I am moving to the suburbs. What do I need to know?

[Strongside]

So my wife and I are urban yuppies and have lived in some sort of urban core / downtown for over 10 years now. We have just purchased a very nice home in Lenexa, KS and are leaving our loft in the River Market for a bigger yard (or just a yard, period), more square footage, and more rare police sirens and gunshots. We are anticipating children in the next few years, which is the main reason for our move.

What do I need to know? How do I make my grass look good? What do I need to do to my wardrobe so that I fit in with all of the other dads? What is the best lawnmower? What's the best brand of pool table? What do I do when I've had too much to drink and can't drive home? What time do I need to stop being loud on my deck and go to bed? Where can I get a legit beard trim and haircut by a real barber? Where is the best place to get a latte? How do I handle my road rage during a long commute?

Thanks in advance, old white dudes.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Bowser

I think first time house buyers in Lenexa get one of these as a "welcome to the neighborhood" gift from the HOA -



The 2.5 kids that are soccer ready are optional.

Wow, gotta say that as minivans go, thats a Ferrari... nice work by Chrysler

If thats their new design its gonna sell like crazy

[BlackOp]

Originally Posted by Strongside

I think that if one uses where they live as an excuse for falling into a routine-rut and not seeking out cultural experiences or new occurrences, then that individual should probably take a look in the mirror.

If you think that living downtown hasn't allowed me to fall into a VERY strict routine then you're mistaken. You have to. The city runs on routine. There is no magical dust floating around in the air in an urban setting that causes a person to actively seek out a more fulfilled life than their suburban counterparts. I'll be damned if moving to a slowed down environment will cause me to be any less active than I currently am.

Living in downtown Kansas City is not like living in downtown San Francisco. You still have to drive to most of your favorite hangouts and to visit friends. This will not change for me after our move. I'll still visit the same bars, restaurants, shopping, and neighborhoods as I did before. Most of which will be about the same distance from my home as they are from my current apartment. Again, I just don't see how one can completely change their entire outlook on life because they've moved to a new domicile.

Bottom line, I don't see myself or my wife being defined by some imaginary stereotype that says one's life should be lived a certain way based on living in a suburban neighborhood.

And one last point, some of my urban peers are so ****ing miserable it's unbelievable. It's the person, not the address.

People are habitual...you'll likely not frequent those same establishments as often...it's just how it slowly plays out. I cant speak for you personally though...

I agree about downtown KC. I live in the belly of the beast in Chicago...not even close to the same energy. Much slower mid-western lifestyle there...you have to actively seek out interesting things to do. I wouldn't raise kids where I live...and would probably do what you are doing.

[TimBone]

Originally Posted by O.city

Wr just bough a van. Honda Odyssey. My wife thought it was the end of her world trading in her car for a van.

With 2 kids under 3, best decision we've made. I love that thing.

If you're gonna get a van, the Honda Odyssey is the way to go. Those things are dope.

[mr. tegu]

Originally Posted by tooge

Get your hair cut at a barber near your house.

Stay up as long as you want on your deck. Once all the neighbors lights are out, try to be somewhat quiet and respectful.

Drink somewhere closer to home, take a cab home if you can't walk home. Or, just have friends over to your place to drink and bbq in your new yard. Then just walk inside.

Wear the same clothing you've always worn.

Buy a Toro mower. Lawn boy is also good.

Put pre emergent on your lawn now, then again in late May. Use a weed and feed fertilizer in May and June. Put Snowman, or some other winterizer on your grass in late October. Keep your grass cut at 3.5 inches, and mow it once a week or so.

Buy a WSM smoker and learn to bbq so you can have friends over. Get a good grill.

Plant a small garden so you will have fresh tomatoes, onions, and herbs to cook with.

That is all for now.

The Weber Smokey Mountain is awesome. Get the big 22 inch one though. The 18 inch will feel small very quick. The 22 inch is about $100 more but you should never have to replace it.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by TimBone

If you're gonna get a van, the Honda Odyssey is the way to go. Those things are dope.

Gotta disagree here, Chrysler invented the minivan and still do them better than anyone

[Meatloaf]

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

The Weber Smokey Mountain is awesome. Get the big 22 inch one though. The 18 inch will feel small very quick. The 22 inch is about $100 more but you should never have to replace it.

Best advice on this thread! Heck, you should buy a smoker/grill even before you buy a house!!! To live in Lenexa without a smoker is......well.......blasphemous!

[TimBone]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Gotta disagree here, Chrysler invented the minivan and still do them better than anyone

You may be right. I don't guess I've ever been l in a Chrysler minivan. I have been in a few Odysseys, though, and they were pretty dope.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by TimBone

You may be right. I don't guess I've ever been l in a Chrysler minivan. I have been in a few Odysseys, though, and they were pretty dope.

SOME of that may be biased from my days selling them

[BlackOp]

I have to chuckle that mini-van talk made it's way into the suburbia thread...might a well compare the best brands of soccer balls while you are at it. They are symbiotic..

[RunKC]

I see more Honda Pilot's and Toyota Highlanders than vans when I'm going through the burbs

[Beef Supreme]

I am moving to the suburbs. What do I need to know?

Kung Fu.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Scout out the local mailmen and pool boys

[Donger]

[Discuss Thrower]

List of things to not have in your house when your precious little one(s) come home from the hospital:

1) Accessible amounts of cleaning solvents.
2) Uncovered pool or hot tub.
3) Cords / ropes with thicknesses in excess of 1/8th of a inch and lengths of half an inch.
4) Easily accessible electrical cords for appliances on elevated surfaces.
5) Vertical blinds.
6) Decorative marbles and other small to tiny objects.
7) Decorative Weapons.
8) Walls colored in something other than shades of whites or Earth Tones.
9) Light sockets.
10) Peanuts or any foods containing peanuts.
11) Foods containing grains.
12) Red meat.
13) Any food containing dairy products or byproducts.
14) The American flag and other items which might suggest American Imperialism as a positive in the world.
15) Any area of the house where a child might be exposed to the nude human form.
16) Any area of the house where a child might be exposed to ideas that might force them to use critical thinking.

[Predarat]

Make sure you read the HOA rules to make sure they are not too Gestapo. HOAs do serve a purpose but some over do it, like no all day smoking and shit like that.