Help me learn to love Kansas City - or - I have to move and I don't wanna...

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Well, it finally happened. After working as a “virtual associate” (telecommuter) for my company for five years, they’ve decided that I really need to be in Kansas City at World HQ so that I can collaborate more effectively with the other members of my team. I realize this is actually a good career move, for a lot of reasons, but I also have a lot of reservations.

First, I’ve lived in the Texas Hill Country for 25 years. I have life-long friends here, my parents are still in this area (they are aging and this will put none of the sons near them), and I am very well-established in the community in volunteer projects, community organizations and the like. Additionally, I take it for granted that I can go hunting pretty much anytime I feel like it during the seasons, and the bag limits are quite generous (my family doesn’t usually need to buy red meat for 9 months out of the year). I don’t know for sure about Missouri, but in Texas we don’t have any form of income tax, and no “property taxes,” except on real estate.

So, help me to begin to see the bright side of moving to Kansas City. Specifically, I’m looking to permanently dwell on the Missouri side, in the Liberty area, if that makes any difference. (Which happens to be only about 15 minutes from the World HQ.)

2

One bright side is that there are many KC area dopers, and darn it they are a fun group!

3

misstee, as an honorary KC Doper, speaks the truth! We’re a fun-loving group, and we’ll kick your ass until you agree with us.

Lessee… if you live in Liberty, you’ll be in Clay County, so you’ll have income tax and property tax. Property tax will apply to any vehicles you own, so be ready for that. Also, Kansas City, Missouri throws a 1% income tax at you whether you live in the city or work there. So, if you live in Liberty yet work within KC, you’ll end up with that 1% tax. (Conversely, if you lived in KC but worked in another city, you’d still be hit with it. KC’s greedy like that.) I’m not sure what Kansas City, Kansas does.

All that aside, though, I think you’ll like it here. It’s a friendly place (at least, that’s what people keep telling us), and we have our kinda-large city attractions. You can waste money at our amusement parks, zoo, museums, millions of restaurants, theaters, opera, symphony, sports teams, etc… Plus, you’ll be in place for our next Dopefest! :wink: (New guy brings the beer.)

Hunting… I dunno. I’m not a hunter, so I can’t say; however, I do get the impression that, outside your own property, you have to stick with the seasons and whatever the limits are. You might not have as much leeway in this area. (But again, I dunno. Someone might be able to correct me.)

Liberty itself is a mid-sized town with an incredible rate of growth; consequently, its taxes can be a wee bit higher, but its school district is excellent. It’s also about 15 minutes directly North of Kansas City proper–so you’re far enough away, but close, too.

When people refer to the KC metro area, they largely mean all the communities on both the Kansas and Missouri sides of our state line. “Kansas City” means Kansas City, Missouri; if you’re talking about Kansas City, Kansas, you usually have to add “Kansas” in as a qualifier. Of the two cities, Kansas City, Missouri is much nicer.

Do you have any specific questions that we maybe can answer for you? I could blab on and on, but I may not address your concerns.

4

Kansas City is a super nice place. You will miss your family and friends, I know, but there are a million things to do around here to meet new people (including DopeFests.) I don’t know anything about taxes, but there must be some kind of hunting, because there is a huge Cabela’s out in Kansas, and someone has to buy all that stuff and use it.

The thing I like about Kansas City is that it is a big city, but it’s not like New York or Chicago. Most of the city is suburbs, because the downtown area is really tiny. Sometimes I wish that we had better public transportation, and more things to do that weren’t so far away, but mostly it’s pretty good.

If you like volunteer work, you should join the Friends of the Library, not just because they have a big booksale once a year and you can have as many free books as you can carry, but you get free movie rentals from the library and stuff like that. My mom is on the FOTL board, and she’s met some pretty cool people because of it.

5

Thanks, folks - the more info you can give me, the better! I’m actually feeling a bit better about it, now that the decision has been made, though the income tax thing sucks royally.

A big Cabela’s, huh? That sounds VERY promising - and isn’t there a large Bass Pro Shop around there, too? Also, one of the major long-gun distributors is located in KC, too, if I remember correctly…this may not be too bad after all.

I imagine I’ll find lots of reasons to love it, eventually! But folks, it will never be Texas, and I know my heart will always be there. (You can always tell a Texan…but you can’t tell him much!!)

