Thinking about living in Kansas City, MO with your family? With tons of green space, amazing museums, and top-rated schools, there’s plenty to love about living in the Barbecue Capital of the World. Here are five family-friendly neighborhoods in the KC metro!
Armour Hills
Photo via @cbdpkansascity
- Home Price: $240,700 median purchase price; $852 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 97% of Kansas City neighborhoods
Nestled in South Kansas City lies quaint Armour Hills! Known for its safe streets and unique homes, Kansas City residents will find housing options ranging from Colonial and Tudor, to bungalows in Armour Hills. This neighborhood is great for raising a family as there are several highly-rated private schools in Kansas City nearby, like Académie Lafayette International School‘s Oak St campus and University Academy. Plus, residents can stay busy here as this neighborhood offers many family-friendly events, including the Ice Cream Social, Movie Night in the Park, and Freedom Parade. With an inclusive community atmosphere and plenty of things to do, it’s easy to see why Armour Hills is one of the best neighborhoods for families in Kansas City!
Things to Do in Armour Hills
Go jogging or take a family bike ride on the historic six-mile Harry Wiggins Trolley Track Trail, which runs along the west side of the neighborhood. Watch the little ones play on the playground and have a family picnic at Arbor Villa Park. Sign the kids up for swim lessons or youth sports programming at Cleaver Family YMCA. Get your heart pumping with a strength training bootcamp class or sign up for personal training sessions at Superior Fit Body. Start your morning with a Smothered Burrito, Fried Egg Sandwich, or a piece of Coffee Cake from McLain’s Bakery. Take the family out for some Spinach Cheese Dip, Rattlesnake Pasta, or the Gov’s Baby Back Ribs at Governor Stumpy’s Grill House. Order some Fish N Chips, Mac N Cheese, or an Impossible Burger at family-friendly gastropub District Pour House + Kitchen. Savor Smothered Pork Chops, Niecie’s Home-Style Meatloaf, or Country Fried Steak while dining at Niecie’s Restaurant.
Blue Hills
- Home Price: $59,229 median purchase price; $876 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 12% of Kansas City neighborhoods
Located in Southeast Kansas City, families enjoy living in Blue Hills because of its affordability and easy access to KC amenities. Growing families in this KC neighborhood can choose cozy Craftsmans, bungalows, and more. Parents can choose from Kansas City Public Schools like King Elementary and Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts or charter schools like Frontier School of Excellence. Plus, higher education opportunities can be found just outside the neighborhood at University of Missouri – Kansas City and Rockhurst University. And residents of all ages can benefit from community initiatives such as the Blue Hills Community Garden.
Things to Do in Blue Hills
See the largest collection of miniature versions of historic toys at the National Museum of Toys/Miniatures. Enjoy a game of basketball or tennis, or watch your kids play on the playground at Blue Hills Park. Watch the Rockhurst Hawks (NCAA Division II) baseball team hit a home run at Loyola Park—or head over to UMKC to cheer on the Kansas City Roos (NCAA Division I) in basketball, soccer, and more. Try the Catfish Sandwich, Fried Chicken Sandwich, or BLT w/ Mayo from King’s Table Soul Food. Order the Catfish Nuggets, Jumbo Fried Shrimp, or Cod Fish Sandwich at J’s Fish & Chicken. Stop by The District Fish & Pasta House for Shrimp & Chicken Pasta, Seafood Fries, or the Basa Fish Dinner paired with Fried Okra and Potato Salad. Grab a seat on the patio and enjoy Chicken Nachos, a Supreme Pizza, or Shepherd’s Pie Lamb from Gaels Public House & Sports.
Brookside
Photo via @teamblakekc
- Home Price: $255,250 median purchase price; $330 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 61% of Kansas City neighborhoods
With KC’s first suburban shopping area and local events like Brookside Art Annual and Trick or Treat Street, the Brookside neighborhood is home to one of the most active communities in the Kansas City area! Despite the action, this safe neighborhood provides quiet streets and access to high-quality Kansas City schools like St. Teresa’s Academy or Troost Elementary School. Families love Brookside’s historic charm, shown in the century-old Colonial and Tudor-style homes throughout the neighborhood. On top of that, Brookside is only a 15-minute drive to Downtown Kansas City, where there are many family-friendly things to do—if Brookside Shops‘ local stores and restaurants don’t keep you busy!
