Spring Hill vs Paola vs Gardner vs Louisburg (Olathe, Wellsville: buying a house, transferring to)

[camotoe]

I'm transferring to Olathe, KS in the fall. I'm interested in buying a house in a small town near Olathe. Last year we visited Paola and Spring Hill to look around. My wife and I really like Paola but are unsure of how the schools are since we have two toddlers and want what’s best for them. I would welcome anyone’s opinions about small town living within about a 30 minute commute to South Olathe. Also, what are property taxes rates in those areas?

[TinaMcG]

I would avoid Spring Hill like the plague. It's a pretty dead place, and people who live there tell me the city council members don't seem to be interested in doing anything that invites new blood, jobs or life into the place. We live in unincorporated Olathe, Spring Hill township, but not the town itself. I do grocery shopping there sometimes, but not as much as I used to. It's just too depressing. The only new things to go into Spring Hill in the four years we've lived here are a new aquatic center and a few fitness-tanning-cleaning businesses in their one strip mall. It's a town that could have some character if the city fathers had any creativity, which apparently they don't.

Oh, forgot about the high school. There is a brand new high school that is excellent. Our neighbor kids go there and their mom works for the school district.

I'll let others talk about Gardner and Paola. I"m not too impressed with Gardner, and I've only been to Paola once, so I've no opinion on it.

[Hueffenhardt]

Another option might be Stilwell, to the east of Spring Hill, but I don't know much about it, other than that it is in the Blue Valley School District, which is very good.

[TinaMcG]

Originally Posted by Hueffenhardt

Another option might be Stilwell, to the east of Spring Hill, but I don't know much about it, other than that it is in the Blue Valley School District, which is very good.

Yes, I forgot to mention Stilwell. There is a good mix of affordable and pricey homes, and a lot of wide open spaces plus good shopping and great schools. We have friends who live there, on a tree lined street with large lots and nice older homes, and the neighborhood is its own little community where everyone looks out for one another. I think Stilwell is the best of both worlds, suburban and country, and it's an easy drive to south Olathe.

[camotoe]

Thanks for the responses so far. Does anyone know anything about Wellsville?

[VixenKS]

Wellsville is a quaint little town -- has most of what you'd need on a day-to-day basis, including a vet clinic and a doctor's office, and I think a nursing home, plus a number of churches. Also they pride themselves on not being "dry" on Sunday. Meaning, you can buy liquor at the liquor store on Sunday. *shrug*

It's quiet, but marijuana is highly trafficked through the town. There was once a big meth bust, but I don't think there has been another problem since. Driving through, you wouldn't think there was a big issue. Unlike my town, though, the Wellsville police department at least does do something about it.

The schools themselves are fine, but it will not be hard to obtain drugs. Drugs are everywhere, but in small towns where teens are bored, it's worse. You could homeschool, go elsewhere, or just really stay on top of your kids. It's a safe town, and close to the city without being too close.