What were the Sundown Towns in and around the Kansas City area?
Sundown towns are communities that for decades—formally or informally—kept out African Americans or other groups. They are so named because some marked their city limits with placards warning specific groups of people to stay away after the sun went down. This allowed maids and workmen to provide unskilled labor during the day. They came into existence in the late 19th century and were scattered throughout the nation, but more often were located in the northern states that were not pre-Civil War slave states. De facto sundown towns existed at least into the 1970s and there may still be towns today that try to keep people of color away.
What is the best BBQ in Kansas City MO?
I have lived in Kansas City my entire life (60 years) and can tell you that no place holds a candle to Jack Stack in Martin City. It is now a chain with restaurants in Kansas as well, but it started out years ago as the Smoke Stack on 71 highway in Kansas City. It opened a second restaurant in Martin City, and when the original owner died, two brothers each took over one of the restaurants. It is a fancier place, not one of your order at a counter and slip on a greasy floor BBQ place so some do not consider it real BBQ, but it is. There are several Gates BBQ restaurants around the area that are the next best place, and then Zarda BBQ in Blue Springs. I have tried some of the little BBQ joints around town, but they aren't that great, just ok. Big T's BBQ in south kansas city is good, but occasionally you get meat that is rather tough. There is also Arthur Bryants BBQ on 12th st, but it is one of those places that you either hate or love. There is always a crowd at lunch time, but I personally don't know why. I hate the place. I have heard that Rosedale BBQ on Southwest BLVD is good, but have never tried it. Just start out at Jack Stack and you can't go wrong. Bon Appetite.
What some fun things to do in and around Kansas City, MO?
Hm... since there isn't a chiefs game lets see shopping on the plaza... going to the legends in kansas city, kansas... if you are over 21 then go to the VIP movie theatre in zona rosa (its only for people over 21 and they have waiters serve you drinks and snacks during the movie)... you could do worlds of fun... have some bbq... drive to lawrence (about 40 mins) and look at KU's beautiful campus... go to the nelson art museum... ohh and westport!! but no matter what -- make sure you spend atleast a day at the plaza... we have tons of beautiful fountains, restraunts and shopping. hope you enjoy your trip!!
What are the dangerous areas to live around Kansas City, MO?
Most anywhere north of the river is ok. South of the river you want to stay outside the I -435 loop with the exception of the Plaza or Brookside areas. Avoid Northeast KCMO, anywhere on the Paseo, Troost or Prospect. I live in Raytown and it's not too bad. Avoid northeast Independence. Blue Springs, Lees Summit, Grandview and Belton are all ok.
Good Places to Live in Kansas City, MO?
Johnson County on the Kansas side, mainly Leawood or Overland Park (not all areas of OP, though). Those are the two best areas. I would steer clear of downtown as far as living there, lots of crime within a block or two of Westport and The Plaza. Fun places to visit. If you want country, Raymore is filled with friendly people but it is country other than the shopping strip between there and Belton. Nicer areas are more expensive and that is limited to Johnson County, Kansas but not as far as Lenexa. Olathe is less expensive but some parts of that area and Overland Park aren't the greatest. Ghetto is moving in to the Kansas Side as far as crime. There is always Lee's Summit. It is nice, lots of shopping, less expensive. It is on the Missouri side (yes, the state of Misery). Stay away from anything North or Northeast of there unless you are looking at the areas on the Kansas side that I mentioned. Sadly, only one person told me this when I chose Grandview but that person deems Independence as safe (whatever). It seemed quaint but it is ghetto for the most part. I listened to locals who...well...I should have never listened to them. We moved here from the PNW and the crime and areas there are 100 times better than here. Looking forward to moving back home to the mountains again. Oh, being a west-coaster and not knowing where you are moving from, I will tell you that we are more laid back and not in your face. But the people here are loud, rude and in your face a lot. It's too much for us. I have boundaries and they are constantly crossed here.
Is Kansas City a good place to live?
I am a misplaced Missourian living near San Fransisco. I would give anything to be able to click my heels three times and go home. We transferred here because of my husbands job. You mentioned you don't like snobs so you might want to avoid Johnson County and look north of the river, stay in Kansas City North not North Kansas City, there is a difference NKC is pretty industrial and has gotten kind of rough in the last few years. Nice suburbs are Gladstone, defiantly suburb, Liberty Smithville {a little further out} Independence is to the east kind of redneck and parts of town kinda rough, Blue Springs {east} is nice as is Lees Summit, Olathe is up and coming will be snobby soon Gardener isn't bad STAY OUT OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY stay out of NE KC and avoid Ruskin and Grandview tough and crime ridden. Now that Ive scared the pants out of you. The Greater Kansas City Metro is my favorite place to live and raise a family. Its got culture, shopping, history good schools{except KCMO} wonderful people. The cost of living is one of the best in the country. You are in the middle of the country, wonderful seasons...at least you have seasons the winters can get nasty and so can the summers. Spring and Fall are fantastic the city is beautiful with lots to do I'm so jealous you are getting transferred there...wish it was us.
