Quality of Life
You may be wondering if Lees Summit is the right place for you and your family. There are many great reasons to live in Lees Summit, but it can be hard to know all of them without doing some research. With top-notch schools, a thriving business community, and plenty of recreational activities to enjoy, Lees Summit has something for everyone. In this video, we’ll take a look at the top 7 reasons to call Lees Summit home.
WHY DO PEOPLE LIVE HERE?
Lees Summit is known for its excellent quality of life, which is one of the top reasons nearly 90,000 people choose to live here. When we look at a neighborhood’s quality of life it can be subjective so we really want to think about 3 important factors. We’re only going to look at Lee’s Summit’s Economic (because most people have to work), Social (because we’re a social species, who want to be alone all the time?) and Environmental qualities (because how many kids these days only see a sunset on minecraft?)
THe LS Economy
Lees Summit is an excellent place to live – and not just because of its top-notch quality of life. With an unemployment rate of only 3.1%, top-ranked schools, and a highly skilled workforce, Lees Summit is the perfect place for businesses to thrive. Small boutiques in the historic downtown, small service start ups, or larger corporations can all find exciting opportunities for growth and success here.
The typical resident has a 20-25 minute commute. Generally to downtown Kansas City or Johnson County KS. Education and employment opportunities are well balanced in Lees Summit. Management and health care aref at the top of the list. In addition, almost 30% of adults aged 25 and older have earned bachelor’s degrees or higher giving the city a strong base for technical skilling up and training in those fields that are most needed by local employers. This translates into higher wages for residents. Which helps them better enjoy the top notch quality of life that Lees Summit offers.

Social Life in Lees Summit

If you’re looking for a city with a vibrant social scene, Lees Summit is the place to be. From top-notch restaurants and bars to a wide range of recreational activities, Lees Summit has everything you need to enjoy an active and fulfilling social life.
The historic downtown has boutique shops, cocktail bars, unique dining like Third Street Social . The salmon dip is a must try! We took the bartenders advice and got the seafood stuffed salmon with scalloped potatoes and tried some local brews. If you have time for dessert..all of their homemade desserts are top notch! Definately a repeatable night for us. My wife Tara and I next headed over to Libations and Co. where I had a smoked old fashioned and Tara tried the Corpse Reviver #2 which had Gin and Absinthe and lived up to it’s name. If you see it on the menu still when you swing in, give it a try…you won’t be disappointed.
Check out 3rd Street Social Here! | Check out Libations and Co. Here!
What is There to Do Outside in Lee's Summit?
Lee’s Summit is a great place to live, and there are many reasons why. One of the top reasons is the city’s commitment to maintaining a high level of environmental quality. The city has been recognized by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for its excellence in wastewater treatment, and it continues to make significant investments in its infrastructure to protect the environment.
Lee’s Summit also offers residents plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature. Over 60 miles of trails wind through the city. There are plenty of parks with lakes and ponds where residents can fish, kayak, canoe, and more. In addition, Lee’s Summit has several greenways that allow pedestrians and cyclists to travel safely between different parts of the city.
Overall, Lee’s Summit truly has something for everyone when it comes to preserving and enjoying the environment. Whether you’re a nature lover or someone who simply wants easy access to outdoor activities. This vibrant community is sure to have what you’re looking for.

The lake and park capital of Kansas City.
Is Lee's Summit Part of Kansas City?
Lees Summit is located just minutes away from the vibrancy and opportunities of Kansas City. The arts and culture scene in KC is vast and diverse, with something for everyone. From world-renowned museums like the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art to theater and dance companies to music venues and more, KC has it all. And if you’re looking for top-notch restaurants or nightlife, you’ll find that too in KC.
As a major metropolitan area, KC offers plenty of professional opportunities. Whether you’re looking for a job or want to start your own business, there are ample resources in KC and traveling between Lees Summit and Kansas City is often only a short drive.
Lakes and Parks

