1. Everyone Will Think You’re From Kansas
While you might know there’s a Missouri side and a Kansas side to this city, out-of-staters won’t. They’ll simply assume that you’re from Kansas thanks to the name of the place you love.
Even with the warning, you’ll still be shocked by the average person’s general lack of geographical knowledge when it comes to your home.
2. You’ll Definitely Hear Some Wizard Of Oz Jokes
Even though you’re not actually from Kansas, you’ll still get tired of hearing the “Well, you’re not in Kansas anymore!” joke. But the jokes on them, you were never living there in the first place.
3. You Might Have To Go Hunting For That Boulevard Beer You Love
While this brewery is a favorite in the Kansas City area, it can be a little more difficult to find their beers at the liquor store the further away from the Midwest you get. If you’re leaving for good, it might be smart to bring a few sixers along for the ride.
4. No One Will Believe That Your BBQ Is Best, Until They Taste It
Barbecue is one of those things where everyone takes pride in their own hometown’s variety. If you move to another big barbecue state like Texas or Tennessee, expect people to talk trash about the Kansas City-style. Just bring them back with you during your next trip home and prove them wrong.
5. “So, It’s Burnt But You Still Eat It?”
One factor that puts Kansas City barbecue a step above the rest are their burnt ends. While the rest of the country doesn’t quite understand how to pull this dish off, you’ll definitely miss these tasty treats if you leave.
6. You’ll Run Into Plenty Of Royals Bandwagoners
Thanks to recent postseason success, suddenly there are tons of Royals “fans” around the country. It’ll be a bit annoying when they try to convince you that they’re true diehards just like you. Just be happy you have someone to watch the games with.
7. You Probably Won’t Find Too Many Chiefs Fans
With the Kansas City Chiefs claiming the 6th smallest market in the NFL, it’s not much of a surprise that their fans don’t travel too far from home. While the streets might flood with red on Sundays in KCMO, be happy if you find a bar with the Chiefs game on elsewhere.
8. No St. Paddy’s Day Celebration Will Compare
A city filled with Irish, few places party harder than Kansas City. It’s hard to beat the way that this city shuts down in celebration of this holiday for a huge parade and a day of sun and drunkenness.
9. Most People Won’t Care So Much About Soccer
If you’re a soccer fan that’s leaving what’s been deemed the “Soccer Capital of the Country,” you’re making a big mistake. Soccer isn’t a big deal in many parts of America, especially professional soccer.
It might be awhile before you find someone to talk Sporting KC with in your new hometown.
10. The Next Place You Live Won’t Be As Pretty
One aspect of Kansas City that tends to get overlooked by outsiders is how dang beautiful this city is. With tons of water fountains, parks, and plenty of public art, you’ll definitely miss living in a place that’s this vibrant.
var googletag = googletag || {};
googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || [];
(function() {
var gads = document.createElement(‘script’);
gads.async = true;
gads.type = ‘text/javascript’;
var useSSL = ‘https:’ == document.location.protocol;
gads.src = (useSSL ? ‘https:’ : ‘http:’) +
‘//www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js’;
var node = document.getElementsByTagName(‘script’)[0];
node.parentNode.insertBefore(gads, node);
})();
googletag.cmd.push(function() {
googletag.defineSlot(‘/1014900/M_Blog_300x250_Inline’, [300, 250], ‘div-gpt-ad-1425403311834-0’).addService(googletag.pubads());
googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();
googletag.enableServices();
});
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1425403311834-0’); });
11. Ice Storms Aren’t Usually So Feared
While ice storms in Kansas City can get pretty intense, weather like this isn’t usually such a problem in the rest of America. Look forward to milder winters in most places around the country.
12. “Taking A Trip To The Boat” Will Have A Different Meaning
While “the Boat” in Kansas City might mean a casino, “the boat” in most places just refers to a vehicle that floats on water. If your new friends invite you on a trip to their boat, make sure you pack a swimsuit instead of a cash wad.
13. Storms Sirens Will Start To Surprise You
After growing up in Kansas City, storm sirens filling the air are rarely too shocking thanks to how often they can be heard. If you move away and it’s been awhile since you’ve heard this wail, it’s sure to send shivers down your spine when it starts to pierce the air.
14. New Friends Might Laugh At Your Ren-Fest Pictures
One of the most unique festivals in the country, Kansas City’s Renaissance Festival is the perfect celebration of medieval life. While people that haven’t been might find that elaborate costume you wore a bit strange, have no shame…I’m sure you looked awesome!
15. Travelling Won’t Always Take So Long
When most people hear the word “Kansas,” a flat state full of nothing comes to mind. Unfortunately, if you’re driving anywhere outside of Kansas City, this description can be pretty accurate. Cities tend to be far apart without much in between.
