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What’s Around? A Kansas City New Home Buying Guide

January 26, 2021

Whether you’re searching for a new place to raise a family, starting a new job, or just ready for a change, making a new home in Kansas City means something for everyone. With a city rich in culture and room to breathe, throw in low cost of living, and it’s easy to see why people are frolicking to the “City of Fountains.” 

Living in Kansas City can be a culture shock to some. The city is diverse in population, has the flavor of metropolitan life, but is also rich in space (it was also the site of “Gone With the Wind”! No matter what brings you to our amazing city, we’ll show you why it’s a great place to live, work and play!

Where to Live

Inspired Homes can help you find the perfect home – and with the Kansas City growth and popularity, that means your home value will grow as well!

We have amazing floor plans and beautiful architecture in every home we design. If you are interested in building a custom home, we will start the planning process with inspiration, design, and construction. 

Or, if you’re looking for a move-in ready we have we have equally gorgeous homes in wonderful communities. Inspired Homes has housing in six communities all offering something for everyone. Our Inspired Homeowner Experience will guide you through the home buying – or building – process.

You can find beautiful Inspired Homes communities in Lee’s Summit, Olathe, and Lenexa. These cities are within minutes of Kansas City, so you can enjoy the peace of home without sacrificing the leisure and entertainment of the city life.

Lee’s Summit

Located just about 20 minutes from the center of Kansas City, this thriving town is the perfect place to begin a new life. Striking a balance between work and family, Lee’s Summit features an amazing array of museums, kids activities, shopping and diverse cuisine. There is plenty of, outdoor fun, a calendar chock full of festivals and scheduled events, and all the arts and culture you can handle. Not to mention the direct healthcare and award-winning education system!

Here are the communities Inspired Homes currently has in Lee’s Summit.

Arbor Crossing

The Arbor Crossing complex features walking trails, a swimming pool, playground, pickleball and a dog park. With top rated schools, a decent nightlife and positive safety rating, this area is great for families and young professionals.

Kensington Farms

Kensington Farms hosts three neighborhoods: Valley which has beautiful 2-story homes with 3-car garages; Retreatwhich offers gorgeous single-story homes with 3-car garages; and Cottage with functional 2-story and single-story homes with 2-car garages. This community offers a pool, playground, and lots of room to play!

Kessler Ridge

This community located in the New Longview neighborhood of Lee’s Summit, features 2-story ranch and reverse style homes. The neighborhood is a tight-knit community that hosts events for Halloween, Fourth of July, Easter egg hunts and more! Just minutes from local restaurants, a theater complex, and entertainment, this community is the perfect fit for a family.

Olathe

Nestled about 25 minutes from Kansas City, this town has a robust community with a suburban feel. With its low crime rate and great education system this area is perfect for families and young professionals. Here are the communities Inspired Homes currently has in Olathe.

Huntford

For outdoor activities, the Huntford community is nestled close to nature in Olathe. This area is one of the best places to live in Kansas and offers residents a suburban feel with Lake Olathe nearby. There are several parks to enjoy and award winning schools. Families can rest easy and live comfortably in a custom Inspired Home.

Lakeshore Meadows

Located in western Olathe, this hidden gem is peaceful and serene but offers plenty of fun and entertainment for the outdoors enthusiasts. Hiking, boating, fishing, and swimming at the newly renovated Lake Olathe Recreation Park is just one of the many features that make Lakeshore Meadows special.

Lenexa

This little hometown gem is about 19 miles from Kansas City, and for its larger size it is packed with culture. There are diverse restaurants, festivals, and loads of fun. The schools are top notch, and the safety is fantastic in this close-knit community. This is the perfect place to settle down.

Here are the communities Inspired Homes currently has in Lenexa.

The Reserve

This community at Heritage in Olathe offers award-winning schools, low Homeowner Association Dues, lots of outdoor recreation, a clubhouse and hundreds of cafes and restaurants. This area is rated eight out of 36 best places to raise a family and nine out of 36 of best places to buy a home!

