St Louis vs Kansas City (St. Louis, Washington: amusement parks, tenants, school districts)

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by SouthCity09

the city is growing but hey lets not have facts get in the way...there is a 8.0billion dollar project thats in the work in north city...and before this economy meltdown there was lofts and development going up all over downtown

the Art scene in KC doesnt even come close to comparing the STL are scene.

STL suburbs are great for families.

KC is not even the top 10 for familes and St.Louis did make the list. The 100 best places to raise a family - TODAY 101

Why is St. Louis County still losing population at such a fast rate, though?

[MoNative34]

There are professionals everywhere in Kansas City. There are families and that's a good thing. Who's buying the new homes? I'm gonna toss out a guess... Professionals with families. Not a bad thing.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by MoNative34

There are professionals everywhere in Kansas City. There are families and that's a good thing. Who's buying the new homes? I'm gonna toss out a guess... Professionals with families. Not a bad thing.

That is a very good thing. For being a metro of over 2.1 million, it has a cost of living that can't be beat. I also think the overall economy in KC will recover quite a bit faster compared to the Great Lakes cities after this recession ends. My cousin just started his own chiropractor business along with a partner recently, and he is gaining traction.
I agree, a good balance of professionals and families is ideal. Many claim that KC is great for families, but many other metros are great as well. I think many studies have data that can be easily manipulated to fit any desired result.

[Melissa E]

I don't have lots of facts, but I do know Overland Park has won award and has lots of very educated people ... you can look it up. Also, St Charles has the best vibe to me of all the St Louis area. Just my opinions =). Good luck.

[smellykat]

Originally Posted by SouthCity09

the city is growing but hey lets not have facts get in the way...there is a 8.0billion dollar project thats in the work in north city...and before this economy meltdown there was lofts and development going up all over downtown

the Art scene in KC doesnt even come close to comparing the STL are scene.

STL suburbs are great for families.

KC is not even the top 10 for familes and St.Louis did make the list. The 100 best places to raise a family - TODAY 101

The art scene in KC is superior to STL, IMO.

STL suburbs are great for families, and KC suburbs are great for families too. Overland Park, Kansas ranks high in all the lists year after year. Lee's Summit, Missouri is right up there too.

I would give STL higher marks in healthcare and post secondary education over KC.

I prefer living in KC to residing in STL, but I'm sure there are many STL transplants in KC who would love to move back and we all converge on 70 on the weekends!

[skrizzle]

Originally Posted by SouthCity09

the city is growing but hey lets not have facts get in the way...there is a 8.0billion dollar project thats in the work in north city...and before this economy meltdown there was lofts and development going up all over downtown

the Art scene in KC doesnt even come close to comparing the STL are scene.

STL suburbs are great for families.

KC is not even the top 10 for familes and St.Louis did make the list. The 100 best places to raise a family - TODAY 101

Sorry mixed up the families part... tho KC does make #42 on that list, and STL makes #92. What I was going by was KC ranked 3rd as top place for relocating families from ERC and Primary Relocation.

As far as suburbs Overland Park makes top 10 on best places to live, with Olathe at #13.... no STL burbs even make top 50 while KC has 3 of its burbs in it.

Please try and explain how you think STL art scene tops KC... LOL. KCAI is in the top 10 of the nations best art schools. SL Art Museum is nice, Nelson-Atkins is better.... Downtown STL has 28 art galleries, downtown KC has around 60.

Downtown STL pop: 11,800
Downtown KC pop: 16,292

That KC pop is from 2007, before P&L opened. Thats an increase in over 6000 people in 7 years. STL expects to increase their downtown by 5k in 10 years. Downtown STL increased housing units by 2700. KC from 2000-2007 increased by 4170, with around 2000 more units being built and another 3500 proposed.


Fast Cities 2008 | Fast Company

Top 12 cities to watch has KC, along with the likes of Moscow and Beijing.


Anyways.... don't get me wrong, i've dissed STL tons, and I went back there recently to check it out and I think STL is a lot better then what it used to be... it has 2 things I like better then KC... the zoo, and the light rail. Our zoo is trying to build itself up but I think it still has a ways to go, and light rail who the hell knows if KC will ever have it at the rate its going.... that said, STL still has the one major problem I saw every time I was there, and thats the people. The attitude, they are rude... of course i'm generalizing, but its probably the rudest people i've seen with the exception of Miami... and tons of people come across as miserable, plus the racial tension there is crazy...

Regardless people who grow up in STL are gonna most likely choose STL, or people who have lived there longer... especially anyone who hasn't been to KC within the last few years to see all the changes. And I expect the same from people who grow up in KC... the reality though no one wants to admit it is the cities are very similiar and its hard to compare because of this... where if it was either KC/STL vs. Chicago it's a no brainer when it comes to what city offers the most.

