Sure, sure it’s wonderful and important that Overland Park often rates #1 for cities for families in the entire U.S. of A. Great schools, great homes, great parks, etc., etc., etc., and sure that should be top of your list of considerations. 

But throw on top of that the fact that it’s also a music and creative hub with beautiful artwork spread throughout the city and you’ve got a place to get excited about. Artists and musicians often take to the streets to perform and create art, and a solid mix of museums and festivals provides locals with a more organized way to experience the art scene of the area as well. The BBQ scene is also an art form, rivaling (besting?) the South in terms of quality. 

More of a dense Kansas City suburb than a major city itself, Overland Park suffers from the main criticism that comes with many midwest suburbs: a lack of diversity. Somewhat related to that, it can be hard to find a community in Overland Park if you don’t already know families in the area, and people from coastal cities in particular often cite it as difficult to feel at home here. Overland Park is a great place to be a part of, but for some, that's mainly for those who already feel they’re a part of it.



Yes, You Are In Kansas

LookyLOO Review of Overland Park?

Those knocks on the Overland Park community will likely swing your experience one way or the other. It’s a tight knit/midwestern-friendly community where locals support each other and their thriving local businesses. It provides an oasis from the traffic, crowds and long lines of big cities like KC, but also a severance from the nightlife and variety of social amenities of those cities as well. Its variety of upscale restaurants, storefronts, and outdoor recreation opportunities may give it a leg up on most suburbs, but still may be underwhelming for young professionals coming from bigger cities.

If you want to see what's happening here check out the [**calendar of events**](https://www.visitoverlandpark.com/events/). 

We highly recommend visiting Overland Park 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 

Outside of working for those wide variety of local businesses, many Overland Park residents commute into Kansas City. Only a twenty minute drive to downtown KC from most parts of the area, residents tend to take advantage of the bigger city’s rich employment opportunities in the healthcare, tech, manufacturing, and transportation industries. It's also easy to imagine plenty of full-time WFH'ers moving to cities like Overland Park so their families get the best possible opportunities and the local economy is less important. 


Worklife

For an impressive and highly regarded suburb, with amazing public schools and a 20 minute drive to a major city, the cost of living in Overland Park will pleasantly surprise you. If you’re an established family looking for a place to move in the Kansas City area, Overland Park should be at the top of your list.


The Schools

Why Move Here Now?

**mitten-kittens**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉


OP is one of the best mixes of price, amenities, jobs and safety while still being close to KC if you don’t want to live in KC. You already have to drive to get around in KC so it’s not a huge inconvenience to have to drive into the city since traffic is so low. KC also isn’t the type of place where all the good jobs for young talent are in the city.

Also, I just don’t think the city has the strongest draw for young people. There’s not always something going on like other big cities, so for the times that there is something going on that you’re interested in, adding another 10-15 min to your drive isn’t a big deal. Half the concerts for young people are in Lawrence and the comedy clubs are at Zona Rosa and 103rd and state line. A lot of the best food is in the surrounding cities instead of KC proper as well. All the sports are also far from downtown. So unless you’re a young person who wants to be close to the clubs/bars then there’s not a huge advantage to KC instead of being close to KC.

With the addition of the street car and the revitalization of downtown this may change, but as somebody in their early 30s, living in KC had absolutely no appeal to me when I was in my early 20s.

For more reviews of Overland Park from locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/overland-park/reviews)

Overland Bubble

Reviews of Overland Park from Locals

As a “suburb” of Kansas City, Overland Park is not thought of as a hotspot for youngsters, singles or couples. Most end up in the big city and eschew the suburban experience. That said, Overland Park has a downtown “scene”, at least by suburban standards, and that means apartment and condo options for living and a pretty vibrant restaurant, bar and arts scene. If you want to avoid the madness of downtown KC but have some energy then downtown Overland Park is where you look. 
- Downtown


Young Professionals/DINKs/SINKs

Downtown

Overland Park, KS is frequently rated the #1 City for Families in the U.S. https://livability.com/best-places/10-best-cities-for-families/.  That sets a high bar that the many neighborhoods meet. Good schools and affordable housing are a big part of this ranking but just as important is the city’s commitment to a healthy lifestyle for the kiddos. The Overland Park Soccer Park Complex is the centerpiece of this investment, with 12 lit fields and a cooling system that keeps things cool during the hot midwestern summers. Combine this with 83 parks and open spaces, lakes and six city-run outdoor pools and you can count on your little bean having plenty to do. 

