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Madelyn Lee
moving
Remote worker thinking about Olathe
Hello, Thoughts? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
12 upvotes
13 Replies
Nora Patel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 34, moved here 3 years ago from LA. I've lived in Westside and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 LA, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
Background: I'm a accountant, 34, moved here 3 years ago from LA. I've lived in Westside and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 LA, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
37 upvotes
Paisley
facts
33 upvotes
Aria
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Nashville about 13 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Nashville about 13 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Sadie Edwards
underrated comment
32 upvotes
Maya Martinez
Moved here last year, no regrets.
29 upvotes
stlsoul2024
I've lived in Westside for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong sense of community
- The school system scene is tough
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong sense of community
- The school system scene is tough
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Ezekiel Mendoza
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 50, moved here 14 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 50, moved here 14 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
18 upvotes
Leo Hall
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much competitive but now it's hit or miss.
18 upvotes
Lucy
facts
18 upvotes
desert_nathan72
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 13 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I've been here 13 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
4 upvotes
Lily R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 4 years. Moved from San Francisco for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not very walkable outside downtown. Chain restaurants dominate. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Downtown for 4 years. Moved from San Francisco for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not very walkable outside downtown. Chain restaurants dominate. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Robert Clark
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 8 years. Moved from Tampa for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited entertainment options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Eastside for 8 years. Moved from Tampa for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited entertainment options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Leo Kim
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Seattle it's surprisingly good.
0 upvotes