KC At Home - Relocating in KC 2015 by Family Media Group

RELOCATING IN KANSAS CITY YOUR RESOURCE GUIDE FOR MAKING THE MOVE RELOKC.COM

MARCH 2015

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MAKE YOURSELF

AT HOME IN KANSAS CITY

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MAKING THE

MOVE? We will make selling your current home and finding your new home stress free. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: LINDA MCGUINN, CHARLENE MULLER AND SHAWN MULLER

THE MULLER

TEAM

We Will Exceed Your Expectations!

816.536.9302

• More than 60 years combined experience • Licensed real estate agents in both Kansas and Missouri • Property expertise in all price ranges • A top team of ReeceNichols Town Center Office 2003-2014 • Awards for Excellence 2003-2014 • Five Star Professional Award Best in Satisfaction — 11th year in a row

913.266.5426

MullerTeam.com

CharleneMuller@ReeceNichols.com

11601 Granada • Leawood, KS 66211 Charlene Muller-2.indd 1

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If you’re new to home buying, building or remodeling, work with someone who isn’t.

“BUILDING”

“REMODELING”

“BUYING/SELLING”

Joe Woods

Top 1% of KCRAR Realtors

913.980.4797

joe.woods@moffittrealty.com

S E R V I N G

K A N S A S

C I T Y

L I F E S T Y L E S

S I N C E

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Distinguished Architecture - Industry Leading

CMY

Redefining the Standard of Custom Home building in Old Leawood, Fairway, Mission Hills & Prairie Village. 6 Beautiful Homesites Available For Custom Builds: • 8501 Delmar, Prairie Village, Kansas • 9400 High Drive, Leawood, Kansas • 8800 Aberdeen, Leawood, Kansas

AVAILABLE

• 8711 Ensley Lane, Leawood, Kansas

9307 Ensley Lane, Leawood, KS

3201 W. 94th Terr., Leawood, KS

•8904 Wenonga, Leawood Kansas • 5902 Sunrise Drive, Fairway, Kansas

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Larson Building Company | Leawood, Kansas | (913) 221-0880

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Energy Efficiency - Larson Building Company

If you’re considering building a new home...each Larson Building Company home is “CUSTOM BUILT” there are no two alike... We integrate distinguished architectural styles and industry leading energy efficiency into each of the custom homes we build. Larson Building Company is a locally owned and operated business. We live in Old Leawood and have an interest in the preservation and quality of the area. We currently have multiple Old Leawood home sites immediately available for new custom build opportunities.

2014 KCH&G Best Model Home over $750,000

SOLD 9250 Lee Blvd, Leawood, KS

LarsonBC.com

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We have been honored as the “Pick of the Parade Grand Award Winner” by the KC Home Builders Association in the 2013 Fall Parade of Homes. Recently 2500 W. 91st Street, in Old Leawood, was awarded 2014 KCH&G Best Model Home over $750,000. And our project at 2615 W 83rd St, in Old Leawood also was recognized as First runner up in the HBA Spring 2014 Parade.

Visit our website at: LarsonBC.com Call (913) 221-0880 for more info. Follow us on Facebook

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KITCHEN STUDIO 520 Avenida Cesar E. Chavez, Kansas City, MO 64108 NEBRASKA FURNITURE MART 1601 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, KS 66111

DOOLITTLE DISTRIBUTING INC

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FACTORY DIRECT APPLIANCE 14105 Marshall Drive, Lenexa, KS 66215

FACTORY DIRECT APPLIANCE 3401 N.E. Ralph Powell Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO 64064 FACTORY DIRECT APPLIANCE 101 N.E. 91st Street, Kansas City, MO 64155

PORTFOLIO KITCHEN & HOME 215 W. Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO 64108 ALEXANDER AND RAY’S TV & APPLIANCES 1740 E. Harold Street, Olathe, KS 66061 FERGUSON’S 9310 Rosehill Road, Lenexa, KS 66215

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Power Up Your Home and Business with

Consolidated Communications. Up to Gigabit speeds now available with CCI Fiber+

In today’s multi-device world, you need powerful technology to keep running strong. For your home and your business, you can trust the strength of Consolidated Communications, Inc. (CCI). Our CCI Fiber+ network delivers the power you need, and we deliver the care you deserve.

POWER UP YOUR HOME + High Speed Internet + Digital TV + Phone + Home Networking + Antivirus Software + Whole Home DVR + HD Channels + Home Automation and Security + TV Everywhere POWER UP YOUR BUSINESS + High Speed Internet + Data Centers + Hosted Voice Services + Cloud Solutions + Managed Services + Digital TV

913.825.3000 consolidated.com *Not all services available in all areas.

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Family fun night by Rodrock Homes

Great room Hepton Summerwood

Models open daily! Mon–Sat 11–5 & Sun 12–5

Summerwood

Summerwood Estates

161st Terr & Quivira SummerwoodOP.com Homes from the $450s

161st Terr & Quivira SummerwoodOP.com Homes from the $750s

Colton

Wyngate

151st St & Carter ColtonOP.com Homes from the $500s

159th St & Grant WyngateOP.com Homes from the $450s

Gleason Glen

Hills of Forest Creek

79th St & Gleason GleasonGlen.com Homes from the $320s

Woodland Dr and 61st St HillsofForestCreek.com Homes from the $330s

Where you want to be.

RodrockHomes.com

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There’s no better place to raise a family. Trendsetting dream homes in familyfriendly communities. Innovation that says welcome home.

913-851-0347

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PUBLISHER

Michael Gimotty EDITOR

Brooke McGrath ART DIRECTOR

Traci Faulk

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Darrell Dean

SALES MANAGER

Ted Massing

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Marla Westrup

DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER

Kristina Light

ADMINISTRATOR/SPECIAL PROJECTS

7200 East US Hwy 40, KC MO 64129

Margaret Sarver

CIRCULATION/SUBSCRIPTIONS

Cece Clever NEWSSTAND

Joe Luca

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS/EDITORS

Andrea Darr, Gloria Gale, Elizabeth Murray, Kimberly Winter Stern, Tammy Worth PHOTOGRAPHER

Paul Bonnichsen, James Maidhof Magazines audited by

PROUD MEMBERS OF THE FOLLOWING:

HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION

AIA

The American Institute of Architects

OF GREATER KANSAS CITY

Relocating in KC, part of the KC At Home brand, is one of 12 issues published and printed by Family Media Group Inc. Volume 29, Number 3 ©2015 by Family Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Postmaster: Send changes to Relocating in KC, 8691 W. 96th St., Ste. 1B, Overland Park, KS 66212.

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Real Estate Professionals You Can Trust S ETTING H IGHER E XPECTATIONS

203 NW Executive Way, Suite B Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 www.BeginningsKCRealEstate.com

Mary Godfrey

Tina Roe

816-679-6577

816-806-9924

Introducing Showing.ly, our new app featuring ibeacon technology, we showcase all the valuable information about your home to make sure buyers and busy agents don’t miss a thing.

AGENT DEVELOPERS OF

LET YOUR HOME SPEAK FOR ITSELF ENHANCING THE HOME TOUR EXPERIENCE Mary Godfrey.indd 1

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ENTERTAIN AT HOME COCKTAI LS ANYON E ?

Add a Signature Bar to Your Home.

KitchenStudioKC.com Give us a call 816.221.3111 Visit us in the Crossroads: 520 Avenida Cesar E. Chavez, KCMO

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Photo: Thinkstock/Wallaceweeks

CONTENTS

RELOKC.COM

64 Lofts & Condos 67 Home Rental Guide 69 Senior Living 73 Back to School 74 Home Sweet Home 77 Gardening Guru 79 Moving Your Pets

a list 80 Marketplace: of our advertisers

YOUR RESOURCE GUIDE FOR MAKING THE MOVE

32 Johnson County 38 Wyandotte County 44 Jackson County 50 Platte County 52 Clay County

54 Cass County 57 New-Home Communities 61 Golf Course Communities 62 Maintenance-Provided Communities

RELOCATING IN KANSAS CITY

16 Welcome to Kansas City! 18 COVER STORY: Rodrock Homes 21 Kansas City Metro Area Map 22 Realtors’ Advice 24 Top Employers KC 26 Popular Neighborhoods

MARCH 2015

relokc.com

MAKE YOURSELF

AT HOME IN KANSAS CITY

About the cover: With more than 30 ﬂoor plans being built in more than 15 local communities, family-owned Rodrock Homes custom-tailors each house to its new owners. Cover photo by James Maidhof

relokc.com | RELOCATING IN KC 2015

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Photo: Thinkstock/Rudolf Balasko

WELCOME TO KANSAS CITY! Our local business climate — on both sides of the state line — is full of growth and opportunities.

alanced and steady. Not exactly words that excite the senses, but when it comes to the economy, many regions would love to be able to use those descriptors. And Kansas City can. “We are pulling out of the recession and seeing solid economic performance across the board,” says Bob Marcusse, president of Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC). “It is more balanced than it has been in a while.” According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in the metropolitan area is 5 percent, which is below the national average of 5.4. A Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) report found that the average annual salary in the region is about $56,000, almost the same as the national average. Kansas City has a strong specialization in finance, information and professional services, particularly engineering and architectural services. Additionally, manufacturing has remained strong in Kansas City despite declining significantly in other parts of the country. It employs more than 70,000 in the metro and is expected to grow by more than 5 percent over the next 10 years (as opposed to 1.3 percent nationwide), according to MARC.

Manufacturing has expanded primarily because of investment in the automotive industry. Ford Motor Co. is working to replace the E-Series van with the Transit at its Kansas City assembly plant. The company has invested $1.1 billion in the plant and added 2,000 jobs for the transition. General Motors Co. also has made a large investment in the community. It allotted $600 million for a 450,000-square-foot paint shop and other plant improvements. No new jobs will be added because of the investment, but the organization says it shows a commitment to the plant, which many thought was in danger of closing during the recession. “Manufacturing is strong in the region primarily because of those two companies,” says Jeff Pinkerton, a senior researcher at MARC. “It also has created spin-offs such as suppliers moving to the region because the investments show they (Ford and GM) will be here in the long-term.” One of the spin-offs coming to the area is Spanish firm Grupo Antolin, which will invest $18 million in a local plant and create 120 jobs building headliners for the Transit. “There will be a lot more economic activity tied to the auto industry than we’ve seen for a while,” Bob says. “Companies from around the world are supplying the

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industry; it’s much more of an international cast of characters than we’ve seen for awhile.” Another sector doing well is IT, particularly with the growth and expansion at Cerner Corp. Its 4.5 millionsquare-foot planned campus at the former site of Bannister Mall is expected to employ 15,000 people, 5,000 more than its current workforce. Because of its centralized location, logistics also is playing an increasing role in the area labor force. BNSF’s new Logistics Park Kansas City Intermodal Facility in Edgerton is the second largest in the nation, Jeff says. The intermodal facility encompasses 433 acres. While the site itself isn’t a large job generator, according to BNSF, it will create nearly 7,500 jobs in the immediate area and 13,000 at full build-out. Much of this employment will be from retail wholesalers buying and building warehouse space in proximity to the facility. “If you go to Edgerton today, compared to three years ago, you see millions of dollars spent on building there,” Bob says. This steady growth in business has created, again, steady population growth of about 1 percent (about 20,000

people) per year in the metro area. This is about the middle of the pack, according to Jeff. The region hasn’t lost population like comparable towns St. Louis and Memphis. But it hasn’t seen rapid growth like Austin or Dallas either. Bob says leaders in the metropolitan area understand that attracting a workforce is more than just filling jobs. Groups like the KCADC have to bring in companies but also create a community where people will want to work and live. “It is something every community faces these days, and it is important that we are conscious of the amenities we offer,” he says. “They do, in fact, serve as a magnet and a draw, and young people are more discriminating today about where they want to live.” Bob has brought together a team from Kansas City, including chefs, mixologists and musicians, who host an event for lifestyle and travel media in New York City to bring them a taste of KC’s culture. The goal is more great media coverage of KC’s unique lifestyle assets. “We didn’t see this sort of activity 10 years ago,” he says. “It is there now because there is an economic imperative for it to be there. Our market is responding.”

The Fine Art of Living. Served Up Daily.

Designer Kitchens Since 1946 See the difference at kleweno.com or call 816.531.3968

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Text by Kimberly Winter Stern Photos by James Maidhof

A FAMILY WAY of DOING BUSINESS

Rodrock Homes builds on a tradition of integrity, innovation and value.

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For the past 30 years, the Rodrock name has been synonymous with a legacy of building innovative, rocksolid family homes in premier communities throughout the suburbs of Johnson County, Kan. Third-generation residential homebuilder Brian Rodrock grew up in that prolific family business, inspired by each home’s craftsman’s attention to detail, along with a welldefined standard of living, an expectation of amenities and an extraordinary sense of community that helped thousands pursue their dreams of homeownership. Combining a passion for building affordable homes with integrity and developing communities for people to raise children and make lifetime memories, Brian started Rodrock Homes in 2002. Joining forces with brothers-in-law Jeff Gifford, chief operations officer, and Jeff Reglin, chief marketing officer, Brian, the company’s CEO, implemented lifelong lessons of offering diverse floor plans, attractive homesites and a dedication to customer service. “We’re extremely proud to build homes for turnkey living with up-to-date features such as open, spacious floor plans; gourmet kitchens; and resort-style master bathrooms,” Brian says. “And our financial strength translates to many benefits for homebuyers, including the area’s deepest inventory of homes and desirable homesites.”

