East Side Nightborhoods? (Independence, Blue Springs, Jackson: mortgage, how much, house)

[dancindoll511]

Hello!

I am a single 50F moving back to KC after a 6 year exile in SC. Last time I lived in KC I was in the OP but my new job is in Blue Springs so I need to shift my focus. Waldo would be my ideal but it is just too far of a commute I think.

Most of my friends live inside the 435 perimeter and our normal Pre Covid hangouts would be The Truman, Record Bar and other music venues (which hopefully come back eventually). I was wondering if there is a happy medium on the east side that are safe older neighborhoods with a nice community feel.

My ideal house would be a small pre 1970s with original features (pink bathroom ) on a small lot for $150,000 or less if possible. Hopefully convienent to interstate and groceries. I would like to keep my commute to 30 minutes or less. Also near an animal shelter would be a bonus since I like to foster.

I know that is a lot and I probably won't get everything. Really excited to get back to KC!

[WiseOwlSaysHoot]

I'm not sure how much you have looked at the current state of the housing market, but it is much tougher for buyers now than 6 years ago, especially under $150k. Currently, inventory is especially low because of Covid. It seems like no one wants to sell their home right now, but buyers are still relatively active.

I don't know when you are planning on moving, but I do think things may start shifting more towards buyers in the relatively near future, depending on what sort of further stimulus is passed and whether it includes further mortgage forbearance provisions.

It sounds like the Historic Northeast could be a potential fit for you - neighborhoods like Pendleton Heights and Scarritt Renaissance. The commute would still be fairly lengthy, but it should be under 30 minutes and a little less than Waldo. There is pretty good access to I-70 in parts of the Northeast. You could also be pretty close to Downtown/Crossroads music venues (as well as Knuckleheads). I'm not sure if you have any familiarity with that area, but it can be rather block to block. Some parts seem to be gentrifying pretty rapidly, while others are a little more rough.

Otherwise, you might look at Independence, maybe around the Harry Truman Library/Independence Square area for the older, historic homes.

[Mad Anthonie]

There are numerous neighborhoods in Independence that might be a good fit for you. As for fostering dogs, there is a large animal shelter that serves Independence and parts of Jackson County https://www.ci.independence.mo.us/An...ices/PetFoster

and a private rescue group, Animals Best Friends https://www.animalsbestfriends.org/

Both of these use foster homes.

[dancindoll511]

Thanks so much for the answers. I will look into those when I get to town.