Briarcliff West - Kansas City, MO

Charles Garner created Briarcliff Development Company in 1994 to bring luxury living to the northern Kansas City suburb of Riverside. Although the first houses were built in the 1980s, construction accelerated through the 1990s. Phase two started in the early 2000s with offices and retail establishment to accentuate the residences. Retail development culminated with the opening of Briarcliff Village in 2006.

Various living styles came later in the development, including subdivisions, condos, apartment complexes and villa homes. McCrite Retirement Center marks a large retirement community on the south side of Briarcliff West.

The major annual event in the neighborhood happens every November with the Christmas light kickoff at Briarcliff Village. Residents go into Kansas City to become involved with an arts scene or to attend major festivals, like the annual Plaza Art Fair.

Just south of Briarcliff West lies the retail portion of the community. Briarcliff Village includes doctor's offices, restaurants, shops and hotels. Local restaurants provide casual dining experiences in the retail development. Two major restaurants anchor the retail sector.

Trezo Mare Restaurant and Lounge features more than just fine Italian dining. Blackened tuna tacos with wasabi cream, jicama and avocado fuse cuisine from East and West. A side of Italian slaw completes your trip to exotic places far away from suburban Kansas City. Try one of six gourmet pizzas made with goat cheese, house mozzarella and sweet onion marmalade. For those who love barbecue, Trezo's braised boneless short ribs, served with horseradish mashed potatoes, exemplify the American fare on the menu.

Piropos Restaurant brings Argentine flavors to Briarcliff. Most dishes consist of beef, but the rack of lamb with roasted tomatoes and port lingonberry sauce contains textures, flavors and aromas to satisfy anyone's discriminating palate. Empanadas, staple finger foods of Buenos Aires, come in seven varieties. Corn, cheese, onions, beef and chicken form the backbone of the family empanada recipe. Tango lessons happen every Wednesday night near the piano bar, and live music fills the air Fridays and Saturdays on the first floor in the best music venue in Riverside.

Patrons love the casual atmosphere of Hawg Jaw Que & Brew just west of Briarcliff. Fashioned after a diner, red booths and red metal stools greet customers as they walk into the place. Sit on the outdoor patio covered by bright orange umbrellas to enjoy warm afternoon breezes. The Old Fritz "Full Dresser" comes with brisket, burnt ends, pork, ham, and turkey on toast. Throw on sausage, and you have enough meat to feed a small army. The Slaw Dog has an all-beef frankfurter covered in pulled pork and Buffalo coleslaw. Sandwiches come in regular, large and extra-large sizes, but bring your appetite, as everything comes big here. However, the large portions will not ruin your wallet at Hawg Jaw.

Nearby bars and nightlife sit less than two miles away from Briarcliff West. Runaway Lounge on Vivion Road marks the closest dive bar to the neighborhood. Shooter's Inc. has special events for holidays such as New Year's Eve. Patrons of both bars sing karaoke favorites nightly and let go on the dance floor.

Residents travel mostly by automobile to get around Briarcliff. Free parking spaces abound by Briarcliff Village's shops. Nearby nature trails and concrete paths provide places for cyclists and walkers to enjoy the suburban landscape. Sidewalks line both sides of residential streets if you want to walk back and forth to retail shopping outlets during warm days. Two taxi companies service this area, and Uber cars provide a handy backup.

Vivion Road and Briarcliff Parkway go to outlying major thoroughfares. Nearby highways can take you to anywhere in the Kansas City metro area. U.S. 69 and U.S. 169 join Interstates 29 and 635 to move traffic south into the city proper or west into Kansas suburbs.

KCATA buses arrive once per hour, Monday through Friday, at Riverside Community Center and by the intersection of Vivion and North Oak Trafficway. Use this public transportation from 6:45 a.m. to 6:07 p.m.

Plenty of parks await you at Briarcliff West. The Briarcliff Linear Trail meanders 1.25 miles and gives you a remarkable view of the stunning Briarcliff Hills Waterfall. E.H. Young Riverfront Park features 0.75 mile of walking trails, some which saunter next to the mighty Missouri River. Two shelters and a large amphitheater require rental fees for group gatherings and outdoor events at E.H. Young Riverfront Park. Otherwise, parks do not have costs associated with them.

Bring your strollers, kids and bicycles to the Missouri Riverfront Trail, a scenic jaunt that goes 3.5 miles along the historic waterway. Bring Fido or Rex as long as you clean up after your active pooch. The local YMCA has exercise classes for all ages, especially seniors, as part of the city's fitness initiative.

The Riverside Music Fest happens every mid-September as a free concert for residents. This Saturday event features local bands, food and fireworks from mid-afternoon to late evening at the E.H. Young Park amphitheater.

It costs more to live in Briarcliff West than other parts of Kansas City, but nearby amenities make this neighborhood well worth it. A one-bedroom apartment costs on average $1,087 a month. A trip to the center city is $3 by bus, while gas prices typically stay around 17 percent lower than the national average. A pint of beer costs about $4 at local bars and pubs.

Briarcliff Village prides itself on bringing local businesses to the neighborhood. The contemporary shopping complex looks like a strip mall concept, but local shops fill the area as opposed to large, national chains.

Amelia's Boutique puts together trendy women's fashions from head to toe with hats, summer dresses, party dresses and business wear. Amelia's sells matching accessories, jewelry and shoes for any occasion.

Nell Hill's has a massive, 16,000-square-foot space in Briarcliff Village to showcase interior design motifs. Shop for candlesticks, throw rugs, pillows and other accessories that complement your home in little ways at affordable prices. Nell Hill's interior design store lets you pick out stylish items for your new place in Briarcliff West.

GreenAcres Market in Briarcliff Village denotes the closest grocery store to the neighborhood. This little market has health foods, gourmet selections and organic choices. Travel northeast about 2 miles to find the nearest Price Chopper supermarket. Downtown Kansas City has the closest farmer's market.