need the lowdown on KCMO

October 24, 2007 7:23 PM

My band is pondering a move from San Francisco to Kansas City to take advantage of the rent savings and central location for touring. We'll be visiting the town again in a few weeks to check out neighborhoods and rentals -- any advice?

Is there a particular part of town that we should check out for a band's homebase/basement practice space? Where are the good rental listings found (Craigslist? the newspaper?)

posted by redshifter to travel & transportation (16 comments total)

You should check out Lawrence. It's a college town with a great music scene. Westport would be the other area that comes to mind. It's an area in Kansas City with many different bars and restaurants and places to stay that aren't too expensive. I wish I could be more helpful with rental listings. Check out the Pitch. (a local independent newspaper) for some good information about the area.

If you do end up moving to the area - welcome!
posted by emilyv at 7:48 PM on October 24, 2007

I can hear the late William S. Burroughs (and longtime Lawrence resident) saying, "Kansas City? When you've got Lawrence only a few miles away?" Really, I have to agree with Emily, it's far more what you are probably looking for. I would also agree with her that the Westport area would be a good second choice.
posted by Gerard Sorme at 7:56 PM on October 24, 2007

makes me think of that Okervil River song "gonna move to Kansas City, move to Kansas City"
posted by robotot at 8:00 PM on October 24, 2007

Go with Lawrence. Cheaper and a better live music scene.

It's like 20 minute drive to get to KC.
posted by Hugh2d2 at 8:02 PM on October 24, 2007

I'm not from KC, but I've been there. Eat at Arthur Bryants BBQ while you're in town. It's good stuff.
posted by chrisamiller at 8:14 PM on October 24, 2007

I don't know the name of the neighborhood as I don't live there, but it seemed that a number of bands lived in the neighborhood surrounding Davey's Uptown bar.

Must be cheap, as bands lived there. Looked like nice, old townhouses. I do know as a band, in addition to actually living somewhere, it's good to have a bar/venue/club that is your home base--except that relationship just happens; it can never be forced.
posted by sourwookie at 8:39 PM on October 24, 2007

As for BBQ: Gates as long as you focus on pork, and The Smokestack for most all else.
posted by sourwookie at 8:40 PM on October 24, 2007

just ask the mates of state this question
posted by Salvatorparadise at 8:42 PM on October 24, 2007

OTOH, I'll nth Lawrence.

BUT--Considered St. Louis? Close to Chicago, Memphis, Nashville, KC, and it always struck me as more of a "music" city. Seems more metropolitan, too. KC puts you 4 hours from St. Louis to the east; anything west, north, south of KC is a real journey. Lots of miles.

I've always had a pet theory about the East coast indy/punk scene picking up during the fuel crisis, as bands had short drives between major cities and venues. Bos-Wash alone is about as long as KC to Denver.
posted by sourwookie at 8:48 PM on October 24, 2007

COLUMBUS OHIO!!!!

500 miles of everywhere
posted by Salvatorparadise at 8:51 PM on October 24, 2007

Akron was a bit of a hotspot, back in the day.
posted by sourwookie at 9:07 PM on October 24, 2007

KC is terrible, but Lawrence is very nice, with much more going on.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 9:30 PM on October 24, 2007

FYI, Lawrence is actually 45 minutes from KC, not twenty. Lawrence is fun and a cool place to live, for sure. I'm not convinced it's all that much cheaper than KC though. But there are lots of cool bars and a cool live music scene.

But since you weren't asking about Lawrence....
Most of the musicians I know live in the midtown area (the area around Davey's Uptown, as noted above). It's inexpensive and there are a number of bars nearby -- Davey's, the Hurricane, the Grand Emporium, the Record Bar... There are some rough looking areas, but also some rather cool areas. I've lived in the 39th Street West area for close to four years now and I love it. My boyfriend lives in Hyde Park and seems pretty happy there.

It's been a few years since I've been rental-property hunting, but I would probably check Craig's List and The Pitch.

LiveJournal has a Kansas City community + a Kansas City Music community and a fairly-inactive KC Renters community. Might be worth exploring those too. (Oh and I know you weren't asking about Lawrence, but here's the community for there too.)

If you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail me. E-mail is in the profile.
posted by whatideserve at 10:05 PM on October 24, 2007

nthing Lawrence.. Lived there for 6 years and have been plotting my return ever since I left.
posted by jlowen at 7:50 AM on October 25, 2007

Another nthing for Lawrence. Freaking awesome place.
posted by ducktape at 10:11 AM on October 25, 2007

I haven't visited K.C. in years, but in addition to the Westport/Valentine/Art Institute/Plaza neighborhoods south of downtown (which appeared to be a mix of decent older houses & prewar apartment buildings), it seemed like an area north of downtown, just south of the river, was also a burgeoning area for bands & artists. It's called the West Bottoms, and it's mostly a gritty old warehouse/industrial area that's being revitalized with lofts and indie stores and such. Sort of like Williamsburg in Brooklyn, but much cheaper. The last time I was there was 2003, though, so things may have changed.

Lawrence is also cool, but it's much more of a college town than a city. But for your purposes (cheap rent & artsy community) it might work out well too.
posted by Sterling Hoyt at 10:39 AM on October 25, 2007