3 to 5 becomes 19!

Oct. 11, 2010  |  By: Jill McCarthy  |  Category: KC Lifestyle
Tags: entertainment, festivals, relocating to KC, restaurants, sports, theaters, transportation

We are northerners.  I like snow in the winter, beautiful springs and falls, summer hot days that give into cold nights, and more than that, a fast pace.  Mostly I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago … a Cubs, Bears, performing & visual arts fan … and, oh the shopping!  My husband, a lifelong Wisconsin resident, is a “north” northerner.  He’d be happy with a 6-month winter and the remainder of the year should simply be cool.  Shoveling snow in boots, shorts, a long-sleeved shirt and hat, our KC neighbors come out to take his picture.

We spent our first married years in southwest Missouri … always with the plan to move “back north.” In the early 90’s, a job offer in Kansas City was discussed, and declined.  Neither of us had ever been to KC, but we had visions of dry, flat plains and frankly, the Wizard of Oz!  We craved major sports, museums, theatre, shopping/restaurants, festivals and diversity.  Now with a one-year-old in tow, we were determined to seek out high-quality schools and opportunities.

That prospective employer came back, again and again.  Finally the offer became simply, “Come and look.”  Not from the business aspects, but from the live-ability view.  We spent three days touring Kansas City on our own … visiting grocery stores, checking out housing (high value, low cost), driving the beautiful boulevards, photographing the fountains (they are everywhere), and taking in the picturesque Country Club Plaza. We found everything we wanted and more!

Here’s a quick look at a few of my favorites in KC:

Theatre & Performing Arts – I’m a season ticket holder for the Broadway Series at the Music Hall, Starlight Theatre’s summer Broadway Shows, and the KC Ballet. From there I sprinkle in the often hot, but greatly entertaining Shakespeare in the Park, the musical adaptations at Quality Hill Playhouse, the stirring talent of the KC Symphony, international acts at Johnson County Community College’s Carlsen Center, the Lied Center at the University of Kansas, and the William Jewell University Art Series, and the list can go on and on.

One of the most notable highlights among the performing arts in KC is the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, aka “The Rep.” Eric Rosen is the new artistic director at The Rep.  An award-winning playwright in his own right, he has brought an invigorating look to the stage scene in KC that’s edgy and fresh.  In a May review, TIME theater critic Richard Zoglin named Venice (KC Rep production) as the year’s best musical.  He highlighted Venice over all other Broadway musicals that opened during the 2009-2010 season, including this year’s Tony Award nominees.

And the best is yet to come as Kansas City anxiously awaits the opening of The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts (under construction now) in 2011.  This $326 million facility will provide a breathtaking backdrop for our symphony, ballet and opera.

Festivals & Entertainment Venues – You have only to check the weekly Pitch or KC Preview to get the line-up of activities around the region. From singers and bands to the month-long American Royal (including the world’s largest BBQ contest), to the Irish Fest, Renaissance Festival, activities at the Sprint Center, Power & Light District, River Market, Plaza or Crossroads, the city is always cranking.

Sports – Sports abound in Kansas City.  Nothing beats an all-day tailgate before a KC Chiefs game. The KC Royals play at the awe-inspiring Kauffman Stadium – complete with more fountains.  A new soccer stadium is being built for the KC Wizards.  We have minor league baseball with the T-Bones, NASCAR driving at the Kansas Speedway, minor league hockey, indoor football, and even Roller Derby.  And, not to be missed, the KU, Mizzou & K-State rivalries.

Restaurants – There is no doubt that BBQ is king in KC.  However, there is also an amazing varietal selection of trendy cafés, posh/upscale restaurants, hole-in-the wall dives, and comfortable family offerings.  And don’t forget about the authentic cultural options from Mexican, Thai, Japanese, Greek, Irish or Bavarian.

Transportation – You can get around Kansas City.  In fact you can get virtually anywhere in KC in 30 minutes or less.  And, you can easily traipse to either coast in less than three hours.  Here it’s easy to live anywhere, work anywhere and still go home after work to collect the family and head to the ballpark, dinner, or a concert.

And that’s how 3 to 5 became 19 … years, that is.  We originally thought our stint in KC would last 3 to 5 years tops, but we’ve never left! Our son, now 20, is a third-year cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point … a testament to the quality of education here.  I have long transformed from my original bleak view of KC, to taking on a major sales role promoting this affordable, vibrant, surprising region of more 2.2 million persons.  In the blink of an eye, like so many transplants here, we have fully embraced KC – a part of that ever-growing wave of those who come for a short time and then never want to leave.   And, we couldn’t be happier.   KC – it’s everything you need for success!