Good Neighbors - Overland Park, KS

Overland Park became a city a little more than 100 years ago. Its founder, William B. Strang Jr., built a subdivision along the military roadway in the area, and it grew to become the whole of Overland Park.

Overland Park’s annual Fall Festival provides residents and tourists with a detailed look at the area's culture. The festival kicks off with a parade and includes exhibits from local artists, an extended farmers market, free live music performances and seasonal food vendors.

Though Overland Park has few museums, the Museum at Prairiefire has rotating exhibits for people of all ages. It does not have many interactive elements, but children delight in building a dinosaur near the end of the visit.

Dining options abound on 87th Street along the northern border of the Good Neighbors neighborhood. One of these restaurants, Thai Place, has become famous with the locals for its melt-in-your-mouth crab rangoons and “thai spicy” dishes. Everything on the menu makes this restaurant worth a try, though the grilled tamarind chicken and the soft spring rolls enjoy notoriety as staples at almost every table.

Get out of bed and visit Santa Fe Café on Sunday mornings for the best breakfast in the neighborhood. This kitschy, Southwestern-themed diner dishes out an impressive array of breakfast items, from meaty skillets to light vegetarian omelettes. The chicken-fried steak, made fresh with crispy breading and homemade gravy, is a beloved part of the weekend routine for many residents of Good Neighbors.

For Mexican cuisine within walking distance of the neighborhood, skip on over to Torreon Mexican Restaurant. This place has a tiny interior and a small patio seating area and makes some of the tastiest and strongest margaritas in the area; pair one with the avocado enchiladas for the perfect meal. Homemade salsa perfectly complements any entree here.

Though Good Neighbors typically quiets down after dark, more than a few bars stay open late for customers looking for lively nightlife. Llywelyn’s Pub, an Irish-themed bar and live music venue was converted from an old church into a friendly watering hole. For sports-centric fun, head over to the BrewTop, one of the best-ranking sports bars in the area.

Many of Overland Park’s and Good Neighbors’ residents commute to the larger Kansas City. Both the I-35 and Highway 69 run just west of Good Neighbors, making it fairly easy to commute to work. For those driving within Overland Park’s city limits, 87th Street and Antioch Road provide the best means of vehicular travel. Parking in Good Neighbors remains ample and free whether in lots or on the street.

The Johnson County Transit system, locally known as “The Jo,” serves the Good Neighbors area and provides easy access to Overland Park as well as Kansas City. Bus 660 heads down Antioch Road and into downtown.

Overland Park residents are able to summon a ride by using the Uber app on their smartphones. Additionally, many taxi companies exist, and a standard cab is only a phone call away.

Walking to get grub in this neighborhood is easy since many of the restaurants lie along 87th Street. Very few bike lanes provide safe means of cycling for residents, but many of the public parks provide paved or off-road bike trails for recreational use.

When you want a fun place to bring your kids, you must go to Deanne Rose Children’s Farmstead. Here, you and your brood can feed pigs, fish, ducks and other animals or walk along the nature trails. This park also has a playground structure for your little ones and many enjoyable activities that residents of all ages enjoy during the warm-weather months. Admission costs $2, and some of the park's activities also cost money.

Within Good Neighbors lies Strang Park, which was named for the founder of Overland Park. This park is free to use and provides tennis courts, basketball courts, a picnic area, a playground and barbecue grills, making it the perfect venue for an informal family gathering.

Living in Good Neighbors costs more than the national average by seven percent and more than the average for Kansas City by 12 percent. That increase largely has to do with the cost of housing. The average rental rate for a one-bedroom residence is $682. Gas prices in Good Neighbors typically run about two percent lower than the national average, and getting a beer at a pub costs around $4 outside of happy hour. A one-way bus ride on public transit into downtown Kansas City costs $2.25.

Though most residents head up to Kansas City to do most of their major shopping, a few shopping centers serve the area around Good Neighbors. Oak Park Mall houses several chain stores, such as Nordstrom, Coach and Macy’s, and it includes a nifty carousel, letting you give your kids a treat while you're there. Sprouts Farmers Market and Whole Foods provide the primary means for frequent grocery shopping, but the Overland Park Farmers' Market, held in Downtown Overland Park, is the best place to get freshly harvested produce.

If you're counting the days 'til your upcoming nuptials, check out Natalie M bridal boutique; this place has friendly and helpful staff members and chic, high-quality wedding wear.