East Coast couple mulls Raytown move

Email from reader Megan C.:

• I was wondering what you could tell me about the crime rate in Raytown. My husband and I moved here last January from Maryland and we are not sure where the best area to buy a house would be. We want low cost so we were looking in to Raytown. Do you know how I could get crime stats on this town?
• Our other choice is north of the river but I am not thrilled about the long drive to Lenexa, KS where I work.

I don't receive crime data directly from the Raytown PD, but there's a great online resource to analyze crime stats by city, county and state 1986-2004 nation-wide:

• Bureau of Justice statistics agency trends

Here's  a small comparison table I created:

Property crimes include burglary, larceny and auto theft. This site allows you to track detailed crime trends for your community.

Comments

[michele wood]

I live on the border of Raytown in east KC, Raytown schools. I moved here from Lee's Summit and will never move back. It is quiet, they keep the streets up and the schools are awesome. The prices of houses in my area are very good. For what I paid for mine, I couldn't get a shack in Lee's summit.

[chris h]

raytown is totally safe. the only areas that occasionally see some trouble (which is usually due to the proximity of KCMO) is the Brywood/blue ridge cutoff vicinity.

other relatively low-cost (and even safer) options for your move would be Roeland Park, Shawnee, and Mission, KS.

[Vibiana]

What about Edwardsville, KS? Short commute and no tax filings in two states.

[Reminder - Please remember to sign your comments]

Raytown has great streets and great schools. Downtown Raytown and the 350 corridor just got approved for commercial improvements, adding new businesses. The taxes in Raytown are also the lowest in the metro.

(Anonymous: In the future, please remember to sign your comments in the "Name" box. This keeps them from popping up in my 'delete' list. Thanks, Greg Reeves)

[john doe]

Overland park is nice but pricy. Lenexa is comparable to overland park. North of the river is nice and low crime as well. I think the cost of living is better north of the river vs overland park or Lenexa. North of the river is in Missouri and overland park and Lenexa are in ks. Gas is cheaper in MO as well which is a perk for commuters. There are other nice suburbs but I personally would not live in live summit or Raytown especially if you have children. I looked at houses in those areas and you can get more for you money but one trip to the gas station and schools turned me off. THUG VILLE Drug Ville pretty much sums it up.

Overland park
Lenexa
North of the river Gladstone, Platte county
Blue Springs
Excelsior springs
Liberty

These would be my areas of choice.

No offense to anyone living in Lee Summit or Raytown. I personally don't like those area's.

[Regina]

I have lived in Raytown all of my life. As a child and now as an Adult with Children of my own. Raytown is not Drug and /or Thug ville. WE just like any town or City have our Problem areas. Our Schools have GREAT Programs for our Children. Staying away form the KC city limits will keep you safer also. Raytown is surrounded by KC on all sides so when you are looking just pay close attention to your City Limits. I love Raytown and the Schools.

[JewwellsP]

After living & owning homes all over the Metro KC area. Raytown is good place to live. Home prices have risen somewhat in the last few years. Look in and around Lenexa, Edwardsville, Gardner, Olathe. One couple we bought a home from in Lee's Summit moved to the Piper school district. Last we had spoke they were very happy there. Everywhere around KC has different charges not only for taxes but also bills. My water bill & sewer bill in Raytown & Lee's Summit were terrible. Our most recent fixer upper is in Overland Park.
The taxes & tags on our two cars is $400.00 a year less than Jackson County, on our two cars. The taxes on our home in Raytown is about the same rate as OP. The taxes in Lee Summit are much higher.(many new schools/roads) I personally would tell ya to look around in Kansas more. The drive in the AM from Raytown to Lenexa IS HORRIBLE. One thing you have to remember about richer suburban schools VS poorer schools. The richer schools have more access to money & drugs. The drug problems are much worse in richer area's. Kids still do drugs in poorer area's, just not to the extent as the more affluent area's. Poor kids just simply can not afford it. Or much of it.

[rhonda]

I can't imagine why you would choose to live in Missouri. There are lots of good choices on the Kansas side. If you find Lenexa too pricy you might look in Shawnee, Merriam, Mission or Roeland Park. Northern Overland Park can be affordable as well. Edwardsville wasn't a bad suggestion either. Government services in Kansas are so much better than Missouri that it's not even funny. Crime rate is routinely lower on this side as well.

