Questions about Hays (Wichita, Dodge City, Ellis: low crime, new home, buying)

[Stabatha]

One of the places we are looking into for final consideration for buying our new home is Hays. We were very intrested in Dodge City, but found a recent law forbidding Pit Bulls within city limits (we own three dogs, one of which is a Brindle Pit Bull). Does Hays have anything like this? Also any information on jobs, crime stats, areas to avoid to live in would be great!

[iskerbibel]

I lived in Hays for four years- recently moved to Wichita. I'm not aware of any pit bull laws in Hays... though I don't recall ever seeing one either. I'd suggest that you call Ellis County animal control.

Hays is a nice little town- it's damn near paradise if you have the right last name and you enjoy the incestuous small-town life. If you don't have the right last name and you enjoy your anonymity... then it isn't a BAD place to live... but it has its drawbacks. Jobs there are fewer and harder to come by than in a bigger city... though you'll get by ok if you have a marketable skill. There's very little crime in Hays compared to bigger towns- a major incident might happen once or twice a year... but crime there is mostly limited to drunken college kid antics. There are a couple of trashy areas in town- mainly the south end of town close to Vine, and areas just east of Vine and 15th. These areas are ugly and low-rent (I lived there!), but not dangerous at all. You might avoid living close to the college if you value your sleep on friday and saturday night- lots of drinking and noise.

The upside of Hays is that it's very quiet (except down around the college on friday/saturday night), low crime, relatively cheap housing, and after you've been there for a year, you can scarcely go to Walmart without seeing people you know (SOME would consider this a plus).

[CaycisinKansas]

There are a lot of places that don't let you have pit bulls and other "specific" breeds if you are a renter. There aren't laws as of now forbidding them in city-limits, but that could always change. I'd call the Ellis County Animal Control office and ask for the information. Again, if it's not there now, it can always change.
Hays has good schools, 2 middle schools, 1 public highschool, 1 private-catholic highschool. About 20,000 people. Good midwestern feel to it. It's a nice, safe place for you and your family no doubt.

[dadbud]

How is the hunting and fishing around Hays? Is it good deer hunting and plenty of places to fish?

Thanks!

[MajorHart]

Originally Posted by iskerbibel

I lived in Hays for four years- recently moved to Wichita. I'm not aware of any pit bull laws in Hays... though I don't recall ever seeing one either. I'd suggest that you call Ellis County animal control.

Hays is a nice little town- it's damn near paradise if you have the right last name and you enjoy the incestuous small-town life. If you don't have the right last name and you enjoy your anonymity... then it isn't a BAD place to live... but it has its drawbacks. Jobs there are fewer and harder to come by than in a bigger city... though you'll get by ok if you have a marketable skill. There's very little crime in Hays compared to bigger towns- a major incident might happen once or twice a year... but crime there is mostly limited to drunken college kid antics. There are a couple of trashy areas in town- mainly the south end of town close to Vine, and areas just east of Vine and 15th. These areas are ugly and low-rent (I lived there!), but not dangerous at all. You might avoid living close to the college if you value your sleep on friday and saturday night- lots of drinking and noise.

The upside of Hays is that it's very quiet (except down around the college on friday/saturday night), low crime, relatively cheap housing, and after you've been there for a year, you can scarcely go to Walmart without seeing people you know (SOME would consider this a plus).

Hi. I'm an ex pro country and classic rock musician - I played over 20 years in bars and clubs - do they have live music and decent bars in town? Thanks

MajorHart

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by MajorHart

Hi. I'm an ex pro country and classic rock musician - I played over 20 years in bars and clubs - do they have live music and decent bars in town? Thanks

MajorHart

Yes, they have live music occasionally in some bars/restaurants in Downtown Hays. They have really been making an effort in the Downtown area, and they have a variety of restaurants. I remember the Brass Rail, but I don't know if it is there anymore.

[MajorHart]

Originally Posted by Plains10

Yes, they have live music occasionally in some bars/restaurants in Downtown Hays. They have really been making an effort in the Downtown area, and they have a variety of restaurants. I remember the Brass Rail, but I don't know if it is there anymore.

Thanks

MajorHart

[in_the_gloaming]

Its been awhile since I've been in Hays. They have an airport there and a trailer manufacturer there that makes nice flat bed trailers for pick ups..., the one I saw was about 35 feet long.

Why not check with the Hays Chamber of Commerce or animal control for further info?

[Jim West]

Pit bulls whether legal or not will not be tolerated well there. There was a lot of effort to outlaw them in the state.

Plains10---Brass Rail? When were you last there? It must have been back when I went to school there. The Rail has been gone for quite a while.

Hays is a nice clean quiet Catholic Volga German town, any questions? My home is near there. I attended FHSU for a grad degree. Just understand that unless your family was a member of the original founders, that you will always be an outsider. It is no different than any small ethnic town.

Hays is between Cedar Bluff and Wilson lakes. Both have good fishing and public hunting areas. Deer hunting is good if you can afford the permission to hunt.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Jim West

Pit bulls whether legal or not will not be tolerated well there. There was a lot of effort to outlaw them in the state.

Plains10---Brass Rail? When were you last there? It must have been back when I went to school there. The Rail has been gone for quite a while.

Hays is a nice clean quiet Catholic Volga German town, any questions? My home is near there. I attended FHSU for a grad degree. Just understand that unless your family was a member of the original founders, that you will always be an outsider. It is no different than any small ethnic town.

Hays is between Cedar Bluff and Wilson lakes. Both have good fishing and public hunting areas. Deer hunting is good if you can afford the permission to hunt.

What is the popular new restaurant Downtown called? I was there a few years ago. I remember Rooftops. I can't remember the name of the new restaurant/bar. It was near 6th or 8th streets Downtown.

EDIT:
I just remembered the name of the place. It was Gella's Diner and LB Brewing Co. I LOVE that place. The atmosphere is great, and they have live music there sometimes.