For anyone that lives in Kansas City, you know all too well that KC isn’t just a standalone city; it is surrounded by several amazing suburbs on both sides of the state line. If you’re venturing north, south, east, or west of Downtown KC, you’ll be sure to run into some unique suburbs that have plenty to offer.
If you’re planning on making Kansas City your new home but prefer to stay outside the city limits, I can help you find a home in one of the dozens of suburbs just outside the KC area. I could go on and on about each one, but we’d be here all day! So, I’ve done my homework and narrowed down Kansas City’s best suburbs into my top four choices. There’s one suburb to represent each portion of the metro area (North, South, East, and West). Let’s get started!
(For more detailed reviews of my favorite suburbs, check out my YouTube channel!)
My Favorite Northland Suburb: Liberty, MO
Liberty is home to over 30,000 residents, so it gives you a little bit of a small-town feel while still being a medium-sized community. The median price of a Liberty home sells for over $330K, which is higher than the median price of a home in Kansas City, MO (around $280K).
Liberty is home to Liberty Square, a fun shopping area with restaurants and various businesses. Liberty is also well known for its schools. The Liberty public school system is ranked 5th in the Kansas City metro area according to niche.com. William Jewell College is also located in Liberty, and has one of the area’s top nursing programs. One of the biggest perks of living in Liberty is its proximity to KCI airport, which makes it a great place to live for anyone who travels frequently.
#My Favorite Southern Suburb: Lee’s Summit, MO
If you enjoy the convenience of access to EVERYTHING, then Downtown KC is the spot for you. Downtown offers venues like the T-Mobile Center (formerly The Sprint Center) for concerts, shows, and sporting events like the Big XII Men’s Basketball Tournament. You’ll also have easy access to public transit, like the KC Streetcar, which can take you anywhere from Union Station to the River Market area. You’ll also get the excitement of the Power & Light District for concerts, watch parties, and a great bar/restaurant scLee’s Summit is one of the fasting growing Kansas City suburbs and is now home to over 97,000 residents. With the population growing rapidly in this area, housing prices are higher than many other neighboring communities. Currently, the median closing price is over $369K for a home in Lee’s Summit.
This popular suburb is home to wonderful sites like historic Longview Farms, beautiful downtown Lee’s Summit, and the best farmer’s markets in the Kansas City area. The Lee’s Summit school district ranks 4th in the Kansas City area and is one of the top-rated districts for high school athletics. Lee’s Summit is also the home of Longview Community College (Metropolitan CC) on the west side of the city.
My Favorite Eastern Suburb: Blue Springs, MO
Home to over 50,000 residents, Blue Springs is my choice as Kansas City’s eastern suburb. Of the four suburbs on this list, Blue Springs is the most affordable. Median home prices are typically over $265K in this area, which is $100K less than neighboring Lee’s Summit.
The River Market also offers a taste of numerous local restaurants and chain restaurants so that you’ll find something great to eat no Many people enjoy the outdoor life in Blue Springs. It is home to popular lakes such as Blue Springs Lake, Lake Jacomo, and Lake Tapawingo. Blue Springs also offers more acreage than most other suburbs in the Kansas City area. The Blue Springs school district ranks #2 among Kansas City area public schools, making it a great place to live for families with young children.
My Favorite Western Suburb: Overland Park, KS
Even though Overland Park is considered a suburb of Kansas City, don’t be fooled. It is actually the second biggest city in all of Kansas behind Wichita. With over 173,000 residents, Overland Park is the largest suburb in Kansas City. It is also one of the most expensive, with median home prices over $420K and higher taxes than suburbs in Missouri.
One reason so many people live in Overland Park is the schools. Overland Park is home to the Blue Valley school district, which niche.com considers the #1 public school district in Kansas City and one of the best districts in the nation. In fact, 4 of the top 10 high schools in the KC Metro area come from the Blue Valley district. Overland Park is also the home of Johnson County Community College, a large Junior College that offers a wide variety of curriculum choices.
Contact “Rach the Realtor” Today!
If you are looking for a new home in the Kansas City area and can’t figure out which suburb is the best fit for you, don’t worry! That’s what I’m here for! Even if one of these four suburbs isn’t the best fit for you, there are many more options to choose from in the KC area. I’ll help you find the perfect home, whether it’s in Olathe, Independence, Raytown, Shawnee, or one of the many other wonderful Kansas City suburbs.
Give me a call at (816) 673-9723 or email me at Rachel.ferguson@reecenichols.com, and together, we’ll find an amazing home for you and your family. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Ready to make the move? Contact Rach to set up a time to chat about the next steps!
Rach Kilmer
Putting Down Roots in Kansas City
Learn about Putting Down Roots in Kansas City on a May airing of House Hunters on HGTV.