Kansas City combines a cosmopolitan lifestyle with a highly affordable cost of living. Nestled in the rolling hills of eastern Kansas and western Missouri, the Kansas City metropolitan area boasts more fountains than Rome and more boulevards than Paris. A rich history abounds, tracing back to the days of the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails, the Pony Express, and the exploits of Jesse James and the Dalton gang.
Kansas City offers a variety of cultural and recreational activities throughout the year, including festivals, exhibits, performances, and classes at the Nelson Atkins Art Gallery, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City Conservatory of Music, Missouri Repertory Theater, Kansas City Symphony, and many others. Professional sports activities include the Kansas City Chiefs football and Royals baseball, as well as soccer and hockey. Other attractions include the Kansas City Zoo, the Starlight outdoor theater, concerts at the Sandstone Amphitheater, and the Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun amusement parks. Outdoor recreation can be found in the area's 12 lakes, 140 parks, and numerous bike and hiking trails. A futuristic science museum, Science City, is located in the historic Union Station building.
About 1.5 million people live in the metropolitan area. Housing in all price ranges is available close to the Medical Center and in suburbs. Major employers include KU Medical Center, federal and state governments, Hallmark cards, AT&T, Bendix, US Sprint, Allied Signal (Honeywell), and Ford. Local businesses offer shopping in downtown areas, the Farmer's Market, Country Club Plaza, Crown Center, the historic Westport area, and malls. Dining experiences range from international to barbecue. Kansas City International Airport provides access to the area.
For more information about the Kansas City metropolitan area, please see our page of local area information links, or see an overview of Kansas City (prepared by the Kansas City Area Development Council).
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The University of Kansas Medical Center