Not to condemn KCK proper, which has really made some huge gains in the last 10 years, but I might suggest there are better locations for a younger couple to live. Brookside, Prairie Village come to mind (though my experience is admittedly a bit dated).

Agreed--KCK has made some huge progress recently, but the city core still has lots of issues.

Brookside remains a great residential area, as does Prairie Village. Also Waldo, Mission, Roeland Park, and the stock of housing options in downtown KCMO has grown quite a bit--loft apartments and such--plus there is now a grocery store down there!

Really suggest that you google some of the web sites aimed at relocation rather than travel.

That can give you a broader picture.

Something that no one has mentioned is that you may well be moving from the bluest area in the country to a very red one - as well as one with high crime stats.

But you can get much more info on a relocation resource.

Crime in KC is pretty much dependent on neighborhood, just like any other city.

So, be wary of The Paseo.

KC on the south (south of 435) has lots of newer housing options and there are tons of shopping centers that have been built in the last decade. Friends who live in Italy but also own a house on the Kansas side of KC really do like this part of the city. They prefer having a house here than one on either of the coasts.

Another couple (much younger) have a condo on the north side, closer to the airport. They seem to be happy with their decision to move to KC area for work (tech field).

You can buy a LOT of house for the money here--someone coming from NYC will be shocked.

The crime here is very localized, as sparkchaser mentioned, both by neighborhood and lifestyle.

Given your age and status you probably don't have kids, but the KCMO school district is in a rough spot right now (unaccredited) so is to be avoided.

Good point regarding schools, though I think KCMO has been struggling for many years. I assume Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission (Johnson County) are still exceptional.

I found the assertion that KC is high in crime pretty odd, particularly compared to NYC.

As for politics, it's kind of meaningless to paint KC metro as red. It's a large area with plenty of opinions and political positions. And lots of transplanted folks from other parts of the country.

I wouldn't say the entire KC Metro area is red, but if you are progressive at all, I would stay out of suburban Kansas, even if the schools are good in some areas - and they may not be for long if the state legislature has their way. There are efforts to make Missouri as right wing as Kansas, but at least there are real progressives in Missouri that are fighting the good fight. (There are progressive minded folks in Kansas, but the right wing has really taken over the state-- even more so than when the book "What's the Matter with Kansas" was published--- and it is beyond depressing for people that don't believe in feudalism.)

Brookside, downtown KCMO, or the Plaza would be good areas to check out. The Kauffman Center is wonderful. And you can still see a first run movie for $6.50!! (this is the adult weekend evening price) at the Cinemark Plaza theater.

This thread makes me miss KC.

"if you are progressive at all, I would stay out of suburban Kansas,"

What a crock. Just because you have different views, you don't need to hide in some enclave (unless, of course, you are scared of the opinions and beliefs of other persons, then you better insulate yourself).

Why am I not surprised that we have had two posts on here warning of the dangers of the scary red states/areas. Those open minded "liberals" crack me up.

Relevant: http://www.amazon.com/Whats-Matter-K.../dp/B000FTWB3K

Great book.

Haven't read the book, but heard an interview of the author back when it came out. He just couldn't fathom how a religious folks, for example, might actually vote in a manner consistent with their beliefs, rather than their pocket books. Really? That's a book worth celebrating?!

For example, from the Amazon link:

"Thus the pro-life Kansas factory worker who listens to Rush Limbaugh will repeatedly vote for the party that is less likely to protect his safety, less likely to protect his job, and less likely to benefit him economically. "

Here's a DT and city forum full of "urban" folks your age-
http://forum.kcrag.com/
...and here's a restaurant/food thread from a transplant from Boston-
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/861962
KC native here, now living in Oregon.

Here ya go, bitter.
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics...ansas-20130612
BTW, the acclaimed Mr. Frank went to Shawnee Mission East,
one school over from me at SMN. His Kansas and JoCo
roots are real.

Bitter -- you show your true colors. seriously, this is Kansas:

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics...?stop_mobi=yes

regarding staying out of suburban Kansas, I do not hide out in some liberal enclave, if such a thing exists in Kansas City. I was trying to spare the OP the misery of living in suburban Kansas, something I am intimately familiar with.

actually, there may be a liberal enclave in suburban Kansas -- one of the governor's religious advisors warned him about immorality or darkness or some other fitting metaphor for people living in the suburban area a little to the north and east of me which has been known to elect <gasp> Democratic state representatives. I live among the virtuous, however, as my senator and state rep are firmly in the bosom of ALEC and the Koch brothers.

and if Rolling Stone isn't your cup of tea, how about U.S. News and World Report (or is that a left wing rag now, too?)

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/...the-income-tax

Here is what you said, Diane:

"if you are progressive at all, I would stay out of suburban Kansas"

Still a ridiculous statement. Now, not all suburbs are created equally, but your politics are going to make that experience any different (unless of course you are one of those folks who needs to be surrounded by like minded folks).

And, there is no question that Kansas is undergoing changes and is gambling on some "interesting" tax strategies, but the idea that liberals need to stay away from parts of it is about as weird as suggesting conservatives should stay out of California (or Lawrence Ks).

are = aren't going to make that experience ...

Kansas City is

#16 on US News Best Affordable US Destinations: Best Affordable US Destinations: http://travel.usnews.com/Rankings/Be..._Destinations/

#1 on Travel and Leisures Best U.S. Cities for Affordable Getaways: http://www.travelandleisure.com/arti...dable-getaways

Top 10 for Frommers 2012 Top World Destinations: http://www.frommers.com/micro/2011/t...-missouri.html

Yes the conservatives are in power on the Kansas side right how, but the state always bounces back from that extreme. The last Governor of Kansas was a Democrat who left the job to become US Secretary of Health and Human Services. The current Governor is getting pretty unpopular even in his own party.