Pinehurst Estates is a good example of the excellent neighborhoods here. The beautiful custom homes, most built as showcases for local builders, sit along tree-lined streets and spacious manicured lawns. It has 12 acres of common ground, two city parks and a lake many of the homes surround. 
- Pinehurst Estates / Pinehurst
- Beverly Estates
- Oak Park
- Nall Hills
- Wycliff,
- Regency Park


Families

Pinehurst

If you can handle the weather of the Kansas City area then Overland Park is a great option for retiring. It is extremely safe, has great infrastructure and interesting downtown events to experience. It’s only 20 minutes from a major city but without the big downtown chaos. Sorrento at Deer Creek is a great option for anyone looking for an exclusively 55+ community with all the amenities you could want. Most retirees here though simply opt for the relatively inexpensive neighborhoods, at least compared to bigger city or coastal options, that offer great outdoor spaces, and a family friendly experience if you’re not interested in a senior exclusive environment. Downtown is also a good option for those who want to live amidst the restaurants and arts options the city has to offer. 
- Sorrento at Deer Creek
- Downtown
- Oak Park


Retirees

Sorrento at Deer Creek

Overland Park

**pedsmursekc**
8mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

I've lived in OP/Olathe (with the spoiled rich kids - I wasn't one) most of my life, and have always enjoyed living here. It's very community focused and well cared for; there's lots to do, tons of green spaces, hiking, biking, blah...

Also, really, people here are good for the most part and care about the community. For reference, I live in South OP/Olathe among the most affluent (of which I am still not one); we are very active in the schools and local community, and other than being on the Gulf Coast of Florida, can't see ourselves living anywhere else.

Like most places it's what you make it, but OP is often considered an excellent place to live and (if it's your thing) raise a family for many reasons. There are other wonderful areas around KC metro to live, but OP should definitely be near or at the top of any list for the area.



**OwMaLeg**
8mo ago
🦉🦉

Terrible restaurants in my opinion.

Looks just like any suburb anywhere.

They aren’t all rich, I promise.

OLD PEOPLE up north op. Asshole soccer parents down south.
Trapped cool folks (for various reasons).

Most expensive houses (but not compared to nat. average)

Boring. Unless you like golf, Fudruckers & Spanky McFriday’s type “restaurant's", doctors offices, pickleball, buffets and Whole Foods and lame corporate fireworks “Shows”. But Shawnee park is a nice lake to rent a kayak on.

HOWEVER...

GREAT FUCKING SCHOOLS.
I moved from downtown KC to a condo full of old folks (it was the only thing we could afford AND fit 5 kids into) in OP. The schools are worth the 8 year sentence. Leaving NOW...

If you live near Metcalf Ave. you are directly linked to the highway system on 3 sides. It’s easy to escape to the city or out of town.

Old folks, spoiled kids are everywhere (rich no longer matters) fewer Karens than 80 year old slow pokes, cops, with so little to do they pull you over for going 26 in a 25.

And if you’re scared of everything in the world, SAFE.

COME FOR THE SCHOOLS AND THE CONVENIENCE.

LEAVE FOR THE SAME REASONS!

I’m headed to 10 wooded acres in WYCO - because it’s the old west and anything goes in that town. No one would let me build my armageddon compound in OP! They give NO shits in the dot!

**Remote-Cantaloupe-59**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

I think bc historically living downtown wasn’t really a thing. I grew up in KC, and downtown wasn’t a place to go until ten ish years ago when power and light opened. There wasn’t much to do. It really led to a new interest in DT/Crossroads/Rivermarket. Also, maybe young professionals who want to invest in a home with a good school district (also increased resale value) as opposed to a condo. And backyards for fur babies!

**mitten-kittens**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉


OP is one of the best mixes of price, amenities, jobs and safety while still being close to KC if you don’t want to live in KC. You already have to drive to get around in KC so it’s not a huge inconvenience to have to drive into the city since traffic is so low. KC also isn’t the type of place where all the good jobs for young talent are in the city.

Also, I just don’t think the city has the strongest draw for young people. There’s not always something going on like other big cities, so for the times that there is something going on that you’re interested in, adding another 10-15 min to your drive isn’t a big deal. Half the concerts for young people are in Lawrence and the comedy clubs are at Zona Rosa and 103rd and state line. A lot of the best food is in the surrounding cities instead of KC proper as well. All the sports are also far from downtown. So unless you’re a young person who wants to be close to the clubs/bars then there’s not a huge advantage to KC instead of being close to KC.

With the addition of the street car and the revitalization of downtown this may change, but as somebody in their early 30s, living in KC had absolutely no appeal to me when I was in my early 20s.

Overland Park, Kansas

Burnt Ends

Looklyloo Score: 91