Is Kansas City, Mo the best city in the midwest?
Yes! By far!!! Kansas City is so much nicer and wayyy more things to do. And if I may add... I believe that St. Louis was in the TOP 10 for the most dangerous city to live. Parts of St. Louis are nice but the actual "st. louis, missouri" is more of gross area and gangs etc. As where the actual "kansas city, missouri" has its areas where it could use some help. But... these are great things "kansas city" has. - Childrens Hospital that is rated in the top 5 in the nation - Country Club Plaza - Easy access airport (bigger than st. louis' and was just renovated) - All the cities around the actual "kansas city" are all nice and well - maintained - Soon - to - be renovated chiefs and royals stadiums. - Has been rated one of the best places to raise a family (i don't think it was "kansas city, missouri exactly but it was the cities right around it... but here we just call everything kansas city, not leawood or lee's summit or overland park -- its all part of kansas city) I lived in St. Louis for 6 months and hated it... well we lived in Chesterfield and it was nice but the actual "st. louis city" is not nearly as nice as Kansas City. I have lived in Kansas city for 7 years and don't plan on moving. Out of all the places I have lived in my 15 years of life (florida, ohio, st. louis and kansas city) Kansas city is by-far the best! My family agree's with me. We were going to move to South Carolina but we didn't want to leave Kansas City so we just have a beach house that we rent out down there. Good Question!
Safe place to live in kansas city?
This is definitely not a good neighborhood. It is located within the Central Patrol Division of the Kansas City Police Department. I suggest that you call the station at 816-234-5510 and ask to speak with the Crime Analyst. They will be able to provide you with the crime stats for this area. You can also check kcpd.org to get crime information. Also i know you said that schools don't matter but if you are purchasing this home i must tell you that the KC school district is a complete mess and if you plan on selling the house later this could pose a great problem. If you area purchasing a house check out other areas of the city that still have KC mailing addresses but are in different school districts such as Liberty, North Kansas City, Park Hill, and Lees Sum mitt. Hope this helps!
Which neighborhoods are the best in Kansas City, Mo...?
gee eich eee, tee tee oh! thats the way we spell GHETTO! trust me hun, stay the fluck out of KCMO. nothing is right around there for your kids. Well, maybe if you want them to be forever repressed and grow up to become addicts of something. I like going to kcmo to party and they do have some good clubs there, but everything else is horrid. You cant feel safe in your neighborhood cause someone a few blocks down is around to jack your stuff, and the schools...... dont even get me started. If you want a good life for your kids in this area move to Overland Park or anyplace in Johnson County Kansas right across the border. It is a bit more expensive to live here as far as property values are concerned but ITS WELL WORTH IT!! Class A Schooling and the best chances your children will have for a normal succesful life. The neighborhoods and parks are great too. Police enforcement is strict and they do their best to keep trouble out and keep you safe. I have no problem leaving my car outside unlocked and when i go to the stores i dont worry about locking my door. nobody messes with my stuff out here. I live in Northern Overland Park, right by the city of Merriam. Merriam is great because of the access to the highway that can get you just about anywhere in town and Merriam is just about in the center of the metropolitan area without most of the problems and crime that occur in KCMO. They sure dont let crackheads walk down the street here much less let them think about it. The cops around here will stop a drunk from walking home from the bar and put them in jail. Its safe.
Thinking of moving to kanas city misouri or kansas city kansas what are these places like?
There is probaly 10 or more superwalmarts in the Kansas City area and many regulal walmarts also a few walmart neghiborhood grocery stores. There is a VA hospital on the Missouri side on Van Brunt and another VA hospital on the Kansas side in Lansing. There is many fine hospitals all over the metro area that give excellent care such as Saint Lukes, Providence, Kansas University Medical Center just to name a few out of many, Realestate is mixture of older homes in established neighborhoods and new homes in the newest subdivisions. Homes go for as little as $12,000 for fixerupers in the inner city upwards to multi million dollar homes. Olathe, Shawnee Mission, Blue Valley school districs in Johnson County Kansas are the top rated on the Kansas Side. North Kansas City, Liberty, Belton and Raymore/Peculiar school districts on the Missouri side is also top rated.Weather includes all 4 seasons and can get above 100 o F and well below 0. There is jobs available but not many right now that pay a decent wage. The groth seems to be in souther Johnson County with the new Intermodal hub going in Gardner as well as many factorys in Gardner's industrial area in the old Naval Air Station. Also you can buy a new home in Gardner for around $150,000 for a single family home and $125,000 for a new townhouse.Also Wal-Mart recently opened a super center in Gardner and Olathe is a short 10 minute drive away with Olathe Medicial Center and plenty of shopping and resturants. Good luck