Where to live in KC? 45th & Rainbow, 38th & Walnut, River market (apartments)

[mrbmpls]

I'm a KC native who has lived in Minneapolis for 12 years. I grew up in the suburbs but spent a lot (and I mean a lot) of time downtown, westport, plaza in my 20's. Obviously, a lot has changed since I left.

My husband and I - both early 40's professionals - are relocating due to a great job opportunity for me. He may not work right away (he'll probably refresh some training), so we'll be limited to my income. We can afford $1200 or so a month. We considered pushing this to $1600 for a Western Auto loft with a great view, but at the last minute (after we'd already left KC for home!), the owner decided to sell rather than lease. My husband still can't talk about it, he was so in love with the place. After losing our beloved Western Auto loft, we've decided to revert back to our original more conservative budget. I can't believe we can't find anything!

We're looking to rent initially, and we've looked at several places. Nothing good to rent in Brookside, unfortunately. The kitchens of the rental homes are like camping! I've become pretty accustomed to pretty nice homes, so that won't do! And we need some space - 700 square feet won't work. We are looking at two specific apartments - one is in a renovated six-plex at 38th & Walnut (just one block over from Main, which seems sketchy), and a new rowhome at 45th & Rainbow. We're also considering River Market (despite the fact that I was held up at knife point there in the early 90's!), although we haven't found a specific place we like there.

What do you KC experts think about all this? Any advice? We now live in the suburbs in Minneapolis, but we lived in the city proper for several years. We want to live in the city in KC, at least for a while! Oh, no kids, and we enjoy going out to restaurants and bars.

[Mr. Howell]

Did you ask Gabby?

[kcmo]

I would keep looking in the Crossroads District

[WiseOwlSaysHoot]

The River Market has changed drastically since the early 90s. I wouldn't let what happened to you back then deter you from living there now - it is perfectly safe.

The intersection of 38th and Main is a little shady - which I think is largely due to the car wash located there which seems to attract unsavory people and activities. However, I lived nearby at 38th and Wyandotte for over 4 years and never had a single problem. But if you would be uncomfortable there, then maybe you should look elsewhere. (I think for $1200 -$1600 you shouldn't have too much of a problem).

A note pertaining to the 38th and Walnut area and Midtown as a whole (you may know this already): You may find that the feel of an area may change significantly from block to block. There are a few sketchy spots throughout Midtown like 38th and Main, but if you head over a block or two, it may be perfectly nice.

If you loved the Western Auto building and like the idea of urban loft living, then perhaps you should keep looking in areas like the Crossroads, Quality Hill, River Market, and Downtown.