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Living in Kansas City means living in a place that has a promising job market, tons of jazz clubs, and many educational opportunities. And of course, the city’s all-time favorite barbeque and the many food trucks in every nook and corner of Kansas City are other reasons why it is loved by many. But just like all the other cities in the U.S., Kansas City, too, has its own pros and cons in terms of living there. After all, moving is never a one-size-fits-all endeavor, right?
Kansas is known to have really high tax rates which is one of the reasons why people are moving out of here. Although the commute time to get around within the city – especially in the metropolitan areas of the city – is considerably less, it isn’t possible if you don’t own a car. So, to make your commute a breeze in the city, having your own vehicle is a necessity in Kansas. The residents here also have to deal with frequent tornadoes, especially in the months from April to June. Are all these things swaying you into leaving Kansas City? Then you better keep reading as we’ve compiled a list of the 5 best places to move from Kansas City.
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Springfield is one of the most popular metropolitan areas of Missouri that you might recognize from its nickname ‘Queen City of the Ozarks’. Here, the residents enjoy both the country style of living and the modern city lifestyle. You’ll find hints of rich art and culture in every nook and corner of the city as Springfield hosts many festivals like First Friday Art Walk, Walnut Street Arts Fest, etc. If you go surfing through the downtown area of the city, you’ll find all the modern amenities you’d require, right from famous restaurants and bars to boutiques and music venues. And the best thing is that, compared to Kansas, all these amenities are quite affordable in Springfield.
When talking about Springfield, the legendary Route 66 that runs from Chicago to Los Angeles can’t be forgotten. There are several popular spots on this route including the Rail Haven Motel which was once the accommodation of Elvis Presley after his performance at the Shrine Mosque. The city has several renowned institutions like the Missouri State University, Evangel University, etc. that have drawn many people from Kansas and other places into moving here. CoxHealth and Bass Pro Shops are some of the leading companies that operate in Springfield.
Downsides: The residents of Springfield have to bear the harsh weather conditions of the city. The summers here tend to be quite humid, wet, and muggy. Winters, on the other hand, are very cold and snowy. If you’re moving here, you’ll have to deal with the storms and tornadoes that frequently occur here – especially in the month of April – as the city falls under the United States’ ‘Tornado Alley’.
Population: 169,176
Median Home Value: $207,477
Monthly Median Rent: $850
Median Household Income: $32,473
Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
Best Neighborhoods To Live In: Battlefield, Fremont Hills, Nixa, and Glidewell.
If you’re tired of the busy streets of Kansas City, then you can consider moving to Glendale in Missouri. This is a charming city that has a small-town vibe to it with friendly communities and a very low crime rate compared to most other cities in the U.S. So, the residents of this city don’t have to worry about traffic congestion on the streets or crowded restaurants. Don’t be too surprised if you’re greeted with a ‘Hello!’ during your moving walks in this city as the people here are known to be incredibly warm and hospitable. The city resides in St. Louis County of Missouri and has a population of just 6,000 people. It has plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, and recreational parks.
Glendale is also considered to be one of the best cities to live in, in Missouri. This is also because the majority of its residents have a high school diploma and are educated. Some of the best schools in the city include Kirkwood Elementary School, North Glendale Elementary School, and many more. Since the city has some of the best educational institutions in the state, it’s an ideal place for families to settle. When it comes to its overall economy, the city houses top employers like SMCI, Glendale Unified School District, and Dineequity.
Downsides: One of the biggest downsides of living in Glendale is the weather here. During summers, the humidity gets so bad that you’ll find yourself dripping with sweat as the temperature rises to almost 89°F. Getting around in the city is also going to be a task here as the city has a very limited transportation system. Although there are bus and Metrolink services, they don’t connect you to all parts of the city.
Population: 6,176
Median Home Value: $480,187
Monthly Median Rent: $2,700
Median Household Income: $113,565
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
Best Neighborhoods To Live In: Webster Groves, Warson Woods, Ballwin, Oakland, Fenton, etc.
It shouldn’t surprise you that there is a Columbia in most parts of the U.S. But, Columbia in Missouri is known for its classic beauty and amazing architecture that will remind you of Greek cities. This has earned the city the nickname ‘The Athens of Missouri’. Columbia is also referred to as the college town of Missouri. That’s because the city has some of the best educational institutions in the state. To name a few: the University of Missouri, Stephens College, Columbia College, etc. Such a good educational system ensures that all young professionals here have degrees that they can put to use in the city’s thriving job market. Some of the top-notch sectors that contribute to the overall economy of the city are the University of Missouri, MU Health Care, Shelter Insurance, and many more.
