Independence

Nestled between nature is 39th East, a suburban neighborhood in southern Independence, Missouri. Here, warrens of suburban roads are lined with multi-floor family homes and brick-built ranch houses – including raised ranches - of all sizes. These winding suburban streetscapes branch off from East 39th Street, the central avenue of this large community. Located on the outskirts of Independence, 39th East is close to Missouri’s scenic nature, including the stunning Waterfall Park and its hiking trail in the south, the massive Van Hook Park and its soccer fields in the north, and the Drumm Farm park – with its golf club and its herds of farm animals – to the northwest. These attractions put Missouri’s pastoral history on display, and embrace the wealth of idyllic scenery that the Kansas City metropolitan area has to offer. This residential community is located immediately adjacent to the Independence Crossroads shopping center, which includes a Walmart department store and pharmacy, a Sam’s Club warehouse club, and a PetSmart pet store for every family’s grocery and home needs. In addition, a shopping center farther south includes a Main Event bowling alley, arcade, and restaurant for family fun and a selection of good eats. 39th East is located alongside Highway 40, Interstate 70, and Route 291, providing it with ease of access to the rest of the Kansas City metropolitan area, including the city center itself.

Benton is a one-square-mile residential neighborhood adjacent to Independence Square in the Heart of Independence. Residents still live in the city’s oldest homes, some dating back to the mid-19th century. President Harry S. Truman's homes, which are now part of the Harry S. Truman National Historic Landmark District, are less than a mile from Benton. This place, which Truman referred to as the “center of the world,” maintains its small-town feel. Yet residents can experience all the culture and amenities of downtown Kansas City, Missouri just 14 miles away. “It is a wonderful suburb/city to grow up in, and I still live here. Independence is a quieter, quainter area than the city of Kansas City with a nice mix of tiny little houses to bigger homes,” lifelong Independence resident Marla Jones says. Despite its tiny size, Benton offers a surprising variety of architectural styles, including bungalows, Foursquares, Cape Cods, Craftsman, ranch-style, split-levels and some duplexes. Prices range from $145,000 to $200,000. “The price point in Benton is typically lower on average than the surrounding area. But it’s an up-and-coming neighborhood, so that could change,” Terri Wilson of Chartwell Realty says. Wilson has been selling homes in the area for 15 years. Benton is surrounded by East Truman Road to the north and Missouri Route 78 to the south. Interstates 70 and 435 are within 5 miles. Public transportation is also an option, with several IndeBus stops along major thoroughfares and an Amtrak station a mile away. “The Square,” as residents call Independence Square, has been the city's central gathering point since the original Truman Courthouse was built in 1836. The courthouse is a mile south of Benton. The Square is the place to go for many dining options, Jones says. The aroma of pastries and fresh-brewed coffee from Main Street Coffee House signals the beginning of the day on the Square. On special occasions, Ophelia’s offers an elegant dining experience with live jazz on the weekends and a popular Sunday brunch. When hunger strikes but getting out of the car feels too much trouble, residents can head a mile south to the Mugs-Up Root Beer, a retro drive-in burger joint straight out of the 1950s, complete with carhops wearing stainless steel coin dispensers 2 miles away. Grocery shopping is right in the neighborhood on 23rd Street at stores including Hy-Vee, Price Chopper and Thompson’s Country Market. Children can walk to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City, which offers after-school activities, sports, and enrichment programs for kids ages 5-18. Benton Park is also within walking distance and features a playground, basketball courts and plenty of open green space. Curtis Park is a sliver of a park that hugs Benton’s northern border along E. Truman Rd. Hiram Young Park is another small green space on the other side of S. Noland Road. The 56-acre Woodlawn Cemetery has been a sacred spot for Benton residents since 1837. It’s the oldest continuous-use Jackson County cemetery and the resting place of local loved ones, including pioneers and Civil War soldiers. Neighborhood students can attend Thomas Hart Benton Elementary School, which receives a C-plus score from Niche and the B-minus rated George Caleb Bingham Middle School. High schoolers can attend President Harry S. Truman’s alma mater, William Chrisman High School. Chrisman students can join the robotics team, which participates in national and international competitions. Chrisman receives a B-minus grade from Niche. Labor Day Weekend is a big deal in Independence. Every year, residents and visitors gather to pay tribute to Independence’s place in history as the starting point of the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon Trails. Attendance at SantaCaliGon Days has grown to over 300,000 people since it started in 1940. The event takes place in Historic Independence Square, and admission is free except for the carnival. Independence has played a significant role in the history of the Latter Day Saints movement from 1831 to today. In fact, the Community of Christ (formerly RLDS) Temple’s towering, swirling silver spire dominates the Independence skyline. Within walking distance from the temple are the Independence Visitors’ Center, a Latter-day Saints historical center with tours featuring exhibits on 1830s-era Mormon settlers, the Stone Church Community of Christ and Church of Christ-Temple Lot.

