Check out the entire city, but look at southern Overland Park. We like Raider haters!

[Samantha S]

I love Johnson County too, but wouldn't necessarily recommend it unless it's close to where you will be working or you just like suburbia.

For families, it's great. For a single guy looking for a more active lifestyle ... you will probably have more fun downtown, Westport or Plaza area.

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by Samantha S

I love Johnson County too, but wouldn't necessarily recommend it unless it's close to where you will be working or you just like suburbia.

For families, it's great. For a single guy looking for a more active lifestyle ... you will probably have more fun downtown, Westport or Plaza area.

Good call Samantha, way to understand what this person is probably interested in. He would probably hate KC if he settled in JoCo (or any other suburb). Not because JoCo is a bad place, but because it's pretty obvious that's not what he is interested in.

Here is my advice.

First off, the P&L district is an entertainment district. There is not really any place to live in the district. You can live close to it though, mostly along Walnut and Grand north of the district in highrise towers.

A few more blocks away and you will find many great residential areas. The area around the Downtown Library is fantastic with many residential buildings. The Quality Hill area has many options as does the River Market area.

To the south of Downtown, the Crossroads has dozens of apartment and condo buildings mostly in restored brick industrial buildings. It's a pretty neat area. To the south of that area, there are many more choices in the Crown Center and Union Hill area. Keep going south and you will find plenty of great urban options in the Westport and Plaza districts.

There is really so much to choose from in the urban core of KCMO that would fit your needs. You will have to figure out if you want a condo or apartment, a highrise or rowhouse, what you want to spend, if you want new or renovated and what you want within walking distance or if you plan to use transit.

I know St Louis and Denver about as well as I know KC, so if you want something in KC similar to something in one of those towns, let me know and I will point you in the right direction.

The sports teams in KC suck pretty bad and I think people in KC are to the point of not caring right now. So you can probably tell them anything right now .

Let me know if you have further questions and good luck.

[WestboundFlight]

Thank you for the insightful responses! I will definitely check out the areas mentioned when I interview at the end of the month. I'm pretty sure the job is mine.

KCMO - I guess I'm looking to live/play in the type of area that is active, fun and friendly. I currently live in Fenton, MO (because my employer recommended it and I had very little time to get situated), and South County really does not suit me. I'm seeking an environment similar to Pearl Street in Denver, Boulder, University City, CWE or Soulard.
I don't want to be in another neighborhood where I'm pigeonholed on what high school I went to or what church I go to, if you get my drift. I respect all religions, I just choose to be spiritual.

PS I've been to Barley's Brewhaus in Overland Park four times and it's awesome. I hope it stays in business a long time!

Thanks!

[kcmo]

Then I would try to find a place in the Westport area, it's probably going to offer you the most comparable setting to the places you mentioned. It would be a cross between CWE and the Loop in StL.

Westport has lots of great restaurants, watering holes etc and it's pretty busy and vibrant all the time.

I would look at the City Place apartments. I would also look at the general area south of Westport and north of the plaza. There are tons of residential options in that area including many brand new buildings.

[AJK1535]

If you like Barley's Brewhaus, may I suggest Charlie Hooper's at 63rd and Main? It's a great spot for singles of all ages and has great beers (mostly macrobrew but some microbrews) and has great specials like 3.00 import night!

[RjRobb2]

Originally Posted by AJK1535

If you like Barley's Brewhaus, may I suggest Charlie Hooper's at 63rd and Main? It's a great spot for singles of all ages and has great beers (mostly macrobrew but some microbrews) and has great specials like 3.00 import night!

I would also recommend the rest of the bars/restaurants in the KC Hopps family such as O'Dowd's, the Blue Moose, 810 Sports Zone, and the 75th Street Brewery.

[WestboundFlight]

Sweet, thanks again, KCers! Looking forward to my interview/next visit!