[stlcitygirl]

I have said it before and I will say it again. This argument is beat and a little ridiculous. Both cities are similar, they have quite a bit to offer and most people could be happy living in either. Some people are going to prefer KC and some are going to prefer St Louis. It depends on where you grew up, where your friends live and what you want in a city.I honestly don't think there is a huge difference except the cities have a different feel (I think the STL-More Eastern and KC-More Western comparison is correct)
For instance, I grew up basically exactly in the middle of STL and KC. I prefer STL because most of my college friends live here, I like being able to take the metrolink to work and I love the red brick architecture all over the city. I have friends that prefer KC for their own reasons.
In saying this, this is one thing I have noticed (from another post of mine): St Louis doesn't compare itself to KC, its doesn't speak bad about KC, it doesn't care about KC. After being in St Louis 5-6 years, I don't think I've heard anyone mention anything derogatory about KC. Most people talk about how they enjoyed themselves during a recent visit to KC. If you mention St Louis in KC they get in a huff, almost as if they have some inferiority complex. Lets all let it go!
P.S. The STL is more ghetto argument is ridiculous. There are definitely parts of KC that are alot like our Northside. The crime numbers are counted differently and skewed. As many know, our city line is much smaller than most cities around the country. So when counting the numbers, a very small portion is counted, this small portion happens to count the worst part of the city. If you did the entire metro area like all the other cities, STL doesnt break the top 100. To be exact, it ranks #127.
Some other fun facts: St. Louis Rankings

I don't want to start an argument, just the opposite, I would like this argument to die and instead we spend our time talking about how to make KC and STL better, more progressive places to live.

[skrizzle]

Originally Posted by stlcitygirl

I have said it before and I will say it again. This argument is beat and a little ridiculous. Both cities are similar, they have quite a bit to offer and most people could be happy living in either. Some people are going to prefer KC and some are going to prefer St Louis. It depends on where you grew up, where your friends live and what you want in a city.I honestly don't think there is a huge difference except the cities have a different feel (I think the STL-More Eastern and KC-More Western comparison is correct)
For instance, I grew up basically exactly in the middle of STL and KC. I prefer STL because most of my college friends live here, I like being able to take the metrolink to work and I love the red brick architecture all over the city. I have friends that prefer KC for their own reasons.
In saying this, this is one thing I have noticed (from another post of mine): St Louis doesn't compare itself to KC, its doesn't speak bad about KC, it doesn't care about KC. After being in St Louis 5-6 years, I don't think I've heard anyone mention anything derogatory about KC. Most people talk about how they enjoyed themselves during a recent visit to KC. If you mention St Louis in KC they get in a huff, almost as if they have some inferiority complex. Lets all let it go!
P.S. The STL is more ghetto argument is ridiculous. There are definitely parts of KC that are alot like our Northside. The crime numbers are counted differently and skewed. As many know, our city line is much smaller than most cities around the country. So when counting the numbers, a very small portion is counted, this small portion happens to count the worst part of the city. If you did the entire metro area like all the other cities, STL doesnt break the top 100. To be exact, it ranks #127.
Some other fun facts: St. Louis Rankings

I don't want to start an argument, just the opposite, I would like this argument to die and instead we spend our time talking about how to make KC and STL better, more progressive places to live.

I can agree with the KC inferiority complex.... but I think its because most people who here KC go "oh... the capital of KANSAS right?" or something along those lines LOL. When I was in LA, and told people i was from KC, they were like 'oh yeah hows dorthy...' etc... I honestly am curious how it would be if KC had a different name that didn't associate it with one of the most boring states ever....

[smellykat]

Originally Posted by stlcitygirl

In saying this, this is one thing I have noticed (from another post of mine): St Louis doesn't compare itself to KC, its doesn't speak bad about KC, it doesn't care about KC. After being in St Louis 5-6 years, I don't think I've heard anyone mention anything derogatory about KC. Most people talk about how they enjoyed themselves during a recent visit to KC. If you mention St Louis in KC they get in a huff, almost as if they have some inferiority complex. Lets all let it go!

Much wisdom in your post, STLCityGirl, but my experience as a Kansas Citian living part-time in STL has been just the opposite. I learned very quickly that STL does not like KC by subtle digs made by the media. A lack of friendliness on the part of the natives enforced this perception (wrong neighborhood choice.) Surprisingly, some natives have admitted to me that STL can be unwelcoming to transplants. For all of its warts, KC is a friendly town, and the derogatory remarks about it and the cold shoulder I was given took me by surprise. I really have never heard any comments one way or another by Kansas Citians regarding STL with the exception of a wildly exaggerated crime rate of which KC has its own problems. From a visitor's standpoint, both cities have so much to offer the traveler. I hope residents of both locations take the opportunity to explore and enjoy two great Missouri cities.

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by skrizzle

I can agree with the KC inferiority complex.... but I think its because most people who here KC go "oh... the capital of KANSAS right?" or something along those lines LOL. When I was in LA, and told people i was from KC, they were like 'oh yeah hows dorthy...' etc... I honestly am curious how it would be if KC had a different name that didn't associate it with one of the most boring states ever....

I feel your pain man .

Ilove St Louis. It's my second home.

I always find it interesting how people in StL think that city is really the **** though. For a metro of nearly 3 million people, it's a bit lacking if you ask me. I honest to god think KC offers more attractions and things to or at the very least, the same amount of things to do and see that StL does.

To even think the KC arts scene is not amazing is telling of how ignorant people are of KC. One of the largest art gallery districts in the nation. I would bet that half the people at the KC Art Institute are from St Louis. KC is building a performing arts center that St Louis, and almost every other major city, can only dream of having. KC has the world famous Nelson, the Kemper etc. Not to mention one of the largest collections of publicly funded art in the nation due to the 2% for art program.

St Louis is a fantastic city, great historic areas etc. But you gotta admit, for a city that is nearly 50% larger than KC, it doesn't really offer much more, if any...

Even Lambert airport is getting about the same amount of passengers as KCI now that both airports are no longer hubs.

St Louis has more suburbs. That's really the only difference. God knows KC doens't need more suburbs, especially on the Kansas side.