Located in a Kansas City suburb, the Blackburn area of Independence offers ample metropolitan amenities within a woodsy atmosphere. Residents can just as easily access the 15-mile Little Blue Trail as they can shop at over 100 stores in the Independence Center mall. Fast-food chains, grocery options and entertainment hubs, like an AMC movie theater, line Missouri Route 219. Young athletes will also find several facilities, ranging from football complexes to soccer fields. “The further east you get in Independence, the more rural It can feel,” says Ryan Gritters, a Realtor with Keller Williams Platinum Partners, who has sold several homes in the area. “People like this area because it’s truly a middle-ground. You’re close enough to schools so kids can walk, but you’re also just a quick drive away from a few nature preservations.” Most of Blackburn’s winding roads and cul-de-sacs were developed throughout the midcentury. Ranch styles with single-story or raised layouts sit on half-acre lots, often featuring towering sycamore trees in the front yard and picket fences enclosing the back yard. White metal mailboxes reside in front of three-bedroom split levels made of red brick with two-car garages tucked underneath. Homebuyers will also find a few four-bedroom New Traditional dwellings and the occasional custom-built country estate on a 2-acre parcel just past South Jackson Drive. Buying in Blackburn typically costs between $250,000 and $400,000, a range higher than an Independence home’s average $200,000 selling price. A part of the Independence School District, every school on this area’s track receives a B-minus grade from Niche. Children here can attend Blackburn Elementary and continue to Bridger Middle for sixth grade and Pioneer Middle from seventh through eighth. Lastly, students may go to B-minus-graded Truman High School, where the Academy Program has several career pathways, like industrial technology and business. The Metropolitan Community College Blue River Campus is also in the area, offering over 120 degree programs, ranging from nursing to agriculture. The red-brick Public Safety Institute here is an educational facility for future firefighters, police officers and paramedics. “Students don’t necessarily live in one specific area. It’s a commuter school,” says Gritters. “The western part of this area is probably Independence’s busiest commercial area, not just because of the mall,” says Gritters. Missouri Route 291 has fast-food drive-throughs, like Taco Bell and McDonald’s. Residents sit at red leather booths and eat hearty breakfast basics at Rae’s Café, a cozy, locally owned eatery along the thoroughfare. Serving thick-crust pies, Minsky’s Pizza has plenty of room for large parties and delivery options for a night in. Across the street from a Walmart Supercenter, the Independence Center resides in Blackburn’s southernmost region. Its two-level interior has classic mall amenities, like a merry-go-round a small arcade area outside the food court, home to a Panda Express and Charley’s Cheesesteaks. As shoppers walk the white and beige checkered floors, they’ll pass big-box retailers, such as Dick’s Sporting Goods and Dillard’s. Independence Commons, an open-air shopping center opposite the mall, has even more familiar favorites and an AMC movie theater. Blackburn is sprinkled with unique green spaces, like Beckett Park’s wide-open, rolling terrain tucked between residential streets. Workout equipment surrounds the sidewalk system at Clothier Park, where kids can climb the bright yellow monkey bars and glide down the blue plastic slide. Spring Saturday mornings are filled with referee whistles during youth soccer games at the Blue Valley Activity Center, a Christian-affiliated recreation organization offering basketball and volleyball programs inside its facility along Holke Road. Scoreboards and bleachers line the Heart of America Pop Warner Football Complex, another youth sports center in the area. Hikers and bikers can access the Little Blue Trail on Necessary Road, where they’ll trek gravel and paved routes passing by a namesake river and through dense hardwood forests. More wooded trails are nearby at the George Owens Nature Park or the over 1,000-acre Bur Oak Woods Conservation Area, only 5 miles east. Traffic along Interstate 70 may slow down for events at the Cable Dahmer Arena, a 5,800-seat multi-purpose indoor venue hosting everything from music acts to comedians. Soccer fans can watch the Kansas City Comets play other Major Arena Soccer League teams during weekends from November through April. The Kansas City Mavericks, a minor league