[Patti]

I'd reccommend the Kansas side also, the drive is Terrible! You thought the drivers on the East Coast were bad! Hah! Drive here! It seems thats it's O.K. to pass on the right, not use blinkers, run red lights and drive 20 miles over the speed limit. I've lived and driven in DC, LA and Seattle, and nothing compares to the commute to Johnson County!

[John Davis]

I'd also recommend living on the KS side. We currently live in Blue Springs MO, but the wife works in KS. The taxes are higher on the KS side (including the gas tax) but remember that you get what you pay for. Missouri's steel plated & potholed roads are legendary, which I have personally spent several hundred dollars on repairs from. I guess I could say that my taxes are cheaper, but I make up for it at the mechanic. No matter what, don't live in KCMO. Not only is there an additional income tax, but the city leaders are some of the worst in the nation. The mayor's only focus is to give away millions of tax dollars so that developers will hopefully re-build downtown tax-free.

[jo co]

I have lived all over KC and I prefer NE Johnson County. The schools are great, there is a very low crime rate, you are close to most of the metro area and you can get a nice home that isn't in a cookie cutter neighborhood.

[Antonio Ford]

My name is Antonio Ford with Reece & Nichols and I'm here to find you the perfect home in the perfect location in Kansas or Missouri. So give me call or email

Thanks,

Antonio Ford
Real Estate Professional
Reece & Nichols, Plaza
(816)960-3981
(816)808-9324
"The secret to sucess is to seize the moment when the opportunity presents itself."

[prettygirl]

Hey, I say move to Wyandotte County. The people are great, the homes are great, and the schools are great too. People forget about Wyandotte. Whatsup with that.

[Regina]

People forget about Crimedotte opps I mean Wyandotte because unless you are living out by the race track there is really nothing brag about over there. KCK is all over the news lately with Crime

[Susie]

I live in northeast Johnson County, Kansas and L-O-V-E it. I can get anywhere in town very easily - easy access to major roads and highways. The crime rate is low, I can easily get to Missouri to buy gas and groceries where the taxes are lower, it's much easier (and probably cheaper) to insure and license your car in Johnson County. I have a friend who moved from Overland Park to midtown, and the insurance on her car went up $40/month because of her address!! Plus, Shawnee Mission schools ROCK.

[curlyb]

If you havent considered the south of Kansas City you might want to check out the rural areas of Cass County Like Belton or Cleveland or on the Kansas side Gardner or Buycrus or Stillwell. These are quiet rural areas will good schools and friendly neighbors and the crime rate is not a factor. You are outside of the city limits and therefore your taxes will be lower and you can definately get more house for the money on the Missouri side.

I live in the outskirts of Belton, Missouri and work in Overland Park, Kansas. My commute is about 20 minutes but I hardly have any traffic. Plus I love the serenity of living in the country. Sure you have to drive a little to go shopping for your staples, but that's not too much to give up for some peace and quiet not too mention star filled skies that you can see without the glare of all the big city lights.

[psea01]

Raytown has the highest accredited rating available and is one of the best school districts in the state. The city has approved a complete overhaul of the downtown business district along with major improvements to the 350 corridor.

The Wal-Mart in Raytown is scheduled to close with the opening of the new location at the old Blue Ridge Mall site. This will re-direct urban core traffic to this new location. I think these combined changes will give rebirth to an up & coming community.

Most of the homes are older and smaller and there is not a lot of land available. But the taxes are low and the commute to just about anywhere in the city is relatively painless with the exception of driving on Missouri roads.

[rhonda]

Both KC, Mo and KC,Ks were high on the list of crime rates. Of course this is no surprise to those of us who live and work in the metro area.

[KC Brougham]

The ideal setup is living in Brookside/Romanelli and send your kids to private or charter school. The high crime stats in KCMO pertain to areas where you are not likely to be going.

[Beth]

Hey, Greg, great timing on this topic. I'm moving to Baltimore after Christmas and have the exact same question they couple moving here has only going the opposite direction.

[Patty]

Just remember that the old show "Mama's Family" (a Carol Burnett spinoff) was set in a town called Raytown, because one of the writers lived in Raytown, Missouri for awhile.

[KC Brougham]

Mama's Family was set in Grandview and the house they used at the beginning is on 59th St a half block west of Brookside.

[Beth]

Whatever. It's white trash central and everyone in this city knows it.