Things to Do in Brookside
Go sledding on one of the best sledding hills in Kansas City in the winter, or play a game of pickleball during the summer at Brookside Park. Pack a picnic and take the kids to Brookside Triangle Park to play on the playground. Treat the kids to some new toys or fun educational gadgets at Brookside Toy & Science. Learn about the Battle of Westport and see artifacts from the Civil War while touring the John Wornall House—one of the few Civil War-era homes left in KC. For brunch, try Jackfruit Hash, Pork + Egg Enchiladas, or Chilaquiles Rojo at Brookside Barrio. Head over to Sayachi for a bowl of Ebisu Ramen, Edamame, or sushi. Chow down on a Kickin’ Chicken Sammie, Fried Avocado Shrimp Tacos, or Buffalo Chicken Mac from Charlie Hooper’s Brookside Bar & Grille. Try Italian favorites like Fettuccine Alfredo, Steak Marsala, or Shrimp Scampi when dining with the family at Carmen’s Cafe.
Mission Lake
Photo via @joesnappstudios
- Home Price: $195,400 median purchase price; $213 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 92% of Kansas City neighborhoods
Looking to raise your family in a quiet, safe Kansas City neighborhood? Check out Mission Lake! This neighborhood is located in the southern part of the city about 25 minutes away from Downtown KC, giving families a peaceful, laid-back environment while still offering easy access to big city amenities. The area boasts a variety of cozy ranches and Mid-Century Modern homes along safe streets. Families living in the Mission Lake area are near top-rated KC schools like St. Thomas More School and Martin City K-8 School. Plus, with access to plenty of parks and the Blue River running through the neighborhood, residents of Mission Lake can take advantage of outdoor activities.
Things to Do in Mission Lake
Listen to live music, watch dancers perform traditional Greek folk dances, enjoy delicious food, and more at the Annunciation Greek Fest. Have a family fun day with a grill out and watch the kids go down the slide, or add a love lock to the Old Red Bridge at Minor Park. Play all 18 holes or perfect your swing by signing up for golf lessons at Minor Park Golf Course. Dominate beach volleyball year-round with outdoor courts in the summer, and “the largest heated sand volleyball air-dome in the country” during the winter at Volleyball Beach. Try the Blueberry Pancakes, Cinnamon Roll French Toast, or Country Scramble while dining at Caleb’s Breakfast & Lunch. Order the New York Combo Pizza, Stromboli Pizza Rolls, or a Cheese Slice from Mamma Leone’s Pizza. Dig into Mexican dishes like Mini Chimichangas, Baja Chicken Tacos, or Chiles Rellenos from Dos De Oros Mexican Restaurant. Start with the Loaded French Fries before ordering the Pork Tenderloin sandwich or Bacon Pineapple Cheeseburger from Sand Trap Bar & Grill.
Waldo
Photo via @austinhometeamkc
- Home Price: $116,950 median purchase price; $451 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 63% of Kansas City neighborhoods
Settle down in one of the most tight-knit neighborhoods in Kansas City—Waldo! The whole family will find something to do in Waldo with great community-run events like the Trolley Run and Waldo Fall Festival. This KCMO neighborhood also offers access to quality education of all kinds with private schools like Kansas City Academy, as well as Sherwood Autism Center, which provides adapted educational opportunities and professional assistance. Waldo’s spacious grounds are home to beautiful housing options, from small Craftsman and Tudor bungalows to larger Colonial-style homes, complete with large yards that are perfect for kids and pets!
Things to Do in Waldo
Cool off at the sprayground or spend an afternoon grilling out at Sunnyside Park. Check out the latest book or at attend family-friendly activities like Family Storytime or Lego Club at The Waldo Branch of The Kansas City Public Library. Enroll your kids in junior club sports or sign them up for advanced athletic training with private lessons at Teamwork Sports. Cool off with a sno-cone, sorbet, or homemade dip cones from Tropical Sno. Sit down for afternoon tea with imported Black, Oolong, White, and Green teas at Emilie’s French Teas. Order kid-friendly meals like Honey Kissed Crispy Nuggets, Crispy Chicken Strips, or Chicken & Donuts paired with Applesauce or Smashed Potatoes & Gravy at Strip’s Chicken. Fill up on traditional Greek dishes like Spanakopita, Moussaka, or a Gyro Plate and save room for a piece of Baklava from family-owned Tasso’s Greek Restaurant. Or enjoy Mexican favorites like Ground Beef Enchiladas, a Chorizo Torta, or Shrimp Fajitas from Chelly’s Cafe.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