hockey team, hit the ice during the same months with weekday games. Beginner skaters can take lessons and join youth hockey leagues at the Independence Community Ice, a public rink connected to the arena. Though some streets in the area have sidewalks, Blackburn is car-dependent. Downtown Independence’s quaint, Italianate-style restaurants and stores are 6 miles north, while Kansas City’s bustling core is 17 miles west via Interstate 70. Centerpoint Medical Center is the most convenient hospital, located on East 39th Street. Travelers will find the Kansas City International Airport 36 miles away. Numerous INDEbus stops are along Missouri Route 291, offering rides across Independence and Kansas City every hour.

Ripley is a residential enclave just over 5 miles from the historic sites, shopping and local restaurants of growing downtown Independence. The neighborhood has seen continuous growth over several decades, a reflection of its desirable location close to diverse amenities and only 14 miles from downtown Kansas City. “It’s a great neighborhood, it’s very family-friendly,” says Brad Carrender, an experienced local Realtor and owner of Home Sweet Home Realty. “You’re off the beaten path, but you still have easy access to amenities.” Ripley offers varied price points, opening the door for many different people to enjoy nearby nature trails, community events and convenient shopping and dining. Development here dates back to the mid-1970s, though buyers can find homes built in every decade since. “Ripley is definitely a growing neighborhood,” Carrender says. “It’s developing quickly with new houses going in.” On the lowest end, older ranch-style homes and raised ranches start around $200,000. The majority of homes have three or four bedrooms and fall between $250,000 and $350,000, while post 2000 New Traditionals with five or more bedrooms sell up to $500,000. The neighborhood is predominantly arranged in cul-de-sacs, where residents fence their large backyards and install pools and entertaining decks. Students here are zoned for Fort Osage Schools, starting their education at Indian Trails Elementary, which has a B from Niche. Kids continue on to Fire Prairie Upper Elementary, which gets a C-plus, then Osage Trail Middle, which has a B-minus. Teens graduate from B-minus-rated Fort Osage High School, a participant in the A+ program, which provides students with college and career guidance through local business partners. Within the neighborhood, Bund-Jack Park offers visitors a place to play and relax in a wooded setting. The park features a playground, picnic table and walking path. Residents can also head to Salem Park, home to open green space and multiple signs chronicling the site’s history as a Civil War battle ground and a point along the Santa Fe Trail. Ripley residents can quickly reach a trailhead for the Little Blue Trace Trail, a 15-mile paved path that extends all the way to Kansas City. The trail makes its way through densely forested areas interspersed with open meadows and picnic areas. Those who prefer a more structured day outdoors can tee off at Winter Stone Golf Course, a challenging 18-hole course that draws enthusiasts from around the city. Seasonal fruits and vegetables can be found at Hall’s Farm Fresh Produce, a summer roadside stand along Highway 24, or year-round at the Sun Fresh Market in the Arrowhead Shopping Center. Local and chain dining options line Highway 24, including El Volcan, a busy Mexican restaurant known for margaritas and a popular Taco Tuesday special. Other nearby options include Ranchero’s Mexican Food, Tavern 24 and chains such as Domino’s and Sonic. Ripley is also just a few miles from a B&B Theatres drive-in cinema. The long-running theatre maintains a vintage feel while showing double features of the latest blockbusters. Ripley has several festivals and seasonal events within reach, including the Sugar Creek Slavic Festival, a summer celebration of Slavic heritage with live performances and traditional foods. Residents also look forward to Living Windows in downtown Independence, where performers recreate scenes from holiday stories in dozens of shop windows. Highway 24 borders the neighborhood, granting convenient access to downtown Kansas City 14 miles away. The historical sites, shops and local bars and restaurants in the heart of Independence are just over 5 miles away. Though most people here drive, there are a handful of bus stops lining Highway 24 within Ripley. According to Risk Factor, some pockets of Ripley may have an elevated risk of flooding, including homes along Jackson Drive and 14th Street.

