One Of Kansas City's Best-Kept Secrets Is A Quiet, Friendly Suburb That Is Perfect For Retirees

Pity the Sunflower State, often derided as a "flyover state" not worthy of much attention. Nonsense. A road trip through Kansas reveals it's a wildly underrated gem that offers secret canyons and historic towns. Yet one of the state's best-kept secrets might be worth visiting a bit longer — perhaps for the rest of one's post-work life. Not far from Kansas City lies Spring Hill, a quiet, friendly suburb that is perfect for retirees.

The town's neatest trick lies in its dense offering of modern amenities, without the urban bustle and grind, all while keeping vital small-town rituals front and center. Retirees and residents alike can enjoy a wholesome lifestyle while also hitting the links, going for a swim, and diving into a broad swath of activities meant to maintain health and a sense of community. That includes a bevy of "third places", community spaces that foster a sense of belonging and connectedness.

The town's youth performing arts center bridges a gap between generations. Meanwhile, the Festival Choral Society holds annual Christmas and Spring concerts, with all the usual community-building activities that accompany such organizations. A laundry list of groups, including an arts council and historical society, rounds out plenty of enriching ways to fill a suddenly empty calendar. The Spring Hill Farmers Market, meanwhile, offers a chance to rub elbows with local producers who bring their wares to town every Saturday, from late spring to the beginning of fall. Perhaps most important of all, Spring Hill offers plenty of chances to stay fit and healthy.

Spring Hill has blossomed into an ideal retirement community with plenty of ways to answer the critical question facing anyone who has just ended their career: What next? The suburb offers a smorgasbord of retiree-friendly activities. The Sycamore Ridge public golf course offers the perfect 18-hole diversion for folks enjoying their golden years. Its sand bunkers, surrounding woods, and undulating greens provide the perfect challenging outing on the links, regardless of your handicap. If you're a well-seasoned golfer, there's no better way to build community and health than joining one of the golf club's leagues. Beginners, don't fret. The club's private lessons will get your handicap down to something manageable. Not thrilled about spending your retirement golfing? Grab a swim cap instead.

You can't find a beach anywhere, so Spring Hill effectively built one. The town's aquatic center offers the perfect antidote to Kansas's shortcomings as a landlocked state. The center includes over a dozen different water-based features, from aqua-park style water slides to diving boards. The shallow entry at one of the pools may not have sand, but it perfectly mimics the subtle joy of wading into the water. There are also senior-friendly exercise classes, such as River Walking, a low-impact movement that uses the water as resistance. If you're not feeling up for exertion of any kind, kick back in the lazy river. Let the adjacent park keep the kids or grandkids busy.

If golf bores you and you would rather stay dry (both fair choices), the Spring Hill Recreation Commission has you covered. From Zumba to yoga, the commission's calendar is stuffed with adult fitness and recreation opportunities. Cooking classes, field trips, and art classes are just some of the other non-exercise activities available.

Whether you're visiting Spring Hill to consider a permanent move or just stopping by for a weekend, you'll want a car to get around. Those coming in from farther afield can use the closest major transit hub, Kansas City International Airport, which is less than an hour from Spring Hill. After landing, be sure to spend a few hours in Kansas City itself, which is considered the barbecue capital of the world. Then, on the drive down, make a pitstop at Overland Park, an under-the-radar artsy city with outdoor fun and downtown amenities.

Those looking to retire to Spring Hill have several retirement communities and facilities to choose from. The nearby Benton House of Olathe, for example, offers a mix of active social and physical activities while emphasizing building routines to maintain and improve mental health. Colonial Oaks, another assisted living facility in Spring Hill, offers a similar collection of activities and services. Those with deeper pockets may be able to buy a home in Spring Hill, with median home values of $323,300.

While there's no ideal time to retire to Spring Hill (those maths are sort of set in stone), you do have an ideal time to visit. The town's annual Fall Festival, held in late September, features a parade, live shows, and local vendors selling their crafts and food. It all culminates in a music festival, then a Chili Cookoff. Conversely, you can visit during the fall festival's sibling, Daffodil Days, which coincides with Arbor Day in April. A celebratory environment blossoms with music, games, and a chainsaw wood carver, among other attractions. It's the perfect outing for a retiree and visiting family members.