10 Hot Takes About Living in Kansas City

Everybody's got their opinions about Kansas City, and if you've lived here long enough, you know some of them can get a little... spicy. Today, I'm laying out my 10 hot takes about living in Kansas City. We're talking everything from why your electric bill is probably too high, to why some people think the state line is a badge of honor, to the parts of KC culture that will actually surprise you. Some of these are serious, some are just my personal gripes, but they all shape what it's really like to live here.

And hey, if you're thinking about moving to Kansas City, grab our free relocation guide at movingtokc.net/info. It's got everything I wish I had when my family first moved back.

Table of Contents

1. We're Building a Lot of Data Centers, and Not Everyone's Thrilled
2. Kansas City's Energy Bills Are Already High
3. Kansas City Has a River We've Barely Used, Until Now
4. We're Car Centric, But It's Getting Better (Or Is It?)
5. People Either Have Deep Pride, or They Can't Wait to Leave
6. The Weather Will Test Your Resilience
7. The Culture Will Surprise You
8. The People Are Kind (Like, Will Shovel Your Driveway Kind)
9. If You Live in the Metro, You Can Claim Kansas City
10. KC Still Hasn't Shaken Its Mob History and Political Corruption
11. We're Building a Lot of Data Centers, and Not Everyone's Thrilled About It

When Meta announced their $800 million facility in the Northland, I'll be honest, I thought it was a huge win. Then Google came in with a billion-dollar project of their own, and I was even more excited. But now? My view has shifted a bit.

Port KC just approved $110 billion (with a B) in revenue bonds this year alone for two projects called Mica and Kestrel, also in the Northland. On top of that, DeSoto just greenlit another $3.1 billion development with four hyperscale centers that'll take a decade to fully build out.

These are massive projects. We're talking facilities that each span hundreds of thousands of square feet. And here's the thing: they don't just sit there quietly humming away. They use enormous amounts of water and power. A single Google facility can go through 550,000 gallons of water a day. That's more than 200 million gallons a year. Some have reached 1.7 billion annually.

Developers will tell you they'll replenish more water than they use and run on 50% carbon-free energy. Sounds good on paper, but who's tracking it? What happens in a drought year? What happens if energy costs spike, and residents end up footing part of that bill?

And while the tax revenue numbers sound impressive (Kestrel alone is pitched at over $110 million in new revenue), these projects don't actually create that many jobs. Maybe 50 or so per phase. Meanwhile, the city still has to cover roads, fire, EMS, and long-term infrastructure.

So yeah, I still think there's opportunity here. But it also feels reckless to go all in without really knowing the long-term impacts. Is this the future of economic growth in Kansas City, or are we setting ourselves up for higher costs and less flexibility down the road?

2. Kansas City's Energy Bills Are Already High, and Data Centers Could Push Them Higher

So here's the thing. It's easy to talk about $100 billion in bonds and massive new facilities coming online, but what does that mean for you sitting at home? Let's get real: utility costs in Kansas City are already a pain point.

Take summer. Evergy charges up to four times more for electricity between 4 and 8 pm. That's the window when everyone's home, cranking the A/C, cooking dinner, doing laundry, and that's when the rates hit hardest. If you're not careful, even in a modest apartment, your bill can jump a couple hundred bucks.

Then flip to winter. Now it's natural gas that blows up the bill. Anyone in an older Kansas City home with drafty windows knows what I'm talking about. You can almost feel your paycheck slipping through the cracks.

And when you compare us nationally? KC isn't the cheapest. We're generally right around or just above the U.S. average. Not outrageous, but not exactly comforting either, especially when you add in extreme weather swings that make heating and cooling non-negotiable.

That's why the wave of new data centers raises so many eyebrows. These facilities consume as much power as small towns. Tech companies say they'll offset it with renewable energy, but in other markets, residents have still ended up footing the bill when demand spikes.

So the question isn't just "how many jobs will this bring?" It's also: "are my monthly bills about to get even worse?"

3. Kansas City Has a River Running Through It, and We've Barely Used It. Until Now.

If you've lived here for a while, you know the Missouri River has always been more of a divider than a destination. It splits the city in half, sure, but most of us drive over it without a second thought. No boardwalk, no real riverfront culture like you see in places such as San Antonio or even Omaha.

But that's starting to change.

