Overland Park (Kansas City, Lee's Summit, Liberty: house, neighborhoods, buying) - Missouri (MO) - City-Data Forum

starlight · 08-24-2006, 12:08 PM

Hi all. We are thinking of moving to the Overland Park area because we have heard and read that it's a nice area, people are nice, is a good place to raise kids, etc. As I stand here with my bags almost packed, I read a comment on these posts that concerned me a bit. I am not going to repeat the exact comment, but it made me wonder if there is any racial tension in the area?

My family is born in the U.S. but of hispanic decent and even though my husband and I do not really "look" hispanic, our kids do. My concern is that they would encounter racial bias in the schools. Please, I do not mean to offend any one with this - I would love to hear some thoughts.

Thank you.

Versatile · 08-24-2006, 12:56 PM

Overall in the KC/Metro area i do not think there is much if any racial bias at all towards hispanics. Cannot say totally for Overland Park as i do not have children in school. The Hispanic population of this area is growing by leaps and bounds on both sides of the state line.

kuJhawksfan · 10-22-2006, 08:40 PM

I went to Overland Park schools, and I did not notice that. I think that the schools are not very diverse, but I don't think that there is anything to be concerned about.

starlight · 10-31-2006, 08:38 AM

Thank you for your replies. KUJHawskfan, I think that's one of the things that concerned me - the fact that the schools are not very diverse from the research I've done. Thank you for your thoughts. It makes me feel better since you went to school there!

We are going to visit Overland Park and the KC area in a couple of weeks. Any suggestions on what to look at or visit?

Thanks again!

Microcell · 10-31-2006, 09:48 AM

I went to school in Overland Park as well, and with a very Jewish last name, had no problems. The people in Overland Park in general are nice.

I have to tell you a bigger value for your house buying dollar is Lee's Summit, MO on the South East side of the metro. It is just like Overland Park except the housing prices are not inflated, but are rising. You can still get more house for the money on the Missouri side. I would only recommend Lee's Summit though because the schools are great! The tax rates are a bit higher though.

If you really want to live in Overland Park, it is a nice area, but you want to go to Blue Valley or Olathe Schools. The district is mainly south of College Blvd. Anything north is Shawnee Mission Schools.

I went to Shawnee Mission schools in their heyday, and they were the best. They are still good, but they are "built out" though and comprised of mostly baby boomers in that area so they are loosing monitary support and bonds will only continue to fail as the baby boomers retire.

Visiting ideas, The Plaza, Crown center (best after Thanksgiving), Halls is part of that, and they have Kalidescope, where the kids can do hands on things.

Microcell · 10-31-2006, 10:06 AM

I just read the comment you probably were talking about. There is a certain haughtiness among Johnson County (Overland Park) people, but as long as you live there they welcome you. They just think they have made the best decision in moving to Johnson County because it is the best place to live in the entire world, doncha know? My stepmother called it the "best kept secret in the midwest".

I felt that way when I lived there too. Then I moved to the Missouri side so I could afford a nicer house. I realized that the people in Overland Park were sheltered and are harmless. They don't say anything negative about where you live if you don't live there, but you can tell they feel bad you don't have the "Johnson County mystique". What they don't have are curvy roads and beautiful lakes, like they do in Lee's Summit and the surrounding area. Both places are fine to live in, I just happen to prefer the Missouri side. I could live in Overland Park if I had to, I just no longer "prefer" to live there. Everyone who does live there thinks there is no place better. Good for them.

People in Kansas City are the nicest you will find in most cases, and there are some jerks. You will see when driving the sense of entitlement of those who have JO printed on the Kansas tag! Still a great place to live and not racially heated at all.

old_boy · 10-31-2006, 12:56 PM

My kids went to school in Overland Park, in both the Shawnee Mission district and the Blue Valley district. I was not aware of much racial prejudice in either district. My kids also played on area soccer teams, and one team had two players from Peru and one from the Middle East. I didn't notice any racial problems at all from any of the parents, other players, etc. However, both of my sons let me know that in the Blue Valley district, there were issues of bias among the high school students, but it was financial rather than racial.

Overall, I think Johnson County people are good, friendly, well meaning people, and you will probably find them to be good neighbors. But you also will encounter the "sense of entitlement" that was mentioned above. If I were coming in to the KC metro from out of the area and looking for good neighborhoods and good schools, I would consider Johnson County in Kansas and the communities of Lee's Summit and Liberty in Missouri.

emilybog · 10-31-2006, 02:50 PM

I have lived in Overland Park for 2 years. It has the second highest IQ in the USA. They are very friendly people here but a tad bit "clickish". As far as color goes... well, seems like their favorite color here is green. I would say that your race will not be an issue for you or your children. They would be more "stressed" in school if you can not afford them nice clothing. I'm sure it is not a must but OP is a very "keep up with the Jones" type of place. They have a VERY high standard in the emergency services part. The firemen here are cut like diamonds and you have to be a "God" to get on as a paramedic. OP has high standards and I like it.

starlight · 11-01-2006, 07:39 PM

Emilybog - That is very funny about firemen and paramedics. Thanks to everyone who has replied. You guys have made me feel better about any racial issues. You know, is so hard to make these type of decisions - you try to do what's best for your children, find a good neighborhood, good schools, etc. and you are always afraid you are making the wrong decision. I don't know if that makes any sense.

Thanks for the heads up on the "sense of entitlement" issue. I will have to think about that. I am still leaning towards OP for our move, but I will look into Lee's Summit and Liberty in MO.

Any other thoughts are greatly appreciated!

kuJhawksfan · 11-25-2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starlight

Thank you for your replies. KUJHawskfan, I think that's one of the things that concerned me - the fact that the schools are not very diverse from the research I've done. Thank you for your thoughts. It makes me feel better since you went to school there!

We are going to visit Overland Park and the KC area in a couple of weeks. Any suggestions on what to look at or visit?

Thanks again!

I'm glad that I could help--OP is truly a great place to raise kids--you'll LOVE it. Let me know if you have any questions about the area.