Parkville or Brookside? (Kansas City, Overland, Westwood: homes, neighborhoods, school district)

[lulu555]

We may be relocating to Kansas City area from Chicago. My husband's office will be in Overland Park. We have two pre-school aged children so schools will be an issue in a few years. We want somewhere we can walk to restaurants / shops and don't want to live in a subdivision situation. What are the pros and cons of Parkville vs. Brookside? From what I gather we might have to do private school in Brookside and Parkville has great public schools. But Parkville is further from his work and from the plaza, etc., but has a very quaint downtown that is appealing. Any thoughts are appreciated! Thanks.

[muman]

If I were in your situation, and had the money to put the kids in a private school, I'd go for the Brookside option. They're both neat areas, but Brookside will be a good deal closer to your husband's office in Overland Park. If your husband doesn't mind a longer commute (this depends on the actual location of his office...Overland Park is quite big), both areas are close in terms of driving time to the amenities of downtown, plus there are good public schools in Parkville.

In general, if you like a smaller town feel, go for Parkville. If you want to feel like you're nearer the middle of the action, go for Brookside.

[RjRobb2]

Originally Posted by muman

If I were in your situation, and had the money to put the kids in a private school, I'd go for the Brookside option. They're both neat areas, but Brookside will be a good deal closer to your husband's office in Overland Park. If your husband doesn't mind a longer commute (this depends on the actual location of his office...Overland Park is quite big), both areas are close in terms of driving time to the amenities of downtown, plus there are good public schools in Parkville.

In general, if you like a smaller town feel, go for Parkville. If you want to feel like you're nearer the middle of the action, go for Brookside.

Actually, the drive from Parkville is not as long as you think. It is practically right on the highway and you can get to 635 in less than 5 minutes and be on your way.

I work in Overland Park and live near Parkville. It takes me 20 minutes to get to work.

Spending money on private school when it is unnecessary is foolish IMO. Especially when you have an option of living somewhere with great public schools. Even if you have the money, that money could be saved for college or something else.

My choice would be Parkville. I have lived either in Parkville or around Parkville my entire life. I wouldnt live anywhere else in KC.

[Samantha S]

Originally Posted by lulu555

We may be relocating to Kansas City area from Chicago. My husband's office will be in Overland Park. We have two pre-school aged children so schools will be an issue in a few years. We want somewhere we can walk to restaurants / shops and don't want to live in a subdivision situation. What are the pros and cons of Parkville vs. Brookside? From what I gather we might have to do private school in Brookside and Parkville has great public schools. But Parkville is further from his work and from the plaza, etc., but has a very quaint downtown that is appealing. Any thoughts are appreciated! Thanks.

You might also look into the Mission/Westwood area on the KS side. You would be in the Shawnee Mission public school district which is excellent, within walking distance (or very short drive) of shopping/restaurants, easy access to Plaza area and probably (depending on where in OP he's working) a short commute for your husband.

Worth checking out ...

[muman]

Originally Posted by RjRobb2

Actually, the drive from Parkville is not as long as you think. It is practically right on the highway and you can get to 635 in less than 5 minutes and be on your way.

I work in Overland Park and live near Parkville. It takes me 20 minutes to get to work.

Spending money on private school when it is unnecessary is foolish IMO. Especially when you have an option of living somewhere with great public schools. Even if you have the money, that money could be saved for college or something else.

My choice would be Parkville. I have lived either in Parkville or around Parkville my entire life. I wouldnt live anywhere else in KC.

I agree that Parkville isn't a long drive either, and I didn't imply that it was. Brookside is closer. I'm biased toward an urban feel...maybe you're biased toward your hometown? If I had the money, I'd live in Brookside and do the private school thing...probably better than any public school. If the OP doesn't have the financial means, I think the public schools in Parkville would be an excellent option. Parkville's a nice place.

Also, I agree with Samantha in that you may want to check out the areas on the Kansas side near the Plaza and Brookside. They're great neighborhoods and have better public schools than those in KCMO.

[WiseOwlSaysHoot]

Personally, I would go with Brookside. I prefer the neighborhoods/homes and the location being more connected to the city.

Although most parents in the Brookside area send their kids to private schools, there are other viable options such as Academie Lafayette or Border Star Montessori.

[kcmo]

I'm partial to Brookside as well. It's more "city" life, yet an amazing area. Parkville is nice, but be careful, much of what is considered "Parkville" is typical suburban subdivisions that you said you didn't want. Downtown Parkville is neat, but it's really a bit limited on what it offers and much of the housing within walking distance of downtown Parkville is smallish and some not in the best shape. Parkville has some amazing areas like the Bluffs or Riss Lake, but again, it's not real walkable. Drive into KS burbs from Parkville is easy though via 635.

I would look at Brookside first then Prairie Village (in KS next to Brookside). Brookside has more charming homes, PV has better public schools. Both areas have large mature trees, walking paths, unique shops and resturants. Residents in this area tend to cross over a lot though. PV people come to Brookside to shop and dine and for festivals and Brookside people do the same in PV.

[famusdarlin]

I'm partial to Brookside, but I also love North of the River. I actually grew up north of the river. I suggest you look into Academie Lafayette for your children esp since you are considering Brookside. Académie Lafayette | K-8 French Language Immersion, Charter Public School It is a French Immersion charter school with no tuition, yes I said tuition free. Your children will come out of the school speaking French fluently plus with an excellent education. They recieved a gold star award from the state of Missouri last year.

[TabulaRasa]

It will really just boil down to what you prefer in terms of an urban or nonurban experience. If it's important to you to live in the city proper for any reason, Brookside is probably ideal (the public school situation notwithstanding). If you prefer more quaint/less urban, go the Parkville route. Both are nice places, just different in character.

[RjRobb2]

Originally Posted by TabulaRasa

It will really just boil down to what you prefer in terms of an urban or nonurban experience. If it's important to you to live in the city proper for any reason, Brookside is probably ideal (the public school situation notwithstanding). If you prefer more quaint/less urban, go the Parkville route. Both are nice places, just different in character.

I partially agree. Parkville is just so close to downtown that you are a 10 minute drive away from the urban experience.

Working in financial services, I just cant justify recommending that someone pay for private school when their are public schools in KC that would offer just as good of an education for free. Private schools are expensive and that money could be used for a lot more things. You could have enough to pay for a 4 year college education for a good school if you were to put that away in a good investment instead of paying for unneeded private school.