Rodrock Homes not only ensures homes represent value in the marketplace, it also focuses on creating communities with distinctive personalities and features. “We know it’s important for families to enroll their children in award-winning schools, so we build our communities within those school districts,” Brian says. “Our communities have private play areas, swimming pools, green spaces and an ambience that says welcome home.” Brian, Jeff and Jeff often hear customers remark that

the strong sense of community found in a Rodrock Homes neighborhood is an invisible amenity. “Both of the Jeffs — and several of our employees — live in a Rodrock home and know firsthand the power of our communities’ genuine neighborly atmospheres,” Brian says, “and you can’t put a price tag on that.” Buyers shopping for a new home today are typically busy, often juggling family, careers and leisure activities. Rodrock Homes offers acclaimed models open daily and personalized concierge services such as Rodrock Ready, which allows buyers to make selections on tile, granite, stains and more in homes ready for move-in within 30 to 60 days. Staffed by three professional interior designers, the Design Studio is an invaluable resource to streamline the home-buying process. Rodrock Homes’ carefully curated collection of sparkling, trendsetting home designs, with an emphasis on innovation, value and community, range in price from the low $300,000s to more than $1 million. With a reputation for building outstanding homes in familyfriendly environments, the sought-after company is at the top of many savvy homebuyers’ lists. “Our company is built on the philosophy of families doing business with families,” Brian says. “And we celebrate the age-old tradition of coming home.”

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I EXIST TO ASSIST Call me for help with your insurance and financial services needs. Auto. Home. Life. Bank.

Greg A Aldridge, Agent 13501 W 87th St Pkwy Lenexa, KS 66215 Bus: 913-492-6080 greg.aldridge.mkb0@statefarm.com

1408589

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State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL

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MISSOURI

KANSAS Rendering courtesy of ThinkKC

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Advice from Local Agents

Photo: Thinkstock/Mindklongdan

Q&A Q. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE RELOCATING TO KANSAS CITY? A. In advance of house-hunting (or rental home/ apartment hunting), ask your Realtor for a relocation packet containing useful information that includes neighborhoods, school districts, shopping and entertainment. If you’re purchasing a home and need a mortgage, get preapproved. Having a preapproval letter in place will make you a “preferred buyer” to most sellers and will eliminate this stressor from the process. Also, clearly deﬁne your “must-haves,” “would-like-tohaves” and “deal-breakers.” Understand your price range and start with a general metropolitan search. Begin to narrow down your search based on items of importance to you, such as school districts (whether or not you have children in school, this is an item that can impact your resale down the road); commute time to work; location of parks and trails; and proximity to banks, shopping, restaurants, libraries, etc. Preparing for the move up-front will make the moving process much smoother. — Charlene S. Muller, ABR, The Muller Team, ReeceNichols

Q. WHAT DO YOU THINK MIGHT SURPRISE SOMEONE RELOCATING TO THE AREA? A. I am often surprised at how many relocating clients (many from the East Coast) seem to have a prairie/farm image of Kansas from Auntie Em’s farm in Wizard of Oz. But they are very surprised and excited to see beautiful, well-developed neighborhoods, city 22

parks, world-class medical facilities, Broadway theatre, professional sports, superior public and private schools, and community colleges, even a new, cutting-edge dinosaur museum from the NYC American Museum of Natural History! And, best of all, no commute! You can live where you work and play in our metro and spend more time enjoying your home, your family and your friends than traveling to the oﬃce. — Suzy Goldstein, Hallbrook Realty, Better Homes & Gardens, Kansas City Homes

Q. WHAT AREAS ARE HOT RIGHT NOW AND WHY? A. Parkville, due to its proximity to downtown KC, has many beautiful homes along the Missouri River, Brookside because it is historic with quaint shops and restaurants in walkable distance, and Riverside because of the school district and newer subdivisions. — Tim Sikpi, Glad Heart Realty A. The entire KC metro area is hot! With the gradual

rebound on home prices, inventory has been the greatest challenge in home sales. Some areas of the city, such as Prairie Village, Olathe and south of the Plaza, only have about a two-month inventory, creating multiple oﬀer situations. Homes competitively priced and in great condition with a strong online presence (check out showing.ly) make for the ideal selling/buying scenario. — Tina Roe and Mary Godfrey, Beginnings KC Real Estate, RE/MAX Preferred

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TOP EMPLOYERS

The metropolitan’s largest companies might be looking for you. COMPANY NAME

DESCRIPTION

EMPLOYEES

LOCATION

WEBSITE

University of Kansas

Higher education

9,881

Lawrence, Kan.

www.ku.edu

Cerner Corporation

Health care information systems

9,289

Kansas City, Kan.

www.cerner.com

HCA MidAmerica

Health services (Division HQ)

8,000

Kansas City, Mo.

www.hcamidamerica.com

Sprint Corp.

Telecommunications (HQ)

7,500

Overland Park, Kan.

www.sprint.com

University of Kansas Hospital

Health services

6,500

Kansas City, Kan.

www.kumed.com

Children’s Mercy Hospitals & Clinics

Health services

6,465

Kansas City, Mo.

www.childrensmercy.org

Ford Motor Company

Motor vehicle parts (distribution center)

4,900

Shawnee, Kan.

www.ford.com

Hallmark Cards Inc.

Greeting card mfg. (HQ)

4,800

Kansas City, Mo.

www.hallmark.com

DST Systems Inc.

Data processing systems

4,640

Lawrence, Kan.

www.dstsystems.com

Truman Medical Center Corp.

Health services

4,267

Kansas City, Mo.

www.trumed.org

Stormont-Vail Regional Health Care

Health services

4,100

Topeka, Kan.

www.stormontvail.org

University of Kansas Medical Center

Higher education

3,851

Kansas City, Kan.

www.kumc.edu

General Motors Corp.

Motor vehicle mfg.

3,800

Kansas City, Kan.

www.gm.com

AT&T

Telecommunications

3,772

Kansas City, Mo.

www.att.com

Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City

Health services

3,549

Kansas City, Mo.

www.saintlukeshealthsystem.org

UnitedHealth Group

Insurance

3,500

Overland Park, Kan.

www.unitedhealthgroup.com

United Parcel Service of America

Delivery services

3,263

Kansas City, Kan.

www.ups.com

Black & Veatch

Architects/engineering

3,217

Overland Park, Kan.

www.bv.com

Internal Revenue Service

Government

3,200

Kansas City, Mo.

www.irs.gov

KCP&L

Utility call center

3,057

Raytown, Mo.

www.kcpl.com

Heartland Health

Health services

3,030

St. Joseph, Mo.

www.mymosaiclifecare.org

Carondelet Health

Health services

3,004

Kansas City, Mo.

www.carondelethealth.org

Garmin International Inc.

Global positioning system mfg.

2,983

Olathe, Kan.

www.garmin.com

Triumph Foods

Pork processing plant (HQ)

2,873

St. Joseph, Mo.

www.triumphfoods.com

University of Missouri-Kansas City

Higher education

2,662

Kansas City, Mo.

www.umkc.edu

ATK Small Caliber Systems

Ammunition mfg.

2,660

Independence, Mo.

www.atk.com

Honeywell

Aircraft/communication & navigational equipment mfg.

2,600

Olathe, Kan.

www.honeywell.com

Farmers Insurance Group

Insurance

2,513

Olathe, Kan.

www.farmers.com

BNSF Railway Co.

Railroad

2,500

Topeka, Kan.

www.bnsf.com

Commerce Bank

Banking (HQ)

2,400

Kansas City, Mo.

www.commercebank.com Source: KCADC

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Popular

KC NEIGHBORHOODS Looking for a community that’s overflowing with charm, history and personality? Take a walk (or drive) through 12 of the area’s best. LAKE QUIVIRA On the Kansas side of the state line, this lakeside community spanning across 900 acres is hidden in gentle, rolling hills. Lake Quivira homes range from modest oneand two-story homes to multimillion-dollar residences. This private community boasts its own country club, 18hole golf course and a variety of organized social activities. Tennis courts, a sand beach fronting the 200-acre springfed lake, boating and fishing give you reason enough to never leave. LAKE LOTAWANA In Lake Lotawana, one of the area’s oldest communities, experience the pleasures of this deep and clear lakeside enclave located in eastern Jackson County, just off I-470, a mere 30 minutes from the city. Approximately 2,000 26

residents enjoy a broad selection of activities from numerous boating groups to a garden club. Housing ranges from small, second-home fishing cabins to million-dollar estates. This self-contained area is its own municipality with a professional police and fire department and is close to AAA-rated schools. HYDE PARK If you’re looking for a charming, historic neighborhood, you’ll find it in century-old Hyde Park, one of Kansas City’s oldest, most unique neighborhoods. Rejuvenated with a strong neighborhood association, stately homes featuring the grand craftsmanship of Victorian, Colonial Revival, Prairie and bungalows line the lush confines of this area. The Hyde Park Neighborhood Association cares about its citizens with committees ranging from

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beautification, crime watch, social planning and history. Neighbors work together to make this neighborhood a truly great place to live. MISSION HILLS Once listed in America’s Most Affluent Neighborhoods by Forbes, beautiful Mission Hills is defined by approximately two square miles of wooded hills, winding streams, stately homes and magnificently landscaped gardens. This area’s small-town feel and tight neighborhood bond epitomize upscale residential living at its finest. Known for wellmaintained homes, this neighborhood of approximately 3,500 residents is perhaps one of Kansas City’s most sought-after locations to live. Excellent schools and wide, tree-lined streets, many with golf-course frontage, bloom with a varied collection of architectural styles. UNION HILL With a 100-year master plan to preserve and promote the neighborhood, urban living is at the core of Union Hill’s residential area. Older, single-family homes, many built around the turn of the century, mingle easily with condos and apartment living. With close proximity to downtown, Westport and the Plaza, Union Hill offers a desirable location, with an enclave of decorative Painted Lady Victorians and tidy rows of condos that entice residents to stay and become involved in the neighborhood renaissance.

PARKVILLE Built on limestone bluffs, wooded vistas and the Missouri River, Parkville’s winding hills provide an enchanting backdrop for Kansas City’s bedroom community. Its shopping and dining district features a mix of mid-1800s to 1900s architecture, blending traditional homes with trendy new venues, which complement a delightful historic downtown that sidles right up to the mighty Missouri River. Visit the English Landing scenic waterfront park, stay and play a round of golf at The National, or visit Park University for its eclectic cultural events. It’s easy to become captivated with this small-town community’s exceptional quality of life. PRAIRIE VILLAGE Affectionately known as “The Village,” this charming city has that quintessential small-town-America feel. Construction in Prairie Village started in 1941, and by 1949, J.C. Nichols’ dream became a reality when the city was named the best-planned community in America by the National Association of Home Builders. Prairie Village has the sixth-largest population in Johnson County, with a residential population of 21,892 within its 6.2-square-mile city limits. The “village” lifestyle is enhanced by award-winning schools, multiple housing options, recreation, and local commerce in quaint, pedestrian-friendly centers.

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LEAWOOD Approximately 10 miles southwest of downtown KCMO is the “City of Trees,” otherwise known as Leawood. Picturesque stone houses and equally impressive large single-family developments highlight this city, one of the fastest-growing in Kansas. In the past 30 years, the city has grown dramatically to more than 32,000 residents. Leawood’s lush tree-lined neighborhoods and distinctive, well-thought-out retail and commercial development pair well with a first-class park system, highly rated schools and superior housing. The city boasts one of the metro area’s highest real estate values, translating into an industrious, affluent demographic that values an upwardly mobile lifestyle.

BROOKSIDE The charm of older homes is proudly maintained along the well-manicured streets of Brookside — one of Kansas City’s best-kept secrets. Brookside is a neighborhood that celebrates diversity coupled with a solid reputation. Many proud residents who grew up here have either never left or returned to raise their families. Built in the late l920s by J.C. Nichols, this neighborhood appeals to many with distinctly different housing options, shopping,

restaurants and multiple subdivisions. The neighborhood’s close proximity to the Country Club Plaza, The NelsonAtkins Museum of Art and Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art further enhance the desirability of this friendly midtown Kansas City community. WALDO Nestled just south of Brookside, this attractive area is filled with a local shopping and dining district, block after block of beautiful older two- and three-story homes, plus the Trolley exercise trail runs right through the center of this community. When you think of affordability with a high real-estate resale value and a close-knit neighborhood, think Waldo. STRAWBERRY HILL Slovak and Croatian culture is deeply rooted in northeastern Wyandotte County’s Strawberry Hill neighborhood. Within a 60-block area, new life is being pumped into this historic district. Strawberry Hill’s advantageous location, just minutes from downtown Kansas City, Mo., is attracting new faces, sparking affordable residential and commercial building. Nearly everything is within walking distance, from quaint storefronts and mom-and-pop shops to new townhouses mingling with stone-faced one- and two-story homes. SUNSET HILL Just south of the Country Club Plaza is one of Kansas City’s most beautiful neighborhoods. Sunset Hill captures the fancy of its residents who are devoted to maintaining their well-tended properties. Graced with unique homes located throughout the winding streets, the neighborhood prides itself on distinctive architecture. Nestled snugly against Loose Park, Sunset Hill is another hidden gem.

