Kansas City sits on Missouri’s western edge, straddling the border with Kansas while surrounded by limestone and bedrock cliffs. The city is known for its fountains – its nickname is “City of Fountains” – as well as its barbecue and jazz heritage. Founded in 1838 as a port on the Missouri River, today it covers 319 square miles, and has a median age of 35.4 (2022). Its main industries include finance, technology, e-commerce, manufacturing, animal health, and transportation and distribution.

Kansas City is filled with historic homes, including Victorian row houses. The typical home value is $230,248, which is an increase of 12.8% over the past year (Zillow, 2022). The city’s festivals, held throughout the year, help keep residents engaged and entertained. The events include music and dance festivals, the Ethnic Enrichment Festival, and Festival of Butterflies.

Several interstate highways serve the city: the northeast to southwest I-30, the east-west I-70, north-south I-435, and east-west I-470. Just south of the I-35 is Volker, a bustling neighborhood with plenty of large properties that have been converted into apartments, bungalows, and red-brick apartment buildings. Further south, Armour Hills has unique houses in various architectural styles, and nearby Brookside is a trendy spot for families, offering old, gorgeous homes.

Families will love Kansas City, and those seeking safe communities with excellent schools will find particular appeal in its suburbs.