The city is known for its beautiful lakes and parks. Longview Lake Park offers a stunning beach area, walking paths, fishing docks, and a playground that’s perfect for spending summer days. Heritage Park is also nearby and features an interactive fountain that children love playing in. It also features a play park, as well as tennis courts and a walking trail. Both parks are located just minutes from the city center. This makes it so easy to access.
If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, head to one of the city’s many lakes. Whether you want to fish or go boating, there are plenty of opportunities to explore and enjoy the natural beauty. Blue Springs Lake, located minutes away, offers boating, beach areas, a swimming pool, and camping spots. Lake Jacomo is slightly smaller has horsepower limitations that allow for more relaxation and sailing without the worry of speedboats.
One of my favorite secrets is Legacy Park. On top there are baseball and soccer fields. However few people know that the lake down the hill you can rent kayaks and canoes. Best yet they’re free! This is great if you don’t have a boat of your own. Also if you just want to get away for a quick hour or two.
Looking for something more active? There are over 60 miles of trails and pathways throughout the city where you can go hiking or biking with friends. Bikemap.com shows 115 cycle routes, so if you enjoy biking, Lees Summit has some of the best options in the entire metro.
Enjoying nature doesn’t have to feel like a chore either. Many of these locations offer activities like concerts and movies at night so you can continue your outdoor adventure even when it gets dark outside!
Are Lee's Summit Schools Good?
Lee’s Summit is known for its top-notch schools, which is one of the main reasons why people choose to live here. In fact, the graduation rate in Lee’s Summit is much higher than the national average. There are plenty of private schools available if you’re looking for something a little more specialized for your child.
The Lee’s Summit School District is made up of 16 elementary schools, five middle schools, 3 high schools and a technical school. The district also includes an early childhood center and a virtual school.
The Lee’s Summit School District consistently ranks among the top districts in Missouri on standardized tests. In fact, nine out of ten schools in the district earned an A or B rating from the state education department. Thanks to its strong focus on STEM education (focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math), the Lee’s Summit School District was named a top STEM district by the U.S. Department of Education.

If you’re looking for top-notch schools, Lee’s Summit is the perfect place to call home! Whether you want to enroll your child in one of the outstanding public schools or you prefer a private school with a specialized focus. You’re sure to find what you need in this thriving community.
Is Lee's Summit Affordable?
Lees Summit is a top destination for many people because of its affordability coupled with a high quality of life. Here are just a few reasons Lee’s Summit is so affordable.
1. Housing is more affordable than in larger metropolitan areas. You can find a quality home for less than $250,000 in most parts of Lees Summit.
2. Property taxes are low. The average property tax bill in Lees Summit is just under $3,000 per year. We’ve really seen property taxes rise as property values have risen. It’s important to know that Lee’s Summit is actually one of the lower taxes per dollar value on real estate in the city.
3. Utilities are also very affordable. Electricity rates are well below the national average, and gas rates are among the lowest in the country.
4. Groceries are also lower than the national average here. Kansas City is a trucking and rail hub so it only makes sense items that have to be transported are going to have lower shipping costs here.
Lee’s Summit is not the cheapest area in Kansas City. If you’re moving from outside of the Kansas City metro Lee’s Summit will likely appear like a bargain. That’s part of the beauty of relocating to the Kansas City metro.
Does Lee's Summit Have Culture?
Lee’s Summit is home to a diverse and vibrant community of residents who come together for all kinds of events and activities. With the large spread of Lee’s Summit you can always look to the historic downtown to provide community events. Any day or night of the week you will find yoga studios, ballet classes and friends catching up over drinks. Weekends provide the Saturday Farmers market where local farmers bring their locally grown produce to sell. Lee’s Summit was a farm town originally after all and if you head south or east you will find lots of agriculture. Which brings me to the the multiple festivals hosted by the city each year including Harvest Fest, OktoberFest. Don’t miss 4th Fridays where the town comes out to support local businesses, celebrate local art and local music with food, drink and a whole lot of fun!
Explore Everything Missouri Has to Offer!
Living in Lee’s Summit is great. There’s tons to do but one of the best things about living in Lees Summit is its easy access to all that Missouri has to offer. If you’re looking for an easy way to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, look no further than Lees Summit, Missouri. Situated on the south-eastern side of Kansas City, Lees Summit is perfectly located for easy access to some of the best state parks and lakes in the country. With world-famous destinations like Branson only a few hours away, there’s something for everyone in Missouri.
Lakes in Missouri
Lake of the Ozarks
Lake of the Ozarks is one of Missouri’s largest and most popular lakes. Offering plenty of opportunities for fishing, swimming, boating, and camping. The lake is home to a wide variety of fish species, including bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill, and walleye.
Table Rock Lake | Branson
If you’re looking for a little more excitement than what Lake of the Ozarks has to offer, head on over to Branson. Often referred to as “America’s Live Entertainment Capital,” Branson offers something for everyone. From live music shows and comedy clubs to theme parks and museums, there’s something sure to please everyone in Branson. Table Rock Lake is located in Branson and offers some of the clearest waters in Missouri. This lake is incredibly deep and actually makes a great place to scuba dive! It’s my favorite lake to fish. Out of the spillway of Table Rock is Lake Taneycomo, and this lake was created by the powerplant dam which is one the top best places in missouri to catch trout. Here’s some of out pics! The state record hangs out under the dock at Lillys Tackle Shop.
If you’re a lover of the outdoors but need to be close to the city for work, Lee’s Summit provides enough lakes to scratch the itch and positions you just close enough to be able to make an extra weekend or two trip each year.
If you’re even considering making a move to the Kansas City area make sure to check out @plainsparis our YouTube channel where we share EVERYTHING you need to know when moving to our awesome little city.