Berkley Riverfront has gone from a dead zone of parking lots to one of the fastest-growing live/work/play districts in the city, complete with apartments, trails, and the new KC Current stadium drawing thousands of fans right to the water's edge. Add in the West Bottoms revitalization plan and the Rock Island Bridge project, and suddenly the riverfront doesn't feel forgotten anymore.

And here's the wild card most people don't know about: Riverfront Park. If you've ever noticed that massive stretch of woods east of the Bond Bridge and wondered why it just sits there, here's the backstory. It was literally a city dump. So contaminated, the EPA had to label it a Superfund site. For nearly 20 years, it's been locked away from the public.

Now? Port KC and Mayor Quinton Lucas want to flip it into a true public park: 400 acres of wild land that could someday have fishing docks, dirt bike trails, camping spots, and trail connections all the way from Berkley to the Blue River. Volunteers have been pushing for this for years, and we're finally seeing new gates, lights, and trail extensions as the first steps.

This isn't the polished version of the riverfront like the Current stadium. This is raw, natural, and honestly way more interesting. If it happens, it would give Kansas City something unique that most cities our size would kill for.

4. We're Car Centric, But It's Getting Better (Or Is It?)

Kansas City is a car city. You know it, I know it. There's no way around it. The metro sprawls over 7,900 square miles, and if you want to get anywhere that isn't within your exact neighborhood, you're driving.

We're trying though. The streetcar extension is finally coming to life, connecting downtown to UMKC and the Plaza. The Rock Island Bridge is opening up new bike and pedestrian connections across the Missouri River. New trails are popping up all over the place.

On paper, it looks like progress. And in some ways, it is.

But let's be honest: unless you work downtown, live downtown, or spend most of your time in a very specific walkable pocket, you're still driving. A lot. The infrastructure for public transit or biking just isn't there yet for most of the metro.

So while Kansas City is making progress, and it's worth watching closely, we're still in this awkward middle ground. A car-centric city that's trying to build the bones of a more connected future.

5. In Kansas City, People Either Have Deep Pride, or They Can't Wait to Leave

I've noticed this split a lot, especially in my own work. Half of the clients I help are moving here from out of state, and the other half are already in Kansas City but just looking for a new neighborhood. That alone tells you something: people are still betting big on KC.

But hop into the YouTube comments, and it's a whole different vibe. There's one guy who comments on nearly every video about how much Kansas City sucks, and the kicker is, he doesn't even live here anymore. Like, c'mon man, we get it. You left. But clearly, you still care enough to watch and comment.

Step outside the internet, though, and the story flips. Walk around my neighborhood in Waldo and you'll see KC pride everywhere. Chiefs gear, Royals hats, KC Heart shirts, Made Mobb hoodies (I've got several myself). And when you start talking to people who actually love this city, it doesn't take more than a few minutes before you pick up on just how deep that pride runs.

And honestly, I feel it too. My street does block parties. We pull a TV out in the driveway to watch Chiefs games. It's community. It's connection. It's the stuff you can't put on a spreadsheet but you feel every day when you live here.

So yeah, the split is real. You've got some folks who'll never stop complaining, and others who rep KC like it's a badge of honor. But that's kind of what makes this city fascinating. It inspires strong feelings either way, and honestly, I'll take that over indifference any day.

6. The Weather in Kansas City Will Test Your Resilience

If you've lived here for more than a year, you already know exactly what I mean. Winters are cold and frigid, but we don't even get the payoff of much snow. Spring shows up, but it feels like it lasts about three days before we're slammed into summer, which is hot, humid, and relentless. Fall is the one true gift: perfect weather, leaves changing, football season.

But the real truth? The Midwest doesn't have four seasons. We've got twelve. You've probably seen the meme: winter, fool's spring, second winter, spring of deception, third winter, the pollening, actual spring, summer, hell's front porch, false fall, second summer, and then, finally, actual fall. And it is spot on.

If you can survive that rollercoaster, you can survive just about anything Kansas City throws at you.

7. The Culture in Kansas City Will Surprise You

Most people outside of KC think barbecue and sports, and sure, those are huge parts of our identity. But if that's all you expect, you're going to be caught off guard.

We've got a jazz legacy that still lives on at 18th & Vine. We've got the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, with its world-class collection and those iconic shuttlecocks on the lawn. The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts rivals any venue in the country. First Fridays in the Crossroads brings thousands of people out every month for art galleries, food trucks, and live music.

