Relocating Very, Very Soon and Needing Advice (to rent, condos)

[IdleIdol]

I'll be relocating to KC within a month and I need some quick advice from some of the locals regarding suggested areas to look for housing. I'll be working just across the border in KCK and I'm hoping to find a house within a 20-30 minute commute.

Although my wife and I are hoping to buy, we realize that we'll most likely decide to rent for a while prior to deciding where we'd like to permanently settle. We're both in our mid-20s, professionals (which means mega student debt) and looking for a home under $150k. I'm relatively handy and would prefer an older house (turn of the century'ish), which includes homes that need some TLC. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of stereotypical split-levels and modern housing doesn't do much for me.

Aside from being in close proximity to KCK and downtown KCMO, we're hoping to find a place with a large(r) yard for our dog, who is a big great dane. We don't have any children yet, so school districts aren't a big concern other than how they influence our ability to resell.

Are there historic homes in affordable areas with relatively low crime close to KCK/downtown? Applying my criteria, where would you suggest to begin our search?

Thanks in advance, I appreciate it.

[xenokc]

Wise to rent first if you can and then get to know which hood you want to live in.

Here's a realtor site that will let you search by radius.

Here are homes on W Side of Midtown (Roanoke/Volker) that are reasonably safe in the city and in your price range.
http://www.reeceandnichols.com/Listi...d=&agentadmin=

Here are homes on W side of downtown KCMO to the start of Midtown...
http://www.reeceandnichols.com/Listi...Letter=&Sort=6

Another area near UMKC/Brookside in your price range...
http://www.reeceandnichols.com/Listi...d=&agentadmin=

Click 'edit search' for very specific parameters.

Might also check condos. Though while many allow dogs, most have size limits.

[catzkc]

Check out the what they call the "Northland" or "North of the River" - around I-29, 169, south of the airport down to the river.