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Johnson County, Kansas Not only are Johnson County, Kan., cities livable, they’re renowned for their low tax rates, diversiﬁed business climate and one of the nation’s most educated workforces. In 2014, Overland Park ranked No. 39 in Time’s Money magazine for Best Places to Live. Olathe, Lenexa and Shawnee have previously received honors in respective publications. Exceptional shopping and dining venues, in addition to nationally acclaimed school districts and parks, make this one of the area’s most desirable locations.

BY THE NUMBERS Source: U.S. Census Bureau

566,933 2013 population

20.7

Mean travel time to work in minutes

MAJOR CITIES Leawood • Lenexa • Olathe • Overland Park Prairie Village • Shawnee

NUMBERS YOU NEED ELECTRIC

Kansas City Power & Light: 816.471.5275 www.kcpl.com Westar Energy: 800.383.1183 www.westarenergy.com

GAS

70.1%

Homeownership rate

$210,900

Median value of homes

$74,717

Median household income

88.8

Cost of living index

(less than average; U.S. average is 100) Source: City-Data

Kansas Gas Service: 800.794.4780 www.kansasgasservice.com Atmos Energy: 888.286.6700 www.atmosenergy.com

WATER

Rural Water District No. 7 of Johnson County: 913.856.7375 www.rwd7.com WaterOne: 913.895.1800 www.waterone.org

SCHOOL DISTRICTS Blue Valley: www.bluevalleyk12schools.org De Soto: www.usd232.org Gardner Edgerton: www.usd231.com Olathe: www.olatheschools.com Shawnee Mission: www.smsd.org Spring Hill: www.usd230.k12.ks.us

Find more info at www.jocogov.org. 32

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Johnson County, Kansas THE FRESH MARKET AT PRAIRIEFIRE

SHAWNEE MISSION PARK

DEANNA ROSE CHILDREN’S FARMSTEAD

MAHAFFIE STAGECOACH STOP & FARM

Attractions: PRAIRIEFIRE 135th and Nall Overland Park, KS 66223 913.647.5160 www.visitprairiefire.com Prairiefire is one of Johnson County’s newest shopping/dining destinations. The Museum at Prairiefire is home to world-class exhibitions from the American Museum of Natural History.

MAHAFFIE STAGECOACH STOP & FARM 1200 E. Kansas City Road Olathe, KS 913.971.5111 www.mahaffie.org The 1860s living history museum offers tours of the antebellum home, farm and blacksmith shop. The museum hosts events throughout the year.

DEANNA ROSE CHILDREN’S FARMSTEAD 13800 Switzer Road Overland Park, KS 66221 913.897.2360 www.opkansas.org Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead features many fun attractions to help children learn and appreciate animals, nature and the outdoors. Kids love

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Johnson County, Kansas the dairy barn, fishing pond, petting zoo, goat feeding, chicken coop and miniature tractor rides. Most of the activities are free, and the few that aren’t are affordable for a fun novelty. OVERLAND PARK ARBORETUM & BOTANICAL GARDENS 8909 W. 179th St. Overland Park, KS 66013 913.685.3604 www.opkansas.org With acres of gardens, including a children’s exploration garden, water gardens, the new Monet garden and more, learn about natural ecosystems at the environmental education center and explore the trails. The Arboretum offers educational classes, geocaching events, festivals, live concerts and holiday programs. SHAWNEE MISSION PARK 7900 Renner Road Shawnee, KS 66219 913.888.4713 www.jcprd.com The 1,600-acre park is home to a beautiful 120-acre lake available for pedal boats, fishing, sailboarding and more. Canoes and kayaks are

WONDERSCOPE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF KANSAS CITY

available for rent at the marina. The park also includes shelters, picnic areas, nature trails, play areas, an archery range, a 53-acre off-leash dog area, a disc golf course, and trails for mountain biking and horseback riding. Be sure to visit Theatre in the Park, where summer evenings are spent enjoying outdoor musical theater.

OVERLAND PARK ARBORETUM & BOTANICAL GARDENS

More fun nearby: WONDERSCOPE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF KANSAS CITY 5700 King St. Shawnee, KS 66203 913.287.8888 www.wonderscope.org

STONE PILLAR VINEYARD & WINERY 11000 S. Woodland St. Olathe, KS 66061 913.839.2185 www.stonepillarvineyard.com

OVERLAND PARK FARMERS MARKET 7950 Marty St. Overland Park, KS 66204 913.895.6390 www.downtownop.org/market

AMC STUDIO 28 WITH IMAX AND DINE-IN THEATRES 12075 S. Strang Line Road Olathe, KS 66062 913.393.3030 www.amctheatres.com

JOHNSON COUNTY MUSEUM 6305 Lackman Road Shawnee, KS 66217 913.715.2550 www.jocomuseum.org

THR CULINARY CENTER OF KC 7920 Santa Fe Drive Overland Park, KS 66204 913.341.4455 www.kcculinary.com

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Wyandotte County, Kansas The smallest county in Kansas is one of the fastest-growing. Aﬀectionately known as “The Dotte,” western Wyandotte County is burgeoning with growth. Developers sited the Kansas Speedway in cornﬁelds a decade ago, followed by a bevy of cool attractions. Village West, a $400-million complex, features shopping, restaurants and entertainment. Sports fans can enjoy a baseball game at the T-Bones’ ballpark or chant with fans at Sporting KC’s soccer stadium. Kids love staying cool at Schlitterbahn Waterpark; adults enjoy Hollywood Casino. Whether you’re just visiting or taking up residence, Wyandotte County has something for everyone.

MAJOR CITIES Bonner Springs • Kansas City

NUMBERS YOU NEED ELECTRIC

Westar Energy: 800.383.1183 www.westarenergy.com Board of Public Utilities: 913.573.9000 www.bpu.com

BY THE NUMBERS Source: U.S. Census Bureau

160,384 2013 population

21.5

Mean travel time to work in minutes

60.3%

Homeownership rate

$93,800

Median value of homes

$39,402

Median household income

87.1

Cost of living index

(less than average; U.S. average is 100) Source: City-Data

GAS

Kansas Gas Service: 800.794.4780 www.kansasgasservice.com Atmos Energy: 888.286.6700 www.atmosenergy.com

WATER

Board of Public Utilities: 913.573.9000 www.bpu.com Find more info at www.wycokck.org. 38

SCHOOL DISTRICTS Bonner Springs/Edwardsville: www.usd204.org Kansas City: www.kckps.org Turner: www.turnerusd202.org Piper: www.piperschools.com

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It’s what Legends is made of S TYLE S ELECT I O N S AVINGS SAVE FROM 25%–65% EVERY DAY AT OVER 100 STORES INCLUDING: Coach Outlet Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH Nike Factory Store Banana Republic Factory Store Cavender’s Western Outfitters Carter’s Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store Gap Outlet J.Crew | crewcuts Gymboree Outlet Cole Haan White House | Black Market Outlet Under Armour® And many more...

LegendsShopping.com I-435, Exit Parallel Parkway West 913.788.3700

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Wyandotte County, Kansas KANSAS SPEEDWAY

Photo by Visit KC

SCHLITTERBAHN KANSAS CITY WATERPARK

SPORTING PARK

Photo by Visit KC

LEGENDS OUTLETS KANSAS CITY

Photo by Visit KC

Attractions: KANSAS SPEEDWAY 400 Speedway Blvd. Kansas City, KS 866.460.7223 www.kansasspeedway.com The Kansas Speedway features a 1.5-mile tri-oval suitable for all types of racing with 72,000 seats for fans to cheer on their favorite drivers. Fans enjoy NASCAR, Indy Races, and concerts at this state-of-theart contemporary facility.

SPORTING KANSAS CITY 1 Sporting Way Kansas City, KS 66111 913.912.7600 www.sportingkc.com The 2013 MLS Cup champions, Sporting Kansas City is the local American professional soccer club. Sporting Kansas City, originally known as The Wizards, celebrates its 20th season in 2015. Sporting Park is a fan favorite with a capacity of 18,467 for soccer games and 25,000 for concerts.

LEGENDS OUTLETS KANSAS CITY 1843 Village West Parkway Kansas City, KS 66111 913.788.3700 www.legendsshopping.com Legends Outlets is home to more than 100 stores and restaurants featuring popular brands. Enjoy a movie, grab lunch with the family at T-Rex, or play at Dave & Buster’s. Seasonal favorites include free summer movies and its Legendary Lights over the holidays.

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Wyandotte County, Kansas GREAT WOLF LODGE

Photo by Visit KC

KANSAS CITY RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

SCHLITTERBAHN KANSAS CITY WATERPARK 9400 State Ave. Kansas City, KS 66112 913.312.3110 www.schlitterbahn.com/kansas-city Schlitterbahn is home to Verrückt, the tallest and fastest waterslide in the world. Thrill-seekers are buckled into a four-person raft and dropped down a 168-foot slide. Other attractions include a mile of interconnected rivers, waterslides, water coasters, a surfing ride, beaches and kids splash areas.

GREAT WOLF LODGE 10401 Cabela Drive Kansas City, KS 66111 913.299.7001 www.greatwolf.com/kansascity Great Wolf Lodge is a fun-filled indoor waterpark and resort featuring more than 38,000 square feet of waterpacked excitement with slides, a lazy river and play areas for children. The resort also features Scooops Kid Spa, nightly story time, MagiQuest virtual game, miniature golf and family-friendly dining.

KANSAS CITY RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL 633 N. 130th St. Bonner Springs, KS 66012 913.721.2110 www.kcrenfest.com Each fall in KC, travel back in time to see knights on thundering steeds; roam the village shops; delight in comedy, music, magic and more; and feast on delicious food and drinks throughout the enchanted 16acre village.

HOLY-FIELD VINEYARD & WINERY 18807 158th St. Basehor, KS 66007 913.724.9463 www.holyfieldwinery.com

CABELA’S 10300 Cabela Drive Kansas City, KS 66111 913.328.0322 www.cabelas.com

More fun nearby: GRINTER PLACE 1420 S. 78th St. Kansas City, KS 66111 913.299.0373 www.kshs.org ADVENTURE ZIP 12829 Loring Drive Bonner Springs, KS 66012 913.302.8881 www.adventurezipkc.com

MOON MARBLE COMPANY 600 E. Front St. Bonner Springs, KS 66012 913.441.1432 www.moonmarble.com

KC WATERSPORTS 25825 Edgemore Road Paola, KS 66071 913.783.4300 www.kcwatersports.com

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Jackson County, Missouri Lee’s Summit leads the county in progressive expansion, with affordable housing and commercial development. From its charming downtown to notable new-home communities like New Longview, Woodland Shores and Winterset Valley, it embraces the old and the new with ﬁnesse. For all the county’s woes in the Kansas City, Mo., public school system, Jackson County is a family-friendly place with a wealth of historic sites such as Missouri Town 1855 and Harry S. Truman National Historic Site, natural wonders like Powell Gardens, and a number of large lakes for boating, ﬁshing and swimming.

MAJOR CITIES Blue Springs • Grandview • Independence Kansas City • Lee’s Summit • Raytown

679,996 2013 population

22.8

Mean travel time to work in minutes

61.1%

Homeownership rate

$126,800

Median value of homes

$47,015

Median household income

ELECTRIC

88.2

Independence Power and Light: 816.325.7930 www.ci.independence.mo.us/pl

GAS

Missouri Gas Energy: 816.756.5252 www.missourigasenergy.com

WATER

KCMO Water Services: 816.513.1313 www.kcwaterservices.org City of Independence Water Department: 816.325.7700 www.ci.independence.mo.us/water Lee’s Summit Water Utilities: 816.969.1900 cityoﬂs.net/utilities.aspx Find more info at www.jacksongov.org. RELOCATING IN KC 2015 | relokc.com

Jackson County.indd 44

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

NUMBERS YOU NEED Kansas City Power & Light: 816.472.5275 www.kcpl.com

BY THE NUMBERS

Cost of living index

(less than average; U.S. average is 100) Source: City-Data

SCHOOL DISTRICTS Blue Springs: www.bluesprings-schools.net Center: www.center.k12.mo.us Fort Osage R-I: www.fortosage.net Grain Valley R-5: www.gvr5.net Grandview C-4: www.csd4.k12.mo.us Hickman Mills C-I: www.hickmanmills.org Independence: www.isdschools.org Kansas City: www.kcpublicschools.org Lee’s Summit R-7: www.lsr7.org Lone Jack C-6: www.lonejackc6.net Oak Grove: www.oakgrove.k12.mo.us Raytown: www.raytownschools.org

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LSmeansbusiness.net

Quality Time...

