Buying a Home in Johnson County, Kansas?
Johnson County, Kansas is among the best 25 places to live in the nation, according to an assessment from 24/7 Wall Street magazine, and among the wealthiest counties in the country. So if you’re thinking about buying a home in Johnson County, you really can’t go wrong. But which JoCo areas stand out as the best places to settle?
Here are our picks:
Olathe
If you’re buying a home in Johnson County, Olathe should top your list of options. Olathe was recently ranked the #23 most-livable city in the United States by USA Today. This suburb offers 73 public schools, including two of the top-five schools in Kansas, making Olathe a huge draw for families. It’s affordable with a low poverty rate (5.6%, bottom 10 in the nation) and high percentage of residents with at least a bachelor’s degree. The typical home costs only 2.6 times the area’s median household income – nationwide, the typical home is worth 3.6 times the annual income. Olathe’s 135,500 residents also enjoy lots of options for food, shopping and activities, including the Ernie Miller Nature Park.
Leawood
According to Niche.com, this is the best suburb in the state and the best place to raise a family, too. Leawood has everything, from fine dining to ever finer shopping, and high property values. It also offers great schools, safe neighborhoods and six sprawling city parks.
Prairie Village
This small neighborhood borders Leawood but is more affordable. Prairie Village’s 19 public schools are top-notch, and its crime rate is slightly lower than that of Leawood. There’s plenty to do in this close-knit community, and locals say they enjoy the fact that Prairie Village has less traffic and is friendly for walkers and bikers.
Overland Park
This KC suburb is big, bustling and has a lot to offer families. It’s ranked as one of the top cities to live in the nation, and its population of about 182,000 would likely agree. The schools are highly rated, the homes are built on large lots and whether you want to shop at Oak Park Mall, walk Indian Creek Trail or try a new trendy restaurant, you’ll never be bored in Overland Park.
Lenexa
Average home prices are a bit more affordable here, just southwest of Overland Park, but you won’t lose anything. In fact, Shawnee Mission Park is a big draw, offering swimming, hiking, boating and fishing for outdoor enthusiasts. Lenexa is home to just over 50,000 people and large, new construction homes are the norm here.
If you have questions about buying a home in Johnson County, just ask us!
Life In Style, the weekly publication from Team Real Estate, is dedicated to helping homeowners make smarter decisions about their homes and lifestyle. It features original news, commentary, tips, and analysis from leading industry experts.