[KC Brougham]

"Whatever. It's white trash central and everyone in this city knows it. "

LOL, heh heh

Speaking of Wyandotte, I was visiting KC and drove from the airport around the west side of 435 to get out to Overland Park and there was some really pretty scenery along through Wyandotte county. I'd never been out there before and was pleasantly surprised.

[chris h]

i think it is informative that there are only a couple of raytown residents chiming in on this (myself being one) and we are all saying that raytown is great.

meanwhile, the Johnson County-philes resort to tired stereotypes of "crime" and "thugs" on the MO side. i don't believe it is Raytown I've seen on the news all year with attacks in public parks, child sex offenders, and myriad restaurants and gas stations robbed. the fact is that crime can and does happen everywhere. raytown is a quiet, safe, inexpensive community with good schools. now that we've started to vote in some needed tax initiatives, the services and infrastructure and school improvements have been manifest.

[Beth]

I'll admit it. I'm strictly Johnson County and having spent the majority of my life there I wouldn't live anywhere else in this city. If I were going to stay, I'd stay right where I'm at. I love northern JoCo. All the benefits of the snob fest that is JoCo but you're far enough away from the 119th Street Soccer Mom Club to still have some touch with reality.

But hey, truth be told, Kansas City in general doesn't have much to draw people and keep people like me other than their low cost of living. I would rather pay a little more on my mortgage and have access to first rate culture. Silly me.

[chris h]

well beth, while i disagree with your assessment of "first-class culture" in kansas city, i think you are in for a rude awakening in baltimore in terms of culture and crime. baltimore makes kansas city look like shangri-la.

[Beth]

Chris, you would be right. I'm well aware I'm trading down as far as crime statistics. But I'm betting Baltimore works the same as any other city. Some bad areas, some good.

[chris h]

if you don't think kc has "first-rate culture," you haven't been paying attention. given your stereotypical remarks about KC and raytown on this thread, i'd say it's patently clear you don't pay attention - at least not past the end of your subdivision in JoCo.

[openmind]

I grew up in Raytown. I think that the schools are very good, it just depends on what your kid wants to get out of them. They are redeveloping some areas, and in a couple of years it should be pretty nice. The crime is not what everyone makes it out to be, and it is mainly property crime. The one thing that you should know is that the commute to Lenexa will be a pain, my dad makes the drive every day.

As a whole, I would say that Raytown is a good place to live if that is what your budget dictates.

[Beth]

Oh I pay attention. I pay attention to the fact that Wicked still hasn't made an appearence here nor will it. I pay attention to the concerts that routinely stop in St. Louis but never here. I pay attention to the art exhibits that make it as far as Denver then skip over the midwest entirely. It's not so much KC I dislike. It's the midwest.

And the white trash crack was directed tongue in cheek towards prettygirl and her Wyandotte Rocks opinion.

[prettygirl]

Wyandotte County isnot bad and I assure you that if you move to Wyandotte you will be as safe as you would anywhere else. There's only a little crime. And little crime is everywhere. I mean come on guys you have to say Wyandotte Rocks.

[prettygirl]

Wyandotte County isnot bad and I assure you that if you move to Wyandotte you will be as safe as you would anywhere else. There's only a little crime. And little crime is everywhere. I mean come on guys you have to say Wyandotte Rocks.

[chris h]

well, not to belabor this point, but kansas city's art scene is superior to baltimore's, and shows like Wicked will stop in KC once the theatres are built/rehabbed downtown (fall '07). as for concerts going to STL, i have no idea, unless you're talking about garbage like coldplay or u2 or something. the kc scene (esp. in conjunction with lawrence) is really quite good. that said, the east coast is fun too and i'm sure you'll enjoy it - although you are moving to the "raytown" of east coast big cities! heh.

The Lee's Summit commute would suck, but it must be worth it, because so many people do it. I am not sure why one poster didn't like Lee's Summit, but I may be slowly figuring it out. We have higher taxes and supposedly nicer schools, but be careful if you actually need to voice your opinion to the school...
They might as well make us wear swastikas...
I think it is important to know if the mover has children and what hobbies they might have. If I didn't have kids, I would love to live in Brookside. I do, so I live over in Nazi land Lee's Summit. Any suggestions for me?

[Keith]

I stand in support of prettygirl.