Bridger is a small, quiet suburban Independence neighborhood. Independence has a small-town vibe that sets it apart from Kansas City, which is 17 miles to the west. Bridger epitomizes that home-grown feel. “Independence is a quieter, quainter area than the city of Kansas City with a nice mix of tiny little houses to bigger homes,” lifelong Independence resident Marla Jones says. Bridger is a good example of that housing diversity, with larger homes and lots in newer parts of the neighborhood. “It’s not as dense as homes closer to Independence Square, which has more apartments,” Jones says. More than half of Bridger’s residents own their homes, while 46% are renters.   Bridger offers a variety of architectural styles, including traditional, split-levels and ranch-styles. Homes typically feature brick and siding exteriors with attached garages and moderate-sized yards. The neighborhood has more land than many nearby neighborhoods, allowing for a quieter, more private lifestyle. Newer parts of the neighborhood feature neat, curving streets and cul-de-sacs. Prices range from $100,000 to $465,000. The median price is $222,000. “People who buy in the area tend to stay in the area. The houses are well-maintained, and the schools are great,” says Ron van Fleet, a Realtor with REMAX Elite who has been selling homes in the area for 24 years. Bridger is surrounded by major highways and thoroughfares, making for easy commuting anywhere in the metro. Missouri State Route 291, the main arterial and commercial strip that runs through Independence, marks the western boundary. Recently, it was renamed Blaize Madrid-Evans Memorial Highway for a fallen Independence police officer. Bridger’s southern boundary is Missouri State Route 78, AKA 23rd Steet, which connects to Interstate 435. Public transportation is an option, with several IndeBus stops and the Independence Amtrak station 4 miles away.   Children can attend Blackburn Elementary School, which receives a B-minus grade from Niche and the B-minus-rated-rated George Caleb Bingham Middle School. High schoolers can attend President Harry S. Truman’s alma mater, William Chrisman High School. Chrisman receives a B-minus from Niche. Chrisman’s robotics team members can mentor elementary and middle school students who are interested in joining the team when they get older. Bridger is conveniently located near retail outlets people use every day. “Everything you need – from groceries to hardware stores to even the hospital – is within about three miles,” Van Fleet says. Favorite local eateries within half a mile include Minsky’s Pizza and the Hi-Boy Drive-In which has been here since 1957. Shoppers can get groceries a mile away on 23rd Street at places like Price Chopper, Hy-Vee and Aldi. Tractor Supply is also a mile away on the other side of Missouri Route 291. Independence Center shopping mall is just three miles away with anchor stores like Dillard’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods. “The shopping center is an older one, and it's declined, but they're building many places, a car wash in front of the mall, and opening up Freddies, “ Jones says. Deeply forested George Owens Nature Park is the neighborhood’s focal point, featuring lakes, biking, and walking trails. This 86-acre forest oasis features two stocked fishing ponds, three miles of trails and multiple picnic areas. “It’s a popular spot for scouts to use,” Jones says. Residents have a couple of favorite places to cool off in the hot summer months. In the northern part of the neighborhood, they can swim at the Henley Aquatic Center’s family-oriented indoor swimming facility, which includes lap lanes, open swimming, and lessons. Families can also spend the day at the Adventure Oasis Water Park two miles west, where they can float down the lazy river, fly down three water slides and swim in the pools. Labor Day Weekend is a big deal in Independence. Every year, residents and visitors gather to pay tribute to Independence’s place in history as the starting point of the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon Trails. Attendance at SantaCaliGon Days has grown to over 300,000 people since it started in 1940. The event takes place in Historic Independence Square, and admission is free except for the carnival. In the fall, George Owen Park hosts an Enchanted Forest exhibit for kids. Independence has played a significant role in the history of the Latter Day Saints movement from 1831 to today. In fact, the Community of Christ (formerly RLDS) Temple’s towering, swirling silver spire dominates the Independence skyline. Within walking distance from the temple are the Independence Visitors’ Center, a Latter-day Saints historical center with tours featuring exhibits on 1830s-era Mormon settlers, the Stone Church Community of Christ and Church of Christ-Temple Lot.

