moving to kansas (Kansas City, Shawnee, Lenexa: house, employment, buy)

[mom3]

I would like some information on what is the best place to raise 3 boys- 14, 12, and11 in kansas. We are thinking about relocating from NY to Kansas next year. I would like the the pros and cons of moving here. thanks]

[shonner]

It would help if you would give a bit more information. Is there a certain area of the state you are considering? What kind of environment do you want - rural, small town, city? Will you be looking for employment? If so, in what field? What quality of life issues are important to you? What kind of housing? - a general idea of what you're thinking of spending on a house...

[mom3]

Dear Shonner,
We are looking in the shawnee area!

[shonner]

Hey mom3 - I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to be of much help with Shawnee. My husband has a friend who lives there and he loves it (and this guy is rather hard to please). He's impressed with the schools and was able to find a very nice house for under $300k. I understand it's fairly safe, too.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

[2005hawk]

Shawnee is in the north central portion of Johnson County. Geogrpahically it is a large community. The eastern portion of it lies within the Shawnee Mission School District, and I think SM Northwest High is in Shawnee. The western portion of the City lies in the DeSoto District, and is served by Mill Valley High School (a DeSoto School). Parts of Shawnee (especially away from the highways K-7, I-35, or I-435) can be quite isolated from employment or shopping. But Shawnee has a nice little downtown and a new aquatic center downtown. There are big shopping centers at Shawnee Mission Parkway & I-435 and at SM Parkway & K-7. If you buy out west, near K-7 or I-435, you will be very close to Village West and The Legends, which is a huge new shopping area with virtually every restaurant and shop that exits. It will also soon be home to the world's largest waterpark.

Both school districts serving Shawnee are very good. And Shawnee Mission Park is huge and has many outdoor activities. Generally Johnson County is regarded as one of the best places in the KC metro to raise a family because of the superior schools and relative safety.

The eastern parts of Shawnee are about 15 minutes from downtown Kansas City, MO.

Hope this helps.

[Mathguy]

We moved here about 7 years ago with 1 & 3 year old boys....from Chicago.

I love it here, but I like *smaller* towns.

Here is the short story:

1. You cannot go wrong with any public schools in Johnson County. I live in Lenexa, they are all very good.
2. Housing is very inexpensive relative to much of the US.
3. Plenty of stuff to do in terms of restaurants, museums etc. but definitlely not a "big city".
4. Traffic\commute is a breeze, even "rush hour" is not bad.
5. It's really not that "conservative" if you are worried about that. At least not around the metro-area.
6. LOTS of nature stuff either right in your back yard or a 15-30min. drive can get you out in the *countryside*

I love it, ask more specific questions if you have them...but reply to this so I get a notice or I might not check back.