Possible Relocation/Questions about Kansas (Kansas City, Topeka: fit in, home, schools)

[MitchMS]

Hello, Kansans!

I happen to be a prospective student from Mississippi who is interested in the University of Kansas (KU) along with other graduate schools. Although I have never been to Kansas, my grandpa whom I never knew was an alumni of Kansas. Although I plan to visit soon, I thought why not ask questions about KS on City-Data Forum to check if my assumptions about Kansas is true or not.

I have no questions about KU because I know it's an excellent school for my intended major plus an awesome basketball team based on stories my dad told me that he learned as a child around my grandpa.

Is Kansas that ugly and flatter than a pancake like the famous saying?

Is Kansas totally boring even in urban areas due to lack of urban feel in KC Metro Area?

I know KS is known for its religious population and conservative politics. Are they respectful and tolerant as I would be to alternative lifestyles such as gay people though? Will I fit in as a somewhat liberal, non-religious gay male in Lawrence or KC Metro Area?

Is Kansas very vulnerable to droughts, floodings, tornandoes, and the consequences of coal-powered plants that the new governor plans to approve?

I believe I will like KS; I'm just attracted to the idea of KS living in urban area where I could easily escape to open country with no trees and beautiful skies where I could see everything for miles! At the same time, I am traditional, long-term relationship oriented guy who is not interested in wild gay lifestyle you see in bigger cities.

Anyway, I know that's alot of questions so I thank for your patience and I deeply appreciate any information/comments/complaints you can share with me about KS.

[kcmo]

Stereotype much?

Kansas is not that flat. Mississippi is flatter than Kansas, especially the area of Kansas around Kansas City and Lawrence.

I wouldn’t call it ugly either. It’s a very green state and is heavily forested in many areas, especially around Kansas City and Lawrence and eastern Kansas is probably one of the more attractive areas of the Midwest where there are many states much worse than Kansas. Ever been to rural Indiana or Illinois or Iowa???

Kansas could be considered boring, but it’s no more boring than any other rural state when you get away from the urbanized areas.

Kansas City is a large metropolitan area of over 2 million people where you will find all the same things and lifestyles you would find in any major metropolitan area of KC’s size. The central city is in Missouri though and that is where you will find the cultural center of the city and where it will be the most liberal, gay friendly etc, jut like any large city. But I don’t think being gay in KC’s suburbs in MO or KS would be a problem if you want a suburban lifestyle.

Lawrence is a very liberal (typical for a college town) and a quite nice college town and it’s attached to metro KC at the hip. It’s only 20 minutes from suburban KC and it’s about 100,000 people. Lawrence is like any major college town, just because it's in Kansas doesn't make it any different.

So the entire Kansas City, MO and Lawrence area is like 2.2 million people and with Topeka and St Joe, there is 2.7 -2.8 million people within a sixty mile radius of KC (nearly the population of the entire state of Mississippi), there is plenty of “urban feel” in the area, as well as large suburbs etc.

I don’t know what to tell you about droughts and floods, depends on if you live in a flood plain I guess. Droughts? Are you going to be a farmer?

Tornadoes are a non-issue IMO. Bad weather rolls through Kansas like many other Midwestern states, but tornadoes tend to shy away from the urban areas for some reason.

I find this entire post bizzare. I hear this stuff all the time from people out here on the east coast, but Mississippi? haha.

[MitchMS]

Originally Posted by kcmo

Stereotype much?

Kansas is not that flat. Mississippi is flatter than Kansas, especially the area of Kansas around Kansas City and Lawrence.

I wouldn’t call it ugly either. It’s a very green state and is heavily forested in many areas, especially around Kansas City and Lawrence and eastern Kansas is probably one of the more attractive areas of the Midwest where there are many states much worse than Kansas. Ever been to rural Indiana or Illinois or Iowa???

Kansas could be considered boring, but it’s no more boring than any other rural state when you get away from the urbanized areas.

Kansas City is a large metropolitan area of over 2 million people where you will find all the same things and lifestyles you would find in any major metropolitan area of KC’s size. The central city is in Missouri though and that is where you will find the cultural center of the city and where it will be the most liberal, gay friendly etc, jut like any large city. But I don’t think being gay in KC’s suburbs in MO or KS would be a problem if you want a suburban lifestyle.

