Kansas City or Springfield (Blue Springs, Liberty: lofts, neighborhoods, to live in)

[luzianne]

Huge difference between Kansas City and Springfield. I live in Kansas City and my dad grew up outside of Springfield. Springfield, to me, is more "country." Less going on, less "sophisticated" for lack of a better word than Kansas City. Not that Kansas City is sophisticated like, say, New York. But it's more of a bigger city feel, definitely, than Springfield.

The area around Springfield, especially south of Springfield, is definitely more scenic than anything around Kansas city. I love the drive from Springfield to Branson; it's very pretty. But I wouldn't want to live in Springfield because it's just slower paced than I like. Granted, it has grown and changed a lot in the last 10-15 years, but not my cup of tea. Having said that, I don't DO anything in Kansas City, like go out to clubs, etc. I stay home. But I just like the bigger city feel better than Springfield.

My dad's family moved to Laclede County, near Springfield, about 1844, my ancestors are all buried there, so I want to go down and explore. My grandmother died in Springfield Hospital in 1931 (when she was 36). I want to go find out all I can about my ancestors. But I don't think I could live there. Just depends on if you like a more down home kind of place, or a more city feel. Others my see it differently, but to me that's the difference between the two.

[luzianne]

I agree people are probably friendlier in Springfield. Crime in KC depends where you live. In Kansas City, Missouri proper - yes, crime is bad. In the suburbs, both Kansas and Missouri, there is low crime. I don't know the Missouri side as well but from what I understand Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Liberty, Parkville and other places north of the river are nice and safe. Johnson County is safe.

Taxes are high,especially in Johnson County.

[Andrew240]

A newcomer at my work recently moved to Springfield from Denver. The humidity was the first thing mentioned by him as being hard to adjust to.

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by luzianne

I agree people are probably friendlier in Springfield. Crime in KC depends where you live. In Kansas City, Missouri proper - yes, crime is bad. In the suburbs, both Kansas and Missouri, there is low crime. I don't know the Missouri side as well but from what I understand Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Liberty, Parkville and other places north of the river are nice and safe. Johnson County is safe.

Taxes are high,especially in Johnson County.

KCMO "proper" has 300 square miles and around a half million people.

The vast majority of KCMO "proper" is safe and KCMO "proper" has nearly all of the areas attractions and cultural assets. KCMO "proper has many of the region's wealthiest neighborhoods from Brookside mansions to highrise condo towers. KCMO "proper" also contains the fastest growing suburban area of the metro (northland).

Please be careful when throwing out the KCMO "proper" label.

KC's eastside is bad, real bad, but even in that area, you are not going to get shot unless you are a moron doing the stuff that moronic thugs do.

BTW, Springfield is lame unless you like big 4x4 pick up trucks, country music, bass pro and annoying Cardinal fans that seem out of place in the colleges down there

[Smo]

I lived in Springfield for almost 10 years, and I can say that if dating is a consideration, then Springfield is probably not where you want to be. That said, it is a great place to live. As some have mentioned, the people are nice, cost of living is pretty good, and crime is low. It isn't exactly "metropolitan," but there is culture, nightlife, etc., and it's growing like crazy. I haven't lived in KC, so I can't really compare it, but aside from the dating scene, I highly recommend Springfield.

[d_weava]

Originally Posted by kcmo

BTW, Springfield is lame unless you like big 4x4 pick up trucks, country music, bass pro and annoying Cardinal fans that seem out of place in the colleges down there

oh so were going stereotyping eh, then KC is lame unless you like hoopties, murdering, having multiple bass pro stores, and anoying KU fans that seem out of place being in a pro city.

But seriously, KC has a lot more concerts and shows becuase of the larger population and more/bigger venues which is the only thing I like about living in KC over Springfield.

[northbound74]

Comparing the two towns.. is.. umm... they're just VERY different. It's hard to compare.
I like both.
Springfield's a nice mid-size town. Clean. Mostly safe. Not a whole lot of character, but I still kind of like it. Except for the annoying Cardinals fans who forgot they actually live a little closer to Kansas City.
Kansas City's a big city. Period. There's much more than "a lot more concerts and shows" when comparing the two. MUCH more. I could make a whole list, but I have better things to do at this moment.

[luzianne]

Originally Posted by kcmo

KCMO "proper" has 300 square miles and around a half million people.

The vast majority of KCMO "proper" is safe and KCMO "proper" has nearly all of the areas attractions and cultural assets. KCMO "proper has many of the region's wealthiest neighborhoods from Brookside mansions to highrise condo towers. KCMO "proper" also contains the fastest growing suburban area of the metro (northland).

Please be careful when throwing out the KCMO "proper" label.

KC's eastside is bad, real bad, but even in that area, you are not going to get shot unless you are a moron doing the stuff that moronic thugs do.

I don't consider the northland Kansas City "proper." The fact is, the places I was referring to by Kansas City "proper" are the areas of higher crime and areas I would not want to live. My husband grew up in Waldo and Brookside, but it's not the same now as the neighborhoods he grew up in. It's not as safe. No, not everyplace is as bad as midtown but that doesn't mean it's someplace I'd want to live, either. I HAVE lived in NE Kansas City and actually in midtown. I moved because I didn't want to live there. Crime too high and neighborhoods not kept up. Just my opinion; you don't have to agree.

[8 SNAKE]

Originally Posted by kcmo

BTW, Springfield is lame unless you like big 4x4 pick up trucks, country music, bass pro and annoying Cardinal fans that seem out of place in the colleges down there

Yep, it's completely lame down here. That must be why this area is growing so fast.

[northbound74]

Originally Posted by luzianne

I don't consider the northland Kansas City "proper." The fact is, the places I was referring to by Kansas City "proper" are the areas of higher crime and areas I would not want to live. My husband grew up in Waldo and Brookside, but it's not the same now as the neighborhoods he grew up in. It's not as safe. No, not everyplace is as bad as midtown but that doesn't mean it's someplace I'd want to live, either. I HAVE lived in NE Kansas City and actually in midtown. I moved because I didn't want to live there. Crime too high and neighborhoods not kept up. Just my opinion; you don't have to agree.

KC proper is anywhere that is within city limits. It's a technical term, not a personal one.
A large chunk, if not a majority, of the land up north is within Kansas City's city limits. Zona Rosa, Metro North, Worlds of Fun.. all of it well within city limits.