Young Male moving to KCMO (Pacific, Country Club: apartments, houses, neighborhood)

[torbs23]

Hey everybody,

I recently got a job offer in the KC metro area, and am beginning to look into good places to live. I would like to spend around $800 on rent. I will be working in Leawood/South OP but would like to live in a more thriving and busy part of town where other young professionals are (I am 23). With this said, I would still like to limit my commute to no more than 20-25 minutes. Its been a couple years since somebody posted a similar thread so I'd like to see if anyone's opinions have changed, etc. I've heard westport/midtown is a good place for a more eccentric area with bars/clubs/restaurants...is this still true? What about downtown- there seems to be a lot of cool new modern apartments that were newly built/renovated...so would downtown also be a good area for a young professional? Any and all input would be greatly appreciated. Also would someone mind telling me where these locations lie streetwise? Like is Westport/Midtown considered south of 31st street, west of main street, north of westport rd, and east of state line road?

Thanks!

[pacificwhim]

Since you're going to be in Leawood/south OP, you might want to consider two areas farther south: Waldo and West Plaza. Waldo is going to put you closer to your workplace than any other 'hood that also features plenty of bars and restaurants. The only downside is that Waldo is mostly families, so that vibe might not fly for you. West Plaza is a cute neighborhood of hipsters, musicians, etc. just west of Country Club Plaza, as the name suggests. Small houses, near to the Plaza, great vibe. It's also an easy drive from there to Shawnee Mission Parkway, which takes you to I-35 for your commute.

Westport is a separate neighborhood from Midtown, and is south of 39th, west of main, and east of State Line. Great area, lots of young people, fantastic bar, club, food and music scene. Don't know how long your commute would be from there, though.

[brandthom]

The commute from Westport should still be round 20-25 minutes. I feel you should be able to get away with living downtown and the Rivermarket or really any part of the city that hugs state line and still have a relatively short commute to Leawood.

Other locations that to look at that hug stateline are the west plaza area, 39th Street West (this is a bit northwest of the Westport area), as pacific said Waldo.

[xenokc]

Pretty much agree with the above and here's a city guide of the core to get an idea...
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...bus/maxmwk.gif

[torbs23]

Originally Posted by pacificwhim

Since you're going to be in Leawood/south OP, you might want to consider two areas farther south: Waldo and West Plaza. Waldo is going to put you closer to your workplace than any other 'hood that also features plenty of bars and restaurants. The only downside is that Waldo is mostly families, so that vibe might not fly for you. West Plaza is a cute neighborhood of hipsters, musicians, etc. just west of Country Club Plaza, as the name suggests. Small houses, near to the Plaza, great vibe. It's also an easy drive from there to Shawnee Mission Parkway, which takes you to I-35 for your commute.

Westport is a separate neighborhood from Midtown, and is south of 39th, west of main, and east of State Line. Great area, lots of young people, fantastic bar, club, food and music scene. Don't know how long your commute would be from there, though.

Thank you for your responses everybody! I'm new to this site and and as I'm learning how to navigate it, I now realize there have been plenty of posts about young professionals relocating to KC so I apologize. Reading more and more about Westport, I am thinking that would be the best fit for me. Pacificwhim, thank you for distinctly telling me where Westport lies...but what street is its southern boundary? 47th street? Any specific suggestions for apartments within Westport that would be in my $800 budget range? I would love to spend less than $800 but do want to live in an apartment somewhat more modernized.

[Okey Dokie]

There's no sign saying "you are now leaving Westport." Maybe 43rd Street as southern boundary?

[brandthom]

I'd say 43rd and then Stateline as a western boundary, Main as an Eastern, and 39th or Valentine as a North?

[Jdoc08]

I am moving to the plaza westport area from Philly next month and have heard great things about the city

[xenokc]

If the job is near I435, it might actually be faster to get there from downtown via I35 or 71 hwy than midtown/Plaza through local streets - just depends.

[torbs23]

thank you for everyone's responses! I think I found a place I like in Midtown (I think?)...its on broadway between 38th and 36th. I have seen on some of the threads say that 39th and broadway can be a bit sketchy...is this still true? Would people consider walking to Westport/back home from Westport dangerous since I'd be crossing that area?