Overland Park : Kansas

Located in northeastern Kansas, and considered a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, Overland Park is the trendy epicenter of Johnson County. Founded in the early 1900's by William B. Strang, Jr., who plotted the land along a military roadway, Overland Park retains its historical character within its vibrant downtown. With a population of about 185,000, the city offers many cultural amenities, art galleries, indoor and outdoor recreation, and is home to several schools of higher education. The city's 72 parks offer over 1,800 acres of green space, hiking and biking trails, two golf courses, playgrounds, and tennis courts. Information Technology is a major industry with both Sprint and Netsmart headquartered here.

Overland Park began collecting a host of accolades a few years back, and has been recognized by CNN Money, Livability, Forbes, and the National Civic League as a top place to call home.  In 2017, it was named by WalletHub as one of the Healthiest Cities in the U.S., and one of the Happiest Places to Live, and Smartasset named Overland Park as one of the top cities Where Retirees are Moving in 2017, due to its affordability and a low crime rate.  Picture of Downtown Overland Park courtesy of Wikipedia and Popcorn700; picture of Strang Carriage House courtesy of Wikipedia and Paulmcdonald; picture of Botanical Gardens courtesy of Wikipedia and Skylar Vance.

Zillow reports the median home value in Overland Park is $262,500 in mid-2017, which is a lttle above the national home price average of $255,600, (as reported by the National Association of Realtors).

Overland Park offers several types of housing options in many different neighborhoods which nclude single family homes, townhomes, and downtown condos, and lofts.  There are active adult communities here-see link at right.

Overland Park is known as both a family-friendly town and a great place for retirees.  There are many parks, two golf courses, hospitals, colleges, and cultural events.

The cost of homes is a little above the national average; Overland Park's taxes are higher than most other counties in Kansas; the community is not considered walkable.

Retirees interested in living in a college town that also offers outdoor recreation, art galleries, festivals, many parks, and volunteer opportunities, would enjoy living here.

Overland Park has medical centers, active community centers, and a historical society.  Both Johnson County Community College and the University of Kansas-Edwards Campus feature cultural and sporting events, offers classes for seniors, including Osher Lifelong Learning, and has an Audiology Clinic.

Overland Park's economy is diverse with technical and professional services, health care, and information technologies the main drivers.

January's average temperature is 32 degrees, July's average is 78 degrees.

As a college town, the city  boasts many restaurants, and a varied cultural scene.  It is also home to the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, The Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead, and a convention center.  Historic Downtown Overland Park hosts the town's popular farmer's market, the clocktower plaza, the Strang Carriage House, and the Overland Park Historical Society.