Young Professional moving to Kansas City, MO (Lee's Summit, Union: sales, apartments)

[CollegeStudentinAtl]

Good evening CD

I know another "moving to the city" post. However; I really need help on this one. I just accepted an offer with Cerner as a consulting analyst. I am a southern boy at heart! So it will be quite an adjustment. It was my first time in KC and Midwest/plains in general.

I am from Houston and lived in Atlanta for college. So you can imagine my expression when I got off the plane! The airport was very different! The weather VERY different! It was very different. Much smaller city than what I am use too.

I am a 23 year old African American male. I do not know if race means anything here. However; I would love to be around diversity and like minded professionals/individuals.

Basic Questions-
Where to live?
Where do the young professional/yuppies live? Diversity? apartment prices $1,100 max < not really trying to have something glamorous because I will be traveling 80 percent of the time but nice!
What to do for fun?
How are the taxes?
Other questions you seemed different?

However; Im excited for my new journey in Kansas City.

[kcmo]

First off, how do you like the airport? It's lovely isn't it? It's like being dumped into a 1960's greyhound bus terminal!

First off, it doesn't matter where your Cerner job is. It will be a suburban office park in a stupid area somewhere in BFE MO or KS. So don't worry about the commute (commute haha, you are from Houston and Atlanta). Live in the city between the River Market and Brookside on the Missouri side. I would probably shoot for the River Market or Downtown areas, those areas have the most going on right now (residential, grocery, streetcar etc). That will also keep you close to KCI since you will be traveling a lot and trust me, you will not want to spend any more time in that airport than you absolutely need to.

Taxes? doesn't really matter, you have to pay them regardless. There is not much of a difference between cities, MO/KS etc, just live where you want and will be happy. KC area has pretty high taxes for a midwestern city, especially sales taxes, but what can you do.

KC is pretty diverse in the city, but there is a racial divide, the east side of KCMO is generally the bad areas and mostly poor and African American, but central city, (downtown etc), is more diverse racially and economically.

Other than that, KC might be smaller, but I think you will be surprised at how much it can compete with places like Atlanta and Houston as far as entertainment, culture, food etc. It has about everything those cities have. They are both actually sort of larger versions of metro KC (very suburbanized), but KC lacks the really dense and built up areas that urban Houston and Atlanta has. So less traffic! But KC can come across as boring or "where is everybody at". Be paient, meet people, find all the places everybody goes and you will see it's mostly there, you just have to know where to go.

FYI, if you are looking for suburban, the Lee's Summit area is a very popular place for affluent African Americans and that may be a short commute if you work at the South KC campus, but I would try to live in the city, I think you will enjoy KC a lot more.

[lovekcmo]

I think you will find KC to be as diverse as one can find. It's a happy and accepting city. Lee's Summit if you want suburban and close. The city, from River Market to the Plaza if you want an urban feel. One thing you will find is that living or working in KC you pay a 1% earnings tax, that hopefully will be voted out someday.

[scimitar12]

Traffic and getting around the KC metro is easy compared to where you lived. Midtown to downtown KCMO are good places for that urban young professional style living. Others mentioned Lees Summit for suburban living. If that is you preference I would definitely consider a lot of communities in Johnson county, KS. Overall, the wealthiest part of the metro with lots of safe neighborhoods and excellent shopping. The area is not culture backwater some may claim; there is plenty to do.

[CollegeStudentinAtl]

Thank you guys for the input?

Do anyone know any cool places to eat and go on the weekends?

[CollegeStudentinAtl]

Originally Posted by kcmo

First off, how do you like the airport? It's lovely isn't it? It's like being dumped into a 1960's greyhound bus terminal!

First off, it doesn't matter where your Cerner job is. It will be a suburban office park in a stupid area somewhere in BFE MO or KS. So don't worry about the commute (commute haha, you are from Houston and Atlanta). Live in the city between the River Market and Brookside on the Missouri side. I would probably shoot for the River Market or Downtown areas, those areas have the most going on right now (residential, grocery, streetcar etc). That will also keep you close to KCI since you will be traveling a lot and trust me, you will not want to spend any more time in that airport than you absolutely need to.

Taxes? doesn't really matter, you have to pay them regardless. There is not much of a difference between cities, MO/KS etc, just live where you want and will be happy. KC area has pretty high taxes for a midwestern city, especially sales taxes, but what can you do.

KC is pretty diverse in the city, but there is a racial divide, the east side of KCMO is generally the bad areas and mostly poor and African American, but central city, (downtown etc), is more diverse racially and economically.

Other than that, KC might be smaller, but I think you will be surprised at how much it can compete with places like Atlanta and Houston as far as entertainment, culture, food etc. It has about everything those cities have. They are both actually sort of larger versions of metro KC (very suburbanized), but KC lacks the really dense and built up areas that urban Houston and Atlanta has. So less traffic! But KC can come across as boring or "where is everybody at". Be paient, meet people, find all the places everybody goes and you will see it's mostly there, you just have to know where to go.

FYI, if you are looking for suburban, the Lee's Summit area is a very popular place for affluent African Americans and that may be a short commute if you work at the South KC campus, but I would try to live in the city, I think you will enjoy KC a lot more.

Thanks so much! I am a urban guy at heart. I will be at the world center. I will be out there and take a look around n next week!

[TabulaRasa]

Originally Posted by CollegeStudentinAtl

Thank you guys for the input?

Do anyone know any cool places to eat and go on the weekends?

There's loads to do that's geared toward your age group (and a quality, interesting food scene). Where to go just depends on your specific interests.

[westender]

The two big urban residential areas in KC are Downtown and the Plaza. Downtown really comprises three zones: River Market, the CBD/ Power & Light, and Crossroads/ Crown Center -- if you were to follow Main Street from Union Station north to the Missouri River, you'll traverse all three zones. Downtown has a younger, millennial demographic.

The Plaza has a slightly older demographic and is centered at 47th and Broadway.

Both areas have a lot of restaurants and (especially the Plaza) shopping options.

Where is your primary work location?

[nycrite]

Originally Posted by CollegeStudentinAtl

Thank you guys for the input?

Do anyone know any cool places to eat and go on the weekends?

I have three suggestions.

Westport - I would start here. It's walkable with plenty of restaurants and bars and a youthful clientele.

Volker - It has a more hipster feel than Westport. It boasts good dining options and has a great urban vibe. However, there are fewer bars than Westport and most seem divey to me.

Crossroads - Of the three suggestions, this is closest to downtown. It is the most fun during First Fridays.

[wwmaps]

There are lots of new apartments in midtown, around 29th and Gillham, all of which seem to be populated with young professionals and dental/med students etc. Some good neighborhood bars and restaurants within blocks and more retail to come. Not as happening as downtown, but maybe not as pricey.