K A N S A S
C I T Y
Photo by Matt Kocourek
I N
Park Place
Growing Cities Even as downtown Kansas City is revitalized, the suburbs continue to entice homeowners and relocators with upscale and affordable housing, rolling parklands, nearby amenities and a bustling business climate. Here’s a glimpse at the major players.
Johnson County, Kan. The communities southwest of Kansas City __ Overland Park, Leawood, Lenexa and Gardner among them __ are an anchor of the metro’s expansion. Collectively they’re part of Johnson County, Kan., a vigorous engine that combines nationally renowned school districts and low tax rates with one of the nation’s most educated workforces and a high-growth, diversified business climate. The result: A region brimming with some of the country’s most affluent and livable neighborhoods. They boast a stunning array of national awards lauding Johnson County and its cities as a leading place to do business (Forbes magazine), build wealth (Money magazine), raise families (Kid-Friendly Cities Report Card) and even frolic among the trees (National Arbor Foundation). No wonder it’s such a big draw. Johnson County’s population has jumped 25 percent over the past decade, now past 500,000, and it’s created more than 126,000 CONTINUED ON PAGE 44
42 • 2011 RELOCATING IN KANSAS CITY