Have you been thinking of moving to Overland Park, KS?
You are in the proper location if the answer is yes.
Overland Park in Kansas is a city with about 200,000 residents. It is the 2nd most populated suburb in Kansas. Also, it is one of the youngest in the state.
The city also ranks high on Best Places to Live in the US. Despite the list being more than a decade old, Overland Park retains its position on the list.
The city is continuously growing. Its population grows every year.
Imagine that in the 1990s, the city only had about 100,000 residents. It grew to about 200,000 in 2021.
Also, the city sees an expansion of land.
Way back in the 1960s, it was only about 13 square miles.
The city now has a land area of 75 square miles.
It would help if you relocated to Overland Park for a number of reasons. It has quaint neighborhoods, good schools, and several parks and open spaces for you and your family.
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Is Overland Park, KS, a good place to live in? A Perfect Place for your Family
Overland Park is a good place for you and your family.
It has the vibe of a small town that comes with extensive city amenities.
There are good schools here and several activities available for you and your family.
If you’re still unsure, the response is yes.
Overland Park is a good place to live in KS.
No matter your reasons for moving here, Overland Park will never disappoint.
The Good Side
Individuals relocate to Overland Park for a variety of reasons. Likewise, you must!
Here are some important reasons for you, though, before you go. You and your family can expect to find schools, a relaxed pace of life, and much more.
Read on to find out.
Slow-Paced
Overland Park, KS, has a slower pace of life.
And it is an advantage, especially if you dislike the hustle and bustle of city life.
Here, residents do not have the same problems bigger cities have. Issues like traffic, crowd, long lines, and much more do not show up much here.
Yes, the city’s population has been steadily increasing over the years. Despite the increase in population, these common city problems seem not to exist here.
Life here is slow. The vibe here is super laid-back.
What I like about Overland Park is its small-town vibe. Despite the small-town vibe, it still provides the amenities bigger cities have.
Loving Local + The Farmers Market
A unique tradition in Overland Park happens every third Friday of the month.
During this time, the city hosts Local Life. It is to encourage residents to continue patronizing local businesses.
On this day every month, businesses stay open late. They sell snacks, offer promotions and specials, provide entertainment, and much more.
Also, the Farmer’s Market here is famous.
Overland Park’s Farmers Market had existed for more than three decades. And for this time, the city saw farmers sell the freshest produce, baked and canned goods, and a lot more.
The Farmers Market is a popular destination for locals. It is the perfect time to shop and eat while supporting the community.
A Fairy Tale Park
Overland Park is beautiful in many ways.
One of the beautiful sites in the city is the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
The site gives you more than five miles of trails. The trails are also easier to explore.
Here, you can take a walk, sit at the story tree, or skip rocks by the frog pond.
A popular part of the garden is the Children’s Discovery Garden.
You can look through the different native plants here. Or you may also drop by the Legacy Garden for a quiet afternoon.
Birds and butterflies fill the Erikson Water Garden.
Overall, the park gives a fairy tale vibe. You get birds, butterflies, plants, and flowers blooming all around.
And the best thing about the garden is it does not come with an evil stepmother.
Activities Galore
In Overland Park, there is always something to do.
One of the most popular events is the US Bank Great Midwest Balloon Fest. There is also a Fall Festival that sits well with tourists and locals alike.
The city will always have something for you no matter the year’s month. There is always something going on.
A Haven for the Art Lovers
If you love the arts, the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art is a destination you have to visit.
The museum houses and encourages the concept of minimalist modernism in its visitors.
Jerry and Margaret Norman opened the museum years ago. They were art collectors and started by allowing visitors to look at their art collections.
Aside from the museum, the city also has public art almost everywhere.
There is always art that will astonish your senses no matter where you turn.
You can swing by the Shim Sham Shimmy on Metcalf. Or you can drop by the Walking Man at the Johnson Community College.
Theaters and More Art Performances
Visit Rio, and you will feast on everything vintage.
Here, guests can watch a film at the theater. There are also live performances at the Glenwood Arts Theater. The setting here brings you back to years ago. The place has looked untouched since the 1960s.
Also, if you are into art performances, you can swing by Stems Plein Air Paint. It gathers some of the most talented artists from all over Overland Park.
There are workshops and painting challenges. And the thing is, everyone is welcome.
While doing your usual walks in the city, it is common to find artists painting in some of the principal streets of the town.
Great Schools
Overland Park has three central school districts.
All three provide the city’s residents with excellent quality public education.
Shawnee Mission School District, Olathe School District, and the Blue Valley School District make sure kids here get the best quality of education.
The schools here also rank high all the time.
And if you prefer your kids to go to private schools, there are several options.
You can have your pick from Holy Spirit High School, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Ascension High School, and the Holy Cross High School.
The Weather’s Fine
The state is always sunny.
Here, you can enjoy more than 230 days of sunshine per year. Temperatures here average at around 92 degrees. The lowest goes down to about 18 degrees, and it only happens during winter in January.
The summers are warm.
The winters are always mild.
