Moving to KS (middle-class, lofts, condos)

[kgsmith5]

Thank You to all who have answered. We do not want acreage; no way, no how do I (born/raised in suburbia) want/need much land! We will check out those other areas as well; will probably stay in Johnson County but I like the idea of expanding outside of BV schools. Thanks for the website link too; our current realtor (who I've never met) is trying to help us but without a more specific idea it's hard for her to narrow it down!

[thriftylefty]

I was driving along Shawnee mission Parkway and Johnson drive the other day it still seems pretty nice. Any of those townships along those roads would be okay; Fairway, Mission or Shawnee. I would go to schooldigger.com and look up the best school in an area and it will provide a link to homes for sale nearby
Kansas Schools - Find a School in Kansas - SchoolDigger.com

[kgsmith5]

Follow up questions...

what would you describe the housing market like currently in KS? I'm sure I could ask our realtor but I haven't even met her yet

Haven't decided on school district per se but ranks of 9 and up are important to us. Anyone live in a general area they think fits this requirement well?

When you drive around Overland Park, what neighborhoods are your favorite and why?

Worried about ages of homes. Living in SoCal we don't turn on heat or ac often. In regards to energy efficiency of houses, is age critical here, like is a 5 year home way better than a 15 year old home for energy efficiency? Any questions to ask about this before buying?

Getting excited and nervous to visit later this month with the whole family.

[zach_33]

It's a pretty good market for sellers, but still inexpensive relative to other major cities. I have a friend who sells real estate and he says inventory is very low in the most desirable areas.

Check out Nottingham Forest South if there is anything available there. It is served by Harmony elementary and middle, BVNW HS. That's darn close to "9" top to bottom. I live in Mission Trail elementary district and it seems to be a popular destination for people obsessed with public school strength. Our middle school (Leawood MS) is rated 7 on Greatschools, but my kid likes it a lot, and I'm not quite sure why it is that low. I didn't want to live south of 135th, so I sort of ignored all the schools down that way, but I know there are several that are 9+ rated throughout - Prairie Star and Sunset Ridge come to mind. It's just too dang far out for me, but for someone working in Olathe it is probably all good.

Can't speak to the age question. My house is 30 years old and seems to do pretty well on heating and cooling bills - maybe $300 per month in peak need months, but it's 4000 square feet also, so that doesn't seem bad to me.

[zach_33]

fwiw, my favorite subdivision in OP is Nottingham Forest. Of the half dozen or so subdivisions I toured in OP a couple years back, that one really caught my eye because 1) it is very centrally located, good access to highways and shopping, 2) the homes are attractive, well kept, excellent curb appeal 3) it's not as cookie-cutterish as many of the newer subdivisions, 4) it was in our target price range, 5) mature trees.


Didn't end up buying there, but I still think it is a great looking community.

[denverian]

I suppose it's all perspective. Lot sizes for new homes in Olathe (and all of KC metro) are obnoxiously oversized to me. If your idea of fun is spending an hour and a half pushing a mower in the heat, humidity and bugs once a week, then you'll have a blast

[zach_33]

Originally Posted by denverian

I suppose it's all perspective. Lot sizes for new homes in Olathe (and all of KC metro) are obnoxiously oversized to me. If your idea of fun is spending an hour and a half pushing a mower in the heat, humidity and bugs once a week, then you'll have a blast

Nah, you just pay some crew $50 per week to do it for you.

[GraniteStater]

Lawns are the worst IMO, especially if you have an HOA that dictates that the property must have one. I've gotten rid of large sections of lawn, put in natural plants, tress, ground cover, and gardens. Far nicer than a boring lawn and actually produces things of value.

[luzianne]

Originally Posted by denverian

I suppose it's all perspective. Lot sizes for new homes in Olathe (and all of KC metro) are obnoxiously oversized to me. If your idea of fun is spending an hour and a half pushing a mower in the heat, humidity and bugs once a week, then you'll have a blast

Some like the exercise. And the lawn.

[Ztonyg]

Living in Arizona (with microscopic lot sizes and no lawns) I really do miss lawns.