Life Well, Bye, Kansas City... - Page 14

**TinyEvel** · 11:20 PM

Those of you who know me and my story know I am a Southern California born and raised native but picked Chiefs as my NFL team in 1994 after the Montana win in Houston in the AFC divisional playoffs. Stayed a loyal and true Chiefs fan through the years and after finding CP in 2005 began coming out to KC once a year (thanks NZoner) for games.

2015 -- through random happenstance, I had an opportunity to come out here for a job. I did it. I made great progress in this firm, hiring and relocating new talent to KC, championing the boomtown that it is.

A few months ago, through some reorganization, I find myself leaving this firm. Not much opportunity for me any more in KC, so I relocated my family back to the West Coast last week. I must say as a born and raised Californian, the weather and the fitness here in CA, I have to pinch myself that I am lucky to be back here.

I still love KC and will be back for games, but here are a few things I observed after living in an entirely new region for the first time in my life.

1) The people are nice. Like, genuinely nice. It would take me three minutes to get through the grocery checkout just because the cashier would ask how I am doing and make small talk.

2) No traffic. I mean, the Plaza at Christmastime is basically any road in any city in California year-round. Getting from A to B in KC was always a breeze.

3) Season Tickets at Arrowhead are a dream come true. Being able to get to the stadium at 7 am every home game, and feel the rush of the crowd every week...now when I watch the games on TV it will be different. I'll surely miss being there, and the waft of BBQ smoke will be forever emblazoned in my mind.

4) It's a good life if you have very young kids. You can buy a three bedroom home for $150K with great schools. If you have teenage kids, moving here is more tough because most local kids have already bonded with friends.

5) Lots of people are overweight. Not to make a body issue statement but it's unhealthy. I hated myself for judging people there.

6) BUT.... Lots of people are active. I was surprised at how many people are running and playing tennis, etc. The workout here seems to be more for heart health than to be good looking fit, so, glad to see so many people getting out there and getting their heart rate up.

7) Produce goes bad too fast. Buy an avocado, better eat it that day. Same with lettuce. And Citrus. I was shocked how fast those fresh produce go bad.

8) Free parking in KC is a blessing. We just went to a museum in San Francisco, Parking was $24. That was focked. Ludicrous.

9) Fast healthy food is hard to come by in KC. We just ate fresh Mex burritos for lunch and in KC it seems all the fast options are Wendy's or Arby's or Burger King etc. It was an effort to eat fast/cheap/healthy there in KC.

10) The weather. Probably the most significant difference. I didn't mind the winters (many said the past two were mild) but the summers and the sticky heat, that was the worst. Three days here and it's 70 degrees and a cool breeze, that's a million dollar climate, and it cost that much.

11) KC is a boomtown. Look at all the development, there's a ton of opportunity there right now.

12) Body modification: People in KC seem to have a higher level of "fck what other people think" in terms of what they do to their hair/face/skin. As a result you get a lot of questionable tattoos and piercings and haircuts, etc. On one hand, i was appreciative of the diversity, on the other hand, it felt like the human modification version of the bad Charles Jersey I ordered online from China.

13) who the fock am I to say what KC is like or any other place. You be you, Kansas City, that's what makes you special. I'm gonna do me out here. I'll be back to visit and sing your praises in my social media feeds. All day long. Just hide the fat people.

TinyEvel out.

BucEyedPea · 06-14-2017, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halfcan

I agree. I love the changing weather and having 4 different seasons a year. Watching the leaves change in Fall, spending the summers at one of the hundreds of lakes around here. Love camping in the Spring and the first snow of winter.

I miss the seasons but wouldn't want to bear NorthEast winters again. I am considering North Carolina because it's the furthest south on the east coast you can go and still get seasons. Just not as severe a winter.

**TinyEvel** · 06-14-2017, 11:41 PM

I'm good. This place is magic. If I never have to move again, I'm set. Yeah I will have to figure out how to afford a 1.5Million dollar 3 bedroom home, but to wake up every day amongst cawing birds and eucalyptus and redwoods and a cup of organic coffee, then hike to the beach...and then a few times a year drive my old VW camper up the coast and camp in the dunes...that is all worth it to me. Gonna do what I must to make it so. KC, I love you and it was great and I'll be back for a Chiefs game each year, but, me gonna do this for now.

BucEyedPea · 06-14-2017, 11:59 PM

Being near an ocean is nice. Ocean is a must for me. Nice picture.

crazycoffey · 06-15-2017, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyEvel

I'm good. This place is magic. If I never have to move again, I'm set. Yeah I will have to figure out how to afford a 1.5Million dollar 3 bedroom home, but I have means. To wake up every day amongst cawing birds and eucalyptus and redwoods and a cup of organic coffee, then hike to the beach...and then a few times a year drive my old VW camper up the coast and camp in the dunes...that is all worth it to me. Gonna do what I must to make it so. KC, I love you and it was great and I'll be back for a Chiefs games each year, but, me gonna do this for now.

