The best things about living in Kansas City

Kansas City is a great place to live, with convenient public transport, lots of entertainment and attractions, as well as great education options for those with children – or those who are seeking further study themselves.

Having been the backdrop of many movies, Kansas City is also fantastic for film lovers. The Day After (1983) was filmed in Lawrence, Kansas City, and you can visit the Liberty Memorial, which is a big part of the film’s plot. Other spots worth visiting are the Laugh-O-Gram Studio, where Walt Disney’s offices used to be, and Union Station, where scenes from the crime film Kansas City (1996) were filmed.

Transport

Kansas City has great roads, making it very easy to drive around. The city is also at the heart of the country with good access to other states, ideal for those wanting to explore.

Within the city, there is the KC Streetcar, which is a free tram service that travels along Main Street, connecting the River Market to Union Station/Crown Center. It has a total of 16 stops, including the Power and Light District, a top spot for nightlife, unmissable live entertainment and sporting events at the T-Mobile Center.

The RideKC buses are also free of charge and for ride-hailing services, RideKC Micro Transit is available in parts of Johnson and Wyandotte counties. As for those who enjoy cycling, there are RideKC Bikes, a 24/7 public bike share system for short trips. There are also trails around Kansas City that are suitable for cyclists of all abilities.

For air travel, there is Kansas City International Airport, which is 25 minutes northwest of Downtown, Johnson County Executive Airport and Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport.

Low cost of living

The cost of living in Kansas City is 5% lower than the national average, especially in terms of transportation. Additionally, Kansas City’s housing market is one of the most affordable among metropolitan areas. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median sales price of an existing family home in Kansas City is $298,200.

Entertainment

With many attractions and events in Kansas City, there is no room for boredom. For example, you can attend the American Royal, a tradition in Kansas City since 1899 that hosts the largest barbecue contest in the world. Festivals in Kansas City celebrate many cultures too; the city hosts Irish Fest, Japan Festival and Latino Arts Festival, just to name a few.

There’s also Kansas City Zoo and LEGOLAND Discovery Center for a fun day out with the kids. For thrill-seekers, Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun have lots to offer, the latter boasting the Patriot, which is the longest and tallest inverted roller coaster in the region.

For some live entertainment, you can also visit the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts or keep an eye out for concerts which are a common occurrence in Kansas City.

Alternatively, you can immerse yourself in art, history and culture in the many museums of Kansas City, such as the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, and the 21C Museum Hotel.

There are also plenty of free attractions in Kansas City, such as the 300 acres of Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

Family life

Kansas City is a family-friendly city, with lots of childcare options for parents and carers. In fact, there are 650 regulated early learning centres in the area.

In terms of schools, there are 113 K-12 school districts in the Kansas City region. High school students can also join the CAPS programs – Center for Advanced Professional Studies. These programs give students the opportunity to be mentored by employers, whilst receiving high school and college credit, preparing them for the workforce.

There are also lots of higher education options in all the areas of Kansas City:

Downtown Kansas City:

• University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC)
• Metropolitan Community College, Penn Valley
• The Kansas City Art Institute

North KC Metro:

• Benedictine College
• Northwest Missouri State University
• Metropolitan Community College, Business and Technology

East KC Metro:

• Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences
• University of Central Missouri
• Kansas City Kansas Community College

South KC Metro:

• Avila University
• MidAmerica Nazarene University
• University of Kansas – Edwards Campus

West KC Metro:

• Baker University
• Kansas State University
• University of Kansas – Lawrence

Interested in living and working in Kansas City?

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