The name might confuse a lot of people since it’s actually located in northwestern Missouri, but Kansas City does straddle the Kansas-Missouri border – which is where a lot of the confusion stems from. Downtown is located at the confluence of the Missouri River and Kansas River.
Known for its delicious barbecue and steak, vibrant jazz music, live music, live entertainment, deep history, and beautiful fountains, Kansas City is home to more than 500,000 people, according to the 2020 census – making Kansas City the most populous city in Missouri and the 36th most populous city in the entire United States.
Kansas City also has easy access to several nearby cities, meaning road trips are common. For example, it’s just a 3.5-hour drive to St. Louis, Missouri via the I-70W, a 2.5-hour drive to Springfield, Missouri via the MO-13N, and a 2.5-hour drive to Wichita, Kansas via the I-35N.
With a healthy balance of history, sports, food, music, and hundreds of thousands of friendly neighbors, the Kansas City metro area is one of the best places to buy a home and start a family. If you’re interested in living in the Midwest, here are some of the top reasons you should consider moving to Kansas City!
Let’s Talk About the Climate
Kansas City offers a comfortable climate most months of the year. It normally gets as hot as 89 degrees in July and as cold as 20 degrees in January. The city averages 42 inches of rain every year, which is close to the national average, but only 15 inches of snow (about half of the national average). You’ll get about 215 sunny days out of the year.
Let’s Talk About the Food
The food is one of the most attractive things about Kansas City. Many have called it the ‘Barbecue Capital’ as it’s home to the best barbecue you’ll ever eat. The four foods that garner the most attention in Kansas City include burnt ends, strip steak, cheesy corn, and chicken spiedini. Don’t come to Kansas City if you’re full because you won’t stop eating!
Fishing Along the Missouri River
Downtown Kansas City is situated right by the confluence of the Missouri River and Kansas River. You’ll find a wide range of fish in these parts, but can also cast a reel at Penn Valley Lake, Troost Lake, Lake of the Woods, Blue Valley Park, and Englewood Park. Trust us, there is water everywhere — from south Kansas City to north Kansas City!
Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL
The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the most exciting teams in the NFL. They have one of the best coaches in Andy Reid and one of the best quarterbacks in Patrick Mahomes. They play their games at Arrowhead Stadium, which is located about 15 minutes east of Downtown KC.
Kansas City Royals of the MLB
It’s been a while since the Kansas City Royals have enjoyed success on the baseball diamond, but they still have a loyal fanbase, one of the best pitchers in Zack Greinke, and one of the top prospects in Bobby Witt Jr. They play their games at Kauffman Stadium, which is right next to Arrowhead Stadium. There’s also soccer here, such as the Sporting KC.
Colleges In or Nearby Kansas City
If you have children that want to attend college while living in Kansas City, they have plenty of quality options. The University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC) is located about 10 minutes south of downtown. There’s also the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and the University of Missouri within two hours of downtown.
Kansas City Zoo
Founded in 1909, the Kansas City Zoo is located about 15 minutes southeast of downtown Kansas City. It’s a 202-acre zoo that houses over 1,700 animals of more than 200 species. From amphibians to reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals, the Kansas City Zoo has it all!
National WWI Museum and Memorial
The National WWI Museum and Memorial is located in downtown Kansas City, in-between LEGOLAND and Penn Valley Park. It opened its doors in 1926 and was eventually designated as the official World War I memorial and museum by Congress in 2004. It’s one of Kansas City’s hidden gem opportunities!
American Jazz Museum
Also located in downtown Kansas City is the American Jazz Museum. Some of the most prominent exhibits include Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald. They hold events in The Blue Room (a jazz club) and the Gem Theater. KCMO loves their jazz!
National Airline History Museum
Located at the Kansas City Downtown Airport – right at the confluence of the Missouri River and Kansas River – the National Airline History Museum is home to five aircraft on display. Two of them are in working condition, one is under renovation, and there are also several simulators.
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Located about 10 minutes south of downtown Kansas City, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is a safe haven for anyone that enjoys art and culture. It has a deep collection of Asian art, but you’ll find thousands of art collections from all over the world here. You’ll need to visit multiple times to see it all!
Don’t Forget About the Fountains
There are more than 200 fountains found in the Kansas City area – the first of which date back to the early 1800s. The City of Fountains Foundation for building new fountains and maintaining existing ones. Some of the most famous are the Firefighters Fountain and Memorial, Crown Center Square Fountain, and Fountain Basin (at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art).
Are You Selling Your Home in KCMO?
Whether you’re interested in finding a new home in Kansas City or have enjoyed everything that Kansas City has to offer and are ready to move on, there might come a time that you need to sell your home fast. If that’s the case, don’t panic, we’ve got your back and will send you a cash offer!
At Sell Your House Fast Kansas City, we understand that some people don’t have the time, energy, or effort to wait around for the right buyer. If you need an offer on the table within a few days and need someone that can close the deal quickly, then you’ve come to the right place!
