Kansas City spans two states: Missouri and Kansas. We’re telling you because you will need to know this if you move. Not just for the logistical reasons of, you know, which state you’re going to live in, but also because locals do not joke around when it comes to the “KCMO vs. KCK” rivalry. Most sane residents agree that it’s a ridiculous argument to be making, and they just want to get along with everyone, but there are a select few *cough* Chief’s fans *cough* that will want to start something over it. You have been warned!

It’s probably not surprising that a town known for BBQ and jazz has a lot to offer anyone looking for a great day out. If you’re into breweries, check out Boulevard Brewing Co. or KC Bier Co. If you’re a foodie, look no further than Joe’s, Jack Stack, or Arthur Bryant’s for great BBQ or try brunch at Succotash if you’re BBQ’d out (as if). For family fun, check out Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun for a great weekend adventure. The arts scene in KC is surprisingly amazing, with places like Blue Room and Green Lady Lounge for live jazz and the Kansas City Symphony and Kansas City Ballet for even more entertainment! Bottom line, if you’re moving to KC for a good time, you made the right choice!



The Entertainment Scene

LookyLOO Review of Kansas City

Kansas City is the biggest small city you’ll ever visit. The locals are nice, the food is great, and there are quiet neighborhoods with kids running around all weekend. With an average age of 35, it’s a great place for young professionals and young families to settle down without giving up and moving to the suburbs. Commutes are short, and the job market is hot in KC. The downside being that the winters can be brutal (wind chill is no joke) and some locals complain that the nightlife isn’t as big as other cities. 

If you're curious about what happens in KC/KS, check out the [calendar of events](https://www.visitkansascityks.com/events/).

We highly recommend visiting Kansas City and staying in the community in a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [partnership with Expedia](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.


Lifestyle 

As one of the top cities for jobs, Kansas city has a number of great opportunities for recent graduates or transplants. The top industries are health care, manufacturing, transportation, and trade, with companies like Hallmark Cards, Burns & McDonnel, H&R Block, among others headquartered in Kansas City. Although the top employers are University of Kansas Hospital, the University of Kansas Medical Center, and General Motors, there is also a growing startup scene and Kansas City is known for being a great place to start a business.


Worklife

Kansas City is a great in-between city for people who are either looking to downgrade from a huge city like Atlanta or Chicago or people who are looking to size up from smaller towns. The cost of living makes it a no-brainer if you’ve recently went remote with your job and are looking for something new!


It's Just Right

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**razzadig**
9mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

I also work at KUMed. I moved to KC and love it here. I lived for 5 years in a West Plaza apartment on the Missouri side before making the jump to buying a house a few blocks away on the Kansas side. I've been walking to work for years. If you will be at the Main Campus, there's a shuttle for parking if you live further away.

I was used to city living before and am a short jaunt to Westport and the Plaza and 39th Street. Downtown and Power & Light are less than 15 minutes. So lots of things to do. Roeland Park and Mission are still pretty close if you want a suburban feeling. If you want more of a city feel, you can live in an apartment downtown close to River Market.




Reviews of Kansas City from Locals

For a college town feel with all the great activities and youthful feeling, check out these great neighborhoods that are full of amazing apartments, great restaurants, and a ton of bars.
- Brookside (MO)
- Waldo (MO)


College Students

Brookside (MO)

Young professionals will hit the jackpot in Kansas City. There’s a low cost of living and a ton to do. Check out these neighborhoods if you want to live in a cool, slightly-hipster part of town that has great restaurants, breweries, and fun things to do on the weekends:
- River Market (MO)
- Crown Center District (MO)
- Waldo (MO)
- Brookside (MO)


Young Professionals

River Market (MO)

There are a ton of places in KC to settle down and start a family if that’s your thing! There are plenty of quieter suburbs that have great schools but are still close to fun activities.
- Prairie Village (KS)
- Crown Center District (MO)
- Country Club Plaza (MO)
- Westport (MO)


Young Families

Prairie Village, Kansas City, Kansas

The best part about KC is that it’s small enough that you can be a “regular” somewhere, but still find new things to explore with the whole family. 
- Leawood (KS)
- Overland Park (KS)
- Prairie Village (KS)