Kansas City also has a thriving local food scene that goes way beyond barbecue. We've got James Beard-nominated chefs, incredible coffee roasters, craft breweries on every corner, and a restaurant culture that's diverse and constantly evolving.

The point is this: Kansas City has culture. Real culture. And if you move here expecting just BBQ and football, you're going to be pleasantly surprised by how much more there is to discover.

8. The People Are Kind (Like, Will Shovel Your Driveway Kind)

This is one of those things that sounds cheesy until you actually experience it. Kansas City has genuinely kind people. Not just polite. Actually kind.

I've had neighbors shovel my driveway without being asked. I've had strangers help me jump my car in a parking lot. People wave when you drive by. They say hi at the grocery store. They hold doors open. They'll give you directions even if it takes five minutes out of their day.

If you're coming from a bigger city where everyone's in their own bubble, this can feel almost jarring at first. But most people end up loving it. There's a warmth and a friendliness here that's genuinely part of the culture, not just a surface-level thing.

And look, are there exceptions? Of course. This isn't some utopia. But on the whole, Kansas City is full of good people who actually care about their neighbors. That's a big part of why people who move here end up staying.

9. If You Live in the Metro, You Can Claim Kansas City (Controversial)

Alright, this one gets people fired up. But here's my take: if you live anywhere in the Kansas City metro, you can say you live in Kansas City.

I don't care if you're in Overland Park, Lee's Summit, Lenexa, or Liberty. When you're traveling or talking to someone from out of state, you're allowed to say "I live in Kansas City." Because let's be real: nobody outside the metro knows where Prairie Village is. And you shouldn't have to explain the entire geography of the area just to answer a simple question.

Now, does this mean you should go around claiming the city if you live 45 minutes out and only come downtown twice a year? Probably not. But if you're inside the loop, or close to it, and you spend your weekends at the Plaza, Chiefs games, or downtown, go ahead and call it Kansas City.

At the end of the day, the whole metro contributes to the KC identity. The jobs, the culture, the neighborhoods, it's all woven together. And honestly, the more you live here, the less that line on the map really matters.

10. Kansas City Still Hasn't Shaken the Long Shadow of Its Mob History and Political Corruption

Here's something most people outside KC don't realize: Kansas City is the only major city in the country that doesn't control its own police department.

The Kansas City Police Department is run by a state-appointed board, a system that dates back more than 150 years. Supporters say it was created to prevent local political corruption, especially during the Pendergast machine era when organized crime and politics were deeply intertwined. And if you know anything about KC's mob history, you can see why people wanted a firewall.

But here's the twist: state control hasn't exactly solved the problem. Instead, it's created a department that's often criticized for being unaccountable to the very city it serves. Recent controversies, from lawsuits over police brutality, to DOJ investigations into hiring practices, to questions about budgeting, all highlight how disconnected the department can feel from local leadership.

Meanwhile, crime continues to be one of Kansas City's toughest challenges. Year after year, the homicide rate remains high, and people are divided over whether state control helps or hurts efforts to make the city safer.

Here's the irony: this setup was originally about curbing corruption in the 1930s, but in 2025 it's become a symbol of just how hard it is for Kansas City to fully move beyond its mob-influenced past. St. Louis fought and won local control over a decade ago. KC is still waiting.

And until that changes, the debate over accountability, safety, and who really runs this city isn't going anywhere.

Making Your Decision About Kansas City

At the end of the day, this city isn't just growing, it's redefining itself. And whether you love it or love to hate it, you can't deny that KC is at a turning point.

These hot takes reflect the real conversations happening in Kansas City right now. From infrastructure decisions that will shape the next 50 years, to the daily realities of weather and commutes, to the deep sense of community that keeps people here. Kansas City is a city of contrasts, strong opinions, and even stronger pride.

If you're thinking about buying or selling anywhere in the metro, my team and I would love to help you navigate this shifting market. Head over to movingtokc.net/info to get connected.

Thanks for reading, and I'll see you in the next one.

Hey, I’m Kyle Talbot—Kansas City real estate agent, content creator, and team lead of Moving to KC the #1 relocation-focused real estate team in Kansas City. We help people relocating to Kansas City—as well as local buyers and sellers—navigate the KC housing market with ease.