When nine to five became five to nine we knew we had a problem. Morale was low and costs were high. We needed to find a place with skilled workers and a great quality of life. Thankfully, we found Lee’s Summit. Now we’re looking at a brighter future for both the business and employees. Economic success stories are made possible every day in Lee’s Summit.

Yours Truly, LSmeansbusiness.net | 816.969.1220

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COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA

SEA LIFE AQUARIUM NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MUSEUM AT LIBERTY MEMORIAL

UNION STATION

Attractions: COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA 4750 Broadway Kansas City, MO 64112 816.753.0100 www.countryclubplaza.com The Country Club Plaza features a 15-block district, with more than 150 shops and dozens of fine restaurants. Established in 1922 by J. C. Nichols and designed architecturally after Seville, Spain, the Plaza is one of Kansas City’s most recognized landmarks.

CROWN CENTER 2405 Grand Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64108 816.274.8444 www.crowncenter.com Crown Center is home to shopping, retail and favorite attractions such as The Coterie children’s theater, Crown Center Ice Terrace skating rink, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Sea Life aquarium, Hallmark’s Kaleidoscope and the Hallmark Visitor’s Center.

UNION STATION KANSAS CITY 30 W. Pershing Road Kansas City, MO 64108 816.460.2020 www.unionstation.org Union Station is home to Science City, an indoor science center; the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium; the KC Model Rail Experience; Theatre for Young America; the Extreme Screen; and hosts traveling exhibits.

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Jackson County, Missouri KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT DISTRICT

ARROWHEAD STADIUM

Photo by Visit KC

KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Photo by Visit KC

THE NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART

NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MUSEUM AT LIBERTY MEMORIAL 100 W. 26th St. Kansas City, MO 64108 816.888.8100 https://theworldwar.org The National WWI Museum is America’s only museum dedicated to sharing the stories of the Great War through the eyes of those who lived it. KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT DISTRICT www.powerandlightdistrict.com The KCP&L district features more

than 50 restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues including concert halls, theaters and the Sprint Center.

programming, that embrace a variety of audiences with different tastes, interests and passions.

KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 1601 Broadway Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64108 816.994.7200 www.kauffmancenter.org The Kauffman Center is home to resident organizations, the Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera, Kansas City Symphony and other innovative

THE NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART 4525 Oak St. Kansas City, MO 64111 816.751.1278 www.nelson-atkins.org The Nelson-Atkins features art from around the world, from ancient to modern times. Classes, workshops and special tours are available.

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Spend the Day...

IN DOWNTOWN LEE S SUMMIT

Spend the day in historic Downtown Lee’s Summit, where you’ll experience more. Shop dozens of specialty stores, dine at local restaurants, ride the train, visit the Downtown Lee’s Summit Farmers Market and so much more. See you soon.

downtownLS.org

Yours Truly, 48

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Jackson County, Missouri CITY MARKET DISTRICT

KANSAS CITY ZOO

Photo by City Market

More fun nearby: THE MONEY MUSEUM 1 Memorial Drive Kansas City, MO 64198 816.881.2683 www.kansascityfed.org/money museum THE ROASTERIE 1204 W. 27th St. Kansas City, MO 64108 816.931.4000 www.theroasterie.com KAUFFMAN MEMORIAL GARDEN 4800 Rockhill Road Kansas City, MO 64110 816.932.1200 www.powellgardens.org CROSSROADS ART DISTRICT www.kccrossroads.org CITY MARKET DISTRICT www.thecitymarket.org TRUMAN SPORTS COMPLEX Kansas City Royals (baseball): www.kansascityroyals.com Kansas City Chiefs (football): www.kcchiefs.com

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KANSAS CITY ZOO 6800 Zoo Drive Kansas City, MO 64132 816.595.1234 www.kansascityzoo.org STARLIGHT THEATRE 4600 Starlight Road Kansas City, MO 64132 816.363.7827 www.kcstarlight.com

KAUFFMAN MEMORIAL GARDEN

WORLDS OF FUN OCEANS OF FUN 4545 Worlds of Fun Ave. Kansas City, MO 64161 816.454.4545 www.worldsoffun.com JACKSON COUNTY LAKES: LAKE JACOMO, LONGVIEW LAKE, BLUE SPRINGS LAKE www.jacksongov.org/lakes PARADISE PARK 1021 NE Colbern Road Lee’s Summit, MO 64086 816.246.5224 www.paradise-park.com

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Since implementing the Platte Proﬁle 2020, the county has successfully strategized its plan for the explosive growth it has experienced since the 1990s. Among the improvements are infrastructure upgrades and a Parks and Recreation Department, which oversees a plethora of parks, trails, community centers and golf courses. Platte celebrates its heritage with historic venues like Red Barn Farm and charming downtown districts in Parkville and Weston and has beautified some of its countryside with vineyards and orchards. A major destination in this part of The Northland is the Kansas City International Airport.

BY THE NUMBERS Source: U.S. Census Bureau

93,310

2013 population

23.3

Mean travel time to work in minutes

64.3%

MAJOR CITIES

Homeownership rate

Kansas City • Parkville • Platte City Riverside • Weatherby Lake • Weston

$184,900

NUMBERS YOU NEED ELECTRIC

Kansas City Power & Light: 816.472.5275 www.kcpl.com Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative: 816.628.3121 www.pcec.coop

Median value of homes

$67,721

Median household income

88.5

Cost of living index

(less than average; U.S. average is 100) Source: City-Data

GAS

Empire District Gas: 800.424.0427 www.empiredistrict.com

Missouri Gas Energy: 816.756.5252 www.missourigasenergy.com WATER

Public Water District No. 4 of Platte County: 816.858.2782 www.platte4.com

SCHOOL DISTRICTS Park Hill: www.parkhill.k12.mo.us Platte County R-3: www.plattecountyschooldistrict.com North Platte R-I: www.nppanthers.org West Platte: www.wpsd.net

Find more info at www.co.platte.mo.us. 50

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Platte County, Missouri ZONA ROSA

SNOW CREEK, WESTON

PARKVILLE

Photo by Fran Mattox

Attractions: HARLEY-DAVIDSON FACTORY TOUR 11401 N. Congress Ave. Kansas City, MO 64153 816.270.8023 www.harley-davidson.com Enjoy a free tour of the assembly plant where you will watch as motorcycles are built from start to finish. The tours are led by a guide who provides you with safety goggles and a radio to hear the tour. Learn the history of Harley-Davidson and witness the entire process from robotic welding to laser-cutting and framebending to polishing and assembly. In the visitor’s center, you can sit on current production motorcycles and visit the gift shop. HISTORIC WESTON www.westonmo.com Weston, Mo., was, at one time, the westernmost town in the United

States. Today, a trip to Weston is like an architectural journey back in time, with many of the original buildings and homes still serving as local shops, restaurants and businesses. Main Street is a favorite for antiques and boutiques, farm tours, wineries and historic sites. GREEN DIRT FARM 19915 Mount Bethel Road Weston, MO 64098 816.386.2156 www.greendirtfarm.com Green Dirt Farm is a working sheep farm on the bluffs of the Missouri River Valley offering tours to the public. Guests learn why grass is the best food for the 150 ewes on the farm, how important healthy soil is to the environment and what makes the cheese so good. Visitors also learn about pasture rotation while watching the dairy sheep graze on the hills. Watch as the

sheep are milked and the cheese made then have a taste! HISTORIC DOWNTOWN PARKVILLE www.parkvillemo.org Historic Downtown Parkville is home to restaurants, boutiques, B&Bs, miniature golf and nature preserves. ZONA ROSA 8640 N. Dixson Ave. Kansas City, MO 64153 816.587.8180 www.zonarosa.com Zona Rosa is an urban retail, dining and residential district offering large name-brand shops, local boutiques, a range of restaurants and entertainment.

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Easy living is a hallmark of North Kansas City, located along the northern fringe of Kansas City, Mo. Defined by the locals as “The Northland,” the rolling hills beckon to those who enjoy quiet, dappled streets, both mature and new neighborhoods, and a variety of retail developments, including Briarcliff Village, Zona Rosa and The Village at Burlington Creek. Economically, The Northland has evolved from a primarily agricultural base to a strong industrial base, where residents experience small-town hospitality and tradition coupled with a wealth of recreational and cultural oﬀerings.

MAJOR CITIES Excelsior Springs • Gladstone • Kansas City Liberty • North Kansas City • Smithville

BY THE NUMBERS Source: U.S. Census Bureau

230,473 2013 population

Mean travel time to work in minutes

71%

Homeownership rate

$153,700

Median value of homes

$60,936

NUMBERS YOU NEED ELECTRIC

Kansas City Power & Light: 816.472.5275 www.kcpl.com Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative: 816.628.3121 www.pcec.coop

GAS

Empire District Gas: 800.424.0427 www.empiredistrict.com

Missouri Gas Energy: 816.756.5252 www.missourigasenergy.com WATER

Public Water District (No. 9 of Clay County): 816.532.3803

Median household income

Cost of living index

(less than average; U.S. average is 100) Source: City-Data

SCHOOL DISTRICTS Clinton R-III: www.ccr3.k12.mo.us Excelsior Springs: www.essd40.com Kearney R-I: www.ksdr1.net Smithville R-II: www.smithvilleschooldistrict.net Lawson R-XIV: www.lawsoncardinals.org North Kansas City: www.nkcschools.org Liberty: www.liberty.k12.mo.us

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Clay County, Missouri ATKINS-JOHNSON FARM & MUSEUM

WATKINS MILL STATE PARK

BELVOIR WINERY

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LIBERTY

Attractions: WATKINS MILL STATE PARK 26600 Park Road N. Lawson, MO 64062 816.580.3387 www.watkinsmill.org Enjoy a 100-acre lake, campgrounds, picnic areas, trails and Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site. At the historic site, tour a 19th-century, three-story woolen mill and home to learn what life was like for families more than a century ago. The mill is the only 19thcentury textile mill in the United States with its original machinery still intact.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LIBERTY www.historicdowntownliberty.org This historic shopping district offers retail, restaurants and famous landmarks including the Jesse James Bank Museum, the site of America’s first daylight bank robbery. BELVOIR WINERY 1325 Odd Fellows Road Liberty, MO 64068 816.200.1811 www.belvoirwinery.com The winery is housed in a building

constructed in 1900. Originally a children’s home, it is now a winery that hosts events on the property and serves locally produced wines. ATKINS-JOHNSON FARM & MUSEUM 6607 N. Antioch Road Gladstone, MO 64119 816.453.3276 www.atkinsjohnsonfarm.com Tour the 1831 house that grew out of a single-room log cabin and learn from the exhibits inside.

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Early residents coexisted peacefully with Native Americans on what was Kansa tribal grounds. Interestingly, before the county seat, Harrisonville, was named after a U.S. representative, the name Democrat was proposed for the new town — now approximately 60 percent Republican. From its ﬁrst sales of town lots — $20 for those facing the public square, $10 for all others — Cass County is now home to high-quality developments like Loch Lloyd and Creekmoor. There’s no urban living in this county — just the manicured greens of the golf courses, rippling waters of the lakes and natural countryside.

BY THE NUMBERS

MAJOR CITIES

Median value of homes

Belton • Harrisonville • Lake Winnebago Peculiar • Pleasant Hill • Raymore

NUMBERS YOU NEED ELECTRIC

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative: 660.679.3131 www.osagevalley.com

GAS

Integrity Locating Services LLC: 913.486.5018 http://integritylocatingservices.com Missouri Gas Energy: 816.756.5252 www.missourigasenergy.com

WATER

Public Water Supply District No. 2: 816.331.7108 www.pwsd2cass.com/map.php Find more info at www.casscounty.com.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

100,641 2013 population

27.8

Mean travel time to work in minutes

77.6%

Homeownership rate

$154,900 $60,350

Median household income

88.5

Cost of living index

(less than average; U.S. average is 100) Source: City-Data

SCHOOL DISTRICTS Archie R-V: www.archie.k12.mo.us Belton: www.beltonschools.org Cass Midway R-I: www.midwayk12.net Drexel R-IV: www.drexel.k12.mo.us East Lynne 40: www.eastlynne40school.org Harrisonville: www.harrisonvilleschools.org Pleasant Hill R-III: www.pleasanthillschools.com Raymore-Peculiar: www.raypec.k12.mo.us Sherwood Cass R-VIII: www.sherwoodk12.net Strasburg C-3: www.sc3sd-mo.schoolloop.com

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Cass County, Missouri

THE BERRY PATCH

DUNN’S CIDER MILL

JOHNSON FARMS

Attractions: BELTON, GRANDVIEW AND KANSAS CITY RAILROAD 502 E. Walnut St. Belton, MO 64012 816.331.0630 www.beltonrailroad.org Enjoy a seasonal ride aboard a 1920 passenger coach that traveled more than one million miles before being retired in 1984. The engine is a 1950s diesel locomotive, traveling through Old Towne Belton on a 5mile, 45-minute round-trip. THE BERRY PATCH 22509 State Line Road Cleveland, MO 64734 816.618.3771 www.theberrypatchonline.com In the summer, enjoy picking blueberries and blackberries at this local U-pick farm.