6

Ev’rythin’s up to date in Kansas City
They’ve gone about as fur as they c’n go!
They went and built a skyscraper seven stories high,
About as high as a buildin’ orta grow.
Ev’rythin’s like a dream in Kansas City,
It’s better than a magic lantern show!
Y’ c’n turn the radiator on whenever you want some heat.
With ev’ry kind o’ comfort ev’ry house is all complete.
You c’n walk to privies in the rain and never wet your feet!
They’ve gone about as fur as they c’n go!

7

I’m of the firm opinion that Oklahoma! (as a musical) should just shrivel up and sweep away with that wind. But that’s just me. :stuck_out_tongue:

8

The bright side of Kansas City?

Go to Kauffman Stadium to watch a baseball game. Bingo, bright side.

No, not the team on the field. They suck. But the stadium is a pleasure to be surrounded by.

9

The closest Bass Pro is in Columbia, Missouri, which is about two hours away. I’ve heard talks that they want to build one in the metro area, but they haven’t yet.

You know, cmkeller, if you’re ever down in this area, you should shoot me an e-mail. It sounds like it’d be a blast to go to a Royals’ game with you.

10

I’m a lifelong Kansas Citian. Blue Springs (south and slightly east of Liberty) is where I grew up, which has grown into Independence which has merged with Liberty, so it’s like one big small town now.

You will live near to one of the last functioning Drive In Theaters!

I like it here. I’m ready to move on, but that’s a growing up and moving away thing, rather than anything wrong with the town itself.

The Plaza, Westport, Midtown, Indep. Square, Liberty Memorial, Swope Park (bring your gun :slight_smile: ) the Nelson (shuttlecocks), Union Station, the stadiums, Worlds of Fun.

11

We have great Dopefests! What more do you need? :smiley:

Although sometime I would like to have one in Topeka. Grumble, grumble, driving 70 miles, grumble. I know a place at Gage Park we can cook out at. Breakfast in the open air is neat, although considering what happened to me on Labor Day, getting stuck in the elevator and all, I might have to reconsider. :stuck_out_tongue:

Liberty Missourit stands out in the history of my mother’s side of the family. My maternal grandparents got their marriage license there, so they’d have a greater chance of keeping their marriage secret for the coming school year.

The food in KC is great, the zoo is cool, and I love the Nelson art museum. Depending on whether or not you are religious, there is just about every flavor of church/synagogue/mosque you could want.

12

Since you are from Texas you can take comfort that you will be in an area with great BBQ.

13

Southern Missouri is very pretty. Very green, and some lovely lakes. Also, Northern Arkansas is pretty. In this area, there are these things that can almost be mistaken for (but not quite) mountains. :wink:

The first time I saw Columbia was years ago (my aunt lived there) and it was very nice. There are many parts of the state that are very green, very nice. The people are friendly and helpful.

14

Dammit Zebra, you beat me to it!

BBQ is like politics and religion here: you can easily get into an argument about which joint has the best sauce, meat, etc. I would try to sway your opinion on which ones are the best right now, but you have to form your own opinion.

A few suggestions to start you out:
Arthur Bryants
LC’s
Gate’s
Jack Stack
Rosedale
If’n you want a good steak, go to:
Hereford House (they have a good sinach salad!)
Golden Ox
Majestic Seakhouse

Pizza? Yeah, we got Pizza Hut by why would you want that crap?
Waldo Pizza (heaven on a crust, and a fun place with good beer)
Imo’s
D’Bronx
Antonio’s
Fun House

I hope ya like it here** Dirk**! KC is a good place to live-- semi big with a small town feel. And we’re really nice here. Welcome!

15

SkipMagic:

I just might take you up on it. I’m champing at the bit to take another cross-country drive with the family, and a Royals game will definitely be on the itinerary when we get the chance. The problem is finding the right time.

And speaking of Royals games…how about them Royals today? 26 runs! 11 in an inning! :eek: A game like that :smiley: could almost make one forget that the team is still the worst in the league :frowning:

16

I saw that when I was in the barbershop today. I couldn’t believe it. “Think they’ll win?” I asked my barber.

“The Royals? Could be close.”

17

When it was 19-3 after 4 innings, my wife asked me, “So when do you think they’ll blow it?”

I responded, “Ninth inning, probably.”

Good thing they got those other 7 insurance runs! :smiley: