|
|
sign up for updates about this project or community |
Kansas City
Kansas City Background Despite its state-related name, two-thirds of Kansas City’s population calls Missouri home. The dual-state town straddles the Missouri River with one foot on the eastern edge of Missouri and the other on the western side of Kansas, only 52 miles from Topeka, the Kansas state capital. Formerly home to a large cattle industry that flourished with construction of the Midwest’s third-largest railroad hub, Kansas City quickly became (and remains) a blues and jazz hotspot.
Thanks to Kansas City’s impressive roster of professional athletic organizations, sports fans have teams to cheer year-round. The city boasts several world-class stadiums and arenas that house the Kansas City Royals baseball, the Kansas City Chiefs football and Kansas City Knights basketball teams.
Of course, each season brings more than sports. All summer long, thousands of KC’ers and tourists enjoy the city’s zoos, parks, shopping, and Worlds of Fun, a theme park that counts a 205-foot roller coaster and Camp Snoopy among its popular attractions. In the fall, golfers wrap up a season on the greens at the city’s tree-lined public courses and country clubs, while early holiday shoppers scour the famous Country Club Plaza’s wide array of upscale shops. Winter brings with it a snow-covered urban landscape, and spring wipes away the Midwest winter chill with more than 150 picturesque fountains that dot the parks and line the scenic parkway system.
Although Kansas City has plenty of traditional metropolitan attractions, KC’ers will tell you that some of the city’s most important features are its landmarks. The breathtaking Liberty Memorial honors our countrymen who served in World War I. The 18th and Vine historic district, home to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, also holds a place in native KC’ers’ hearts.
Kansas City has evolved from a thriving cattle town to a bustling metropolis that boasts a fantastic nightlife and plenty of family activities. During this transformation, the city has produced more than a few famous sons and daughters:
- Film director Robert Altman
- Actor Don Cheadle
- Television actor Ed Asner
- Rapper Eminem
- Bugs Bunny animator Friz Freleng
- Legendary jazzman Charlie Parker
- Singer Melissa Etheridge
Why Kansas City?
- It has one of the country’s most traveler-friendly airports, Kansas City International Airport.
- Kansas City earned a place in the top 20 of Fortune magazine’s best U.S. cities for international business.
- Swing magazine named Kansas City as one of the top 10 cities for young professionals.
- The National Association of Home Builders has ranked it as one of the most affordable housing markets.
- An Arizona State University report ranked Kansas City first among Midwestern cities for job growth. The same report placed Kansas City in the top 10 nationally.
Information courtesy of Kansas City Area Development Council
Kansas City Fast Facts Location: Kansas City is on the western edge of northern Missouri, eastern edge of Kansas
*Total area: 318.02 square miles in Missouri;127.81 square miles in Kansas
*Population: 441,545 in Missouri;146,866 in Kansas
*Housing units: 202,334 in Missouri; 61,446 in Kansas
Average annual rainfall: 35.51 inches
Average temperatures: 81ºF in summer, 29ºF in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census
Kansas City Communities Whether you’re looking for the cosmopolitan excitement of a happening urban neighborhood or the quiet convenience of a lush suburban landscape, Kansas City has something for all home buyers.
Westport: This is the hottest of hot when it comes to Kansas City nightlife neighborhoods. In Westport, you’ll find unique dining experiences, one-of-a-kind shops and outstanding hangouts all around. You’ll also find Country Club Plaza, home to the area’s most expansive collection of upscale shops. It’s a hip, trendy neighborhood that rivals New York’s Soho — at a far more reasonable price.
Downtown: This neighborhood is perfect for shoppers and residents alike. Home to the newly renovated River Market and Union Station, the downtown neighborhood has a wide variety of international and homegrown cuisine. You’ll feel the modern cosmopolitan atmosphere and the hometown pride in the streets of this neighborhood on the Missouri River.
To read about communities in Kansas, click here.
Attractions As one of the most sophisticated metropolises in the Midwest, Kansas City has something to offer everyone. No matter how you like to spend your leisure time, you’ll find that KC is truly the place to be!
Sports Fans
Chiefs Football: Enjoy the excitement of professional football with the Kansas City’s Chiefs. This franchise is the pride and joy of KC’ers, who come from all over the area to cheer on their team at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Royals Baseball: There’s no better way to spend a summer day than watching the Royals pull in another victory at Kauffman Stadium. Major League Baseball is alive and well here, as you’ll see when you attend your first game.
Kansas City Knights Basketball: Come watch basketball at its finest in Kemper Arena.
Kansas City Wizards Soccer: If soccer’s your game, stop by Arrowhead Stadium and watch the Wizards finesse the ball downfield with their masterful footwork.
Culture Seekers
Theater: From Shakespeare to ballet to national stand-up comedy acts, Kansas City’s many theaters have countless ways to keep you entertained year round. If you’re a theater fan, don’t miss the fantastic work of local theater companies.
Art: If you’re looking for the works of the masters, try the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Set in a striking and elegant building, you’ll find works from artists like Titian, Rubens, Rembrandt and Van Gogh. If contemporary art is more your style, the museum has pieces from Claes Oldenburg, Jackson Pollack, Tom Wesselmann and many others. Or, try the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and view the works of Permanent Collection artists such as Andrew Wyeth, Georgia O'Keeffe, Robert Mapplethorpe and more.