Fortunately, it’s a much shorter drive to get from place to place in most parts of the country.
16. You’ll Start To Miss The Giant Shuttlecocks
Call them touristy if you want, but the giant shuttlecocks scattered around the art museum’s lawn make up one of the most recognizable features in Kansas City. You’ll definitely dream of seeing them again soon.
17. It’s Hard To Top Google Fiber
Once you’ve had the best, it sucks settling for less. Unless you’re moving to somewhere else that’s got Google Fiber, you’ll definitely catch yourself complaining about the local internet speeds more than once.
18. Snow Days Won’t Be So Sweet
The second snow starts falling in Kansas City, crowds start gathering at Suicide Hill for a good reason…the sledding there is that awesome. If you’ve left Kansas City and a winter wonderland starts forming outside, you’ll definitely long for more days spent back at this spot.
19. People Won’t Understand Your Love For Jazz
It might not be what you’ve got pumping through the speakers, but everyone from Kansas City has a soft spot for the genre that this city helped build. Introduce new friends to some smooth Kansas City jazz next time you’re together, they’ll probably thank you for it.
20. You’ll Miss A Good College Sports Rivalry
If you’re from Kansas City, you know that there’s been a war raging across state lines for years. Whether you’ve spent your life cheering for the Jayhawks or the Tigers, you can’t really appreciate the local rivalry that exists between these two schools until it’s gone.
var googletag = googletag || {};
googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || [];
(function() {
var gads = document.createElement(‘script’);
gads.async = true;
gads.type = ‘text/javascript’;
var useSSL = ‘https:’ == document.location.protocol;
gads.src = (useSSL ? ‘https:’ : ‘http:’) +
‘//www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js’;
var node = document.getElementsByTagName(‘script’)[0];
node.parentNode.insertBefore(gads, node);
})();
googletag.cmd.push(function() {
googletag.defineSlot(‘/1014900/M_Blog_300x250_Inline2’, [300, 250], ‘div-gpt-ad-1425403275176-0’).addService(googletag.pubads());
googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();
googletag.enableServices();
});
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1425403275176-0’); });
21. The Sweet Corn Won’t Be So Sweet
Thanks to the many farmers around Kansas City, the produce in this city is extremely fresh compared to what most people around the country are eating. One things for sure, you’ll never find better corn than in the City of Fountains.
22. No One Will Believe You That You Come From A Pizza Town
When people hear “pizza town,” they usually think of places like Chicago or New York. However, Kansas City’s pizza scene is majorly impressive. In fact, it’s so impressive that Travel and Leisure Magazine named KCMO as one of the best pizza cities in the country.
If you leave, you’ll have a hard time finding a slice that tops your favorite joint back home.
23. You’ll Consider Making The Trip Back For The Plaza Lights
Few things are more “Kansas City” than when they flip the switch that welcomes the holiday season to town each year. Stemming from a single strand of colored lights put up in 1925, coming to see the lights is a great excuse to get back to Kansas City in the winter.
24. Swope Park Set You Up For Disappointment
With over 1,800 acres of park space, few city parks around the world come close to outshining Swope Park in Kansas City. If you move to another metropolitan area around the country, you’ll definitely miss having so much accessible green space.
25. Open Container Laws Are Usually More Strict
While the Power and Lights District lets you walk around with drinks on the street, most cities aren’t so friendly towards boozing in public. Make sure you know the local laws before you step outside the bar with a drink.
26. It’s Harder To Find A Good Steak Than You Thought
The 3rd largest beef city in the country, you’ll probably never find a steak that will top the meals they serve at places like Jess and Jim’s. With Kansas City so close to the beef source, it’s no surprise that the meat tastes a bit better here.
27. It’s Not Quite So Cultured Elsewhere
When it comes to culture, Kansas City has it all. There’s a symphony, a ballet company, and tons of art galleries on seemingly every block. If you like experiencing the finer things in life, this is one thing you’re sure to miss.
28. Portions Will Be Smaller
A city known for serving food in huge portions like the 75 oz. sirloin at Jess and Jim’s and the 26” monstrous pizza at Minsky’s known as Gigantor, restaurants in Kansas City tend to be pretty generous. Don’t expect to get the same bang for your buck while dining elsewhere.
29. You’ll Miss The City Of Fountains More Than You Thought
With all of the awesome sports, great cuisine, and super friendly people, Kansas City truly is one-of-a-kind when it comes to “big city America.”
If you move away, you’ll long to be back home every day. Fortunately, this is one city that’s always willing to welcome you back with open arms.
What do you miss about Kansas City? Tell us in the comments below!