Living in Kansas City

What you need to know…

• You get all the seasons. It’s truly like a box of chocolates here. Winter days can go from a pleasant chill in the air to a fresh snowfall. Summers are hot, perfect for a dip in the pool. Spring and Fall seasons are beautiful with their greens and golds.
• More than 25 colleges and universities are in Kansas City. So those seeking further education really can stay near but go far.
• The metropolitan area is just a short drive from the communities that Inspired Homes features.
• Everyone is welcome! We are a city made of a diverse culture that includes every affiliation you can imagine. From your neighbors to the people who smile at you on the street - you are welcome here!
• Kansas City carries a lower cost of living than the national average.
• Property taxes are low (they stay around .99 of the national average).
• Traffic is not an issue (just 22 minutes average!)
• Public transportation is available.

Buying a home in Kansas City takes the same steps as buying a home anywhere. It all starts with a lender. Inspired Homes has preferred mortgage lenders to help get you prequalified. Once you have your approval, the fun begins!

We can either help you find a home or build your dream. With our Inspired Homeowner Experience, you can have it all. 

Working directly with you, we will put together a team of designers, builders, and inspectors. Our crew will guide you through every step, you will never have an unanswered question on the status of your home. Our customers love working with Inspired Homes because we bring professionalism, quality, trust, and experience to every project.

So, now that you’ve got a place to live let’s help you find a place to work!

Where to Work

If you didn’t arrive in Kansas City already for a job, you are in luck! Kansas City and its surrounding areas boasts a vast number of impressive employers to choose from. 

Aside from the several Fortune 500 companies and the headquarters of nationally recognized corporations, there are plenty of great companies. 

Top 10 Companies in Kansas City – according to Zippia.com

• Hallmark
• St. Luke’s Health System
• Lockton Company
• Kansas City Southern
• Carondelet Health Network
• Burns & McDonnell 
• St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City 
• Commerce Bancshares
• Butler Manufacturing
• Price Chopper

Fortune 500 Companies – as reported by fortune.com

• Cerner
• Evergy
• H & R Block
• Kansas City Southern

5 National Corporation Headquarters – by thinkkc.com

• Garmin
• Hallmark
• H & R Block
• AMC
• Russell Stover Chocolates

Working in Kansas City

What you need to know

• Kansas City’s major industries include: Manufacturing, Professional and Technical, Health, and Transportation. 
• We have a low unemployment rate - according to data pulled on January 14^th, the November rate was 4.6! Our economy is in a great spot for you to find something new or build your own business.
• Glassdoor.com rated Kansas City 11^th on their 25 Best Cities for Jobs 2020 scale.
• Kansas City has numerous locations where Google Fiber - we’re talking the Highest speed and quality available from an internet provider. (Pssst… Google Fiber is a possible feature in all the areas that Inspired Homes has communities!)
• The KC Streetcar helps minimize traffic.
• We have Smart City Kiosks to direct you to food, places, and will even tell you the train schedule.
• With our great interstate system with multiple routes, getting to work is smooth for a metro area.

With so many great employers, job satisfaction appears to be above average. With fair wages and a low cost of living it’s easy to see why people are so friendly here. Many of the larger companies have some awesome perks like gyms, game rooms, free food, massages, flexible work schedules, and loads of paid time off.

Now that you’ve got the basics covered, Let’s Play!

Where to Play

Our welcoming atmosphere, amazing cuisine, and activities will keep you calling this slice of the Midwest “home”. Here are some of the most popular – and unique - things to explore in the Barbecue Capital of the World.

