The Best Established Neighborhoods

According to Relocating in KC (Magazine)

Live life comfortably in one of these 12 Kansas City favorites

Brookside

The charm of older homes is proudly maintained along well-manicure streets; just one of the hallmarks of Brookside - one of Kansas City's best-kept secrets. Brookside is a neighborhood celebrating diversity coupled with a solid reputation. May proud residents who grew up here have either never left or returned to raise their families.

Built in the late 1920s by J.C. Nichols, this neighborhood appeals to many with distinctly different housing options, shopping, restaurants, and multiple subdivisions including Armour Hills, Astor Place, Morningside, Oak Meyer Garden, Rockhill Gardens, Rockhill Ridge & Tower Homes. The neighborhood's close proximity to the Country Club Plaza, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art & Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art further enhances the desirability of this friendly midtown Kansas City community.

Waldo

When it comes to convenience, count the Waldo neighborhood at the top of the list. nestled just south of Brookside, this attractive area is filled with local shopping and dining district, block after block of beautiful older two-and three-story homes, plus the Trolley exercise trail runs right through the center of this community. When you think of affordability with a high real-estate resale value a close-knit neighborhood, think Waldo.

Hyde Park

If you're looking for distinction, century-old Hyde Park is one of Kansas City's oldest, most unique neighborhoods. Today, the brass fixtures are shining, the leaded glass is sparkling, and the woodwork is glowing. Rejuvenated with a strong neighborhood association, stately homes featuring the grand craftsmanship of Victorian, Colonial Revival, Prairie and bungalows line the lush confines of this area.

The Hyde Park Neighborhood Association cares about its citizens with committees ranging from beautification, crime watch, social planning and history. Neighbors work together to make this neighborhood a truly great place to live.

Mission Hills

Affluent Mission Hills is defined by 2.1 square miles of wooded hills, winding streams, stately homes and magnificently landscaped gardens. This area's small0town feel and tight neighborhood bond epitomizes upscale residential living at its finest.

Known for well-maintained homes, this neighborhood of approximately 3,500 residents is perhaps one of Kansas City's most sought-after locations to live. Excellent schools and wide, tree-lined streets, many with golf-course frontage, bloom with a varied collection of architectural styles including French Colonial, Modern and Tudor.

Union Hill

Urban living is at the core of Union Hill's residential area. Older, single-family homes, many built around the turn of the century, mingle easily with newer lofts and condos.

If urban living, with close proximity to downtown, Westport and the Plaza, is appealing, Union Hill offers a desirable location. This enclave of decorative "Painted Lady" Victorians and tidy rows of new condos, such as Founders at Union Hill and Gillham Row, entices residents to stay and become involved in the neighborhood renaissance.

Parkville

Here's a delightful riverfront community that flirts with a historic past. Built on limestone bluffs, wooded vistas and the Missouri River, the winding hills provide an enchanting backdrop for Kansas City's bedroom community.

The shopping and dining district features a mix of mid-1800 to 1900 architecture, blending traditional homes with trendy new venues. Exceptional dining and shopping are complemented by a delightful historic downtown sidling right up to the mighty Missouri River.

Visit the English Landing scenic waterfront park, stay and play a round of golf at The National, or visit Park University's eclectic cultural events. It's easy to become captivated with this small-town community's exceptional quality of life.

Old Leawood

An abundance of character is just part of the "City of Trees," otherwise known as Leawood. Picturesque stone houses and equally impressive large single-family developments highlight this city; one of the fastest-growing in Kansas. In the past 30 years, the city has grown dramatically to more than 32,000 residents.

Leawood maintains its inviting tree-lined neighborhoods and distinctive, well-through-out retail and commercial development incorporated with a first-class park system, highly rated schools and superior housing. The city boasts one of the metro area's highest real estate values, translating into an industrious, affluent demographic that values an upwardly mobile lifestyle.

Prairie Village

Affectionately known as "The Village," this charming city has that quintessential small-town American feel. Construction in Prairie Village started in 1941, and by 1949, Mr. Nichols' dream became a reality when the city was named the best-planned community in America by the National Association of Home Builders.

Prairie Village is the sixth largest in population in Johnson County with a residential population of approximately 21,700 within its 6.7-square-mile city limits. Today, Prairie Village preserves the ambiance of a village with livability of a neighborhood. the "village" lifestyle is enhanced by award-winning schools, multiple housing options, recreation and local commerce in pedestrian-friendly centers.

Strawberry Hill

Slovak and Croatian culture is deeply rooted in northeastern Wyandotte County's Strawberry Hill neighborhood. Within a 60-block area, new life is being pumped into this historic district. Strawberry hill's advantageous location, just minutes from downtown Kansas City, MO., is attracting new faces, sparking affordable residential and commercial building. Strawberry Hill's redevelopment is on the upswing. Nearly everything is within walking distance, from quaint storefronts and mom-and-pop shops to new townhouses mingling with stone-faced one- and two-story homes.

Lake Lotawana

Lakeside living is a mere 30 minutes from the city at Lake Lotawana, one of the area's oldest communities. Experience the pleasures of this deep and clear lakeside enclave located in eastern Jackson County, just off I-470. Approximately 2,000 residents enjoy a broad selection of activities including numerous boating groups and garden club. Housing ranges from small, second-home fishing cabins to million-dollar estates. This self-contained area is its own municipality with AAA-rated schools with a professional police and fire department.

Lake Quivira

On the Kansas side of the state line, another lakeside community spanning across 900 acres is hidden in gentle, rolling hills. Lake Quivira homes range from modest one- and two-story homes to multimillion-dollar residences. This private community boasts its own country club, 18-hole golf course and a variety of organized social activities. A flank of tennis courts, a sand beach fronting the 200-acre spring-fed lake, boating and fishing give you reason enough to never leave. If you do, however, there's easy access to nearby cultural and commercial centers. A family-friendly environment appeals to young families, retirees and singles.

Sunset Hill

The lush sanctuary just south of the Country Club Plaza is one of Kansas City's most beautiful neighborhoods. Sunset Hill captures the fancy of its residents who are devoted to maintaining their well-tended properties. Graced with unique homes located throughout the winding streets, the neighborhood prides itself on distinctive architecture. Nestled snugly against Loose Park, Sunset Hill is a hidden gem.