Classic Kansas town with a mix of large and small amenities
Less than an hour south of Kansas City, Paola feels like a classic Kansas small town. A historic downtown square hosts farmers' markets and car shows, and local kids raise 4-H animals for the annual county fair. There are larger city amenities, including a hospital and a Walmart, but many of the local businesses are family owned. According to Janet Turney, a Realtor with Clinch Realty and Miami County local, that is one of Paola's main appeals. "You've got a touch of everything you need, it's just not at a huge chain store," she says. "There is a small-town feel with some city conveniences." The Kansas City area is still within commuting distance, but housing prices tend to be lower this far out.
"Reasonable" priced homes with options for owning land
Paola's gridded streets are lined with homes from the early to mid-1900s, including bungalows, Tudor Revivals and ranch-style designs. In recent years, subdivisions of New Traditional homes have been added. The median price for a house in Paola is $255,000, lower than spots closer to Kansas City. Spring Hill, for instance, has a median price of $390,000. "It's still reasonable for an average-priced home — $200,000 to $400,000," Turney says. "We have some smaller homes that could be under $200,000." Newer houses might get up to $550,000.
Open land surrounding Paola is available for purchase, and many existing homes come with several acres. "There's definitely an attraction for land and rural small properties," Turney says. "Because they're not out in the boondocks, they're pretty close to the city, but yet they've got their space." These properties tend to be priced from $450,000 to $850,000, depending on the size of the home.
High school students can earn credit at a local college
Elementary-aged kids attend Cottonwood Elementary School for kindergarten through second grade and Sunflower Elementary School for third through fifth grade. Both receive a B grade from Niche. Paola Middle gets a B-plus, and Paola High earns a B-minus. The city also has a satellite campus of Fort Scott Community College. High school students can take concurrent credit courses in partnership with Fort Scott.
Outdoor recreation includes public parks and multiple lakes
Wallace Park is a recreational hub, with tennis courts, a skate park, turf ball fields and the Paola Family Swimming Pool. Golfers can invest in a membership at Paola Country Club, a private nine-hole course.
For getting out into nature, Miola Lake has boat launches, a swimming beach and a trail that encircles the water. "A lot of people go to Miola," Turnery says. "It's not real big, but they go out and float and fish on it." Hillsdale State Park, just over 10 miles away, has a much larger lake. The 4,500-acre body of water offers multiple beaches, campgrounds and horseback riding trails.
Paola has a historic downtown and a modern shopping corridor
Downtown Paola is anchored by an ornate courthouse and rows of historic shopfronts. Milo's Steakhouse, known for its prime rib, is located in an 1880s building, and Cafe Latté at The Jackson, a go-to spot for coffee, is housed in an 1860s-era hotel. "We've got a beautiful downtown district with lots of restaurants and shops that are all independently owned, they're not franchises," Turney says. There are several wineries within a 20-minute drive, out in the rolling farmland.
Along Baptiste Drive, there are larger retail options, including Walmart Supercenter and Queen's Price Chopper, as well as chain restaurants. Turney says that El Potro Mexican Cafe is a local favorite for many residents. This corridor also has Paola Hospital for healthcare needs.
Farmers markets and festivals in the city square
Most of Paola's events are held in the downtown square, which is arranged around a central park. When the city was first founded, the park's land was a gift from the local Native American tribe, with a promise that no buildings would be built there. Today, the open green space is used for farmers markets, Christmas tree lightings and other community celebrations. The square has regular car shows, and the Roots Festival is a popular two-day music festival with vendors and a barbecue cook-off. Outside the square, the Paola Community Center has regular theater and music performances, and the annual Miami County Fair features carnival rides and a rodeo.
Highway access to the southwest suburbs of Kansas City
U.S. Route 169 runs along the east side of town, connecting north to the Kansas City area. It's about 35 miles to reach all the amenities in Overland Park, and it's around 45 miles to downtown Kansas City. The Kansas City International Airport is a 60-mile trip, passing through the city.
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Written By
Catherine Lashley
