Kansas City: Kansas or Missouri? (Overland, Leawood: quality of life, tax, living in)

[TinaMcG]

Originally Posted by aragx6

Yeah it was a drainage more than hill issue. Our lot is absolutely beautiful because it sits next to a pond, but the pond had a dual purpose to provide drainage during storms. This was absolutely no problem until the road reconstruction changed the way the drainage flowed down.

That said, over the years my mom has put money into the house with a sump pump as well as specific land- and hardscaping to redirect the water to where it belongs, and has had no problems for almost a decade.

That is terrible, because they are supposed to an impact study on adjacent areas before their plans are approved, and I also think property owners are supposed to be given the right to express concerns. Regrading and hardscaping resolve drainage problems and can makle a property a lot more attractive, but I can tell you from experience on our three acres -- they don't come cheap. We have 300-ft of dry creekbed that is rarely dry for months at a time, but thank heaven we installed it.

[aragx6]

Yup, it was a nightmare for my 'rents, and this was in the fastest growing, newest 'burb around at the time. So kcmo is definitely right that issues like this aren't specific to KCMO alone.

But I still have to say, and it's probably because I've lived in one of those areas most prone to issues, KC has seemed significantly worse and on a larger scale than any other place I've lived.

[TabulaRasa]

When we rented a house in Santa Fe Hills (immediately south of Waldo, just off 85th Street at Wornall), drainage was definitely an issue. We didn't get a flooded basement, because it and all surrounding homes were on slabs), but things (including the slab itself and probably the crawlspace) NEVER dried out...it was hilly, shaded, and although were weren't at the bottom of a hill, there was poor enough drainage that things were always smelling damp and musty, whether it had recently rained or not. If we'd had a basement, it assuredly would have flooded. I'm sure there was mold galore under the house. Thankfully, were were only doing a short-term rental while we househunted. But it did put us off to looking for a home in an area that we otherwise liked.

[JacksonJeep]

Originally Posted by ykamom

We seem to have lost the original poster here entirely. What about it JacksonJeep. Did you take the job in OP? Did you decide on the suburbs or KC? Did we put you off with our descriptions of the grocery stores in KC?

Perhaps you are snowed in in Buffalo right now that you don't have internet service.

I like a happy ending, so let us know what is up with you.

I'm still here, just been sitting back and reading everything. I always think it's interesting to see how conversations develop. I love how talking about Kansas or Missouri and grocery stores becomes a big fiasco and turns into arguments about flooding and sewer back ups. WOW! To answer your question- I haven't heard back from the employer as of yet, but when I do I will probably be looking into the Kansas side. Not sure though, just have to wait and see. I have some other job options in other cities as well so i have to look at those as well. But I do like the Kansas City area very much, even without Wegmans. As hard as it will be I know that I will survive without my beloved grocery store. I'll just have to stock up whenever I get back home!

[TabulaRasa]

Just noticing that I had posted in response to your grocery store question, but now I can't seem to find it, so it must not have successfully posted. No Wegman's, but the local grocery dynasty, the Cosentino family, does run a handful of upscale markets throughout the city (their frou-frou market in Brookside comes to mind, as does their hip downtown store), in addition to owning franchises of the more pedestrian chain groceries. I'm an (Iowa-based) Hy-Vee girl, myself, but for upscale chains, there's Hen House (never been impressed with the one that's in my 'hood, disappointingly, it doesn't actually hold a candle to either of the local Hy-Vees - have gotten produce past its prime numerous times, and it's not very well-lit or well-stocked - but people seem to like other locations, so it's probably an anomaly). I don't think anybody mentioned it, but unless the deal's fallen through and I haven't been keeping up (which is possible), the Waldo neighborhood is slated to get a Trader Joe's in the same complex the Target is located in. People are pretty jazzed about that, because there's been a community desire for a Trader Joe's in the metro for a long time.

Don't be scared away by the obnoxious stateline rivalry...trust me, it's much more pervasive on this forum than you will likely ever experience in daily living...maybe this is just where people say what they think instead of holding back.

[aragx6]

^The last update I heard on the TJ's is that they have to get the liquor laws changed in the area to allow TJ's to sell their beloved two buck chuck.

Edit: Looks like it's been approved
Kansas City Council passes liquor code exemption for Trader Joe’s | Kansas City Business Journal

[TinaMcG]

Originally Posted by lifelongMOgal

Have to say, TinaMcG, that this flooding as a result of sewer backup is news to me except in the most extreme circumstances of heavy rains which lead to flooding in a number of the very low lying areas along creeks and streams. Are you actually suggesting the sewage back up is coming through the walls and floors of your friend's basement, or back through a drain (in which case the valve is obviously not working correctly)?

FEMA maps provide flood info. and the insurance companies use them to determine if a home needs additional flood insurance. Common sense when choosing a location in which to live plays a large role, IMO.

I don't think it is realistic to slam such a large city over the experiences of one friend. YMMV.

Not a homeowner problem, definitely a city problem. My friend has had two foundation and sewer companies out to assess the situation and even did what she called a 'colonoscopy' on their sewer lines. Everything was clean. They're talking to a lawyer.

[TinaMcG]

Originally Posted by JacksonJeep

I'm still here, just been sitting back and reading everything. I always think it's interesting to see how conversations develop. I love how talking about Kansas or Missouri and grocery stores becomes a big fiasco and turns into arguments about flooding and sewer back ups. WOW! To answer your question- I haven't heard back from the employer as of yet, but when I do I will probably be looking into the Kansas side. Not sure though, just have to wait and see. I have some other job options in other cities as well so i have to look at those as well. But I do like the Kansas City area very much, even without Wegmans. As hard as it will be I know that I will survive without my beloved grocery store. I'll just have to stock up whenever I get back home!

Another day...another water main break on Saturday, this time closing southbound lanes of 169 Hwy for the second time in a week. Drivers have been asked to avoid the Broadway bridge. There was no rain or snow. There were no extreme temperature swings. People interviewed in the news stores are beginning to sound increasingly frustrated.

[skrizzle]

Originally Posted by ykamom

These are expensive and dangerous faults in the city's infrastructure.

For this reason alone, I'd avoid KCMO. It's like a ticking time bomb, IMO, and resolving these problems doesn't seem to be a top priority of city, county or state government.

See? Told you I was on a rant about this.

This is the second time I have seen stuff like this, although I think it was the same person both times and she is, admittedly, on a rant about it.
(No offense, Tina, I think we are all entitled to our rants occasionally and I found yours an interesting read.)

What do others think about this? Is this a consideration when it comes to housing in KCMO? I have to admit, I have lived lots of places and I have never worried about sewers backing up or water mains breaking. Of course, I know those things could always happen in any neighborhood. However, when they happen they are viewed as a one off, an unhappy accident. But I have never heard from locals...."Infrastructure is so poor I would avoid living (fill in the blank)"

Is this a real concern for lots of people? [/quote]

It's not one that has ever effected me living in KCMO.... I don't see the problems or know of anyone having the problems she speaks of. That's not to say it doesn't happen, I just wonder how frequently?

[jbtornado]

This is called media hyping the heck out of an issue and scaring people... The same reason people 30 years ago didnt think THAT much of winter storms, while now Kansas City acts like any snow is the end of the world.. Also another reason why most murders seem much worse now... They've always been bad, and were just as bad 30-40 years ago, but the media did not give them near as much hype.. I wish people would realize this