Did you say organic Coffey?

**TribalElder** · 06-15-2017, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyEvel

I'm good. This place is magic. If I never have to move again, I'm set. Yeah I will have to figure out how to afford a 1.5Million dollar 3 bedroom home, but I have means. To wake up every day amongst cawing birds and eucalyptus and redwoods and a cup of organic coffee, then hike to the beach...and then a few times a year drive my old VW camper up the coast and camp in the dunes...that is all worth it to me. Gonna do what I must to make it so. KC, I love you and it was great and I'll be back for a Chiefs games each year, but, me gonna do this for now.

That looks a nice place, no wonder it's so expensive

So it's nothing like this site claims http://mochimachine.org/wasteland/

BucEyedPea · 06-15-2017, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazycoffey

Did you say organic Coffey?

Yes he did and it's quite good.

tooge · 06-15-2017, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

I'm just saying it's a trend. Tons of vlogs and even a reddit sub category for van dwellers in SoCal. 4,600 is just an estimate. It's hard to point out a van dweller. I'm sure they don't go around bragging about it.

Otherwise, you'll be livin in a van.......DOWN BY THE RIVER!

scho63 · 06-15-2017, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyEvel

My new commute situation I'll drive across the Golden Gate bridge each day ($6.50) and parking will be $17 each day. That's 23.50 a day, times 20 days a month: that's $470 a month just to drive to the city.

Any way to do mass transit either full time or a few times a week to save money?

RunKC · 06-15-2017, 07:48 AM

My best friend moved to Vancouver, Oregon (just outside of Portland) and he got a nice house for 355k which seems like a great deal. He's got mountains and the ocean within 90 minutes of his house.

I have thought about relocating before, and I won't get too far into this, but I just can't handle the politics of the west coast.

scho63 · 06-15-2017, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

My pool will be as warm as bath water in July and August.

Then it is no longer a pool and just a giant bathtub!

mr. tegu · 06-15-2017, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

A 24 pack of 16oz bottles costs $3 dollars at Costco.

Furthermore, filters for water through a refrigerator cost $18 dollars for 300 gallons of water or six months usage.

Is that really your Costco water price? Here in Overland Park we get a 40 pack of 16 oz bottles for $2.99.

Shag · 06-15-2017, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyEvel

I'm good. This place is magic. If I never have to move again, I'm set. Yeah I will have to figure out how to afford a 1.5Million dollar 3 bedroom home, but to wake up every day amongst cawing birds and eucalyptus and redwoods and a cup of organic coffee, then hike to the beach...and then a few times a year drive my old VW camper up the coast and camp in the dunes...that is all worth it to me. Gonna do what I must to make it so. KC, I love you and it was great and I'll be back for a Chiefs game each year, but, me gonna do this for now.

Damn straight. I moved to San Diego late last year after living my entire life in the midwest, and I can't see myself ever leaving. 3-4x/week at the beach, lots of great hiking, relatively easy access to mountains, perfect weather year round, best beer scene around. I'm outside every day, can play sports year round, and my dog is in heaven at the numerous dog beaches.

Sure, the cost of living is high, but it's worth every penny. Plus, Chiefs games ending at ~1pm most Sundays is amazing - the rest of my day at my disposal.

**Rain Man** · 06-15-2017, 10:24 AM

I'm just going to sit here in high-altitude heaven and watch all of you lowlanders talk up your places.

mr. tegu · 06-15-2017, 10:28 AM

We love living in Kansas, but definitely recognize there are some things we love that it just can't offer, mostly related to the outdoor activities, such as mountains and oceans and all that those things entail. But that's why we want to try to purchase a vacation property or two, that would be rented out when we aren't there. Thinking something in Colorado for the mountains, hiking, etc and then something near an ocean. The low cost of living here makes those things very doable.

**Bearcat** · 06-15-2017, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I'm just going to sit here in high-altitude heaven and watch all of you lowlanders talk up your places.

Yep.

