Honestly, making $120K/Year, could you live in Overland Park or Kansas City? (Olathe: rentals)

[efssampaio]

I have 2 kids (14 and 8). Can public schools really be considered? What about cost of living and housing?

I appreciate your help

EFSS

[pioneer88]

In a word, yes. I'm not sure where you are moving from but I would assume you could afford a pretty nice home in a great school district in Johnson County and elsewhere in the metro. Olathe, Blue valley, Shawnee Mission etc. are all great districts and there are more around that are also well regarded.

[LivinOPks]

Originally Posted by efssampaio

I have 2 kids (14 and 8). Can public schools really be considered? What about cost of living and housing?

I appreciate your help

EFSS

Shouldnt be a problem AT ALL>...Most of the johnson county school districts are very highly regarded....
Shawnee Mission , Blue Valley
Housing would depend on where you look. As any where some areas are over priced...But many are not...I own 1 personal home and 3 rentals here and all in JOco area...Taxes are lower in JOCo ks then MO or wyandotte county as well as insurance.
Any questions you can email me I will help ya out. I just moved back here and IM happy to be back home ...

[northbound74]

120k a year is a substantial sum of money in this area. Even in Johnson County, the area's most expensive region overall, you should have absolutely no problem finding something to suit you... with money to spare.
As has been mentioned, public schools in the suburbs are very good.

For what it's worth, taxes are NOT lower in JoCo compared to Missouri. Good grief, it's not even close.
The gas prices in Kansas alone pretty much offset the so-called 1% "earnings tax" which is found only in the city of Kansas City, MO, not the suburbs of Missouri.

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by northbound74

For what it's worth, taxes are NOT lower in JoCo compared to Missouri. Good grief, it's not even close.
The gas prices in Kansas alone pretty much offset the so-called 1% "earnings tax" which is found only in the city of Kansas City, MO, not the suburbs of Missouri.

It never ends does it? Anyway...

120k a year will go a long way in metro KC. A very long way.

[cp1969]

Originally Posted by northbound74

120k a year is a substantial sum of money in this area. Even in Johnson County, the area's most expensive region overall, you should have absolutely no problem finding something to suit you... with money to spare.
As has been mentioned, public schools in the suburbs are very good.

For what it's worth, taxes are NOT lower in JoCo compared to Missouri. Good grief, it's not even close.
The gas prices in Kansas alone pretty much offset the so-called 1% "earnings tax" which is found only in the city of Kansas City, MO, not the suburbs of Missouri.

Yes, it's 'only' the city of KCMO, but they collect it from anybody who works in KC and lives elsewhere, too.

$120K per year will go a long way in OP or any of the KC suburbs or KC itself. Using the rule of thumb that you can afford a house that is 2 1/2 times your annual income, that puts you in a $300K house, not counting any equity you might have from your previous place. $300K will put you in some pretty nice digs in pretty nice neighborhoods.

Lots of people would like to be dealing with that dilemma.

[lifelongMOgal]

Originally Posted by efssampaio

I have 2 kids (14 and 8). Can public schools really be considered? What about cost of living and housing?

I appreciate your help

EFSS

Cost of living/housing is reasonable. Public schools outside of the KCMO district can be considered.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by efssampaio

I have 2 kids (14 and 8). Can public schools really be considered? What about cost of living and housing?

I appreciate your help

EFSS

To join the chorus....no problem at all. Obviously just don't go hog-wild on housing. You can find great homes for well under what you can afford. I moved here from the Chicago burbs and housing was about 1/2 the price.
Go to realtor.com and enter a zip code like 66215 and a price range.

Public schools are great. No reason to go private unless you have a special circumstance (religious reasons etc.)

Taxation is moderate in KS, a little lower in MO....talking total tax burden. It's not enough of a difference to weigh into the decision though. Instead, find a place close to work so you have more free time and less expense. My commute is <15minutes and being a single dad with a 10 and 12yo....that's been priceless on a few occasions...not to mention that saving 30minutes a day on your commute is like

Best of luck.

P.S. Johnson County Community College is widely regarded as the best or close to the best Jr. college in the country. Since you have an 18yo this is worth noting in that they could pick up some credits from there if needed.