Growing up in KC

Growing up in KC

I was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. I am very proud to be from KC, and have many great memories from my hometown. Although some joke about “Kansas” City and its association with Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, this mid-sized city is a hidden gem. Growing up in Kansas City offered a big city atmosphere without the hassles like traffic, pollution, etc. while still maintaining its “small-town” feel. The Kansas City Metropolitan area consists of two states: Missouri and Kansas. Kansas City, Missouri borders the state of Kansas, and locals are constantly crossing state borders to commute to work, to shop, and go to school. Do not let the bordering states fool you, Kansas and Missouri are quite different despite their close proximity to one another.
On the Missouri side of Metropolitan area, there is the world-famous Country Club Plaza shopping district along with the stadiums for our professional football and baseball team. The Missouri side also offers the only World War I museum in the country as well as world renowned barbeque spots that have brought everyone from President Obama to Steven Spielberg coming for a taste of a real Kansas City tradition. I was lucky to grow up on the Missouri side in one of the most historic and beautiful neighborhoods in the metro, named Hyde Park. My parents’ home was built in the early 1900’s and received a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Although the Missouri side has a plethora of sites to see and places to be, there are some downsides in comparison to Kansas. The Kansas City, Missouri school district is a very sad situation. Tens of schools have been shut down due to lack of funding and families moving to the Kansas side for their education. The Kansas side of the Metro offers wonderful schools, quieter neighborhoods, and more shopping options than Kansas City, Missouri. Overall, both sides have their advantages and flaws, but overall they offer a unique place that I call home.
If I had to give an...

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