Area near KU Medical Center (Overland Park, Kansas City: for rent, low crime, houses)

[klbd]

Considering a position at KU Medical Center; what would be a good area of KC to look at for a family of 4 - probably renting at first but would want to stay in the same school district if we were to buy, so decent housing, easy commute, good schools, and diverse - preferable a Jewish community presence? From previous forum posts I was thinking Shawnee, Mission, Prarie Village? Thanks in advance.

[JoanCu]

There are quite a few Jewish people near Menorah Medical Center in south Overland Park. The schools, Blue Valley, are the best in the KC area. The average home price is over $300,000, though there is no upper limit. The commute to KU Med Center would be about a half hour in rush hour traffic.

Most of Johnson County Kansas is nice. Leawood, Olathe and Overland Park have the nicest homes and best schools. Fairway is also very nice if those areas are too expensive. Misson Hills Kansas is were the richest in KC live.

If you're willing to live in Missouri, you can get the best values north of the river, and still be within 20 minutes of KU Med Center.

There isn't a lot of diversity in KC. The neighborhoods are pretty well segregated between whites, blacks and Latinos.

[gwander]

Prairie Village would be an easy drive. That neighborhood is in big demand, so the homes go for a little more than in some other areas. There is a Synagogue right there on 75th street.
The Shawnee Mission schools are wonderful!
How close to the hospital do you need to stay?
The city of Fairway has some really beautiful homes and is very close to the hospital.

[jeffmsilver]

Fairway or Mission Hills, if you can afford them. The least sterile areas with high-performing schools.
I lived in Leawood/OP for years. Incredibly dull.

If you're in Fairway, for example, you're closer to KU and only 15 minutes to the major synagogues and JCC.

Do note that if you're in the Shawnee Mission or Blue Valley school districts, you'll have to look outside the classroom for diversity. Spend time in Brookside, downtown, West Side.

[luzianne]

I agree with Prairie Village. 15 minute drive, and houses not as expensive as in Leawood. Some houses for rent, but you'd probalby pay in the $1200 to $1500/month range for rent. Great schools.

I'd stay away from Kansas City, Kansas (which is where KU Med is) and live in Johnson County definitely, because of the schools, low crime rate and nicer neighborhoods.