One of the best places to raise a family in the US is a Kansas City suburb, study says
If you love the Kansas City area, it’s for good reason!
A KC suburb was named one of the best cities in which to raise a family in 2019, according to a study by neighborhood ranking site Niche.
Overland Park, Kansas, snagged the No. 6 spot thanks to factors like schools, safety and affordability, the study says.
Niche used information from public data sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI and Department of Education, to assess factors that are most important to families, the company says.
How Overland Park fared
So what makes Overland Park so special?
A lot of things, Niche says.
The city — with a population just over 192,000 in 2018 — garnered A-grades in categories including public schools, jobs and health and fitness, according to Niche.
The site also lists Overland Park as the best city in America for buying a home — with a median home value of $248,100 — and No. 4 on the list of cities with the best public schools.
Overland Park’s lowest grade was a C+ in crime and safety, the study says. The city fell below the national average for assaults, murders, robberies, burglaries and thefts per 100,000 residents, according to Niche. However, Overland Park surpassed the national average in rapes with 61.9 per 100,000 residents as opposed to 40.7 nationally, the study says.
What the locals say
Residents and visitors praised Overland Park for its atmosphere, food and proximity to Kansas City.
“It has a terrific family atmosphere,” one person wrote. “There are plenty of places to eat and shop. OP also has great sports facilities including a world class youth soccer complex as well as several top notch sports academies.”
“A great city that always has lots to offer!” wrote another. “Whether it’s the sports facilities, local restaurants, schools, or shopping areas you will never be without options. An all-around great area to live and grow a family!”
“Overland Park is a really nice place to live,” said a third. “You can get to just about anywhere you need to go in about 15 minutes. The schools are great in this area and the neighborhoods are really nice.”
“There’s a lot of things to do here! Especially in the fall and winter months,” according to a fourth review. “It’s not too far of a drive from Kansas City or Lawrence, KS. The weather is nice for most of the year too.”
Other great cities for families
Naperville, Illinois, nabbed the top spot in Niche’s study, followed by The Woodlands, Texas, Arlington, Virginia, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Columbia, Maryland.