Outside of the midwest, what are people's perception of Kansas City (and where are you from)?

Question

for example: hick town, moderate size city, good bbq, chiefs, city of fountains, ghetto, etc? I'm interested cuz I'm from here.

Answer 1

I've lived in KC and DC and Kansas City is what it is. It is a medium sized Midwestern city that is one of the most affordable cities in America, has some surprising secrets, but does fall into a lot of the stereotypes people have about it. It also suffers from "rubeism" that is, people here tend to have inferiority complexes and dig on the town, even though the city is actually quite nice. This in turn, makes it easier for people outside the city to mock us.

Kansas City has a downtown that is on the upswing, much like many other mid-america cities. If you want to get your foot in the door and be a big fish in a small pond, I suggest KC. There are always trade offs - you obviously dont' get the culture and resources of a NYC or Chicago, but you also won't get overwhelmed by the sheer enormity of it, and it is of course, affordable.

Ultimately, your city is what YOU make of it. If you sit around and sulk and think its boring, it will be. If you get off the couch, walk around and marvel at the hidden gems, you'll love it.

Answer 2

It's a former Southern city/area, a fact that is mostly buried. Also, the early modern city rose due to cattle. It was very much Western/frontier city, something that powers-that-be are ashamed of and wanted and want to distance the city from, because they think it holds the city back. There was even an organized effort to do so in the past, and currently they're not too into doing what they can to keep the American Royal event in the city. Of course, I don't think what created the city is what is holding it back at all. I mean, look at Dallas-Fort Worth, that area left Kansas City in the dust (KC used to be bigger) despite it's Southern and Western/cattle history. In fact, Dallas-Fort Worth actually embraces their cowtown past. Overall, I think KC is a rather stagnant city with a major inferiority complex. The city itself is pretty much abandoned except a few key areas (River Marker, Power and Light, Westport, Plaza, Brookside, etc.), everywhere you go you're only a few blocks from the ghetto, crime is high, etc.

Answer 3

I am from Chicago, a bigger city, and I had to spend 6 months in Kansas City for work. I dreaded the prospect. My initial perception is that it was another big city that was dirty, had a downtown that was crumbling and poverty stricken.

I stayed in the area around Westport road after trying the Marriott and other hotels, the Quarterage, I believe. I learned to love it there, especially Westport. It has a dynamic night life, as good as any city I have been to. The work on the old UNion Station and the renovations are wonderful and I made many friends there. The people are friendly, passionate and fun loving.

Enought said?

Answer 4

From portland OR:

I have not been there, but I believe it is a fairly large city with all of the normal urban scene for middle America. I doubt there is a huge alternative/underground culture--a classic American city. I am sure there is a hick element in the out lying areas and a pretentious element in the high-rent district.

But what do I know?

Answer 5

I'm from Kansas City, and I've been asked some strange questions about the mid-west. Like,......Are most people cowboys, do you ride horses every where, do you live on a farm, and have you met the great wizard of oz.

Answer 6

Kansas City, KS; or Kansas City, MO?

Answer 7

im from nyc so i do not feel kansas city can compete. we have a lot going on here. im not bragging tho sometimes i do wish i were in a small, slow-paced town to reside in just to get away from all these people...but then i'll get bored...and wanna move back to nyc.

Answer 8

In all honesty, and I mean no offense to you, but I think most coasters think of Kansas like Wizard of OZ- farms, cows, tornadoes... I'm from Boston. I know this isn't completely true of course, but I think that's what pops in our heads first!

Answer 9

great bar-b-que i hear...we have a kansas city burnt ends sandwich here in boston and it the balls.

Answer 10

i dislike driving thru kansas city anytime other than that i have no opinion on it