DUNN’S CIDER MILL 17003 Holmes Road Belton, MO 64012 816.331.7214 www.millsite.homestead.com Watch as apple cider is made and enjoy a fresh cup with cider donuts. JOHNSON FARMS 17701 S. State Rte. D Belton, MO 64102 816.331.1067 www.johnsonfarms.net This 140-acre farm and nursery sells a variety of plants for gardening and landscaping. In the fall, enjoy the large pumpkin patch with hayrides, farm animals and attractions for the family.

AARON’S FAMILY FUN CENTER 17070 Aarons Lane Belton, MO 64012 816.322.0488 www.aaronsfamilyfuncenter.com Enjoy miniature golf, bowling, arcade games and a go-kart center. HIGH BLUE WELLNESS CENTER 16400 N. Mullen Road Belton, MO 64012 816.348.7400 www.beltonparks.org The indoor aquatics center has a six-lane competition pool, zeroentry recreation pool, lazy river, two recreation slides, fitness classes and equipment, 1/12-mile indoor track, and a gymnasium for volleyball and basketball.

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Two Generations of Excellence

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w w w 56

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c o m

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NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES Buy move-in ready or build your own home. NEIGHBORHOOD

LOCATION

PHONE NUMBER

SCHOOL DISTRICT

WEBSITE

Austin Meadows

Olathe

913.709.1415

Olathe

www.priebhomesinc.com/austin-meadows

Austin Reserve

Gardner

913.709.1415

Gardner-Edgerton

www.priebhomesinc.com/austin-reserve

Arbor Ridge

DeSoto

913.735.7004

DeSoto

www.arborridgeindesoto.wordpress.com

Brampton West

Lenexa

913.221.8863

Olathe

www.priebhomesinc.com

Brookwood Farms

Spring Hill

913.686.4738

Spring Hill

www.brookwoodfarmsks.com

The Estates of Wolf Creek

Spring Hill

913.206.4600

Spring Hill

www.estatesofwolfcreek.com

Forest Hills

Olathe

913.592.2226

Olathe

www.foresthillskc.com

Gleason Glen / pg. 8

Lenexa

913.980.8449

DeSoto

www.gleasonglen.com

Grayson Place

Olathe

913.254.7144

Olathe

www.rodrock.com

Grey Oaks

Shawnee

913.441.4111

DeSoto

www.rodrock.com

Heather Ridge / pg. 11

Olathe

913.390.5002

Olathe

www.heatherridgeks.com

Northridge at Piper Estates

Kansas City

816.251.1432

Piper

www.piperestates.com

Persimmon Pointe

Olathe

913.202.0073

Olathe

www.persimmonpointe.com

Pinehurst Estates

Basehor

816.536.1763

Basehor-Linwood

www.pinehurstestatesks.com

Plum Creek

Gardner

816.734.9553

Gardner-Edgerton

www.rauschcolemanhomes.com

Prairie Lake Estates

Basehor

913.647.5700

Basehor-Linwood

www.prairielakekc.com

Stonebridge Village

Olathe

913.782.9944

Spring Hill

www.rodrock.com

Sunset Ridge Estates / pg. 11

Kansas City

816.536.1763

Piper

www.sunsetridgekck.com

Sweetwater Creek

Spring Hill

913.592.4555

Spring Hill

www.sweetwatercreeknewhomes.com

Whispering Ridge / pg. 11

Kansas City

816.536.1763

Piper

www.whisperingridgekc.com

Whitetail

Olathe

816.734.9553

Olathe

www.rauschcolemanhomes.com

Bluestem

Overland Park

913.851.5800

Blue Valley

www.bluestemks.com

Bristol Ridge

Lenexa

913.307.4144

DeSoto

www.bristolridgekc.com

Canyon Creek

Lenexa

913.441.8998

Olathe

www.canyoncreekkc.com

Cedar Creek

Olathe

913.829.6500

Olathe/DeSoto

www.cedarcreek-kc.com

Cedar Falls / pg. 11

Basehor

816.616.7100

Basehor-Linwood

www.cedarfallsks.com

Chapel Hill / pg. 7, 11

Overland Park

913.681.8383

Spring Hill

www.chapelhillkc.com

Coffee Creek Crossing

Overland Park

913.897.9666

Blue Valley

www.coffeecreekcrossing.com

College Meadows

Olathe

913.593.6362

Olathe

www.collegemeadows.com

Colton / pg. 8

Overland Park

913.384.8488

Blue Valley

www.coltonop.com

KANSAS UNDER $300,000

KANSAS OVER $300,000

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NEIGHBORHOOD

LOCATION

PHONE NUMBER

SCHOOL DISTRICT

WEBSITE

The Communities of Piper Lake / pg. 11

Kansas City

816.536.1763

Piper

www.piperlakeks.com

Cottages at Woodridge

Overland Park

913.313.7737

Blue Valley

www.rodrock.com

Cottonwood Canyon

Lenexa

913.492.4444

Shawnee Mission

www.cottonwoodcanyon.info

The Crossings at Southglen

Olathe

913.829.6500

Olathe

www.cedarcreek-kc.com

Enclave at Woodland Lakes / pg. 11

Lenexa

913.422.8800

Olathe

www.enclavekc.com

The Enclave of Sunset Hills / pg. 11

Overland Park

913.681.2064

Blue Valley

www.riverridgeks.com

The Estates/Enclave at Mills Farm

Overland Park

913.239.8799

Blue Valley

www.millsfarm.net

The Estates of Greenview Ridge / pg. 11

Shawnee

913.406.3470

Shawnee Mission

www.bickimerhomes.com

Falcon Lakes

Basehor

913.221.8863

Basehor-Linwood

www.liveatfalconlakes.com

Granite Falls / pg. 11

Shawnee

913.268.4407

Shawnee Mission

www.granitefallskc.com

Grayson Place

Olathe

913.254.7144

Olathe

www.rodrock.com

Greens of Chapel Creek

Shawnee

913.422.2001

DeSoto

www.rodrock.com

Highlands of Kensington

Olathe

913.897.9662

Blue Valley

www.highlandsofkensington.com

Hills of Forest Creek / pg. 8

Shawnee

913.205.8358

DeSoto

www.hillsofforestcreek.com

The Hill/Estates of Forest View

Olathe

913.254.1000

Olathe

www.rodrock.com

The Meadows at Mills Farm

Overland Park

913.239.8799

Blue Valley

www.millsfarm.net

Prairie Point

Olathe

913.685.4010

Olathe

www.prairiepointks.com

The Polo Fields

Overland Park

913.681.1004

Blue Valley

www.polofieldskc.com

Ridgestone Meadows

Shawnee

913.221.8863

DeSoto

www.ridgestonemeadowskc.com

Riverview / pg. 33

Shawnee

913.579.5545

DeSoto

www.riverview-kc.com

Rockwood Falls

Spring Hill

913.991.3200

Blue Valley

www.rockwoodfalls.com

Southwick on the Lake

Overland Park

913.378.2500

Blue Valley

www.rodrock.com

Stonebridge Meadows

Olathe

913.829.5813

Spring Hill

www.rodrock.com

Stonebridge Park

Olathe

913.768.4800

Spring Hill

www.rodrock.com

Stonebridge Trails

Olathe

913.764.1667

Spring Hill

www.rodrock.com

Summerwood / pg. 8, 11

Overland Park

913.814.7000

Blue Valley

www.summerwoodop.com

The Timbers at Clear Creek

Lenexa

913.422.1227

DeSoto

www.timberhomeskc.com

WatersEdge

Overland Park

913.681.7775

Blue Valley

www.watersedge-op.com

Wilshire at Leabrooke

Leawood

913.269.6573

Blue Valley

www.wilshireatleabrooke.com

Wilshire by the Lake

Overland Park

913.269.6573

Blue Valley

www.wilshirebythelake.com

Wilshire Farms

Overland Park

913.663.1910

Blue Valley

www.wilshirefarms.net

Wyngate / pg. 8

Overland Park

913.307.4060

Blue Valley

www.wyngatekc.com

Woodland Reserve

Lenexa

913.764.9100

Olathe

www.woodland-reserve.com

The Woods at Colton Lake

Overland Park

913.271.0638

Blue Valley

www.woodskc.com

ArborWalk

Lee’s Summit

816.697.2870

Lee’s Summit

www.arborwalk.com

Barry Brooke

Kansas City

816.734.9553

North Kansas City

www.rauschcolemanhomes.com

Benson Place

Kansas City

816.792.5748

Liberty

www.huntmidwestkc.com/benson_place

Bristol Park

Kansas City

816.734.9553

North Kansas City

www.rauschcolemanhomes.com

Brooks Farm / pg. 29, 31

Lee’s Summit

816.522.1306

Lee’s Summit

www.brooksfarmhomes.com

MISSOURI UNDER $300,000

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NEIGHBORHOOD

LOCATION

PHONE NUMBER

SCHOOL DISTRICT

WEBSITE

Eagle Creek

Lee’s Summit

816.554.1318

Lee’s Summit

www.huntmidwestkc.com/eagle_creek

Greyhawke at the Lake

Smithville

816.223.5701

Smithville

www.greyhawkeatthelake.com

Highland Meadows

Lee’s Summit

816.251.1558

Lee’s Summit

www.highlandmeadowskc.com

Highland Meadows

Kansas City

816.587.6101

Park Hill

www.barthrealestate.com

Legacy Wood / pg. 61

Lee’s Summit

816.554.8881

Lee’s Summit

www.legacy-wood.com

Line Creek

Kansas City

816.734.9553

Platte County

www.rauschcolemanhomes.com

New Longview

Lee’s Summit

816.500.5087

Lee’s Summit

www.newlongview.com

Northgate Village

North Kansas City

816.221.7681

North Kansas City

www.huntmidwestkc.com/northgate_village

Parkway Estates

Blue Springs

816.427.5574

Blue Springs

www.parkwayestates.com

Parkwood at Stoney Creek / pg. 27, 31

Lee’s Summit

816.786.0181

Lee’s Summit

www.parkwoodatstoneycreek.com

Raintree Lake

Lee’s Summit

816.537.6656

Lee’s Summit/Ray-Pec www.raintreelake.com

Running Horse

Platte City

816.739.1639

Platte County R-3

www.huntmidwestkc.com/running_horse

Timber Trails / pg. 29, 31

Raymore

816.251.1435

Raymore/Peculiar

www.timbertrailshomes.com

Cider Mill Ridge at the National

Parkville

816.898.3825

Park Hill

www.cidermillridge.com

Copperleaf

Liberty

816.407.7347

Liberty

www.copperleafkc.com

Dalton’s Ridge

Lee’s Summit

816.859.5041

Blue Springs

www.daltonsridge.com

Forest Ridge Estates

Kansas City

816.505.0544

Park Hill

www.forestridgeestateskc.com

High Point at Creekmoor / pg. 23, 31

Raymore

816.200.6541

Raymore/Peculiar

www.summitcustomhomeskc.com

Highlands of Weatherby

Kansas City

816.536.0635

Park Hill

www.thehighlandsofweatherby.com

Lakeside at Chapman Farms / pg. 25, 31

Lee’s Summit

816.679.4676

Lee’s Summit

www.lakesideatchapmanfarms.com

Montebella

Riverside

816.587.6101

Park Hill

www.barthrealestate.com

Oakwood Forest

Kansas City

913.707.7496

North Kansas City

www.oakwoodforestkc.com

The Paddock at Richardson Ranch

Lee’s Summit

816.524.3909

Lee’s Summit

www.thirty9north.com/the-paddock.php

Park Ridge

Lee’s Summit

816.373.5900

Blue Springs

www.parkridgecommunities.com

Parkwood at Stoney Creek / pg. 27, 31

Lee’s Summit

816.786.0181

Lee’s Summit

www.parkwoodatstoneycreek.com

PrairieView Heights

Liberty

816.686.7944

Liberty

www.pvhliberty.com

Riss Lake

Parkville

816.741.3002

Park Hill

www.risslake.com

Riverstone, The Reserve

Kansas City

816.584.2654

Park Hill

www.huntmidwestkc.com/riverstone

Seven Bridges

Platte City

816.587.6101

Platte County

www.barthrealestate.com

Silverbrooke

Kansas City

816.587.6101

Park Hill

www.barthrealestate.com

Shoal Creek Valley

Kansas City

816.792.2400

Liberty

www.shoalcreekvalleyhomes.com

Shores at Chapman Farms / pg. 25, 31

Lee’s Summit

816.918.6337

Lee’s Summit

www.summitcustomhomeskc.com

Staley Hills

Kansas City

816.942.5486

North Kansas City

www.huntmidwestkc.com/staley_hills

Stone Canyon

Blue Springs

816.268.3828

Blue Springs

www.stonecanyonkc.com

Stonegate

Platte County

816.587.6101

Park Hill

www.barthrealestate.com

Thousand Oaks

Parkville

816.587.6101

Park Hill

www.barthrealestate.com

Winterset Valley

Lee’s Summit

816.761.9755

Lee’s Summit

www.wintersetvalley.com

Woodneath Farms

Kansas City

816.781.7925

Liberty

www.huntmidwestkc.com/woodneath_farms

Woodland Shores

Lee’s Summit

816.537.7000

Lee’s Summit

www.woodlandshores.com

MISSOURI OVER $300,000

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GOLF COURSE COMMUNITIES COMMUNITY

LOCATION

SCHOOL DISTRICT

WEBSITE

Cedar Creek

Olathe, Kan.

