1. Everyone Will Think You’re From Kansas

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User RLHyde

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User istolethetv

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User kendrickmartin (cropped)

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User PaulSteinJC

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?”

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User Brood_wich

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User MikeKalasnik (cropped)

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User Mike Morbeck

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User Tim-Hoggarth

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User Brian Hillegas

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User heidielliott

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.

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11. Ice Storms Aren’t Usually So Feared

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User Clearly Ambiguous

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User rosemarydukelow (cropped)

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User minds-eye (cropped)

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User Patrick Hoesly

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User Lars Plougmann

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User TenSafeFrogs (cropped)

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User mjmonty

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User lisahumes

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User woodleywonderworks

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User M31.

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.

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21. The Sweet Corn Won’t Be So Sweet

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User desertdutchman

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User Jeff Kubina

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User davedehetre

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User The DLC

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User gregor_y

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User jinglejammer

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User KCBalletMedia

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Minsky’s Pizza via Facebook

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

29 Things They Don’t Tell You About Leaving Kansas City

Source: Flickr User StuSeeger

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!

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