Music: Classical music lovers won’t want to miss the Kansas City Symphony. With an ever-changing repertoire, you’ll enjoy the versatility and mastery of this group. Plus the city’s large stadiums and varied nightclubs attract top rock, pop, jazz and blues acts from all over the country.
History Buffs
American Jazz Museum: Live the story of America’s love affair with jazz. See how this truly innovative art form evolved and eventually changed American music forever.
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum: Stop by and learn about one of our country’s most beloved presidents in the library and museum he commissioned.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: Sports fans and history buffs alike flock to this important museum to pay homage to an era that forever changed America. This tribute to baseball’s first black players presents us with a look at the courage and perseverance of a generation.
Fans of Family Fun
Worlds of Fun: This sprawling theme park brings visitors from miles around. Experience thrill rides like Spinning Dragons, the Rip Cord, the Thunder Hawk, the Timber Wolf and more. Spend a day on the rides, and enjoy the theme park’s fun foods and souvenir shops. A great time for kids and adults alike!
Oceans of Fun: Attached to Worlds of Fun, Oceans of Fun is dedicated to giving you a wet and wild time! Have a leisurely float on the Surf City Wave Pool or the Caribbean Cooler lazy river. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try out one of the park’s heart-pounding thrill rides like the Monsoon, the Typhoon or Hurricane Falls. Or if you’d rather relax, swim up to the bar at Castaway Cove for a tropical cocktail.
The Kansas City Zoo: Bring the family to this magnificent animal refuge in the heart of the Midwest. You’ll see sea lion shows, an enormous walk-through African jungle and countless animal exhibits. This is a great place to spend a day with the family, no matter what the season.
Nature Lovers
Scott State Park: This natural treasure features a 100-acre lake surrounded by picturesque forest land, exquisitely carved canyons and plenty of wildlife. It’s the ideal destination for hikers, photographers or anyone looking for an escape to the wild.
Ernie Miller Nature Center: Located in Johnson County, the Ernie Miller Nature Center teaches visitors about the area’s natural history and features displays, live animals and a knowledgeable staff that’s always willing to help.
Powell Gardens: This 915-acre botanical garden is an ideal place to find inspiration. Walk among the exotic, colorful blooms and get a sense of all that is possible. The four major gardens include the Perennial Garden, Rock & Waterfall Garden, Island Garden and the Visitor Center Gardens.
Burr Oak Woods: Discover the beauty of this serene wooded setting. Take a leisurely stroll along the trails, or watch for wild turkey and deer along the way.
Shopping When it comes to shopping, Kansas City is world class. Even though it’s far from New York, the city’s collection of upscale shops gives residents the same access to the latest and greatest in retail. Country Club Plaza attracts shoppers from all over the Midwest to its outstanding variety of stores and restaurants. In the winter, the plaza’s Christmas light displays could form a brilliant chain 80 miles long.
Throughout the city, you’ll find other shopping malls located conveniently for the impromptu shopper. Crammed with department stores and specialty shops, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for in Kansas City.
Housing The cost of homes in Kansas City has remained consistently below the national average. And whether you’re looking for an older home with the character and charm of yesteryear; a trendy, urban condo; or a plot of land on which to design your dream home, Kansas City has it — and it’s more affordable than you may think. Affordable housing, good schools and access to city culture are just a few of the things that make Kansas City such an attractive community.
Employment For a city of its size, it’s no wonder that employment opportunities abound in Kansas City. Whether you’re in information technology, financial services or manufacturing, KC’ers have no shortage of employment options. In fact, Kansas City is the home base for Hallmark Cards, U.S. Sprint, Farmland Industries, Hoechst Marion Roussel Pharmaceuticals, Russell Stover Candies, Yellow Freight, H&R Block and many others. And the Midwestern low cost of living is an outstanding incentive to continue to bring new businesses to the area.
Education Once through the Kansas City area’s outstanding public school system, there are many options for higher education for Kansas City’s students.
- University of Missouri – Kansas City: Part of the University of Missouri system, the Kansas City campus connects its more than 14,000 students to the people of this bustling metropolis. With Division I sports, continual art shows and concerts, and a complete range of academic programs, the University of Missouri KC offers the complete university experience.
- University of Kansas: Students looking for a comprehensive university experience in a beautiful, traditional campus setting need only look east to Lawrence, Kan. KU’s 950-acre campus is situated at the top of Mount Oread. With a total enrollment of more than 26,000, this large state university is home to one of Kansas’s finest law schools, a world-class athletic program and dozens of fascinating areas of study.
- Rockhurst University: Named one of America’s best colleges by U.S. News and World Reports, Rockhurst University takes pride in its Jesuit tradition of high standards academic excellence. With an emphasis on public service, Rockhurst’s 2,500 students choose from more than 50 areas of study. The small classes make for outstanding discussion, and a higher quality of learning than the traditional lecture-hall setting.
- William Jewell College: Ranked as the No. 1 Best Bargain among U.S. private colleges by The Princeton Review, William Jewel College offers students an intimate campus setting to study in nearby Liberty, Mo. With an enrollment of just over 1,300, William Jewell is fully focused on the academic development of each student.
- Washburn University: Just 52 miles from Kansas City, in Topeka, Kan., you’ll find this distinctive private university. Washburn has approximately 6,000 students who enjoy the campus’s diverse student body and complete array of academic programs.
Where is Kansas City?
Written by Mary Kate Gulik exclusively for HomesParadise.com.
|
|
sign up for updates about this project or community |
Search similar Lifestyle :
Search similar Housing :
|
Beach Front
Condos