Kate23
Vienna
hawksdomain
Bonner Springs
Kansas City proper is not the best place in the world, except for the museums, theatres, etc. The suburbs are super! Although being a Kansas girl, I am partial to the Kansas suburbs, but the far east of the Missouri side also has some very nice areas. I’ve driven through St. Louis and visited it a time or two. Although there are lots of things to do and see, I would not move there. I grew up in the far west suburb of KC, and although I believe all schools could do better, I am very proud of the school district here, the education I received, and the education today’s children are receiving. Regardless of which you choose, living in the “quieter” large metropolis of Missouri, I would never recommend living IN the city. Crime and “grunginess” is just too extreme! :)
Hope this helps!!
kidseatfree
Kansas City
I can’t say about St. Louis, since I’ve only driven through there. As far as Kansas City, I’d stick to living in the suburbs of the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area and avoid the “city” itself. Lots to do in Kansas City (downtown and suburbs) for being in the Midwest.
sonatina2001
Olathe
I have lived in both St Louis and Kansas City (which is where I live now) and can say that Kansas City is definitely better than St Louis, IMO. It’s less noisy, cleaner, and has less traffic congestion. I live in the Johnson County area – one of the better, more high class suburbs. It’s expensive, but worth it. The schools are excellent out here. I go to one of the top community colleges in the nation. The only downside is that although there’s plenty to do downtown and a lot of culture, it gets boring after a couple of years. So in terms of best cities to live in, it’s not #1 on my list.
Kate23
Vienna
Thanks for all the input everyone! I am wanting to do some real estate searches…I am looking for an upper middle class neighborhood with houses in the 225/250k ball park, and i’d like to be within a 30 minute commuting distance to the city. What towns/counties/suburbs would you all recommend for me to search in (ie: johnson county, but what towns)?
sonatina2001
Olathe
At any time other than rush-hour, I’d say Overland Park is your best bet for that price range, and it’s in Johnson County so it matches the profile. During rush-hour, it’ll probably take you around 40 mins to get to midtown KC. FYI, the street numbers go up the further you get away from the city of KC, therefore, you’d have a longer commute if you picked a higher one. If you want a closer town to live in, Prairie Village is not bad (and still in Jo Co), although the houses are not as large for that price and they’re also closer together with smaller backyards. But they’re in good condition and the crime rate is low.
ncsnobunny
Raleigh
I lived in KC and St. Louis (very briefly). I will tell you this… you may like cookie cutter suburbs and if that’s the case then JoCo is fine. But just know that there is character in the city you won’t find there. The real estate is very cheap to me (east coast girl). I will say in KC I lived practically in the “ghetto” and I never felt unsafe. KC is growing but it still has a small town atmosphere. St. Louis is beatiful (more trees) but there are some very scary areas that don’t really exist in KC. St. Louis seems like it has more to do honestly. There are a lot of wondeful colleges in the area (Wash U…top rate). Neither city is “grungy,” they are both very nice. I don’t know really about the public school systems in either city because I was in college and childless. The local people that I met seemed in both cities very friendly and well-educated. You have a tough choice honey, I wouldn’t want to make it. Good luck! (where I lived in KC..walking distance to the Plaza, Westport and the ghetto:)