06-12-2017, 11:14 PM
TinyEvel Just a li'l Evel Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bald. Goatee. Jorts. Casino cash: $5347131	Well, Bye, Kansas City... Those of you who know me and my story know I am a Southern California born and raised native but picked Chiefs as my NFL team in 1994 after the Montana win in Houston in the AFC divisional playoffs. Stayed a loyal and true Chiefs fan through the years and after finding CP in 2005 began coming out to KC once a year (thanks NZoner) for games. 2015 -- through random happenstance, I had an opportunity to come out here for a job. I did it. I made great progress in this firm, hiring and relocating new talent to KC, championing the boomtown that it is. A few months ago, through some reorganization, I find myself leaving this firm. Not much opportunity for me any more in KC, so I relocated my family back to the West Coast last week. I must say as a born and raised Californian, the weather and the fitness here in CA, I have to pinch myself that I am lucky to be back here. I still love KC and will be back for games, but here are a few things I observed after living in an entirely new region for the first time in my life. 1) The people are nice. Like, genuinely nice. It would take me three minutes to get through the grocery checkout just because the cashier would ask how I am doing and make small talk. 2) No traffic. I mean, the Plaza at Christmastime is basically any road in any city in California year-round. Getting from A to B in KC was always a breeze. 3) Season Tickets at Arrowhead are a dream come true. Being able to get to the stadium at 7 am every home game, and feel the rush of the crowd every week...now when I watch the games on TV it will be different. I'll surely miss being there, and the waft of BBQ smoke will be forever emblazoned in my mind. 4) It's a good life if you have very young kids. You can buy a three bedroom home for $150K with great schools. If you have teenage kids, moving here is more tough because most local kids have already bonded with friends. 5) Lots of people are overweight. Not to make a body issue statement but it's unhealthy. I hated myself for judging people there. 6) BUT.... Lots of people are active. I was surprised at how many people are running and playing tennis, etc. The workout here seems to be more for heart health than to be good looking fit, so, glad to see so many people getting out there and getting their heart rate up. 7) Produce goes bad too fast. Buy an avocado, better eat it that day. Same with lettuce. And Citrus. I was shocked how fast those fresh produce go bad. 8) Free parking in KC is a blessing. We just went to a museum in San Francisco, Parking was $24. That was focked. Ludicrous. 9) Fast healthy food is hard to come by in KC. We just ate fresh Mex burritos for lunch and in KC it seems all the fast options are Wendy's or Arby's or Burger King etc. It was an effort to eat fast/cheap/healthy there in KC. 10) The weather. Probably the most significant difference. I didn't mind the winters (many said the past two were mild) but the summers and the sticky heat, that was the worst. Three days here and it's 70 degrees and a cool breeze, that's a million dollar climate, and it cost that much. 11) KC is a boomtown. Look at all the development, there's a ton of opportunity there right now. 12) Body modification: People in KC seem to have a higher level of "fck what other people think" in terms of what they do to their hair/face/skin. As a result you get a lot of questionable tattoos and piercings and haircuts, etc. On one hand, i was appreciative of the diversity, on the other hand, it felt like the human modification version of the bad Charles Jersey I ordered online from China. 13) who the fock am I to say what KC is like or any other place. You be you, Kansas City, that's what makes you special. I'm gonna do me out here. I'll be back to visit and sing your praises in my social media feeds. All day long. Just hide the fat people. TinyEvel out. Last edited by TinyEvel; 06-12-2017 at 11:20 PM..
Posts: 11,814

06-14-2017, 11:41 PM	#197
TinyEvel Just a li'l Evel Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bald. Goatee. Jorts. Casino cash: $5347131	I'm good. This place is magic. If I never have to move again, I'm set. Yeah I will have to figure out how to afford a 1.5Million dollar 3 bedroom home, but to wake up every day amongst cawing birds and eucalyptus and redwoods and a cup of organic coffee, then hike to the beach...and then a few times a year drive my old VW camper up the coast and camp in the dunes...that is all worth it to me. Gonna do what I must to make it so. KC, I love you and it was great and I'll be back for a Chiefs game each year, but, me gonna do this for now. Last edited by TinyEvel; 06-15-2017 at 08:06 AM..
Posts: 11,814

06-14-2017, 11:59 PM	#198
BucEyedPea Gimme My Berries Back! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: None of your business Casino cash: $3349963	Being near an ocean is nice. Ocean is a must for me. Nice picture.
Posts: 161,924

06-15-2017, 07:48 AM	#204
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $2129611	My best friend moved to Vancouver, Oregon (just outside of Portland) and he got a nice house for 355k which seems like a great deal. He's got mountains and the ocean within 90 minutes of his house. I have thought about relocating before, and I won't get too far into this, but I just can't handle the politics of the west coast.
Posts: 46,196

06-15-2017, 10:24 AM	#208
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3198491 VARSITY	I'm just going to sit here in high-altitude heaven and watch all of you lowlanders talk up your places. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,551

06-15-2017, 10:28 AM	#209
mr. tegu Forever Royal Join Date: Mar 2012 Casino cash: $1851300	We love living in Kansas, but definitely recognize there are some things we love that it just can't offer, mostly related to the outdoor activities, such as mountains and oceans and all that those things entail. But that's why we want to try to purchase a vacation property or two, that would be rented out when we aren't there. Thinking something in Colorado for the mountains, hiking, etc and then something near an ocean. The low cost of living here makes those things very doable.
Posts: 24,079