Raytown, Independence and Grandview

[Angela A.]

With respect to tenant caliber and crime, within Raytown, Independence and Grandview, are there generally good areas vs bad areas (ex: east vs. west, north vs. south of a street/freeway) within each town or does it go block by block? Pockets of good vs. bad areas?

[Matt R.]

Independence: North and West is not so great.  South and East is better.  I personally don't look at too many houses north of 23rd Street, but that's me.  Another way to put it: try to be in the Truman High catchment area, or the part of the Blue Springs school district that is in Independence.  (Look at greatschools.org for maps.)

Raytown: I don't have much specific, recent data.  In general, Raytown is probably better than the east side of KC, but not as good as (say) Lee's Summit.

Grandview: Again, no specific, recent data.  One oddity to watch out for in Grandview is that it is home to a church called "International House of Prayer".  They also have a theology school, and lots of college-age people move to Grandview to attend.  IHOP* likes to buy houses near their school and then rent them out, cramming as many kids into one house as the building code will allow (and sometimes more).  I get the impression that it's hard to get into this "by accident", but if you are looking for a house in Grandview, it might help to specify that you're not looking to put 9 people in an 800-sq-ft house.  :)

*Yes, just like the pancake restaurant.  There has been at least one trademark lawsuit.

Source: I grew up in Independence and now live in Blue Springs.  My rental property is in Independence.