Located 9 miles east of downtown Kansas City, Missouri, Bristol is a small residential neighborhood with diverse housing options and a thriving arts district. Bristol is just east of the Englewood Arts District, bringing visual, performing, and culinary arts to Independence through performances and educational opportunities. Residents can support local artists at galleries at summer sidewalk sales and during the District’s Third Friday Art Walks. Homes in this residential area of western-central Independence are older and smaller than those in newer neighborhoods like Bridger. Most were built between 1910 and 1930. “Bristol is one of the oldest parts of the historic part of Independence. It’s not quite historical, but it has old homes on old streets,” Ron Van Fleet says. Van Fleet is a Realtor with REMAX Elite who’s been selling homes in the area for 24 years. Single-family homes comprise 75% of the Bristol neighborhood and feature architectural styles including Cape Cods, Craftsman, Dutch Colonials, ranch-styles and split-levels. Prices range from $100,000 to $250,000. Interstates 70 and 435 are just 3 miles away, making for an easy commute anywhere in the metro. Interstates 70 and 435 are just 3 miles away, making for an easy commute anywhere in the metro. Missouri Routes 78 and 291 border the small neighborhood. Public transportation is also an option, with several IndeBus stops along main thoroughfares and an Amtrak station two miles away. Children can attend Sugar Creek Elementary, which receives a B-plus grade from Niche and the C-rated Clifford H. Nowlin Middle School. High schoolers can attend Van Horn High School, where robotics team members can mentor elementary and middle school students interested in robotics. Van Horn High School receives a C-plus from Niche. In 2023, Van Horn made a bold move and switched to a four-day school week. “The days are a little longer, and they take Mondays off,” says lifelong Independence resident Marla Jones, who graduated from Van Horn when it was still part of the Kansas City Public School District. Bristol is home to several favorite local eateries, such as the casual Nirvana Coffee Bar and Game Lounge and the Courthouse Exchange which has been serving burgers and beers since 1899. “The Englewood Cafe is a popular place for a good home-cooked meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner. Courthouse Exchange is a very nice restaurant where you’ll see lots of lawyers because of the nearby courthouse. Vivelore is a more expensive restaurant in a neat old building,” Jones says. Grocery shopping is right in the neighborhood at places like La Plaza Market and Save-A-Lot. Bristol includes three parks. Hill Park features a 10,000-square-foot skate park, a rock creek and a walking trail. Rotary Park has a splash pad and walking trail and connects to Country Club Park. Adventure Oasis Water Park is five miles away from Bristol, offering refreshing summer fun to sweltering residents. As of 2024, non-residents of Independence will be admitted to the Water Park, which is operated by the City. The Englewood Arts Community hosts year-round concerts, workshops, performances, and celebrations. Its annual Art Fest is a 2-day arts festival that celebrates culture and arts to raise funds for Englewood community improvement projects. The Puppetry Arts Institute also presents family-friendly puppet shows throughout the year. Independence has played a significant role in the history of the Latter Day Saints movement from 1831 to today. In fact, the Community of Christ (formerly RLDS) Temple’s towering, swirling silver spire dominates the Independence skyline. Within walking distance from the temple are the Independence Visitors’ Center, a Latter-day Saints historical center with tours featuring exhibits on 1830s-era Mormon settlers, the Stone Church Community of Christ and Church of Christ-Temple Lot.