Pleasant Valley

What’s so pleasant about life in Pleasant Valley? It’s actually a pretty simple recipe. For starters, take a bunch of attractive homes on large lots shaded by mature trees. Add some of the best schools in the state of Missouri, and mix in a healthy dose of nearby amenities. Top it off with easy access to Interstate 35 and place it less than a 20-minute drive from downtown Kansas City. Now place all of that in one location, and it’s easy to understand why the City of Pleasant Valley bills the town as “the best-kept secret in the Kansas City Metro area.”

Homes in Pleasant Valley are currently selling for a median price of around $235,000, with a median price-per-square-foot of about $140. Most of the houses were built in the late 1980s or early 1990s, so features like open floorplans and plenty of light are common. A modest two-bedroom/one-bathroom bungalow sells for around $176,000, while a spacious four-bedroom/two-bathroom ranch-style house can sell for up to $260,000. “Homes in the area are relatively affordable," says Ron Henderson, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty. “It’s a comfortable, established neighborhood.”

Students living in Pleasant Valley attend schools in the North Kansas City school district, which Henderson describes as being “well-known as some of the best in the state.” Parents can send their children to Chapel Hill Elementary, Antioch Middle and Oak Park High School. Both Chapel Hill and Antioch earn an A rating from Niche, while Oak Park earns a B+. Oak Park students can also add to their college applications by participating in extracurricular activities ranging from 12 different varsity sports to theater to Future Business Leaders of America, to name only a few.

Worlds of Fun theme park – with its array of rides and attractions for the whole family – is only a 10-minute drive down nearby Interstate 435. Spend the day dizzy on roller coasters, chill out at the water park, get up-close to farm animals at the petting zoo or take in a live show. Or if you’re feeling really brave, put your nerves to the test with the 189-foot free-fall while accelerating up to 80 miles-per-hour on the RipCord.

If your recreational tastes lean more towards keeping your feet on terra firma, you can always head up to the Shoal Creek Living History Museum, an 80-acre park that is home to historic buildings and reenactments of Missouri’s history, as well as a hiking trail. The adjacent Shoal Creek Golf Course is a 7,011-yard par-72 championship course that will challenge your skills at every stroke. The course also features a modern pro shop, driving range and putting green.

When you need to stock up on food, nearby Sprouts Farmers Market and Aldi have you covered. And Walmart Super Center is only a few minutes away by car for all of those household necessities. Of course, sometimes cooking is the last thing you want to do, and when those moments hit, you can head to Ma & Pa’s Kettle Restaurant or Nelle Belle’s Diner, both within easy driving distance. Nelle Belle’s serves breakfast and lunch in an old-fashioned diner setting, while Ma & Pa will satisfy your cravings for burgers, sandwiches and wraps.

In the event you still find yourself wanting more, getting to KC for work or play is made easier by the neighborhood’s proximity to major thoroughfares. “The neighborhood has easy access to Interstate 35,” says Henderson, “and you can get to other major roads pretty easily.” What that means is that you’re never far away from all the retail therapy you might need or a big-city fix when you feel the urge to see the bright lights.

Pleasant Valley is a modern community that feels a lot like a small town, and that’s just how people here like it. If you’re looking for a home in a friendly and dynamic area with a neighborhood feel that’s still close to urban attractions, give Pleasant Valley a look. You might just find that the area's best kept secret is your answer.

Written By

Andrew Spencer

Photography Contributed By

John Collins

Video By

Mary Desmond