Anyone else feel this way? With a population of 57,986, Lenexa is a smaller city. Crime rate is something to consider -Lenexa sits at 154.7 per 100K. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Anyone in a similar situation? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development.
8 upvotes
17 Replies
Stella M.
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
sunny_carson3
I've lived in East for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- The community vibe scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Aria
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 5 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Elijah Ward
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The cost of living is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Thomas C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 7 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Michael Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 37, moved here 10 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Uptown and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Chicago, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
29 upvotes
Luke Flores
haha yep pretty much
28 upvotes
Violet Moore
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Eastside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
Mateo James
it depends on the neighborhood
19 upvotes
Michael Jackson
yeah no that's not right
19 upvotes
Jaxon Lee
literally same
14 upvotes
William Roberts
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Ezra O.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
11 upvotes
orlandogirl2020
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely excellent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Fairview) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
7 upvotes
Ezra J.
accurate
7 upvotes
Emily Garcia
Moved here from Raleigh about 11 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to school system but Definitely worth checking out..
All Countries