While Wyandotte County may not be my personal choice, at least they invested in community social/economic infrastructure such as the Kansas Speedway.

The city of Kansas City, Mo. provides rail and air hubs as well as legitimate convention and arena facilities. Jackson County, Mo. provides baseball and football stadiums.

Johnson County, on the other hand, provides NIMBYs for the metro area. We (I've lived in NE JoCo for 45 years) love the facilities others pay for. And, hey...some JoCoians can even afford the ticket prices!

[Beth]

I'll be an hour from DC, 3 from New York. I can have breakfast on the capital steps and still make it into NYC for dinner. Unlike you, who will be here...so ok, Raytown of the east coast here I come.

[rhonda]

We're really gonna miss you, Beth. There's a shortage of elitist snobs around here. (Oh, and don't worry about your hick accent, I'm sure nobody will make fun of you.)

[Beth]

See, that's why I can't wait to move. If wanting decent shows and art exhibits and other forms of culture makes me an elitist snob then this is definitly not a good place for me. If the prevailing opinion in this city of a fun Saturday night out is watching a bunch of over fed morons run around a track at 300 mph then yeah, I need to go. If I never see another pick up truck again in my lifetime it will be too soon.

Oh, and while I'm at it there is no A at the end of Missouri. Hicks.

[chris h]

there are plenty of people from chicago, la, sf, nyc, dc snatching up lofts downtown and homes in the city. i am friends with many. in fact, KC imports more people from those cities than we export. KC is and never will be DC or nyc, but it is a pretty cool, edgy, artsy, cheap place to live. an increasing number of coastal transplants are finding that out.

[rhonda]

Kansas City has more great cultural institutions available than most people ever take advantage of.

[chris h]

wow, more stereotypes from beth! awesome.

let us all know how often you get up to NYC and DC when living in B-more. also, be sure to enlighten us about how much more cultured B-more is than KC. haha!

myself, i'm trying three new KCMO restuarants this week, attending two great art openings, and catching a music/performance-art show in a loft/artspace in the Bottoms. sadly there are no overwrought traveling theatre performances coming through for me to spend $50 per ticket on, but i'll manage! cheers!

[Beth]

I just don't get that. They'll be going stir crazy within a month.

[chris h]

well, the ones i've known have been here for a couple years, and wouldn't dream of moving back. they use the money they save on rent/mortgage/taxes/parking and travel to see friends all over the country a few times per year.

[Beth]

Cheers? Who are you? And why are you here? Because you definitly don't strike me as a local type.

[rhonda]

How soon are you leaving, Beth? Do you need any help packing?

[chris h]

i don't strike you as the local type b/c you have stereotyped locals as NASCAR fanatics. kc, born and raised.

are you aware that KC is an arts hub? are you aware that the KC Ballet is top 10 or 15 in the nation? have you been to the Opera or the Symphony? do you know that there are 50+ art galleries and studios in KCMO? did you know that KC/Lawrence has one of the best music scenes in the midwest? did you know that KCMO has the dining scene of a city twice its size?

i don't want to convince you to stay here (which you wouldn't do anyway!) but i think it's obvious that you suffer from a major "Grass is Greener" complex. KC may not bash you over the head with vitality and awesomeness like NYC or DC or Chicago (note i didn't mention B-more) but it offers more cultural amenities and variety than 99% of the people in this city could ever exploit.

[rhonda]

I was at the Spencer Art Museum at KU yesterday. It's a real treasure, although I usually spend more time at the Kemper or the Nelson.

For edgy theatre there's nothing better than the Unicorn, although it does tend to be rather inexpensive, which I know is a turnoff.

[Beth]

Know it, been there, done that. And the Baltimore thing was more a mental dart at a map. It may not be where I stay but I'll be damned if I stay in the midwest any longer.

I'm out of here December 28th, Rhonda, leaving this new couple for you to convince they haven't made a ass numbingly boring decision to move here.

[chris h]

frankly, i wouldn't take "cultural" commentary from anyone who "wouldn't dream" of living anywhere in KC other than Johnson County.

a mental dart at a map? are you 17? it seems like your move to B-more is ill-planned. haha! i have some friends in Baltimore and they love it, but like KC it is the type of city you really have to research and go off the beaten path to enjoy. from your impressions of KC, it doesn't sound like you venture past the Applebee's on Shawnee Mission Parkway.