a Kansas City state of Mind How one of the last places you thought you’d live will become the first place you’ll never want to leave.

photo Courtesy of WALLSTREET TOWERS

I’ve often heard of Kansas and Missouri (and the Midwest in general) as the “fly-over” states. As in, there’s nothing worth stopping for in between the east and west coasts, so keep the plane going. Having lived in Kansas City my whole life, I think relocators are in for a pleasant surprise.

At the heart of this great country, the people make the place. Kansas Citians come in all ages, ethnicities and occupations. Some of the most famous faces hailing from our borders include President Harry Truman, actress Ginger Rogers and golfer Tom Watson, to name a few.

We are famous for our barbecue, jazz, friendliness and staunch support of our football team, the Chiefs. We have miles of uncrowded highways __ more than enough for our short commutes — an easy-to-navigate airport, myriad housing options, top schools, exceptional dining establishments, fabulous shopping, and beautiful parks and boulevards.

I’m not saying our rosy city doesn’t have a thorn or two. Unfortunately, we are one of the fatter cities in America; we have a largely underused public transportation system (we love the freedom of our cars!); we’re ranked No. 1 among the 100 largest metropolitan areas for airborne pollen and mold spores; and we’re not exactly trendsetters. Things happen on the coasts and eventually make their way inward to us.

But being in the middle of America doesn’t mean that we are in the middle of nowhere. Location is one of KC’s best attributes. In fact, we are poised to have the best access to anywhere in the world: one hour to Chicago, three hours to Houston, four hours to New York, four hours to L.A., and from these places, anywhere.

One of my favorite quotes comes to mind: “A man can travel the world over and find what he was looking for at home.” No matter how grand a time I might have when traveling, my thoughts wander their way back here. Kansas City just feels like home.

I think once you spend a little time here, you’ll feel that way, too. Welcome to Kansas City __ make yourself at home!