5 Things That All Locals Know About Living in Kansas City

If you are not originally from Kansas City but are considering a move to the metro area, you may not know exactly what to expect. After all, every city has its own history, culture, and uniqueness that sets it apart. Kansas City is no different. The KC metro area has many interesting features and facts that have helped mold it into one of the most popular Midwestern metropolitan areas.

Let’s talk about what makes KC unique. There are many great things about Kansas City, but there are a few that stand out, setting it apart from other cities. As a longtime Kansas Citian, here are my top 5 things that all KC residents should know about our great community.

#1 Barbeque, Barbecue, Bar-B-Q, and BBQ!

No matter how you choose to spell it, barbeque is everywhere in Kansas City. In fact, Kansas City has more barbeque per capita than any other major city in the US. Kansas Citians take an immense amount of pride in their barbeque, and have more than 100 different barbeque restaurants to choose from in the metro area.

Many locals have more than one favorite barbeque restaurant; that’s because they often find there are different barbecue establishments that specialize in different things. For example, one barbecue place might be the best for ribs, a different restaurant might be ideal for all the side dishes, and another might be the top spot for burnt ends. It’s extremely difficult to choose the best barbeque spot because there’s so many mouth-watering options all around the KC metro area. I suggest trying as many as you can!

#2 Kansas City is the “City of Fountains”

If you drive around Kansas City frequently, you will notice numerous fountains throughout the city. There are more than 200 fountains in Kansas City, which may seem like a lot –– well you’re right, it is a lot! When it comes to cities with the most fountains, Kansas City is #2 in the world, behind Rome, Italy. In other words, Kansas City is rightfully proud of its fountains!

You’ll see fountains featured at many hot spots throughout Kansas City, most notably, Kauffman Stadium –– the home of the Kansas City Royals. Fountains cover the majority of the outfield stands and will form different patterns throughout the games. It is truly one of the most unique features at any Major League ballpark.

#3 The Paris of the Plains

This nickname dates back to the 1920s when mob boss Tom Pendergast basically ran Kansas City. During this time, the city essentially ignored prohibition and had serious issues with widespread gambling and alcohol abuse. Kansas City got this nickname because it was the place to go in the Midwest to, let’s say, “have a good time.” So, on a smaller scale, Kansas City was compared to Paris because of its sinful nightlife.

#4 KC’s Biggest Party: Tailgating!

We love our sports teams in Kansas City, but simply going to the game is only half the fun. In Kansas City, sporting events are full-day events thanks to the party before the game starts –– tailgating. People from around the nation marvel at how amazing the tailgate scene is at the Truman Sports Complex, home of the Chiefs and Royals. Chiefs home games typically draw more than 75,000 fans, and many of them come prepared to tailgate.

You’ll see RVs, party buses, campers, tents, grills, smokers, yard games, coolers, and so much more when you venture through the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot on game day. In Kansas City, tailgating is a sport of its own, and it’s always interesting to see who hosts the biggest and best tailgate parties before the game.

 #5 Famous Kansas Citians

Although many well-known individuals are originally from Kansas City, there are a few that stand out. Former United States President Harry S. Truman is from Independence, MO, which is located on the east side of the KC metro area. Also, the famous cartoon Mickey Mouse was created by Walt Disney while he was in Kansas City.

Some more current KC celebrities include a group of famous comedians/actors who are all from the Kansas City metro area. This includes Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, Rob Riggle, David Koechner, and Eric Stonestreet. Each of these actors has found fame on various TV shows and movies, and they all reunite each year to host a huge charity event in Kansas City called “Big Slick” to raise money for Children’s Mercy Hospital.

So, there you have it! These are five things that all Kansas Citians should know about their hometown. If any of these items might interest you in moving to Kansas City, I’d love to answer any questions you have. You can reach me “Rach the Realtor” via email at Rachel.kilmer@reecenichols.com or by calling 816.673.9723.

I look forward to speaking with you very soon!

Ready to make the move? Contact Rach to set up a time to chat about the next steps!