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My wife, daughters and I live in Seattle and like it fine. But my wife grew up in KC, is very close to her family (who all live in the Brookside/Loose Park area) and misses them terribly. She moved out to the West Coast 21 years ago and would love to move back.
I'm a West Coast boy, and self-employed, so we're in a position to relocate to KC if we choose. We're aware of the bad schools; private schools would have to be the solution. But for me, I'm more concerned about lifestyle. I'm a writer, so I need a rich literary scene. I'm a also a tech entrepreneur, so I need a rich entrepreneurship and innovation scene. Does Kansas City have either of those?
I know the city can't measure up to Seattle in terms of beauty, weather, or recreation, but the pull of family is strong (my wife's family is awesome, sophisticated and interesting). Can an arts-loving bohemian writer/entrepreneur find happiness in KC? Thanks.
PS: We'd probably look for a place in the Brookside/Sunset Hills area, Westport, or someplace else safe with walkability. Maybe someplace with a somewhat boho urban vibe, though I know Brookside is not that so much. Ideas appreciated.
KC's literary and arts scenes may surprise you; I know they did me when I relocated here with little prior firsthand knowledge. I can't speak to the entrepreneurship query, as it's pretty far removed from my current field (education). But others may weigh in. People who relocate here are typically pretty suprised at an unanticipatedly large arts/cultural scene, which is nice. I know I was happily surprised, moving here having worked professionally as a writer, and as a lifelong participant in various fine arts. I have quite a few acquaintances here who are active with various writers' collectives and poetry collectives. I am in a couple of performance ensembles with authors and playwrights, as well. Lifestyle-wise, I have no complaints, but I did come to KC already having a predominantly lifelong Midwestern background, which may make a difference. The boho vibe you're looking for may be easier found in neighborhoods like West Plaza and Westport, among others, than Brookside and Sunset Hill, but then again, two of the ensembles I'm with are based out of Brookside/Sunset Hill, so you never do know.
Yes, I agree with Tabula, I think you will be pleasently suprised with the art scene here. My children go to school in Brookside and though there are some yuppie types in Brookside I think if you are looking to raise children in KC I don't think you will find a better fit. But if you don't have children or are not planning to have children you might like the West Plaza area a little more.
My wife, daughters and I live in Seattle and like it fine. But my wife grew up in KC, is very close to her family (who all live in the Brookside/Loose Park area) and misses them terribly. She moved out to the West Coast 21 years ago and would love to move back.
I'm a West Coast boy, and self-employed, so we're in a position to relocate to KC if we choose. We're aware of the bad schools; private schools would have to be the solution. But for me, I'm more concerned about lifestyle. I'm a writer, so I need a rich literary scene. I'm a also a tech entrepreneur, so I need a rich entrepreneurship and innovation scene. Does Kansas City have either of those?
I know the city can't measure up to Seattle in terms of beauty, weather, or recreation, but the pull of family is strong (my wife's family is awesome, sophisticated and interesting). Can an arts-loving bohemian writer/entrepreneur find happiness in KC? Thanks.
PS: We'd probably look for a place in the Brookside/Sunset Hills area, Westport, or someplace else safe with walkability. Maybe someplace with a somewhat boho urban vibe, though I know Brookside is not that so much. Ideas appreciated.
First, the only school district that has major problems is the actual Kansas City School District which is small in comparison to the other school districts we have. We have some of the best school districts in the entire state of Missouri and Kansas.
Second, what makes you think we cant measure up in weather, recreation, and beauty? Kansas City is known worldwide for art deco, architecture, and our fountains. We have a decent art and music scene andw e actually see the sun here in Kansas City more than 20 days a year. Yeah, you have to deal with colder temps, more snow, and ice but that is far better than rain and clouds almost everyday of the year.
I know 3 people that were Seattle natives that moved to Kansas City and I know 5 people that moved to Seattle from KC and moved back within 2 years. Every single one of those 8 people prefer KC over Seattle, not just a little bit but a lot. In fact, a couple of those people called Kansas City paradise compared to Seattle.
I think you will be surprised by what KC has to offer.
I made the move from the west coast (Southern california) to St. Louis. Same situation and same circumstances. My wife also missed her family. I am also a creative (Art Director / Self employed). I find the Saint Louis art scene about 5 years behind of what's going on in LA. Can't really comment on KC
I am sure that you have visited the area quite a few times. You really have to go with your gut instinct. On your visits here did you like it or where you just happy to get back to Seattle?
I never liked it here, even while I was just visiting. I was alway happy to get back to California. The only positive things about living here are being close to your family, and being able to participate in family events more frequently. The cheap cost of housing is also a huge plus. With a buyers market, it is really hard to resist not buying a home. We lucked out and got a nice lakeside home in a nice community. Its the saving grace of living here.
But I really miss my CA friends, the ability to participate in outdoor activities year round, along with the natural beauty of the West Coast.
If at all possible live here for a while before making such a big move.
Yea, I think overall, KC has much better weather than Seattle. KC has a couple of extreme months, but much of the year in KC is sunny with pleasant weather with clear blue skies. Now recreation is a different story. The KC area is not totally void of recreational options, the metro does have some decent bike trails and there are a lot of lakes etc nearby, but to think that KC can stand up to Seattle from a general recreational standpoint is silly. Seattle is FAR more active than KC. A higher percent of the residents there get out their cars and get on bikes and sidewalks. There are no beaches or boardwalks in KC, no waterfronts, etc. Seattle is simply a beautiful city that offers a plethora of urban and recreational retreats, despite the overcast and constant rain. Plus Seattle is close to Portland and Vancouver. KC is close to St Louis and Omaha.