Olathe/DeSoto

www.cedarcreek-kc.com

Cottonwood Canyon

Lenexa, Kan.

Shawnee Mission

www.cottonwoodcanyon.info

Creekmoor

Raymore, Mo.

Ray-Pec

www.creekmoor.com

Falcon Lakes

Basehor, Kan.

Basehor/Linwood

www.liveatfalconlakes.com

Falcon Ridge

Lenexa, Kan.

Olathe

resale only

Falcon Valley

Lenexa, Kan.

Olathe

www.falconvalleyhomes.com

Lake Quivira

Lake Quivira, Kan.

Turner/Shawnee Mission

www.lakequivira.com

Links at LionsGate

Overland Park, Kan.

Blue Valley

www.lionsgatehomes.com

Loch Lloyd

Village of Loch Lloyd, Mo.

Belton

www.lochlloyd.com

The National

Parkville, Mo.

Park Hill

www.thenationalgolfclub.com

Prairie Highlands

Olathe, Kan.

Olathe

www.prairiehighlands.org

Reserve at Prairie Highlands

Olathe, Kan.

Olathe

www.reserveatprairiehighlands.com

Shoal Creek Valley

Liberty, Mo.

Liberty

www.shoalcreekvalleyhomes.com

Staley Farms / pg. 33

Kansas City, Mo.

North Kansas City

www.staleyfarmshomes.com

Tiffany Greens / pg. 33

Kansas City, Mo.

Platte County

www.tiffanygreens.com

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MAINTENANCEPROVIDED COMMUNITIES If you don’t like lawn care or snow removal, one of these communities might be for you. COMPANY NAME

LOCATION

PHONE NUMBER

WEBSITE

Club Villas at Lionsgate

Overland Park

913.685.8300

www.williscustomhomes.com

The Communities of Piper Lake

Kansas City

816.536.1763

www.piperlakeks.com

Cottages at Woodridge

Overland Park

913.313.7737

www.rodrock.com

The Cottages of Cross Point Creek

Lenexa

913.484.2839

www.tomfrenchhomes.com

The Courts at Fairfield Village

Olathe

913.592.2408

www.courtsatfairfield.com

Enclave at Cedar Pointe

Leawood

913.897.0040

www.lambiecustom.com

The Estates of Wolf Creek

Spring Hill

913.206.4600

www.estatesofwolfcreek.com

Falcon Lakes Villas

Basehor

913.221.8863

www.falconlakes.info

Falcon Village

Lenexa

913.780.9004

www.falconvalleyhomes.com

Grayson Place Villas

Olathe

913.254.7144

www.rodrock.com

HeatherGlen

Shawnee

913.962.8600

www.heatherglenshawnee.com

The Manors of Mission Farms

Leawood

913.317.8449

www.manorsofmissionfarms.com

Mission Reserve

Leawood

913.851.9200

www.missionreserve.com

The Pavilions of Piper

Kansas City

913.890.3578

www.rwscotthomes.com/pavilions-of-piper

Prairie Brook Villas

Olathe

913.890.2300

www.prairiebrookvillas.com

Prairie Villas at Falcon Valley

Lenexa

913.323.7225

www.prairievillas.com

Prairiefire Villas

Overland Park

913.667.9738

www.prairiefirevillas.com

Ranch Villas at Grayson Place

Olathe

913.254.7144

www.rodrock.com

Tuscany Reserve Village

Leawood

913.685.8300

www.williscustomhomes.com

The Villas of Asbury

Olathe

913.254.1100

www.asburyvillas.net

Villas of Highlands Ranch

Leawood

913.484.2839

www.tomfrenchhomes.com

Villas at Ironwoods

Overland Park

913.685.8300

www.williscustomhomes.com

The Villas of Shadow Glen

Olathe

913.829.6500

www.cedarcreek-kc.com

The Villas of White Horse

Leawood

913.685.8300

www.williscustomhomes.com

Willowbrooke Villas

Olathe

913.491.1700

www.willowbrookevillas.com

The Cottages at Cedar Creek

Lee’s Summit

816.820.8400

www.thecottagesatcedarcreek.com

Eagle Creek

Lee’s Summit

816.554.1318

www.huntmidwestkc.com/eagle_creek

Edgewater Villas at Creekmoor

Raymore

816.331.0754

www.creekmoor.com

Elan Villas at Staley Farms

Kansas City

816.304.5525

www.staleyfarmshomes.com

KANSAS

MISSOURI

RELOCATING IN KC 2015 | relokc.com

Maintenance Provided Communities.indd 62

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Fairfield Woods

Lee’s Summit

816.251.1550

www.fairfieldwoodvillas.com

The Fountains at Raintree Lake

Lee’s Summit

816.537.5113

www.fountainsatraintree.com

Limestone Road Townhomes

Parkville

816.898.3825

www.thenationalgolfclub.com

The Manor of Park Ridge

Lee’s Summit

816.373.5900

www.parkridgecommunities.com

The Meadows at Parkway Estates

Blue Springs

816.427.5574

www.parkwayestates.com

Meadowood of The Good Ranch

Raymore

816.318.4100

www.thegoodranch.com

Northgate Village

North Kansas City

816.221.7681

www.huntmidwestkc.com/northgate_village

Remington Villas

Independence

816.985.0942

www.remingtonvillas.com

Reserve at Riss Lake

Parkville

816.741.3002

www.risslake.com

SaddleRidge Villas

Lee’s Summit

816.686.5476

www.saddleridgedevelopment.com

Siena at Longview

Lee’s Summit

816.215.2968

www.sabhomes.com

Southgate Village at Lake Winnebago

Lake Winnebago

816.537.7530

www.southgate-village.com

Steeple Oaks

Kansas City

816.734.0675

www.huntmidwestkc.com/steeple_oaks

Timber Trails Townhomes

Raymore

816.251.1435

www.timbertrailshomes.com

The Trails at Park Ridge

Lee’s Summit

816.373.5900

www.parkridgecommunities.com

Villas at Coventry

Kansas City

816.728.7355

www.villasatcoventry.kansascityhomes.com

Villas of Parkwood / pg. 27, 31

Lee’s Summit

913.302.8810

www.summitcustomhomeskc.com

Westbrook Villas at Creekmoor

Raymore

816.331.0754

www.creekmoor.com

Winterset Garden Villas

Lee’s Summit

816.761.9755

www.wintersetpark.com

Woodbrooke Villas

North Kansas City

816.453.9100

www.woodbrookevillas.com

The Golden Years…

SHOULD BE ENJOYED BY EVERYONE!

AGING IN PLACE

FIRST FLOOR LIVING

When your parents are facing assisted living or a nursing home, don’t miss this amazing opportunity you have to retrofit your home or theirs for independent living. The cost to

ACCESSIBILITY

PRACTICAL DESIGN

remodel is about the same as a few months ($15-50K) of rent paid to institutional care. The investment made to honor your parents will pay dividends immeasurable.

PERRY ARCHITECTURE 913-390-3983 www.perryarch.net

relokc.com | RELOCATING IN KC 2015

Maintenance Provided Communities.indd 63

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LOFTS & CONDOS Urban living offers a lock-and-leave lifestyle.

COMPANY NAME

LOCATION

PHONE NUMBER

WEBSITE

41 Penn

4141 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, Mo.

913.638.5996

www.41penn.com

700 Broadway

706 Broadway St., Kansas City, Mo.

816.842.6544

www.kcloftcentral.com

909 Walnut

909 Walnut, Kansas City, Mo.

816.278.3099

www.909walnut.com

Beacon Hill Townhomes

1150-1158 Beacon Hill Lane, Kansas City, Mo.

816.333.4545

www.beaconhillkansascity.com

Campbell Lofts

1535 Walnut, Kansas City, Mo.

816.842.6544

www.kcloftcentral.com

DElofts

502 Delaware St., Kansas City, Mo.

816.842.5800

www.delofts.com

First and Main Lofts

136 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.

816.808.9848

www.firstandmainlofts.com

Fountains Lofts

712 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo.

816.842.6544

www.kcloftcentral.com

Freight House Lofts

2029 Wyandotte, Kansas City, Mo.

816.842.6544

www.kcloftcentral.com

Kirkwood

4950 Central, Kansas City, Mo.

816.531.9444

www.kirkwoodkc.com

The Liberty

360 W. Pershing Road, Kansas City, Mo.

816.866.1009

www.thelibertykc.com

Northgate Village

2901 Gentry Park, North Kansas City, Mo.

816.221.7681

www.huntmidwestkc.com/northgate_village

One Park Place / pg. 65

700 W. 31st St., Kansas City, Mo.

816.756.2221

www.oneparkplacekc.com

SoHo Lofts

308 W. 8th St., Kansas City, Mo.

816.842.6544

www.kcloftcentral.com

Union Carbide Condos

912 Baltimore, Kansas City, Mo.

816.595.7000

www.unioncarbidecondos.com

Vista Condominiums

3838 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, Kan.

913.432.3838

www.vistacondoskc.com

STARTING AT $200,000

COMPANY NAME

LOCATION

COMPANY NAME

LOCATION

RESALE-ONLY PROPERTIES

1819 Lofts

1819 Baltimore, Kansas City, Mo.

Greenlease Cadillac Lofts

2929 McGee, Kansas City, Mo.

21 Ten

21 W. 10th St., Kansas City, Mo.

Hemingway Condos

229 Ward Pkwy., Kansas City, Mo.

4646 Broadway

4646 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo.

Metropolitan Condos

600 E. 8th St., Kansas City, Mo.

5 Delaware

423 Delaware, Kansas City, Mo.

Sulgrave Regency Condos

121 W. 48th St., Kansas City, Mo.

The Atriums at SoHo West

612 Central, Kansas City, Mo.

The Reserve Condos

925 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.

Battery Lofts

3001 Gillham Road, Kansas City, Mo.

San Francisco Towers

2510 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.

Bridgeworks Lofts

522 Locust Lane, Kansas City, Mo.

Santa Fe Place Condos

2525 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.

Conover Place

210 W. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.

Townsend Place Condos

411 W. 46th Terrace, Kansas City, Mo.

Crestwood Condos

5401 Brookside Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.

The View Condos

600 Admiral Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.

Freighthouse Flats

2120 Wyandotte, Kansas City, Mo.

Western Auto Lofts

2107 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.

RELOCATING IN KC 2015 | relokc.com

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Reason #45

CLOSE TO EVERYTHING. FAR FROM ORDINARY.

20 Inc 15 S en ale tiv s es! *

Why One Park Place? The reasons are many. Homes starting in the $300s, tax breaks until 2016, and amenities to rival most resorts, such as an indoor saltwater pool, outdoor resort-style pool, golf simulator, state-of-the-art fitness center... the list goes on.

oneparkplacekc.com 700 West 31st Street 816-756-2221 Continued developer investments add value and long-term peace-of-mind.

Financing Options Available *Contact a One Park Place sales associate for more information.

One Park Place.indd 1

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THE

PLAZAC LIVING ENTER

Relocating in Kansas City? We can help! Specializing in The Plaza area, South KC, & Johnson Co. KS

Our services include:

u Free, professional locator

u Specializing in all types of assistance for apartments, lifestyle real estate condos, or homes, including u Reputable, knowledgeable, corporate apartments experienced agents u Corporate relocation u Property listings available in u Personalized Service a wide variety of price ranges u Market resale homes, townhomes u Successfully serving the & condos as well as new homes entire community for the past 25 years u Buyer representation

816-931-3700 800-546-4767

4621 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64112

RELOCATING IN KC 2015 | relokc.com

KCAH-Mar_66.indd 1

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HOME RENTAL GUIDE Check out these home rental companies to ease your moving transition.

