Why Kansas City Is (Actually) a Great Place to Retire
Finding a place to retire can be a tricky and serious decision. You have worked your whole life to enjoy the golden years with all the benefits they offer. In order to get the most out of your retirement, living in the right place could payoff in huge increments.
If you are looking to get the highest degree of benefit from your retirement location, Kansas City, could very well be the place for you. You might not have considered it, but Kansas City is actually a great place to retire.
A Little History
Founded in 1850, Kansas City had served as an important route for traders for nearly a century as it is situated at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas rivers. The city limits today are located along the Missouri-Kansas border. Today, Kansas City has a modest population of over 400,000. It’s not too small, and not too large.
Often referred to as the “Heart of America,” Kansas City is almost exactly in the center of the continental United States. To really see the most of America, Kansas City offers an excellent home base to do just that. Whether it be driving or flying, being centrally located means that you have the opportunity to explore the entire country without having to spend too long on road trips or airplanes.
Air Travel Out of Kansas City
With the Kansas City International Airport located at the northwestern corner of the city, explorers and adventurers can find access to nearly 50 nonstop destinations. Continental travel could not be more convenient, with cities on either coast less than a three hour flight away. Not only does that mean more time spent actually exploring than traveling, it also means cheaper flights.
Even if you are not particularly keen on air travel, Kansas City is not too far from anywhere in the lower 48 states for quick and convenient visits from your loved ones. Whether it be through nonstop or connecting flights, your family can easily come visit Kansas City anytime and typically at very affordable prices.
A Great Place for Food (BBQ!)
Like many modern cities, top tier cuisine can be found all throughout the city, from whatever culture you can think of. But not only does Kansas City offer flavors from around the world, it also features its very own. Named for the city itself, Kansas City barbeque is a type of barbeque that originated in the area and has found popularity all over the world.
That being said, the absolute best Kansas City barbeque is, of course, found right in Kansas City. Revered BBQ joints like Arthur Bryant’s and Gates are some of Kansas City’s most popular and famous BBQ restaurants (my personal favorite is Jack Stack BBQ).
Along with barbeque, steak is also one of Kansas City’s famed dishes. With the Kansas City Stockyard previously being second only to Chicago’s, beef was and still is very celebrated by the locals.
Many of the country’s best steak restaurants are found right here and are a must for anyone even passing through the area. For those favoring a delicious meat diet, or for anyone who only likes to indulge from time to time, the city’s restaurants are sure to satisfy even the most ravenous carnivorous appetites.
Performing Arts
If you are looking for something to do out on the town, Kansas City has more than enough options to keep everyone happy. Performing arts have been a mainstay of Kansas City culture since the 1800s, when traveling theater troupes would perform in and around the region. During the 1920s, Kansas City was the capital of the vaudevillian Orpheum circuit. To this day, that strong artistic tradition is still going strong.
For music lovers, the Kansas City Symphony and the Kansas City Chorale are mainstays of the Kansas City music scene. For fans of contemporary music, the Providence Medical Center Amphitheater features tour dates from all the top artists, as its 18,500 seat capacity makes it a great destination for any performer.
The Kansas City Jazz scene has been a huge part of the city since the 1930s and continues to thrive today. The Kansas City Jazz orchestra calls the city home, but smaller musicians perform throughout the city and especially in the Westport district.
Additionally, Kansas city is home to the State Ballet of Missouri for lovers of dance, and a number of broadway groups frequently perform at the city’s many performing arts centers, most notably the Kauffman Center.
Kansas City Sports Teams
Sports fanatics can find endless enjoyment through the city’s many professional sports teams. For Major League Baseball, the Kansas City Royals play at the easily accessible Kauffman stadium, situated right by two major highways. And right across the street, the National Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs play at Arrowhead stadium.
Additionally, Sporting Kansas City offers Major League Soccer right next door in Kansas City, Kansas. And hockey fans can experience professional play through the Kansas City Mavericks, whose home in nearby Independence, Missouri is just a short drive away.
Museums
History enthusiasts of all kinds can find something enjoyable through one, or several, of Kansas City’s many museums. Because of the prominence of the jazz scene, it should come as no surprise that the American Jazz Museum is located right downtown.
For art, look no further than the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Other museums focusing on World War One, steamboats, science, money and even toys offer more than enough for when your grandkids come to visit.
Additional entertainment can be found through casinos, planetariums and airshows, leaving you with plenty to experience over a long and healthy retirement.
Cost of Living in Kansas City
Ok, so we covered everything there is to do in Kansas City. Now let’s get down to brass tax on what Kansas City can do for your wallet since you’re thinking about staying or retiring here.
Kansas City offers a more affordable cost of living without skimping on everything you need to stay happy and healthy. The average retiree with one million dollars can make that money last for around 25.5 years, or almost 25 percent longer than the national average of 20.9 years.
This means that you can really get the most out of your retirement without worrying about pinching every penny. You saved that money, now it is time to enjoy it.
When considering financials, healthcare definitely is a top concern. Luckily, Missouri and Kansas are both ranked in the top ten states for senior care. Missouri is placed at number two, so if you decide to settle in Kansas City you can expect to receive top quality medical care without breaking the bank.
Climate
Another advantage to being located almost at the exact center of the United States is a mild climate that still offers all four seasons. Winters don’t get too cold in Kansas City, but it still receives over a foot of snow a year on average. In terms of temperature in the winter, the average highs are around 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit, with lows of around 25-30.
In the summertime, things heat up quite a bit, but it still remains relatively mild. Summer average high temperatures hover somewhere between 80 and 90 degrees. So despite remaining on the warmer side, Kansas City still offers all of the great seasonal benefits, from bloomage to foliage.
Retire to Kansas City
There you have it, folks. Kansas City really does have it all for retirees. Not only can you stretch your dollar farther to really make the most of retirement, you can make the most of the additional time Kansas City will buy you.
Enjoy world famous steak and barbeque restaurants that put the city on the map and make it a renowned destination for foodies of all sorts. Plus, enjoy all the benefits of the American melting pot with cultures from all over the world.
Performing arts and museums have more than enough for those who enjoy the finer things in life. And with professional baseball, football and soccer teams already established in the area, the sports fan should feel well at home.
And on top of all of that, its central location in the Heart of America allows for quick, cheap and convenient travel to every corner of America. And that location also means a comfortable climate to enjoy all the seasons
