Highland Manor

It’s almost a real estate cliché to say that a neighborhood has something that will appeal to everyone, but in the case of the Independence enclave of Highland Manor, it’s the truth. Looking for an established area with homes built in the 1970s? You’re in luck. Is new construction more your style? Look no further. In search of a lower-priced manufactured home? Highland Manor has got you covered. In Highland Manor, you’ll find all of those options, plus excellent schools, a wide range of amenities and easy access to highways. There are nearby parks and lakes for outdoor recreation; the National Frontier Trails Museum is less than 6 miles from the neighborhood; and the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium is only 10 miles away. “One of the great things about the neighborhood is that you have just about any amenity you can think of close to home,” says Roger Deines of Compass Realty. “There are also a lot of different building styles there, and a lot of different price points.” Sounds a lot like “something for everyone,” doesn't it?

With a median real estate price of $310,000, much of the neighborhood trends towards the higher end of prices in Independence. However, there are plenty of lower-priced options that make the neighborhood more affordable. A two-bedroom/two-bathroom manufactured home can sell for around $91,000 and a two-bedroom/two-bathroom home in a duplex can sell for $148,000. In terms of traditional stand-alone homes, prices do tend to gravitate more towards the median range. A three-bedroom/two-bathroom Craftsman-style home lists for around $246,000, while a spacious five-bedroom/three-bathroom ranch-style sells for up to $542,000.

Students in the neighborhood can attend John Nowlin Elementary, Delta Woods Middle and Blue Springs High School, what Deines describes as “some of the best schools in the state.” Both John Nowlin and Delta Woods earn an A rating Niche, and Blue Springs earns an A-. Students at Blue Springs High School can partake in extracurricular activities ranging from E-sports to robotics to the school’s literary magazine.

When it comes time to have a little fun, you can jump around at Get Air Trampoline Park, which is home to thousands of square feet of bouncy fun for the whole family. Athletes of all ages can get involved with soccer and pickleball leagues at the EPIC Center KC, and hikers can easily access the 15-mile Little Blue Trace Trail at a trailhead conveniently located in the neighborhood. 7,800-acre Fleming Park is located just to the southeast of the neighborhood, with miles of trails, picnic areas and a fenced animal enclosure where visitors can get up-close to native whitetail deer, bison and elk. The park is also home to Blue Springs Lake, 720 acres of fun for anglers, boaters, waterskiers or water-lovers in general. And with its proximity to other amenities like the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium and the National Frontier Trails Museum, Highland Manor has enough options to keep everyone entertained throughout the year.

When it comes to shopping, Highland Manor makes it easy for you. “You’re only about 15 minutes from Lee’s Summit,” says Deines, “and there’s shopping and warehouse stores right in the area. It’s really convenient.” Walmart Super Center is just a few minutes away by car, and Hy-Vee Grocery Store is a quick trip down Highway 40. Costco and Sam’s Club are also both nearby for those who prefer to do their shopping warehouse-style. And Independence Center is only a five-minute drive away, providing all the mall-shopping retail therapy you could ask for.

All that activity can make you hungry, and if you find yourself too worn out to cook, fear not. There are plenty of options for dining out in and around the neighborhood. The Big Biscuit serves up its made-from-scratch namesake along with eggs, burgers and fried chicken. The lizard-themed Salty Iguana menu features authentic Mexican favorites and Thai Kitchen brings the exotic tastes of Thailand to Independence.

There’s an old saying that tells us that trying to make everyone happy ends up making nobody happy. And while that might be true some of the time, it’s not the case in Highland Manor. Whether it’s diverse housing styles, a wide array of amenities or easy access to urban centers, this Independence neighborhood puts it all together in one convenient package.

Written By

Andrew Spencer

Photography Contributed By

Dennis Gray

Video By

Zack Kojoyian