Living in Kansas City? KCMO is one of the most affordable cities to live in the U.S. and one of the best places on earth to work remotely—making it a hot spot for singles and young professionals. Here are the five best KCMO neighborhoods for singles and young professionals!
Crossroads
- Home Price: $191,233 median purchase price; $944 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 80% of Kansas City neighborhoods
Crossroads Arts District is a perfect neighborhood for young adults wanting trendy apartments, lofts, or condos in the heart of Downtown Kansas City. There’s no shortage of fun in this KCMO neighborhood, being so close to the Kansas City Power & Light District, one-of-a-kind restaurants, great live music, and trendy bars. There are also plenty of Kansas City job opportunities for young professionals throughout the downtown area, with employers like Children’s Mercy Hospital and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. And with Crossroads’ extremely walkable and bikeable streets and its accessible and free public transportation, it’s easy for residents to get around!
Things to Do in Crossroads
Attend a Kansas City Ballet performance or Kansas City Symphony concert at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Head to the T-Mobile Center for college sports, comedy shows, and concerts from big-name music artists like Blake Shelton and Future. Shop at cool specialty stores—like Josey Records for vintage vinyl records, CDs, and video games, or Christopher Elbow Chocolates for hand-crafted chocolates, bonbons, and confections. Grab a Triple Cheeseburger, Haystack Sandwich, or Coney with Chili & Cheese at Town Topic Hamburgers, which is open 24/7. Stop for old-fashioned Kansas City BBQ like the Fire-Kissed Wings, Pulled Pork Mac + Cheese, and Beef Brisket at Jack Stack Barbecue. In the mood for Korean BBQ? Try the Bi Bim Bap, Korean Fried Chicken, and Tonkatsu Cutlet at Kobi-Q. Choose from 40 different craft beers and pour however much you want for yourself at Taps on Main. Or dress up for date night and order drinks like the Arcturus or Nebula and enjoy views of Downtown KC at The Mercury Room cocktail bar.
River Market
Photo via @thelandingsatrivermarket
- Home Price: $228,900 median purchase price; $899 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 86% of Kansas City neighborhoods
Looking for a modern Kansas City apartment, condo, townhome, or loft that’s downtown and near the river? River Market is the perfect Kansas City neighborhood for young professionals! This Missouri riverfront area is within walking distance of some of Kansas City’s top employers, like UMB Financial and Commerce Bank. River Market is also filled with tons of eclectic shops and boutiques, renowned ethnic cuisine, and fun KC breweries and bars. Residents can shop at City Market, which is open year-round and is one of the Midwest’s largest farmers markets. And when you want to get outside of this popular KC neighborhood, you can hop on the free KC Streetcar, which offers convenient access to other Downtown KC neighborhoods like Crossroads Arts District, Crown Center, and Power & Light District.
Things to Do in River Market
Looking for a popular Kansas City attraction? Learn about the sinking of an 1856 steamboat and see the treasures recovered at The Arabia Steamboat Museum. Solve riddles, codes, and puzzles in themed rooms at Breakout KC Escape Room. Get active and paddle down the Missouri River with a rental canoe or kayak from Lunar Phase Adventures. Or host a game night and shop for hundreds of board and card games at Level One Game Shop. Discover your favorite roast and try seasonal coffee offerings like the Harvest Moon Latte and Barrel Conditioned Cold Brew at Thou Mayest. Try local farm-to-fork dishes like the House Made Cinnamon Roll, Biscuits & Gravy, or the Pancake of the Day at The Farmhouse. Sample craft beers, whiskeys, tequilas, and cocktails at Harry’s Country Club. Or grab a pint of Ace Pineapple Cider with some BYO Loaded Fries and make some new friends at the bar/restaurant/virtual arcade combo Double Tap.
Union Hill
Photo via @spwo
- Home Price: $230,750 median purchase price; $982 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 83% of Kansas City neighborhoods
With an ideal location and affordable housing costs, Union Hill is one of the best neighborhoods in Kansas City for singles and young professionals. Find peace and quiet on tree-lined streets while still being surrounded by plenty of fun things to do. Located just south of Crown Center, this KCMO hidden gem has many shopping spots, mouth-watering restaurants, quaint coffee shops, and fun Kansas City bars nearby! Penn Valley Park also borders Union Hill on its western edge, providing lots of green space for outdoor activities—like taking your furry friend to play in the off-leash dog park. In addition, this Kansas City neighborhood has a variety of housing options available, including trendy apartments, charming bungalows, and Dutch Colonial-style houses.
