Anyone from Kansas City?

[NDReds]

I'm apparently in the mood to double my post count in one day, so I thought I'd throw this question out there. I'm not from Kansas City, I'm from Columbus originall and am currently a senior at Notre Dame, but next year through a Notre Dame grad program I'll be teaching 3rd Grade in Kansas City and thought I'd see if there is anyone out there that knows much about the city. It's always important to get a Reds fan's perspective on these type things as I am sure all of you are aware.

[macro]

Johnny Footstool is from Olathe, Kansas, which is just outside KC. I'm sure he would have much to contribute to this.

I've been there on business a couple of times in the past six or eight years, and I must say (and no offense to Johnny) that it is definitely not one of my favorite towns. Maybe I just didn't know where to find the fun, I don't know, but downtown was like a ghost town. Also, the airport is a looooooooonnnnngggg way from downtown, so get ready to PAY for your trip into town. IIRC it's about 20-25 miles, but my memory may be failing me on that detail.

My problem was that I was there when neither the Chiefs nor the Royals were in season or in town, so that eliminated one source of entertainment that I would have loved to partake in. If you like motorcycles any whatsoever (or even if you don't, actually), there's a Harley Davidson assembly plant there that gives free tours. That was very cool, and worth your time.

That's about all I know. Johnny, what can you add?

[Johnny Footstool]

I'm happy to help you out, ND.

Do you know where you'll be teaching? That will really influence where you want to live. There are nice, livable areas all around, but there are some hellholes too.

As macro indicated, the airport is a long haul from pretty much anywhere.

You'll need a car to get around. Mass transit is nonexistent.

The KC downtown is indeed dead, but there are some live areas. The real nightlife is just south of downtown in two areas: Westport and the Plaza. Westport is a little older, but a little more laid-back. It's where the post-college crowd gathers. Most of the good live-music venues are in Westport. The Plaza is a fairly upscale -- nicer, but more expensive. More yuppie-types in their late twenties. Westport is where you would go to meet a girl; the Plaza is where you would take her on a date. There are some excellent restaurants in both areas.

The stadiums are suburban, not downtown like in Cincinnati. This is good and bad. Traffic going to the games is not awful, and tailgating is plentiful. The downside is that there aren't a lot of nearby bars or places to go after the game.

We also have an independent minor-league baseball team (the T-Bones). I highly recommend going to at least one T-Bones game in the summer. The ballpark is really cool, there are a lot of bars and restaurants nearby, and it's a lot cheaper than a Royals game.

There are several casinos on the Missouri side, if you're into that kind of thing. Ameristar is probably the best -- it has several good restaurants, a microbrewery, and a nice clean casino.

If you have more questions, feel free to ask. You can post here or PM me if you prefer.

[Johnny Footstool]

Oh, and I forgot to mention -- there are no chili restaurants. You'll have to switch to barbecue (Jack's Stack, Gates, or Arthur Bryant's).

[NDReds]

Thanks Johnny. I will actually be living with other people in the same program I am, so the housing is taken care of. I believe the house is in Shawnee. The school I will be teaching at is the Cathedral of St. Peter, not sure exactly where it is since I don't know the area, but I imagine it is more downtown on the Kansas side. We'll have to be in touch in the fall when the Reds make their playoff run

[Johnny Footstool]

How's this for coincidence -- one of my co-workers is friends with the gym teacher at St. Peter's Cathedral.

[NDReds]

It's a small, crazy world.