I like Seattle obviously, but having said all that, I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the arts and entrepreneur scene in KC will stack up well to Seattle, if not exceed Seattle.
I would look into Coleman Highlands if you can afford it and you probably can since you are coming from the west coast. Brookside, South Plaza (Loose Park) West Plaza and south Hyde Park also. KC is what you make of it. Problem is, too few people make much of it and most people in KC would just assume sit in the burbs and complain about how bad KC is than get out and enjoy it. It's a great city though, but I wouldn't get your hopes too high about the urban fabric and general vibe of the city. It has a ways to go in many aspects. For example, if you do move to an area in the urban core like Coleman Highlands or even South Plaza, you will notice almost everyday how that is very much "against the grain" of what "most" people in metro KC would recommend. In places like Seattle, it's "sophisticated" or "cool" to live in the city. In KC, it's like there is something wrong with you if that's the kind of lifestyle you enjoy. While you will be in the "urban" group, you will feel like very much a minority in KC. Probably why I like Seattle better than KC is many aspects, not all, but many. You will enjoy the lack of traffic and low cost of living though and the city has plenty to offer entertainment wise. Great arts scene, sports, theater, festivals, concerts etc. are all going to be right there with Seattle.
Good luck. West Coast (or Denver) is my next move after we live on the east coast for a while.
I would look into Coleman Highlands if you can afford it and you probably can since you are coming from the west coast. Brookside, South Plaza (Loose Park) West Plaza and south Hyde Park also. KC is what you make of it. Problem is, too few people make much of it and most people in KC would just assume sit in the burbs and complain about how bad KC is than get out and enjoy it. blah blah blah
Gotta get those digs in every post, huh?
I don't disagree with most of what you said. But the general negativity does get old for "most of us."
Oh and it's "just as soon", not "just assume". Sorry (sincerely) for the grammatical nitpicking. Especially coming from a KS Bourgeois suburbanite to someone as sophisticated, urbane and worldly as yourself. (Okay, that got sarcastic ... I'll stop being mean ... for now )
I don't know that much about the writing scene, but the art scene, in general, is very underrated. Because it flies under the radar, it can remain more independent and underground - as opposed to the scene in some the artist meccas, which, to me, can feel forced and inorganic.
For a writer, I would recommend checking out Prospero's Books on W 39th st. It seems to be a gathering spot for poets and writers. I would also recommend living somewhere nearby (such as Coleman Highlands, suggested by kcmo)
Quote:
For example, if you do move to an area in the urban core like Coleman Highlands or even South Plaza, you will notice almost everyday how that is very much "against the grain" of what "most" people in metro KC would recommend. In places like Seattle, it's "sophisticated" or "cool" to live in the city. In KC, it's like there is something wrong with you if that's the kind of lifestyle you enjoy.
That is true, but only if and when you interact with ignorant people from the suburbs - which, unfortunately, can be difficult to avoid in KC. But if you live, work, and recreate in urban KC, you will be surrounded by like-minded people.
Well, I'm from the Seattle area and we have lived here since July. NOTHING compares to Seattle and the beauty. Hubby is from Blue Springs. I have already lived in this area for 10 years of my life (12 years ago). Talked him into moving back "home" to WA. We were there for 10 years. He lost his job, we lost our house. Time to move on. We picked here---again, only because I found a great job at Shawnee mission medical center and it is less expensive. (But Johnson county is not that much cheaper---really).
He still hasn't found a fulltime job and my kids hate it here. We are in a good school district (Olathe) and my kids all hate it. The kids are all stuck up and disrespectful. The teachers treat the kids like they are in jail and my daughter likes to be respected. (this is all hear-say---from my oldest (15y). But I guess my daughter isn't your "typical" teenager. She does not like to be treated like a child. She is in school to learn and not screw around.
As one Washingtonian to another---don't do it!! Don't move! I can't wait until we move back---with or without my husband. He isn't even that close to his family.
Sorry if I sound angry at KC---maybe it's just the "Johnson" county scene. Maybe we picked the wrong area!
He still hasn't found a fulltime job and my kids hate it here. We are in a good school district (Olathe) and my kids all hate it. The kids are all stuck up and disrespectful. The teachers treat the kids like they are in jail and my daughter likes to be respected. (this is all hear-say---from my oldest (15y). But I guess my daughter isn't your "typical" teenager. She does not like to be treated like a child. She is in school to learn and not screw around.
As one Washingtonian to another---don't do it!! Don't move! I can't wait until we move back---with or without my husband. He isn't even that close to his family.
Sorry if I sound angry at KC---maybe it's just the "Johnson" county scene. Maybe we picked the wrong area!
Maybe you did. Your experience here certainly doesn't match mine at all.
We are in Blue Valley schools and we love it. We also have many friends whose kids are in Olathe schools and are very happy there.
I'm sorry you and your kids don't like it. But with the many people I know who love living in Johnson County and love the schools, I don't appreciate your blanket generalizations of both.
Johnson County doesn't appeal to everyone and I can certainly understand why. Different people like different things and different lifestyles. But why not explore some of the surrounding areas and see if there is a place that feels more "at home" to you? This as opposed to slamming an entire area and its residents?
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(Okay, that got sarcastic ... I'll stop being mean ... for now 
)
Just moved this summer...