Things to do in Union Hill
View the Liberty Memorial Tower, Wylie Gallery, life-sized trenches, and more than 350,000 unique artifacts at the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Attend musicals and plays like Stew, Rock of Ages in Concert, and Langston’s Hues at Just Off Broadway Theatre. Shop for local goods, souvenirs, apparel, gifts, and more at Made in KC. Enjoy interactive exhibits, lift a 27-pound gold bar, and view the historic Harry S. Truman coin collection at the Money Museum. Start your morning with a Chai, Cappuccino, or fresh-pressed Liquid Sunshine juice at Filling Station Coffee. Enjoy Saturday and Sunday brunch dishes like the Texas Style French Toast, Loaded Tater Kegs, and Pork Hash at Brick House KC. Get a taste of Kansas City BBQ with the President’s Choice Tray, a Double-Decker Sandwich, and BBQ Beans at legendary barbecue joint Gates Bar-B-Q. Or unwind with a Frozen Tang-O, Blueberry Mule, or Bubbly Sangria while playing shuffleboard at Ludo’s Shuffleboard Bar.
Volker
Photo via @steel_dust
- Home Price: $187,420 median purchase price; $804 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 75% of Kansas City neighborhoods
One of the most popular KCMO neighborhoods offers close proximity to some of the city’s hottest dining and nightlife is Volker. Within this Midtown neighborhood, you’ll find homes with lots of character—like historical bungalows and Kansas City shirtwaist-style houses. What draws young professionals to Volker is its location. Just west of Westport, Volker is also within five minutes of Country Club Plaza, where you can find great restaurants, lively bars, and tons of shopping options. And for those seeking opportunities in STEM programs or the medical field, the neighborhood is close to the University of Missouri-Kansas City, KU Medical Center, and Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City.
Things to Do in Volker
Run, hike, or bike the trails through 37-acre Roanoke Park—or take classes in dance, yoga, pottery, and more at Westport Roanoke Community Center. Browse endless shelves of books, vinyls, and CDs, or attend a live reading at Prospero’s Books. Visit the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art—just a 6-minute drive away—to explore the permanent collection, view giant Shuttlecocks on the lawn, or play nine holes of mini golf in the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park. Catch some of Kansas City’s best drag shows and dancing at beloved gay hangout Missie B’s. Get creative with your breakfast by customizing donuts or try the Nutter Butter or Fruit Puff mini-donuts at Donutology. Order traditional street tacos like the Abuela Pastor or try plant-based meals like the Jackfruit Taco and Mushroom Taco at Tiki Taco. Experience fine dining with dishes like Goat Cheese Gnocchi and Smoked Magret Duck Breast prepared by a nationally-renowned chef at Room 39. For beer, eco-friendly wines, and craft cocktails like Time After Thyme or Bee’s Knees, head to the popular Goat & Rabbit.
West Waldo
Photo via @theluntgroup
- Home Price: $138,900 median purchase price; $1,192 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 66% of Kansas City neighborhoods
Interested in a more relaxed and residential side of KCMO? Check out the West Waldo neighborhood—part of the larger Waldo area—in South Kansas City! Located near the Kansas-Missouri border and about 20 minutes south of Downtown KC, this neighborhood is full of affordable American Foursquare and Ranch-style homes ideal for young professionals looking to settle down and start a family in the big city. Waldo also has a very tight-knit community and local business association that holds several neighborhood-wide events—such as the annual Waldo Fall Festival and Waldo Week—to support local businesses.
Things to Do in West Waldo
Get your friends together for a KC barbecue picnic and a pick-up game of basketball at Sunnyside Park. Adorn your home with beautiful flowers and greenery from plant nursery Waldo Greenhouse. Improve your health by taking a group fitness class or learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Sky’s Limit Fitness. Grab a drink and microphone and sing alongside local pianists at The Piano Room. Looking for a hip coffee shop? Start your day with a Grin & Tonic, Vanilla Frappe, or Cold Brew at Second Best Coffee. Enjoy traditional Greek cuisine and dining experiences featuring live music, belly dancing, and breaking dishes at Tasso’s Greek Restaurant. Satisfy your appetite with an Animal Max Burger, Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, or Polynesian Chicken at Max’s Burgers & Gyros. Or sip on locally-brewed German-style bier—like an Eis Weiss or Weizenbock Dunkel—in the outdoor Biergarten at KC Bier Co.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
