Kansas City

In a word, Greater Kansas City is livable. Newcomers can look forward to a lower cost of living and more efficient services than most other metropolitan areas are able to provide. More specifically, Kansas City ranks well below the national average in costs for housing, utilities, and grocery items. Residents enjoy more disposable money for leisure activities, entertainment, shopping, arts and culture, recreation and relaxation—all aspects of daily life in which the metroplex excels.

 

In addition to state, county and municipal parklands, the metroplex is home to a number of beautiful lakes for swimming, fishing, sailing, power boating and water sports. Many parks offer riverside trails or picnic sites with riverfront views. Outdoor enthusiasts will discover campsites, bicycle trails, bridle paths, hiking and biking trails, tennis courts, golf courses, sports clubs and country clubs, ice-skating and roller-skating rinks, swimming pools, ballfields, and organized sports close to home.

 

Archers, anglers, and hunters will find premier recreational facilities and acres of undeveloped land. Those who prefer to capture animals through binoculars or on film can visit the many well-known conservation centers frequented by birdwatchers and nature students. Gardens, wineries, farmer’s markets, Kansas City jazz, world-famous barbecue, seasonal festivals, ethnic celebrations, riverboat casinos and summer concerts beneath the stars are all threads in the tapestry of Kansas City’s undeniable charm. Professional sports teams never fail to draw a cheering crowd in this area where hometown spirit runs high.

 

Fine museums and fascinating historical sites document the vital part that Kansas City played in the Westward movement of American culture. Among the cultural attractions in the metropolitan area are world-renowned art collections, opera, dance, symphonies, pop concerts, jazz and comedy clubs, off-Broadway productions and professional theatre. Even the smaller cities and towns showcase amateur and local talent in community theater or collegiate fine arts programs.

 

Aficionados of shopping can spend the day discovering the quaint shops and antiques nestled in historic districts or browsing through modern, enclosed malls that feature hundreds of specialty stores, restaurants and multi-screen cinemas. Unique shopping areas like The Country Club Plaza, The City Market, or the Crown Center draw visitors and resident alike to their eclectic blend of entertainment spots, museums, performing arts centers, and upscale retail establishments.

 

Housing options in the metroplex are diverse, attractive and surprisingly affordable. Possibilities range from sleek high-rise penthouses with views of the skyline to charming Victorian farmhouses shaded by large native trees. Newcomers can choose from a classic Williamsburg, a Cape Cod, an historic colonial or a rustic contemporary. Many of the well-kept older homes in long-established neighborhoods offer generous square footage, meticulous landscaping, and magnificent architectural embellishments.

 

The once-rural counties of Cass, Clay and Platte are rapidly developing into residential havens for those who desire a slower suburban pace in close proximity to urban amenities. Homes in the suburbs can offer a patio view of fairway greens, a private boat dock on a placid lake, generous acreage for raising horses or a secluded countryside setting. In most small cities and towns, a wave of commercial and retail development has followed residential growth, bringing daily conveniences even closer to home.

 

Regardless of what corner of Greater Kansas City you choose to call home, your new neighbors will be quick to extend a helping hand. Community involvement, volunteerism, civic pride and a cooperative spirit are hallmarks of the Heartland. So don’t be surprised if a total stranger extends a greeting or waves as you pass by. The metroplex is known for the most caring and friendly residents in the nation.

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