Living in Kansas City, MO is a great experience. It has exceeded my expectations as a city to live and work. There are many attractions and opportunities for locals and travelers alike. With its huge variety of entertainment and dining options, you can find almost anything that suits your needs here.
Here are the Top 5 reasons to live in Kansas City:
- 1.) Hometown Sports — Nothing matches the excitement of going out with friends to watch the Chiefs play at Arrowhead Stadium (located near downtown), the Royals at Kauffman Stadium or supporting Sporting KC (the local soccer team). The atmosphere surrounding these games is unmatched by any other sport – fans gather hours before games begin to tailgate outside the stadium which creates an enjoyable social scene unique to Kansas City. While Kauffman Stadium may not have some of the same amenities as Arrowhead it’s still an enjoyable and family friendly place to watch a ball game on a nice day!
- 2.) Authentic Food — Kansas City has a wide selection of cuisines. It is famous for barbecue, fried chicken, and other tasty favorites that people around the world love to eat. From farm-to-table restaurants with locally sourced ingredients to high-end steakhouses featuring Kobe beef, their menus are tailored for each diner’s unique preferences which ensures that everyone will be able to find something they love.
There are so many delicious options to choose from – just walking around Westport will give you an idea of how diverse the culinary scene is. Whatever type of food you’re craving, I can almost guarantee there’s a restaurant in town that serves it. There are an abundant amount of ethnic food options available if you know where to look, especially places offering authentic Mexican, Hawaiian, Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Greek, and French Indonesian fare. You can experience some of this deliciousness at any time of the day because there are countless eateries open late into the night across Kansas City’s many neighborhoods.
- 3.) Diverse Culture — Kansas City has a rich culture that is most evident in our museums and art galleries. It’s a great place to view local, national, and international exhibits from renowned artists at places such as the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art or the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. There are also several smaller museums scattered all over town if you want to learn more about specific parts of KC’s rich history – two we would recommend are the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the National World War I Museum.
Besides the museums, another important aspect of Kansas City culture is the great local music scene. While not widely recognized nationally, we really do have some amazing talent here. From folk and bluegrass to spoken word and electronic jam bands, you’re sure to see your favorite band come through town at least once a year. We’re also home to world class venues such as the Midland Theater and The Granada that give our local artists access to much needed stages for launching their careers into the national music scene. If you’re looking for an eclectic mix of original music, you have to check on Kansas City artists.
- 4.) Outdoor Activities for Everyone — With everything we have going on inside, it can be easy to forget that there’s an entire world outside. Well, in Kansas City you don’t have to worry about that! The city was ranked 2nd by a study done by the Trust for Public Land for overall park quality. The city has over 200 public parks which means there’s always an opportunity to spend some time outdoors.
The city hosts several outdoor events each year that cater to a range of interests. You can head to the American Royal, hit up Boulevardia, catch a concert under the stars at Starlight Theater, watch a ballgame at Kauffman Stadium, cheer on your team at a Chiefs’ football game, enjoy the outdoors with hiking and biking trails in one of the many parks, visit several of Kansas City’s world-class museums for more cultured fun, or just people watch while enjoying a coffee from one of the many downtown cafes.
Also, it’s only a short drive away from the Plaza which is a great shopping center with high-end stores and local shops. Even closer to downtown are many fun events that happen in the Power & Light District – this outdoor area features concerts, festivals, museums, bars/clubs, etc…
- 5.) Cost of Living — Probably one of the top reasons people choose to live in Kansas City is that the cost of living is very reasonable. Compared to other major cities across the United States, it is possible to live comfortably in Kansas City without paying an arm and a leg on rent/mortgage payments. In fact, if you are willing to give up some conveniences like quick access to highways or shopping malls you may be able to live very happily on far less than what some would expect. A lot of this has to do with the local real estate market which is very different from suburbs closer to the city.
If you want a little more affordability, but still want to live close to Kansas City, there are many great suburbs located near the city. In these areas, you get new homes and all the modern amenities for a relatively low price compared to what it would cost in most other cities! You can check out some of these places like in Kansas like Leawood and Prairie Village and see if they sound like a good fit for your needs. If you prefer the Missouri side, areas like Lees Summit and Liberty are also popular options that have great schools as well. Despite having big time entertainment options and culture, the ‘burbs also just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, so it’s relatively easy to find many options and an easy commute.
Have you heard anything that interests you about Kansas City?
The bottom line is that Kansas City has something for everyone. If you’re looking for a big city experience, with a small town feel, then Kansas City could be the perfect place for you. You can find just about any kind of food or entertainment that you would like here, and the cost of living is low compared to other places in this country. Kansas City truly has something for everyone; it’s up to you to determine what your ideal version of this city looks like!
So there you have our five reasons why we believe that everyone should consider moving their family (or themselves) to Kansas City. We hope after reading through these points that you feel more confident making your decision. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll be writing an article on why you moved to KC!
For more information about specific neighborhoods or information on homes for sale in Kansas City please reach out, we would love to chat!
Brooke is a blogger, designer, mama and KC resident that loves to share all that the beautiful city has to offer. When she’s not helping her partner Mitch sell or renovate homes, you can find her at dance class with her kids or lost in a good book.
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