COMPANY NAME

PHONE NUMBER

WEBSITE

33rd Company Property Management

913.220.2200

www.33rdcompanykansascity.com

Advantage Homes

913.894.5133

www.kchomevalu.com

Benchmark KC

816.737.8888

www.benchmark-kc.com

Celtic Property Management

816.214.8354

www.celticproperties.net

CJ Real Estate

816.224.7911

www.cjproperties.org

Classic Property Management

816.436.9099

www.classic-property.com

Crown Realty

877.276.9625

www.crownrealty.com

Douglas J. Hannah Property Management

816.912.3333

www.kansascityrentahome.com

Grace Real Estate

816.453.5532

www.gracerealestatecompany.com

Home Rental Services

913.469.6633

www.home4rent.com

Kansas City Rental Solutions

816.431.6999

www.kcrentalsolutions.com

KC Home Rental Property Management Services

913.271.7734

www.kchomerental.net

KCMetroHousing.org

877.428.8844

www.kcmetrohousing.org

KC Property Manager

913.839.2953

www.kcpropertymanager.com

LeasingKC.com

816.470.9852

www.leasingkc.com

MGC Leasing & Property Management

816.554.0544

www.mgcleasing.com

National Property Management Group

913.766.2191

www.kansascity.national-property-management-group.com

One Stop Property Management Group

816.545.9009

www.onestoppm.com

Oz Accommodations

913.894.8400

www.aplacelikehome.com

Plaza Living Center / pg. 66

816.931.3700

www.plazalivingcenter.com

Real Property Management Kansas City

816.399.5555

www.liveherekc.com

Reece & Nichols

913.945.3704

www.reeceandnichols.com

Rental Home KC

913.475.7141

www.rentalhomekc.com

Terra Management

816.561.9210

www.terramgmt.com

Voepel Property Management

816.405.4845

www.voepelproperties.com

relokc.com | RELOCATING IN KC 2015

Ready to Rent.indd 1

2/17/15 10:02 PM

Closeout Sale! Better Quality • Better Prices

1/2 Century of Service of Persian Antique Rugs MAKE A STATEMENT OF YOUR OWN … WITH MARKS RUGS.

MARKS RUGS

providing Kansas City with the finest quality handmade rugs since 1968

Contact LuAnn for assistance at 913.226.7222 marksrugs.com 913.226.7222

Town Center Plaza 11832 Roe Avenue Leawood, KS 66211-2606

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR PARTY OR SPECIAL EVENT! Canopies / Tents / Tables / Chairs Linens / Flatware / China Silver / Glassware / Dance Floor Staging / Portable Bars / Booths

Accént SPECIAL EVENT RENTAL

816.471.2522

1700 Iron St. North Kansas City, MO 64116 68

RELOCATING IN KC 2015 | relokc.com

KCAH-Mar_68.indd 1

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SENIOR LIVING Kansas City offers a multitude of housing options for the aging. COMMUNITY

LOCATION

PHONE NUMBER

WEBSITE

INDEPENDENT LIVING — KANSAS Brookdale Leawood

Leawood

877.713.2765

www.brookdale.com

Brookdale Overland Park 119th

Overland Park

855.350.3800

www.brookdale.com

Claridge Court

Prairie Village

888.595.1638

www.claridgecourt.com

The Gardens at Creekside

Olathe

913.712.0417

www.gardensatcreekside.com

Greenwood Terrace

Lenexa

913.795.5409

www.holidaytouch.com/our-communities/greenwood-terrace

Legacy Senior Residences

Olathe

913.254.9139

www.beacon-mgmt.com/legacyolathe

Manor Place

Kansas City

913.334.2065

www.manor-place.com

Overland Park Place

Overland Park

913.383.9876

www.overlandparkplace.com

Parkway Pointe Senior Residences

Kansas City

913.788.5841

www.beacon-mgmt.com/parkwaykc

Pebblebrooke Villas

Basehor

913.724.2103

www.pebblebrookevillas.com

Shawnee Hills Senior Living

Shawnee

913.871.1172

www.shawneehillsseniorliving.com

The Villas at Ridge Point

Kansas City

913.299.4411

www.villasatridgepointe.rentourspace.com

The Welstone at Mission Crossing

Mission

913.788.6045

www.thewelstone.com

Wyndam Place Senior Residences

Lawrence

785.749.4646

www.beacon-mgmt.com/wyndamlawrence

INDEPENDENT LIVING — MISSOURI The Carlyle

Lee’s Summit

816.839.9685

www.the-carlyle.net

Carnegie Village

Belton

816.331.7848

www.carnegievillagebytutera.com

The Cottages of Belton

Belton

816.322.8827

www.cottagesofbelton.com

The Cottages of Kansas City East

Kansas City

816.350.3422

www.cottagesofkansascityeast.com

Englewood Vista

Gladstone

816.452.6643

www.englewoodvista.com

The Fountains at Greenbriar

Independence

816.425.2157

www.greenbriar.watermarkcommunities.com

Garden Village

Kansas City

816.629.4175

www.garden-village.net

The Gardens at Jackson Creek

Independence

816.743.4296

www.gardensatjacksoncreek.com

Gardens @ Northgate Village

North Kansas City

816.471.4222

www.gardensatnorthgate.com

Heritage Farms

Blue Springs

816.224.6542

www.heritagefarmsliving.com

Landmark Towers

Liberty

816.781.5410

www.liveatlandmarktowers.com

Riverstone Retirement Resort

Kansas City

816.399.0732

www.rlcommunities.com/locations/riverstone

Senior Star @ Wexford Place

Kansas City

816.581.0458

www.seniorstar.com

Tremont Place Senior Apartments

Kansas City

816.587.7707

www.liveattremont.com

Truman Farm Villas

Grandview

816.463.2702

www.trumanfarmvillasapts.com

Bickford at Mission Springs

Mission

913.831.7700

www.enrichinghappiness.com/branch/bickford-at-mission-springs

Bickford of Overland Park

Overland Park

913.642.5400

www.enrichinghappiness.com/branch/bickford-of-overland-park

Brighton Gardens of Prairie Village

Prairie Village

913.262.1611

www.sunriseseniorliving.com

Brookdale Overland Park

Overland Park

855.350.3800

www.brookdale.com

Brookdale Overland Park Glenwood

Overland Park

877.712.9840

www.brookdale.com

Brookdale Rosehill

Shawnee

855.350.3800

www.brookdale.com

ASSISTED LIVING — KANSAS

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COMMUNITY

LOCATION

PHONE NUMBER

WEBSITE

Country Place Senior Living

Basehor

913.662.7330

www.countryplaceliving.com

Kansas City Presbyterian Manor

Kansas City

913.712.4080

www.kansascitypresbyterianmanor.org

Lamar Court

Overland Park

913.906.9696

www.lamarbytutera.com

Rose Estates

Overland Park

913.825.9600

www.roseestatesbytutera.com

Shawnee Heartland Assisted Living

Shawnee

913.248.6600

www.shawneeheartlandal.com

Sunrise of Leawood

Leawood

913.906.0200

www.sunriseseniorliving.com

Sunrise of Lenexa

Lenexa

913.307.0665

www.sunriseseniorliving.com

Sunrise of Overland Park

Overland Park

913.685.3340

www.sunriseseniorliving.com

ASSISTED LIVING — MISSOURI Beautiful Savior

Belton

816.322.3555

www.beautifulsaviorhome.com

Blue Hills Rest Home

Independence

816.796.3376

www.bluehillsresthome.com

Country Oak Village

Grain Valley

816.224.2700

www.countryoakvillage.com

The Gardens at Barry Road

Kansas City

816.584.3200

www.bethesdaseniorliving.com

Shangri-La Rehab and Living Center

Blue Springs

816.229.6677

www.petersenhealthcare.net/shangri-la

SummitView Terrace

Kansas City

816.237.5061

www.americareusa.net

Villages of Jackson Creek

Independence

816.350.4493

www.vofjc.com/thevillagesofjacksoncreek

Waterford South

Kansas City

816.942.4898

www.waterfordsouth.com

Wilshire At Lakewood

Lee’s Summit

815.554.9866

www.wilshireatlakewoodcarecenter.com

ASSISTED & INDEPENDENT LIVING — KANSAS Aberdeen Village

Olathe

913.599.6100

www.aberdeenvillage.org

The Atriums

Overland Park

913.381.6000

www.atriumsbytutera.com

Brandon Woods

Lawrence

785.838.8000

www.brandonwoods.com

SELL YOUR HOME FAST Using my experience, market knowledge and skilled negotiation!

LIST WITH A REALTOR YOU CAN TRUST! Tim Sikpi

816-892-0548

Licensed in Kansas and Missouri 70

www.gladheartrealty.com

RELOCATING IN KC 2015 | relokc.com

Senior Living.indd 70

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COMMUNITY

LOCATION

PHONE NUMBER

WEBSITE

Cedar Lake Village

Olathe

913.780.9916

www.cedarlakevillagekc.org

Covenant Place of Lenexa

Lenexa

913.307.2000

www.covenantplacelenexa.org

The Forum @ Overland Park

Overland Park

913.648.4500

www.theforumatoverlandpark.com

Garden Villas of Lenexa

Lenexa

913.492.1133

www.delmargardens.com/gvlenexa

Lakeview Village

Lenexa

913.888.1900

www.lakeviewvillage.org

Park Meadows Senior Living

Overland Park

913.871.4502

www.parkmeadowsseniorliving.com

Santa Marta

Olathe

913.323.7110

www.santamartaretirement.com

Silvercrest @ Deer Creek

Overland Park

913.279.0544

www.silvercrestdeercreek.com

Tallgrass Creek / pg. 71

Overland Park

800.989.0525

www.ericksonliving.com

Victory Hills

Kansas City

913.299.1166

www.victoryhillsbytutera.com

Village Shalom

Overland Park

913.317.2600

www.villageshalom.org

ASSISTED & INDEPENDENT LIVING — MISSOURI Armour Oaks Senior Living

Kansas City

816.787.0120

www.armouroaks.org

Bickford of Raytown

Raytown

816.353.3400

www.enrichinghappiness.com/branch/bickford-of-raytown

Bishop Spencer Place

Kansas City

816.931.4277

www.bishopspencerplace.org

Bristol Manor

Smithville

888.826.0404

www.bristol-manor.com

Brookdale Wornall Place

Kansas City

855.350.3800

www.brookdale.com

Foxwood Springs

Raymore

855.350.3800

www.brookdale.com

The Groves

Independence

816.254.3500

www.thegroves.com

John Knox Village

Lee’s Summit

816.251.8000

www.johnknoxvillage.org

Kingswood

Kansas City

816.942.0994

www.kingswoodathome.org

McCrite Plaza at Briarcliff

Kansas City

816.888.7930

www.mccriteretirement.com/briarcliff

Villa Ventura

Kansas City

816.787.0915

www.seniorstar.com

relokc.com | RELOCATING IN KC 2015

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Your neighbors in purple welcome you to Kansas City!

Located just two hours west of Kansas City, Kansas State University is the nation’s first operational land-grant university. We are proud of our industry and community partnerships in the Kansas City area, especially with the addition of our Olathe campus.

K-STATE AT A GLANCE •

More than 250 academic majors and options available at our campuses: Manhattan (main), Salina, Olathe and Global (online).

•

24,700-plus students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.

•

Ranked No. 3 in the nation for best quality of life and No. 7 for happiest students by The Princeton Review.

•

16 varsity athletic teams playing in the Big 12 Conference.

•

Recognized as a “high research activity university” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

UPCOMING K-STATE EVENTS •

SATURDAY, APRIL 11 K-State Open House (Manhattan and Salina)

•

SATURDAY, APRIL 25 Spring Game – Annual football scrimmage (Sporting Park – Kansas City, KS)

•

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 9 K-State Celebrates – Future student event for juniors/seniors (Overland Park, KS)

Discover the power of purple. k-state.edu

Untitled-2 1

2/17/15 9:13 AM

BACK TO SCHOOL Higher education excels in and around Kansas City. COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY

LOCATION

WEBSITE

Avila University Baker University Emporia State University Johnson County Community College Kansas City Art Institute Kansas City Kansas Community College Kansas State University / pg. 72 KU Medical Center Metropolitan Community College MidAmerica Nazarene University Missouri Western State University Northwest Missouri State University Ottawa University Park University Pittsburg State University Rockhurst University University of Central Missouri University of Kansas University of Missouri University of Missouri-Kansas City University of Saint Mary Webster University William Jewell College

Kansas City, Mo. Baldwin City, Kan. Emporia, Kan. Overland Park, Kan. Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City, Kan. Manhattan, Kan. Kansas City, Kan. Kansas City, Mo. Olathe, Kan. St. Joseph, Mo. Maryville, Mo. Ottawa, Kan. Parkville, Mo. Pittsburg, Kan. Kansas City, Mo. Warrensburg, Mo. Lawrence, Kan. Columbia, Mo. Kansas City, Mo. Leavenworth, Kan. Kansas City, Mo. Liberty, Mo.

www.avila.edu www.bakeru.edu www.emporia.edu www.jccc.edu www.kcai.edu www.kckcc.edu www.k-state.edu www.kumc.edu www.mcckc.edu www.mnu.edu www.missouriwestern.edu www.nwmissouri.edu www.ottawa.edu www.park.edu www.pittstate.edu www.rockhurst.edu www.ucmo.edu www.ku.edu www.missouri.edu www.umkc.edu www.stmary.edu www.webster.edu/kc www.jewell.edu

www.kcgoingplaces.com

500+ Attractions and fun things to do in kansas city kansas city’s #1 attraction guide

• In 2014, Blue Valley’s five high schools were named to the Washington Post’s most challenging high schools list, Newsweek’s top public high schools list and The Daily Beast’s list of America’s top high schools.