Lawrence is a very liberal (typical for a college town) and a quite nice college town and it’s attached to metro KC at the hip. It’s only 20 minutes from suburban KC and it’s about 100,000 people. Lawrence is like any major college town, just because it's in Kansas doesn't make it any different.

So the entire Kansas City, MO and Lawrence area is like 2.2 million people and with Topeka and St Joe, there is 2.7 -2.8 million people within a sixty mile radius of KC (nearly the population of the entire state of Mississippi), there is plenty of “urban feel” in the area, as well as large suburbs etc.

I don’t know what to tell you about droughts and floods, depends on if you live in a flood plain I guess. Droughts? Are you going to be a farmer?

Tornadoes are a non-issue IMO. Bad weather rolls through Kansas like many other Midwestern states, but tornadoes tend to shy away from the urban areas for some reason.

I find this entire post bizzare. I hear this stuff all the time from people out here on the east coast, but Mississippi? haha.

Thanks for your detailed post! I try not to stereotype much; the South does have its share of stereotypes just like the Midwest does. I'm trying to get a honest picture of what defines Kansas. I have never been to the Midwest or anywhere outside the South. Well, I've been to steep hilly St. Louis, Missouri but it looked more southern than midwestern to me so that doesn't count.

All I know about KS is KC Metro Area, KU & Jayhawks, and that awful Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka.

Wow, the size of Topeka-Lawrence-KC Metro all combined sounds perfect!

Tornadoes tend to shy away from urban areas in MS too but I didn't know it was that way in KS so that's good to know.

It's humidity I hate so I hope KS is less humid compared to MS. Kansas' winters are ideal since I like the cold. I was curious about droughts because it can affect the state badly with KS being very agricultural.

Well, guess what? I am actually from New Jersey on East Coast but I've lived in MS (mother's home state) since I turned 16 years old. My paternal grandparents who I never knew were from Atchinson, KS.

I consider it a pro that KS has statewide smoking ban unlike its surrounding states except for CO. That law is seriously lacking in the South! Also, it's another pro that Johnson County with explosive growth is one of best places to work with one of top 100 earning income in the nation.

[Hueffenhardt]

Lawrence is gay-friendly and liberal leaning. Kansas City, MO, will give you that urban lifestyle.

And although Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church is in Topeka, we are just as repulsed by his message of hate as everyone else in the country.

[pioneer88]

what they said.

[TinaMcG]

Originally Posted by kcmo

Stereotype much?
I find this entire post bizzare. I hear this stuff all the time from people out here on the east coast, but Mississippi? haha.

You hear this stuff because you can't expect people to know about Kansas if they haven't lived here. This forum is here for people who want to know more when they're thinking of relocating, so I don't think there are any stupid questions. I wish you would stop with the arrogant and insulting reponses to people who are just coming here for information.

[TinaMcG]

Originally Posted by MitchMS

Tornadoes tend to shy away from urban areas in MS too but I didn't know it was that way in KS so that's good to know.

It's a myth that tornadoes don't target urban areas. Urban, rural, it doesn't matter. But the likelihood of a tornado touching down in any given spot is so remote, all the people in urban areas tend to get the idea that they only happen in rural areas. Tall buildings and concrete do not slow them down. Actually, in the KC area, I think the weather forecasters on local television are a lot scarier than the actual weather, and I'm not just talking about the Bicycle Helmet Lady.

[mostly c's]

There are gay and Lesbian people I know who live fairly out in the open in small towns in Kansas. Theres no parades or anything but as far as a couple living together or operating a business together on main street is no big deal. You don't have to only live in Lawrence if you are gay. What matters is your contribution to the commnity in small towns.

[pioneer88]

Originally Posted by mostly c's

There are gay and Lesbian people I know who live fairly out in the open in small towns in Kansas. Theres no parades or anything but as far as a couple living together or operating a business together on main street is no big deal. You don't have to only live in Lawrence if you are gay. What matters is your contribution to the commnity in small towns.

[Blue Earth]

Wow, kcmo saying good things about Kansas. I am impressed!