If you’re moving to Columbia from Kansas or other cities, then you don’t have to worry about blending in with the people here. Just refer to the city as ‘CoMo’ and the people here will already consider you as a resident of the city! One of the many things Columbia is known for is the flourishing music scene here because of the huge college crowd. You’ll never get bored living here as there’s always something to do. One day, you’ll be enjoying the jazz music and BBQ here and the next day, you’ll find yourself cheering for the athletes of the Missouri Tigers. In Glendale, every day is unique and vibrant.
Downsides: Columbia certainly seems like a great place to live if you want to study and get a good job here. But the city has had reports about murders and robberies in the recent past that make it an unsafe place for many. So, if you’re moving to Columbia, consider living in safer neighborhoods like Old Hawthrone, Thornbrook, Stonecrest, and Southwest Hills.
Population: 126,524
Median Home Value: $258,984
Monthly Median Rent: $920
Median Household Income: $43,776
Unemployment Rate: 3.0%
Best Neighborhoods To Live In: Rocheport, Harrisburg, Ashland, Hallsville, etc.
If living in Kansas has been a difficult experience for you because of the high crime rate, you’ll get to enjoy a safer, more Southern lifestyle moving to Wildwood. This is a popular metropolitan city in St. Louis County of Missouri and is known for its hiking trails and many nature reserves. Some of the most popular attractions of the city that the residents enjoy visiting are the AI Foster Memorial Trailhead, Rockwoods Reservation, and the Wildwood Community Park.
When it comes to education, Wildwood has some of the best schools and colleges in the state. Some of the renowned schools in the city are Lafayette High School, Pond Elementary School, and Wildwood Middle School. Another perk of living in this city is its Wildwood Town Center which is a popular shopping destination for all the residents here. The city is also considered to be a safe place to live as Wildwood has relatively low crime rates compared to most other cities in the U.S.
Downsides: Wildwood certainly has a great standard of living as well as good educational and recreational facilities. But you must know that all of this comes at a price. If you’re moving to Wildwood, you better be ready to pay a little more on your overall cost of living as compared to Kansas. That’s because Wildwood has a higher cost of living compared to most other cities in the U.S.
Population: 35,417
Median Home Value: $493,736
Monthly Median Rent: $2,200
Median Household Income: $123,578
Unemployment Rate: 3.2%
Best Neighborhoods To Live In: City Center, Clarkson Valley, Monarch, and Carriage Place.
Chesterfield is a suburb in St. Louis Country of Missouri that is full of architectural wonders and plenty of recreational parks. Although it’s a suburb, don’t mistake it for a concrete jungle that has just buildings and highways. The city also has many attractions to keep the residents occupied like the Chesterfield Mall and beautiful gardens like Butterfly House, Central Park, etc. One of the biggest perks of moving to Chesterfield is its location. It’ll take you only around 25 minutes to reach other popular cities in Missouri like Manchester, Wildwood, and Creve Coeur.
With regard to education, the public education in the city is managed by the Rockwood-VI School District. Some of the highly ranked schools and universities in Chesterfield are Chesterfield Elementary School, Central High School, Lindenwood University, and Missouri Baptist University. Since the city is in St. Louis County, it’s easy for the residents to reach these famous universities. Chesterfield is also considered to be a great place for families to settle in. That’s because the city has several family-friendly activities at attractions like Top Golf, Chesterfield Amphitheater, and many more.
Downsides: Chesterfield has all the modern amenities you could ask for. But the cost of living in Chesterfield is almost 12% higher than the national average. So, you’ll have to pay a few extra bucks for your housing and other utilities.
Population: 49,999
Median Home Value: $485,160
Monthly Median Rent: $1,628
Median Household Income: $94,263
Unemployment Rate: 3.1%
Best Neighborhoods To Live In: Gumbo, City Center, Conway Road, and Benbush.
Summing Up
Missouri is a great place to live in when it comes to the job market, recreational activities, and food. These were the 5 best places to move from Kansas City. Make sure that you check for your safety and overall cost of living before deciding to live in a particular city. We are here to also help you find the right movers for your upcoming move.
See also: 7 Best Moving Companies in Kansas City
Some of the most dangerous places to live in Kansas city are Malborough Heights, Knoches Park, Palestine West, Roeland Park, etc.
Leawood, Overland Park, Westport, Blue Springs, and Brookside are some of the best suburbs in Kansas City.
Kansas has a violent crime rate of 15.6 (per 1,000 residents) which is higher than the national median of 4. Even the property crime rate in this city is almost 40.9 (per 1,000 residents) which is, again, higher than the national median of 19. So, when it comes to the crime scene, Kansas has a way to go with regard to safety. But, you can always consider living in neighborhoods that are considerably safer like Thousand Oaks, Roosterville, Ferrelview, etc.
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