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Things You Should Know Before Moving to Overland Park, KS

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Overland Park, with more than 170,000 residents, is the second largest city in Kansas and also one of the youngest cities in the state as well, at just over 53 years old. In 2010 Overland Park was ranked 7th on the list of "Best Places to Live" in the United States, by Money Magazine. The city of Overland Park is the largest suburb in the Kansas City metropolitan area, and also happens to be the site of the first airplane flight west of the Mississippi, which happened on Christmas Eve in 1909.

The population of Overland Park has exploded over the last two decades, growing from just over 111,000 people in 1990 to its current population of 173,372, and the land has expanded right along with it. When the city was incorporated in 1960, it was 13 square miles. It grew to 56.6 square miles in 1995 and after another annexation in 2008, the total area of the city is now 75.33 square miles.

This guide will provide you with some helpful tips and information on just about everything you need to know if you're going to be making the move to Overland Park. From the city's neighborhoods and school systems to the employment options and recreational activities available within the city, you'll find it all in this guide so that you can go into your move with the knowledge that is needed to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.

Overland Park Climate

The state of Kansas has an average of 230 sunny days per year and the highest average temperature recorded annually is around 92 degrees. The lowest average temperatures typically occur in January, when it can drop to as low as 18 degrees.

In the Overland Park area, there exists a transition zone between the continent's humid subtropical climate and a humid continental climate, which is part of the reason why Overland Park experiences hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters.

Overland Park Neighborhoods

The constantly expanding city of Overland Park is located in northeastern Kansas, right at the junction of Interstate 435 and U.S. Route 69, and is located a convenient 13 miles from Kansas City, Missouri, the nearest metropolitan area. While Overland Park is technically considered by most people to be a suburb of Kansas City and a part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, it is a large enough city all on its own, and still continuing to grow.

The city is comprised of several different neighborhoods, and also borders a number of other towns including Olathe, Merriam, Shawnee, Mission, Lenexa and Prairie Village, among several others. The city is located in Johnson County and is also a part of the area of Johnson County commonly referred to as Shawnee Mission.

Living Costs in the City

The cost of living is relatively moderate in Overland Park, with residents earning more money on average than many other comparable Midwest cities, and the median family income is $97,634, well above the national average. In addition, the median home price is $210,658, which seems to also be a bit higher than many other moderately sized cities in the area, but still reasonably priced when compared to other real estate markets.

Registering Your Car

Upon your arrival in Kansas after moving to the state permanently, you have a total of 90 days to update your registration and have your vehicle registered in the state before you may be required to pay a penalty.

A Kansas Driver's License can be obtained at any Kansas DMV location. The state requires new Kansas residents to update their license from their previous state to a Kansas driver's license as soon as possible after establishing permanent residency in the state. A driving test does not have to be taken if you have a currently valid out of state license, but supplemental driving courses are available.

Overland Park Moving Resources

Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Overland Park, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in Kansas. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:

Overland Park Schools

There are three main school districts that provide public education to the residents of Overland Park. Those districts are the Shawnee Mission School District, the Blue Valley School District and the Olathe School District. The Shawnee Mission and Blue Valley school districts each contain five public high schools, while the Olathe School District has four high schools. There are several exceptional educational institutions located in Overland Park that are regularly ranked among the top high schools in the nation, including Shawnee Mission South High School, Olathe North High School, and Blue Valley High School.

There are also several private religious schools located in Overland Park such Ascension High School, Holy Cross High School, Holy Spirit High School and St. Thomas Aquinas High School, all operated by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

Overland Park Employment

Overland Park is home to more than 3,800 companies and the headquarters of major employers such as Sprint, YRC Worldwide, Waddell & Reed, Compass Minerals and Black & Veatch. The city's close proximity to Kansas City also means easy access to the amenities and diversity of a major metropolitan area. The largest employer in the city is Sprint, which employs over 8,000, followed by the Shawnee Mission School District, Johnson County Community College, the Blue Valley School District and Black & Veatch.

Overland Park also has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. Overland Park's job market has been growing constantly, due in part to the diverse economic base of the region and the city. With a job growth rate of 13.46 percent and a low unemployment rate 3.8 percent , there is a lot to be found in Overland Park when it comes to the job market, although it's always a smart idea to secure employment prior to making your move.

Public Transportation

Overland Park is easily accessible from Interstates 35 and 435 and U.S. Highway 69. Although the city of Overland Park does not have its own public transportation system, the local bus service, "The JO," is provided by Johnson County Transit. If you intend on traveling longer distances, there are Greyhound terminals located in Overland Park as well. The closest airport is Kansas City International Airport, which is approximately a 40-minute drive from Overland Park.

Culture and Contemporary Life

Overland Park is consistently ranked in the top 10 on the "100 Best Places to Live in the United States" list put together annually by CNN Money. The city has a little something to offer just about anyone, no matter what your interests are. The Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens stretch out over 300 acres and appeal to the nature lover in all of us, as does the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead, one of the top tourist attractions in the Kansas City area and perfect for the entire family.

If shopping is what you prefer, then the Oak Park Mall should satisfy that desire and art and history buffs will appreciate the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art and the historic Downtown Overland Park area, which features a farmer's market and a statue of William B. Strang, the founder of Overland Park.

Moving to Overland Park

Whatever your reasons for moving to Overland Park, whether it be for a change of scenery or for employment, the city beckons you with its charm. The first step in the process of moving to Overland Park is choosing a moving company after first checking their BBB ratings, insurance and license. The moving rates are charged by the hour if you are moving within the state boundary, while for a long distance move the charges will depend on the total weight or volume in cubic feet of your belongings. In the latter case, you can ask about a flat rate or any special discounts that are available with the mover.

Robert Moreschi  Posted by Robert Moreschi on June 4, 2013

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