• 95% of patrons surveyed said they would give teachers in the district a grade of ‘A’ or ‘B.’ • 2014 graduates recorded a composite SAT score of 1864, the highest in district history that continues to exceed state and national averages.

fall/winter 2014-15

kcgoingplaces.com

500 +

WAYS TO EXPLORE KANSAS CITY

• 2014 graduates posted an ACT composite score of 25.3, the top score of KC metro area districts. • In 2015, 41 high school seniors were named National Merit finalists.

spectacular views cool penguin adventures

15020 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, KS 66283 (913) 239-4000 www.bluevalleyk12.org

savoring local wines free fun for all ages tastiest BBQ in KC KCGOINGPLACES.COM

Discover Kansas City’s best museums, play places, pools, children’s museums, historic sites, nature centers, and tourist attractions all begging to be explored...

• Blue Valley schools have received the Presidential School of Service Award 162 times for student volunteerism since its inception in 2006.

relokc.com | RELOCATING IN KC 2015

Back to School.indd 1

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Use the Internet tools available and get recommendations for a great agent, and you’ll be just a few clicks away from your new home in Kansas City.

“I

’m going to Kansas City, Kansas City, here I come.” So goes the famous song, and if you’re relocating to Kansas City, you should be excited about your new hometown. Recently named the coolest city in America by Huffington Post, Kansas City offers much for residents in terms of entertainment and restaurants, in addition to being a very affordable place to live and work. Plus, the bistate location provides residents with plenty of options for places to live. From the historic Brookside neighborhood to newer suburban developments across the state line, this diverse city has a lot to offer, which can make the home-buying experience a bit daunting. Whether you’re moving to Kansas City for work, family or to simply make a fresh start, there are some essential steps to finding a new home in a neighborhood that’s right for you. If you’re lucky enough to already know someone who lives in Kansas City, then you’ve got the best resource available to you for advice on what neighborhoods to check, what the best schools are, etc. However, those without this option might consider making a trip to the city to get a feel for it before making the move. Do your homework — read the local paper (kansascity.com), check out the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Bureau (visitkc.com), and visit CitySearch (citysearch.com/

Photo by James Maidhof

HOME SWEET HOME

guide/kansascity-mo-metro) to identify neighborhoods with criteria that are important to you. When narrowing down the search, consider what qualities are most important then spend a few days here, checking out the different parts of the city to help narrow down the areas most appealing to you and your family. Once you have a few neighborhoods in mind, check out real estate listings using apps such as Zillow. According to a study conducted by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), an overwhelming 87 percent of buyers used the Internet in their search for a home. Online home listings are much more detailed, with specific information on nearby schools, neighborhood demographics and crime rates in the area. A recent study of the number of homes on the market in Kansas City revealed more than 2,000 new and resale homes available. That’s a lot of homes to sift through, even if you have filtered it down to favorite neighborhoods! So the next step is to find a good real estate agent who has access to real-time information about houses on the market; for example, once an agent knows what you are looking for, the agent can alert you as soon as a home that fits your criteria is about to hit the market. A starting point might be looking on realtor.com, the official site of NAR. The site has information on top real

RELOCATING IN KC 2015 | relokc.com

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estate agents who have knowledge of the local area and offer a variety of services to help in the relocation process. But picking the right agent depends on a number of factors. Make sure you feel comfortable with your agent. Homebuying — especially in an unfamiliar city — depends on a good working relationship with a knowledgeable and competent agent. The agent should be both responsive to your needs and realistic about what’s out there. Ask a lot of questions and be specific about what’s important to you in a new home and community. Local knowledge is especially important in big cities. Find an agent who works in the neighborhoods where you want to buy. A good agent can tell you the differences between homes, should be up-to-date on market trends, and use their working knowledge of the area to negotiate a good deal for you. Also, before committing to an agent, spend a Sunday afternoon driving around the neighborhoods that you’ve identified as potential options for your new home. This will not only give you a good idea of the types of homes you’ll see in each given area but also a chance to interact with some of the real estate agents in a very causal way. Don’t be afraid to engage them and ask questions, find out

Offering The Finest For Over 25 Years

what they know about the area, how long they’ve been in the real estate game and how many listings they manage. Agents realize open houses rarely produce a buyer for that particular home and use the open house more as a way to find new buyers and speak informally with them about what they’re looking for in a home. Meeting agents out in their working environment — instead of their offices — is a sign of an active and engaged agent. Once you’ve engaged an agent you feel comfortable with and you’ve found neighborhoods in Kansas City that you like, it’s only a matter of time before you find your perfect new home. However, if it feels a little too overwhelming to find a home before you move, consider renting first. This way, you could approach your house hunt in a more leisurely manner while you get acquainted with the city. Renting first can give you the luxury of time and increase the chances that you will ultimately get the house you want. So, while you look for the perfect home in Kansas City, whether it’s in Waldo or Olathe, take heed in knowing you’re relocating to one of the best cities in America to live. Kansas City, here you come!

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Photo courtesy of Reed Dillon

GARDENING GURU Even the most advanced amateur gardeners might need to seek out advice when moving to a new city. Follow these tips to get your new garden blooming in no time.

ust because your green thumb is itching to get busy after you move into your new home, don’t start planting until you make sure you understand the complexities of your new home’s soil and weather. “Being right in the middle of the country has the advantage of allowing people to grow a wider variety of plants than some areas, but it has the disadvantage of being susceptible to almost every bug and disease,” says Eric Nelson, owner of Family Tree Nursery, which has three nurseries in Kansas City. “One of the biggest challenges is finding plants that can withstand the freezing and thawing of the soil that often happens in Kansas City.” If you want a shrub, flower or tree to survive and grow year after year, it must tolerate year-round conditions: the lowest and highest temperatures, the amount and distribution of rainfall (or availability of irrigation), and soil conditions. Kansas City is considered zone 5b, a borderline area between zones five and six, which means this climate can support zone six plants. Buying materials native to Kansas City is one of the best ways to ensure a plant’s survival in your new Kansas City yard. “One of the best tips I could give someone moving here is to buy trees and plants that are locally grown,” notes Gary Weidenbach, president of Rosehill Gardens. “It makes all the difference in the world if the trees and

plants are already accustomed to the Kansas City soil when you buy them and plant them in your own yard.” Sustainable trees include ash, maple, oak, evergreens, sweet gum and bald cypress trees. Ornamental trees include red bud, pear, dogwood, crabapple, birch and whitebud. Popular shrubs are rose bushes, lilacs and forsythia. Hydrangeas, barberry, burning bush, boxwood, spirea and witch hazel also fare well in the Kansas City climate, as do bulb flowers like daffodils and tulips. However, don’t start planting right away. Experts recommend that you have the soil around your home tested first. For a small fee, you can do the test through either the Kansas or Missouri extension centers. Jeff Svilarich, senior landscape designer for Red Oak Landscaping in Overland Park, explains that your soil might be hard and compacted with clay, especially if you are in new-home communities where topsoil is lost in construction. If you live in some of the older neighborhoods in Kansas City, your soil might already be ripe for planting. Simply amend it with organic materials and compost and possibly add sand, which allows it to drain. Then, Jeff says it’s very important to devise a master plan so you can avoid mistakes like planting too close to the house. “You need to know the eventual size that relokc.com | RELOCATING IN KC 2015

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trees and shrubs will be,” he warns. “You don’t want to move trees or plants later because it is more work and often risky.” PROPER HYDRATION Despite the hot summers that Kansas City sometimes has, Jeff says you shouldn’t have to do much extra watering. “After the first year, if you have properly selected the plants and done a good job of preparing the soil, most plants should be able to survive on rainfall.” If you have a sprinkler system or decide to add one, make sure to set up different zones for the lawn and garden beds. “You usually will water the lawn much more than the bed where the trees, shrubs and flowers are located,” Gary says. SCHEDULED PLANTING Plan to do your spring planting between March and May. The average frost-free date in Kansas City is April 15, but officially it is May 15. Fall planting is best done during the months of September, October and even up to November.

Flowering bulbs can be planted until the ground freezes, which, in Kansas City, is typically in November. The cooler temperatures of October make it the best month for planting bulbs, as it encourages bulbs to grow roots but also stay underground until spring. Keeping these tips in mind as you plan your new home’s landscape should help you create a beautiful yard to enjoy for years to come. Good Resources: University of Missouri Extension Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City mggkc.org K-State Research and Extension/Johnson County johnson.ksu.edu Kansas City Community Gardens kccg.org The Kansas City Gardener facebook.com/thekansascitygardener SavvyGardener Community savvygardener.com

LEAWOOD FINE ART Welcome to Leawood Fine Art’s new gallery!! Be sure to come in and see our new space, new art work, or let us help you with a custom frame order.

GALLERY HOURS: Tuesday through Friday – 10:00 ~ 6:00 Saturday – 10:00 ~ 5:00 Monday by appointment

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913.338.4999 • www.leawoodfineart.com 78

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Moving

YOUR PETS

Photo: Thinkstock/Fuse

Your new home wouldn’t be the same without the family pet, so give Fido or Fluffy some special attention to lessen or alleviate the stress of moving.

ets — like people — react to change much the same way humans do, and in some ways, a pet’s needs are not terribly different from those of their owners. • Maintain your pet’s routine as much as possible. Feed, exercise and play with it at the same times as usual. • Consider keeping your pet at a friend’s home while you’re packing and moving so it doesn’t become upset. • If they become upset, pheromones can help calm stressed pets. Use dog- and cat-appeasing pheromones in an outlet for two weeks before and after your move. • Don’t use sedatives, especially on planes, but Dramamine can help them combat motion sickness. Benadryl is another over-the-counter medication that is safe for pets if needed for mild sedation. • Prepare your animal for flight a month before by getting it used to its carrier. Make it a familiar, comfortable place by keeping treats or a favorite blanket or toy inside. • Keep your pet under your plane seat if it meets weight requirements, or you can choose to stow it in the cargo compartment, which is air-conditioned and pressurized. You must have a health certificate from your vet to transport an animal this way.

• Put your pet in an insulated carrier to minimize large temperature shifts, especially during plane travel. • Check to see if your airline provides a personal hand-carrying service. Be sure to leave instructions and include the last time your pet ate and drank or had a bathroom break. • If you’re driving to a new location with your pet, make sure it has access to water and be prepared to stop regularly. Never leave your animal in a car in hot weather, but if you must, purchase grills to put up in place of windows so air can move through the car. Cats should always travel in a contained receptacle due to high stress levels when travelling, which can cause them to potentially escape from vehicles, scratch their owners when scared, etc. • Before leaving town, get your pet one last check-up, including vaccinations, medications and records. • Prior to the move, contact a vet in the area to which you are moving to inquire about any differences in the two locations, i.e. flea medication, heartworm prevention, etc. Immediately after your move, locate the nearest 24-hour emergency vet so you are prepared should a situation arise. relokc.com | RELOCATING IN KC 2015

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MARKETPLACE Accent Special Event Rental ........................................ 68 Area Rug Dimensions..................................................... 9 Blue Valley Schools ...................................................... 73 Built by Leisure............................................................. 66 Chapel Hill ...................................................................... 7 Consolidated Communications ...................................... 6 Couches to Curios ....................................................... 75 Dave Smith the Lamp Maker ....................................... 36 Doolittle Distributing ....................................................... 4 Downtown Lee’s Summit ............................................. 48 Glad Heart Realty ......................................................... 70 HearthMasters .............................................................. 48 Holthaus Building ......................................................... 56 John Moffitt & Associates .............................................. 1 Kansas State University ............................................... 72 Kansas City Homes — The Goldstein Team ................. 5 Kansas Gas Service ..................................................... 36 KC Parent ..................................................................... 60 Kia Bondurant, photographer ...................................... 40 Kitchen Studio: Kansas City ........................................ 14 Kitchens by Kleweno.................................................... 17 Larson Building Co......................................................2-3 Lawn & Landscape Solutions....................................... 76 Leawood Fine Art ......................................................... 78 Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce ........................ 45 Legacy Wood ............................................................... 61 Legends Outlets ........................................................... 39 Locks & Pulls ................................................................ 75 Lulu & Mimi’s Cleaning ................................................ 36 Marks Rugs .................................................................. 68 Nebraska Furniture Mart ............................... Back Cover One Park Place ............................................................ 65 One Stop Decorating Center........................................ 34 Perry Architecture ........................................................ 63 Plaza Living .................................................................. 66 Profile Cabinet & Design .................... Inside Back Cover RDM Architecture ......................................................... 56 ReeceNichols — The Muller Team..... Inside Front Cover RE/MAX — Mary Godfrey and Tina Roe...................... 13 Rodrock Homes ............................................................. 8 Schlitterbahn Waterpark .............................................. 42 State Farm Insurance ................................................... 20 Summit Custom Homes .................23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33 Tallgrass Creek............................................................. 71 The Urban Lumber Company ...................................... 12 Weichert Realtors ....................................................10-11

RELOCATING IN KC 2015 | relokc.com

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