Bundschu

Former president Harry S. Truman was a man of humble origins, the son of a farmer born in small-town Missouri. When he was ten months old, Truman’s family relocated to Independence, and the man who would be president grew up in a house on North River Blvd., across the street from a neighborhood that takes its name from one of Truman’s long-time friends, Henry Bundschu.

The Bundschu neighborhood is, like Truman himself, understated. A diverse mix of larger early twentieth-century and smaller mid-century (and later) houses, the neighborhood is characterized by mature trees and well-maintained yards. “There are a lot of great homes in the neighborhood,” says Becka Watkins, a real estate agent with ReeceNichols in Lee’s Summit. “With all of the updates that new buyers are doing to existing homes, prices are trending upwards.”

Given that the current median price of a home in Bundschu is $150,000, now might be the time to get your hands on a home in this neighborhood, where property values are increasing at an annual rate of 3%. A two-bedroom/one-bath bungalow can be found for about $100,000. On the other hand, a four-bedroom/two-bathroom Craftsman lists for upwards of $300,000. The average price-per-square-foot hovers around $115 for homes in the area.

Children in the neighborhood can attend Sugar Creek Elementary, Clifford H. Nowlin Middle and Van Horn High School, all three of which are in a hotbed of technology-themed instructions. All three schools participate with the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) teams. Elementary and middle school students have the option to join the FIRST Lego team under the mentorship of the high school’s FIRST robotics team members. “Robotics and STEM-related programs are very popular in the area,” says area Realtor Joe Blackshere of 1st Class Real Estate, “and the programs are doing very well.”

The neighborhood’s namesake recreational area, Bundschu Park, provides children and adults with plenty of open space in which to burn off excess energy or sit and try to regain some lost energy. Featuring a playground with swings, a basketball hoop, an open field for activities and a circular walking trail, Bundschu Park has plenty of ways for residents to get some exercise or playtime. Alternatively, the park also has sheltered picnic tables for gathering with friends and family and benches throughout the area for resting tired legs.

Bunschu is located within a few minutes’ drive of the Englewood Arts District, an area that Watkins describes as “a culture of creativity,” adding that “there is an outdoor sidewalk sale of artwork by local artists that is called Third Friday Art Walk during the summer months.” Additionally, the Englewood Arts Center serves as the cornerstone of the creative scene in the area, focusing on visual, performing and culinary arts. The Center provides workshop space and classes for those interested in learning about or perfecting their craft in any of those three areas and artists’ residencies. The Puppetry Arts Institute offers a variety of family-friendly puppet shows and puppet-creation workshops, and Pottery Art offers children and adults the chance to paint their own pottery. Multiple art galleries showcasing the work of various local artists dot can be found along East Winner Road.

There are many restaurants in the Englewood Arts District, ranging from the more upscale Vivilore to casual bites at the iconic Englewood Café. Pancho’s Mexican Food, located within the Bundschu neighborhood, serves up traditional Mexican specialties 24 hours a day, and nearby Lao Peking's menu features traditional Asian specialties that include a variety of fried rice, lo mein, and all your other favorite entrees. If you crave some Kansas City-style barbecue, hit up A Little B-B-Q Joint just a mile away for barbecue sandwiches, chicken, beef and ribs. Sterling Apple Market and Sav A Lot are both within a few minutes' drive of the neighborhood for groceries, and nearby Tractor Supply has you covered for home necessities. When the shopping bug hits, the cure is not far from Bundschu, as the vibrant downtown section of Independence is only two miles away, where shopping and dining options abound.

With its combination of friendly neighbors and proximity to amenities paired with some of the most affordable real estate prices in the area, Bundschu should be on your radar if you’re home search takes you to the greater Independence area. And given that it’s only a 20-minute drive to downtown Kansas City, the neighborhood is also an excellent option for those whose commute takes them to that city.

Written By

Andrew Spencer

Photography Contributed By

John Collins

Video By

Mary Desmond