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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]How different was your life in KC though? You saved a lot of money and got a great house. How about walkability? Activities? Entertainment (museums, plays, cultural parties)? I just did a google search and KC itself doesn't seem to have many condos or even 'non-suburban' homes. They all look like planned lots that you need to drive in and out along major highways. Is there a downtown historic section of homes that I could look at (generally close to everything)? [/quote]

Thanks for your questions. There are quite a few "walkable" neighborhoods in Kansas City: W. 39th Street Corridor/Historic Westport; Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, and Southmoreland. For those looking for a loft experience rather than SFHs, there's a ton of activity going on in the Midtown Arts District. For classic, pre-war 2 and 3 bedroom apartments centered on retail, consider Country Club Plaza.

If we go back, Brookside (centered on W. 63rd Street and Brookside Blvd.) is probably where we'll buy. A bit pricy for KC, but walkable with a great retail corridor - places like Reading Reptile and Brookside Science and Toys alone are fantastic kid-centered stores. It also has good school options - St. Peter's (Catholic) and Academie Lafayette  (French language immersion PCS).

Kansas City is currently building a streetcar line along Main Street from downtown  (City Market) to Union Station. From Union Station south to West 75th Street, Kansas City has the MAX Bus along Main Street and Brookside Boulevard. It is similar in concept to the Circulator and about a 20 minute trip from Brookside to downtown. It runs 7 days a week with service every 10-30 minutes depending on day/time.

Before we went to KC, I'd been in DC for 7 years and my spouse for 11. We probably took in more "culture" during our single year in KC than in any 3 year span in DC. We fell in love with Unicorn Theater and got to attend two opening night celebrations ("Grounded" and "Other Desert Cities"). We were welcomed with open arms and felt right at home. I became involved with KKFI, Kansas City's community radio station and found it very welcoming. I even got the chance to DJ a 3 hour show that celebrates my favorite music genre (80s New Wave, synth, and industrial) just prior to leaving - that was one of the highlights of my year. There are many cultural events, book talks, concerts, etc. UMKC is a fairly comprehensive university and that brings much to the city. Also, a fair number of KU faculty live in KC, MO and reverse commute to Lawrence for work.

For families, there is so much so close - Union Station, The Royals, Children's Science Museum, the Aquarium, Zoo, Kids Shows at Sprint Center, Crown Center, City Market, Schlitterbahn, easy access to nature/farms. There's even a small ski facility north of KC.

In short, we found a great community spirit and things just seemed so much more accessible to families on a Federal salary than in DC. KC also has a very vibrant civic activist culture which I personally loved. Again, it was just so much easier to "plug into" than DC. I really enjoyed the opportunity to join with Stand Up KC  and the Heartland Labor Forum on the Fight for 15 and other causes. I haven't had opportunities like this since before I came to Washington.

Of course, there's also the suburban option if that's what people want. The Johnson County (KS) suburbs are all quite accessible to KC with many amenities.

I hope this helps.

[/quote]

This message has been brought to you by: The Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Kansas City Realtors' Association, and the Kansas City Tourism Board.

PP, I'm glad you enjoyed your time there. Sounds too good to be true. [/quote]

She didn't even mention the barbeque.  Now that's worth moving for![/quote]

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