Places to Go

• Kaleidoscope - an every-age artist and crafter’s paradise, courtesy of Hallmark.
• First Fridays! – Food trucks, street performers, art galleries, even fashion shows can be found at the Crossroads Art District every month.
• Worlds of Fun – This is a 235-acre park with lots of rides, entertainment, and games.
• Oceans of Fun – A 64-acre water park with splash pads, waterslides, lazy river, and a wave pool.
• Kansas City Zoo – More than 200 acres with more than 1,700 animals. Be ready to spend a day.
• Sea Life Kansas City Aquarium – This aquarium features an underground look at ecosystems, sharks, sea turtles, sting rays, and so much more.
• Science City at Union Station – An interactive must-do with exhibits like how astronauts train for space, chemistry behind beverages, and how science is indeed part of our lives.
• National Museum of Toys and Miniatures – Check out the world’s largest collection of miniatures and one of the largest collections of historic toys.
• Legoland Discover Center – Lots of interactive stations, fun exhibits, and a great gift shop.
• Roanoke Park – This outdoor jungle gym is perfect for picnics and playtime. There is a ropes course, zip line, slides, trails, a climbing tower, and a sand area to play in.

Places to See

• Kansas City Workhouse – an abandoned prison castle. 
• World War I Memorial and Museum – The nation’s only museum honoring WWI
• Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art – You know it’s going to be good when there is a giant replica of a wiffle ball on the front lawn. This museum has literally everything.
• American Jazz Museum – Tap your feet to the beat as you explore interactive exhibits, catch a film, and learn about the legends.
• A Royals or Chiefs game – or both! There is nothing like being at a live event of a national recognized team. We LOVE our sports scene! We also have Hockey, Soccer, and more baseball.
• Starlight Theatre – Here you can see everything from Broadway to live performances.
• KC Fountains – We have 200. Ranging from intricate to simple. These beauties are everywhere.
• Cave Spring Interpretive Center – This 36-acre historic site features a nature center, hiking trails, a cave, and butterfly garden.
• City Hall (Rooftop) – Kansas City has the 2^nd tallest city hall in America. Get a truly amazing look at the city from its rooftop observation deck.

Places to Eat

• Lidia’s – Italian deliciousness in a former railroad house.
• Anna’s Oven - Talk about comfort food, check out their Southern Fried Chicken on Fridays mmmmMM!
• Joe’s Barbecue - Anthony Bourdain, an award-winning chef and TV personality and the host of the Travel Channel's No Reservations, said Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue “… the best BBQ in Kansas City, which makes itthe best BBQ in the world.”)
• Peanut (Giant wings. Enough said.)
• Grünauer – Austrian influenced dishes in a Viennese style Gasthaus with a Wunder bar.
• Fogo De Chau Brazilian Steakhouse – This restaurant specializes in fire-roasting using a Brazilian cooking technique.
• KC Barbecue Tours – Hop on the BBQ bus and be ready to eat! This tour takes you to four restaurants where you can chow down.
• The Test Kitchen – An underground supper club, this is a one-of-a-kind experience where seasoned chefs test new menu items or push their boundaries and see how diners enjoy them. Picky eaters need not apply – and yes, we mean apply. Early.
• The Antler Room – One of the buzziest Mediterranean restaurants in the city.
• Fritz – This railroad atmosphere restaurant has trains running throughout the restaurant - they even deliver your meal to your table!

Eating in Kansas City

What you need to know

• This list is nothing. NOTHING compared to the amazing cuisine’s, culinary delights, and culture you will find in Kansas City. They quite literally have everything. 
• Sudanese food? Sure! 
• Peruvian? No problem. 
• French? Oui. 
• Seafood. 
• Whatever you’re in the mood for – or never thought about being in the mood for, you will find.
• There are also dinner murder mysteries.
• Dinner and shows to enjoy.
• Fun arcade places for kids.
• Food trucks galore!

Are you Ready?

Now that you know so much about your new home, all that’s left to do is unpack! But don’t worry, with your fellow Inspired Homes neighbors, you can count on their friendly assistance. They’ll probably even through you a barbecue.