Livability
Midwestern folk are known for their laid-back style and friendliness. That’s probably because Kansas City is one of the most livable cities in America with its low-cost living, centrality and plenty of entertainment. We just can’t help but be happy! In April 2004, Kansas City took its place as one of the 30 most livable cities in the United States based on economic and cultural innovations that have brought vitality, growth and improved quality of life. The Washington, D.C.-based Partners for Livable Communities, which recognizes communities once every decade, said KC is “just like the food it is famous for: delectable, well-seasoned and unpretentious.” We ranked 20th among cities such as San Diego; Denver; St. Paul, Minn; Fort Worth, Texas; and Charlotte, N.C.

Affordable Housing
Compared to other major cities, Kansas City gives you an incredible bang for your buck in all areas including housing. Consider this: The median price for a single-family home in San Francisco costs approximately $625,000; in Kansas City it’s $143,000. Though house prices have risen over the last few years __ as they have in all markets __ Kansas City retains low price volatility. For more information on Kansas City’s affordability, turn to “Stretching Your Dollar” on page 52. For our top 10 picks of established neighborhoods, turn to page 84. For a look at new home listings, turn to page 92.

Jazz
New Orleans might be known for its jazz history, but Kansas City certainly claims its spot in this musical genre’s background. Some of the greatest jazz players started in the clubs here, including William “Count” Basie, Charlie “Bird” Parker and Orin “Hot Lips” Page. The mecca of Kansas City jazz was the 18th & Vine district where the crowds converged each night at numerous clubs and theaters. You can still find all that jazz at the Blue Room and the Gem Theater in that historic part of the city. If jazz history is your thing, the essence and living spirit of jazz legends fill the atmosphere of the American Jazz Museum, as the story of jazz and its greatest performers is told through the sights and sounds of one of the most interactive museums in the country.

BBQ
Kansas Citians and their barbecue are inseparable. You may have heard of other competitors vying for the title of Best Town for BBQ, but we’re sticking to our guns that we’re tops on this one. Kansas City barbecue is dry rub-spiced, slow roasted for hours over a pit of hickory and slathered up with some of the smoothest, richest, tangiest sauces in all the world. In fact, residents often squabble over the reigning king of sauces from the various establishments around the city. Names such as Gates, KC Masterpiece, Arthur Bryant’s, LC’s and Rosedale have become known for creating some of the best sauces around. BBQ won’t be hard to find in this town __ just follow the slow-roasted smell.

Premier Art
If you’re a connoisseur of art or just enjoy marveling at great works, you’ll find an array of museums and galleries at your fingertips, starting with the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art with its rich collections of masterpieces from every culture and period of the world, spanning over 5,000 years. Around the corner is the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, and the burgeoning Crossroads Arts District downtown is a cultural trend that’s gaining major attention in the Midwest. New in 2007 is the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, opening on the JCCC campus in Overland Park.

Fountains
Kansas City ranks second in the world in number of fountains erected in the city. Only Rome, Italy, has more. According to KCfountains.org, there are a recorded 160 fountains in the area, some with statues 300 years old! Fountains originally were established to fill the needs of people and animals by providing drinking water and later as a part of beautification, memorials and celebrations. The Kansas City Bicycle Club hosts an annual Tour of the Fountains in June, a recreational ride of 25-, 45- and 65-mile routes that cover some of Kansas City’s most scenic parks, boulevards and more than 25 of the city’s largest and most spectacular fountains.

Quality Schools
One of the most important questions a parent may ask when relocating to a new city is “How are the schools?” We’re glad you asked. Expansion Management Magazine ranked Kansas City public schools 11th in its 2004 MSA Education Quotient. The study found that nearly two out of every three students in the Kansas City MSA are in districts that rank in the top one-third of all school districts nationwide. In fact, 45.4 percent of the students in the Kansas City metro attend school in Gold Medal (top level) districts, while another 16.8 percent attend school in Blue Ribbon (second highest level) districts.

Changing Seasons
Because KC is located on an open plane with no mountains to block winds or oceans to regulate air flow, the four seasons morph into one another in glorious fashion. Kansas City’s annual average temperature is 55 degrees, but Mother Nature can be swift around here. Spring downpours hit at a moment's notice (an umbrella wouldn’t be a bad purchase), fueling plant growth and launching us full-fledged into the heat of summer. Fall is a beautiful time of year with fulgent foliage popping out in bright reds, oranges and yellows. Occasionally, winter feels like the furthest reaches of Siberia with the blustery wind, but you’ll appreciate the white wonderland created by layers of pure powdery snow on calm nights. With the thermometer fluctuating between 0 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit over the course of the year, there’s no telling what will happen next __ except that the weather will inevitably change within weeks.