Established Families

Leawood

If you find your nest recently empty, it might be time to consider Kansas City! There are a ton of entertainment options and places to live that keep you within walking distance to the fun. Start with River Market which has great apartment/condo options plus all the restaurants and bars you could want. 
- River Market (MO)
- Prairie Village (KS)
- Country Club Plaza (MO)


Empty Nesters

Country Club Plaza

Kansas City, KS

**razzadig**
9mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

I also work at KUMed. I moved to KC and love it here. I lived for 5 years in a West Plaza apartment on the Missouri side before making the jump to buying a house a few blocks away on the Kansas side. I've been walking to work for years. If you will be at the Main Campus, there's a shuttle for parking if you live further away.

I was used to city living before and am a short jaunt to Westport and the Plaza and 39th Street. Downtown and Power & Light are less than 15 minutes. So lots of things to do. Roeland Park and Mission are still pretty close if you want a suburban feeling. If you want more of a city feel, you can live in an apartment downtown close to River Market.

**craftyho**
9mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

I was born and raised in the dotte, in the westheight neighborhood, and lived on strawberry hill for 5, i may be biased but I love KCK, strawberry hill is still relatively affordable, but great restaurants and bars, along 5th street, and on central between 5-7th, There is a large latino population, which means great people and TONS of great food. it has its areas to avoid, just like any city, like north of washington blvd to quindaro, in the 50's and down, but having grown up there i RARELY even witnessed a crime.

**Agr4ri4n**
9mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

I lived in Rosedale when I first moved to KC to attend KU Med, and lived there for three years. It was a good starter neighborhood. As others have noted, 39th Street is a cute little corridor of restaurants and bars. However, I spent the next seven years in Union Hill in KCMO, and it was amazing. Check out Union Hill Place apartments. Union Hill is close to everything and, bonus, with the street car extension (public transit in KCMO is free) you'll have a stop just a block or two from where you live, which will take you all the way through downtown to River Market up north or down to the Plaza to the south (once finished). Even though it's in the city, it's a super quiet, safe neighborhood (you won't get that downtown in Power and Light). Extra bonus, you will be walking distance from events that people flock to (and have trouble finding parking for), like Celebration at the Station (or KC Chiefs parades every time they win the superbowl). If I had to live anywhere else, I'd probably chose West Plaza (MO side) or Westwood (KS side).

**What's all this talk about "Don't live on the Kansas side?"
I'm moving to KC in about 6 months or so. Why do I keep hearing to stay clear of living on the KS side? I've been browsing around online and such, but I can't find any legitimate reasons.**

I guess it depends on what sort of living experience you're after. If you want to live somewhere hip, there are quite a few neighborhoods in KC MO that would be to your liking. Places close to night life, great restaurants, events like First Friday, etc.. If you want to live in the middle of all that, then give downtown / midtown a look (or even Waldo or Brookside). The urban core of our city is really on the rise and has been for a while. There's a lot to be proud of there and there are some very nice places to live.

If you want to live in a suburb that's not particularly cultural but has some insulation from the hustle and bustle of the city, or if you're looking for a place to raise a family, then Johnson County is perfectly fine. For that matter, if you live in Johnson County you can also do what I do and just drive into KCMO for the fun stuff and then head back to the suburbs when you're done for the day. There's no wrong answer here. It just depends on what you personally are after. Yeah, a lot of people in this subreddit have it in for Johnson County. And believe me, I understand. I grew up in Grandview, MO just across town so I totally get the anti-Johnson County bias. It's oddly territorial, and if you didn't grow up here you really wouldn't understand. I make no defense of this, only explanation.

As for me, I moved to Johnson County in 1999 and bought a house in Olathe. I am happy here. I'm single with no kids, but for a long list of reasons that include my own naivete at the time, I decided on JoCo. I am one of the apparently rare people that live in JoCo that are willing to drive to KCMO for food / entertainment / night life. I can get from my front door to the corner of Westport Road & Pennsylvania Ave. in 20 minutes, so frankly I don't really mind. I have no regrets about living where I live. I paid my house off about two years ago and would rather continue living here "for free" than try and start over somewhere else.

Kansas City, KS, Kansas

KCMO or KCK?

Looklyloo Score: 84