The Bad Side
There is a downside to living in Overland Park. And this is something you need to know before you move here.
The Tornadoes that Appear
Kansas is in the tornado alley, and so is Overland Park.
It is common to see tornadoes visiting the city.
Before moving to Overland Park, it is essential to deal with the appearance of tornadoes.
You have to listen to news alerts regularly. There may be discussions on severe storms, and you might not know it.
When you start to live in Overland Park, it is essential to ensure your safety.
What is the cost of living in Overland Park, KS? A City 10% More Expensive than the Average
If there is one thing about Overland Park that I can guarantee you, it is that it is pricey. It is 11.2% more expensive than the national average.
The Good Side
Regarding budgeting, there are only two commodities in Overland Park that are lower than the national average.
The first of these commodities is the cost of utilities.
Utility costs in Overland Park are lower than the national average by 0.9%. While more affordable than an average American city, the margin is insignificant.
In the end, what matters should be your consumption.
When you want to move to Overland Park, you must watch out for your electric consumption, internet use, etc.
These all make up your utility costs.
The other commodity that sits below the national average is the cost of transportation.
The cost of transportation is 14% less than the national average.
And what is more beneficial is if you find a property near your workplace. You can save more than when you live far from work.
The Bad Side
Most of the commodities in Overland Park are more expensive than the national average.
The overall cost of living is because of housing costs. Everything is so expensive because the housing costs in Overland Park are 35.6% higher than the national average.
It’s also interesting to notice that housing expenses in Kansas are lower overall than they are nationwide.
It is only Overland Park that went beyond the average costs.
In Overland Park, everything is more expensive, including food and medical care.
Groceries are 2.6% more expensive than the national average. The rest of Kansas is also cheaper than the national average by 7%. It is only Overland Park that went more than the average in food and groceries.
In matters of healthcare, Overland Park is also more expensive than the US average by 6.5%.
And with the recent global events involving the pandemic, you should emphasize healthcare.
Overall, the cost of living in Overland Park is expensive.
When you compare the city with the rest of Kansas, it is also more expensive.
Before you move here, have a job that allows you to live a comfortable lifestyle.
Why work in Overland Park, KS? A Healthy Economy with Low Unemployment Rate
Working in Overland Park is a good decision. The main reason is that the city has numerous job vacancies available. It enjoys a healthy economy and has a low unemployment rate.
The Good Side
One significant pro of working in Overland Park is the healthy economy. Such an economy results in an abundance of jobs available for the city residents.
Here are the excellent reasons why you should work in Overland Park.
An Abundance of Jobs
The unemployment rate in Overland Park is 3%. The percentage is less than the 6% national average. Also, the city forecasts growth in its job market of 35.5% in the next decade. It is a number higher than the national average of 33.5%.
Overland Park is where major employers put up their businesses.
The biggest employer in the area is Sprint. Embark and KBP Foods also do business here. Also, you can find Overland Park with a few more companies like YRC Worldwide, Waddell & Reed, and Ceco Concrete.
The city saw a significant increase in its job market.
And so, if you are moving to Overland Park to work, you picked the perfect destination.
Here, the local economy is more robust. The job market is healthier.
A Reliable Public Transportation
Working in Overland Park gives you easy access to Interstates 35 and 435. You also have easy access to US Highway 69.
The city has a bus service they call “The JO.” You can take advantage of this at one of the many bus terminals in the city.
If you plan to go to the airport, the drive takes about 40 minutes. If you are going to work, traveling from home to your workplace is easy with the city’s reliable public transportation system.
Higher Income and Salaries
Another reason you should work in Overland Park is the salary grade of its residents.
The residents here receive higher income and salaries than the national average.
The average income of a resident amounts to about US$40,065 per year. This amount is higher than the national average of US$28,555 per year.
We also see consistency in the median household income.
A resident here receives a median household income of US$72,231 per year. The amount is higher than the national average of US$53,482 per year.
The Bad Side
There are a few pitfalls to working in Overland Park.
Do you want to know what they are?
Read on to find out.
Tax Rates
Overland Park has a bit higher sales tax than the average state. Most American cities average 7.3% in their sales taxes. In Overland Park, sales taxes can amount to as much as 9.1%.
The scenario is the same with regard to income tax rates. The US average income tax is only 4.6%. Income taxes in Overland Park can amount to as much as 5.7%.
Higher Cost of Living
As discussed earlier, the cost of living in Overland Park is higher than the national average.
When you compare Overland Park with the rest of Kansas, you will also find that the city is more expensive.
Housing costs, for example, are more expensive here than anywhere in Kansas.
The cost of living is a consideration you must consider before finalizing your decision.
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Overland Park is a good place to live in.
As you already know, no city is perfect.
Overland Park is decent enough. It has a small-town vibe complete with city amenities.
Here, you also have several outdoor activities for you and your family. Plus, the weather is always fine.
However, settling here may also be challenging with the rising cost of living. You only need to have a job that pays you well.
Once you have that, everything is perfect.
Would you consider Overland Park?
Let me know.
