KS or MO? Which is your choice & Why? (Topeka: renting, credit)

[whowants2know]

What is your opinion as to which is the better state to live/work? And why do you feel that way?

[fishbowl]

I have said for years that I always want to live West of the line between Kansas and Missouri. All the way up and down from Canada on all the way down.

Things change when you cross over into Missouri. Get a map of the USA and look at the roads. East of Kansas there are a lot of roads, and there are many more the further East you go (in general.)

Going West from Kansas the roads are spaced further apart. Once you get to the West coast there are a lot of people now too.

But in general you can see how it all changes once you get East of Kansas, just from looking at the map you can see that.

As for the feel. I have trouble defining it, but I like the feel better in Kansas.

If you are just talking KC though, then I'd look at housing, taxes, schools if you need them, and general cost of living before I made a decision on where to live up there. Doesn't really matter which side of the river you live on in KC.

Janet

[kansaslady]

I have lived in both MO and KS (near Spfld, MO, and now in Johnson County, KS); and here are my votes:

1. Road conditions: KS wins hands down; too many potholes on the MO side, especially in the KC area.

2. Infrastructure: KS wins again...but, now this could just be me, but I have a heck of a time driving in KC, MO...get turned around all the time. To me, KS' roads are much easier to navigate.

3. Crime: this one is not all that easy to answer, we know that KC, MO has a lot of crime, but then so does KC, KS.

4. Schools: I don't have children in school, so am sorry but have no idea except for what I hear on the news.

5. Friendliness: same on both sides of the fence as far as I'm concerned...very friendly.

6. Jobs: both sides have plenty of jobs; but I do believe that JOCO's wages are a little higer.

7. Housing costs: now, for this category, MO wins...esp in JOCO! This is for both home buying and renting.

I just feel more comfortable on the KS side, and I am sorry but can't really tell you why, just do.

[Versatile]

Do some homework if you have kids. From the little i hear about it; the state of Ks has some real education funding problems as well as the "intelligent design issue".

[chefbri]

Having a 12 year old in the Shawnee Mission School District,(Kansas) I can say that dispite funding issues, the quality of education is top notch. KCMO schools are not even accredited. The only major city in the US without accreditation. As fas as the rudeness of Johnson Co. people, you'lkl find that in southern JoCo (south of 435). The houses down there are also hidious. They all look the same, just different shades of gray. With all the money down there its a shame there is no creativeness. So cookie cutter

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by chefbri

Having a 12 year old in the Shawnee Mission School District,(Kansas) I can say that dispite funding issues, the quality of education is top notch. KCMO schools are not even accredited. The only major city in the US without accreditation. As fas as the rudeness of Johnson Co. people, you'lkl find that in southern JoCo (south of 435). The houses down there are also hidious. They all look the same, just different shades of gray. With all the money down there its a shame there is no creativeness. So cookie cutter

Yes, the houses south of I-435 are extremely cookie cutter. The houses are big in size, but the quality of materials and construction is definitely lacking for the most part. Also, the oversized windows actually lead to a larger consumption of energy because they can let in more heat during the summer which leads to more AC use. I keep recommending that many people look at the established areas north of I-435 because many of these neighborhoods are excellent with solidly built houses, sidewalks, and large shade trees. You could not pay me to live in Olathe because I can not stand the way the majority of the houses look along with the fact that the majority of the neighborhoods were built in corn fields.

[rondamarchant]

If you have children, it is important to find neighborhoods where your family can build strong friendships with other neighbors.

As for me, I feel the pros and cons can exist in both states. Take the time to visit each major suburb. Spend some time at the public facilities, shopping areas, and organizations. Moving to a new city can be a big investment and sometimes you don't have time to investigate as much as you would like to, but there are benefits to being in the midst of it all.

Thanks,
Ronda

[johnslove2000]

Hello-I was born & aised in N.E. Kansas & ike Kansas better, except for the humidity, in the Spring & Summertime!!

The towns along Hwy 36 are great, people are friendly & more laid back, compaired to the people froom Topeka, KS.

Kansas wins my vote, hands down, as there is such a deversity of landscapes. Lush green rolling hills in the N.E.o down, to the desert like enviorment in the S.W. part, below Dodge City.

I have lived in both states, but prefer Kansas. (I live in CA where there is too many people, already!!!)

If you eber want to email me, I'm Purple_Rosie@msn.com. I do welcom new emails.

Thanks-Elaine

[bls5555]

Originally Posted by chefbri

Having a 12 year old in the Shawnee Mission School District,(Kansas) I can say that dispite funding issues, the quality of education is top notch. KCMO schools are not even accredited. The only major city in the US without accreditation. As fas as the rudeness of Johnson Co. people, you'lkl find that in southern JoCo (south of 435). The houses down there are also hidious. They all look the same, just different shades of gray. With all the money down there its a shame there is no creativeness. So cookie cutter

You are comparing Shawnee Mission to KC, MO School District? You aren't serious right? How about compare it to something like Lee's Summit School District or the Park Hill (Parkville?) School District and then you would be on equal ground. If you are going to compare city school district to city school district, fine, but you can't really compare a well off area school district to a city school district.

As for the accreditation thing, I think the St. Louis City school district is in the same boat.

As for me, I tend to prefer the Missouri side better. If you asked a reason why, I couldn't really give you a good one, it's just something I have always thought.

[marlin]

Depends on what you like, I have lived in both and for my money I would pick mo every time. when you hit the boarder the land changes, you have trees in mo, and hills, and the taxes are much cheaper.
Resale on your home would be much better.
I feel mo. is set to have a big run, as south carolina is becoming so expensive and crowded, where are people going to head? Arkansas and missouri. People do not settle down to a retirement in KS unless they have family working there or were from there originaly, for the most part people like what Missouri and Arkansas have to offer. There is branson eurika springs hot springs. You are not far from memphis or st. louis where there are things to do.
I lived in wichita and the attitude there is go to work and pay your taxes and shut up, go to church if you need more.
Kansas city on the mo side is a fun town. lots to do.
Many people from wichita go to kansas city for fun. nothing to do in wichita