Info on Wichita neighborhoods (Andover: real estate, foreclosures, jobs)

[Kansasfornow]

Originally Posted by Sco

I am beginning to think that Wichita might not be the right place for my family. There appears to be an undercurrent of racism and ignorance that is shocking for the times. At least two posters have now claimed to be proud of the fact that segregation is still an accepted practice. I have no interest in moving my family to an area that has yet to emerge from the bad old days of the past. Are these posters truly representative of the area?

It really upset me to read your comment. I really don't agree. Segregation is not an accepted practice here rather have found people to be friendly nd open, not prejudiced. This is coming from someone who is from New York and not a Christian - I am a relgious minority here. My son goes to a wonderful school in Wichita - a magnet school with a focus on international relations. His classmates include African Americans, Muslims, Asians and everyone gets along just fine. I am not sure how reading this discussion board gave you the impression that Wichita is any more racist than the rest of the world. It is too bad that you chose to make a decision based on that misperception. There are many progressive people here and in a "red" state there is a democratic govenor and Wichita has a democratic mayor who is a minority. I would suggest that you spend some time here to see what you think for your self rather than depending upon a few comments on a discussion board.

[Sco]

Originally Posted by Kansasfornow

It really upset me to read your comment. I really don't agree. Segregation is not an accepted practice here rather have found people to be friendly nd open, not prejudiced. This is coming from someone who is from New York and not a Christian - I am a relgious minority here. My son goes to a wonderful school in Wichita - a magnet school with a focus on international relations. His classmates include African Americans, Muslims, Asians and everyone gets along just fine. I am not sure how reading this discussion board gave you the impression that Wichita is any more racist than the rest of the world. It is too bad that you chose to make a decision based on that misperception. There are many progressive people here and in a "red" state there is a democratic govenor and Wichita has a democratic mayor who is a minority. I would suggest that you spend some time here to see what you think for your self rather than depending upon a few comments on a discussion board.

I guess it depends on your definition of segregation. What should I think when people say that I should avoid buying a house in Wichita because there are too many black people and should go to the suburbs instead?

[Kansasfornow]

Originally Posted by Sco

I guess it depends on your definition of segregation. What should I think when people say that I should avoid buying a house in Wichita because there are too many black people and should go to the suburbs instead?

As I said before, all of the "people" who have posted on this discussion board are not representative of the range of people living in Wichita. I have looked at discussion boards on this site for many states and it seems there are many negative people and comments about alot of places. I don't know if this means people are generally discontent, angry etc. or people who feel that way are finding their way to post on this site. There are bigots everywhere - otherwise the world wouldn't be in the horrible condition it is . In my opinion, one makes a choice whether to be influenced by bigots or make one own assessment of a situation. I also lived in the suburbs here ( Andover) prior to moving into Wichita. Despite the sterotype presented in this discussion board, the subdivision in which I lived had blacks, whites, asians. There also is economic diversity in the suburbs as housing ranges from very expensive( million dollar home) to least expensive (e.g trailer parks). Anyway, I hope that you and your family find the place that is right for you. It is disconcerting, however, that you would base your opinion of a city with over 300.000 people on the basis of one or two comments on a discussion board. Your sterotype of people in Wichita offended me as I am not a bigot and am not raising my son to be one either. "Be the change that you would like to see."

[leighland]

Originally Posted by Kansasfornow

It really upset me to read your comment. ... I am not sure how reading this discussion board gave you the impression that Wichita is any more racist than the rest of the world. .

I hope I did not make it sound like Wichita is more racist than any other place. I apologize if I did. Racism is EVERYWHERE. But after living in 4 states in the past 10 years I think Wichitans are less shy about voicing their racism than, lets say, people from SoCal. I like Wichita and I would have no qualms living there again. The OP should check out College Hill and decide that way.

[Sco]

Originally Posted by Kansasfornow

Your sterotype of people in Wichita offended me as I am not a bigot and am not raising my son to be one either. "Be the change that you would like to see."

I am sorry if I offended you in any way, but I ask you to put yourself in my shoes and consider how things appear from the outside. My comments were not only based on this forum, but also on comments that I see on a regular basis on the Wichita Eagle blogs. On this forum, I ask a question about certain Wichita neighborhoods and about 25% of the responses were advising me to skip Wichita due to the number of black people. My wife and I already have our doubts about the area since the reputation of Kansas as a whole is that it is a bastion of conservative politics and religious nutcases. My family is mixed race and it was shocking to see such overt bigotry on display. I would have to agree with the previous poster that it seems Wichitans are fairly bold when it comes to displaying their prejudices and that is something that I am not used to.

We have decided to check out the College Hill and Riverside areas on our next trip and then decide if Kansas is the right thing for us.

[Kansasfornow]

Originally Posted by Sco

I am sorry if I offended you in any way, but I ask you to put yourself in my shoes and consider how things appear from the outside. My comments were not only based on this forum, but also on comments that I see on a regular basis on the Wichita Eagle blogs. On this forum, I ask a question about certain Wichita neighborhoods and about 25% of the responses were advising me to skip Wichita due to the number of black people. My wife and I already have our doubts about the area since the reputation of Kansas as a whole is that it is a bastion of conservative politics and religious nutcases. My family is mixed race and it was shocking to see such overt bigotry on display. I would have to agree with the previous poster that it seems Wichitans are fairly bold when it comes to displaying their prejudices and that is something that I am not used to.

We have decided to check out the College Hill and Riverside areas on our next trip and then decide if Kansas is the right thing for us.

As a religious minorty I understand. I too carefully checked out Wichita before moving for reasons similar to yours. I would also add that if you are needing schools, parts of College Hill are zoned for Hyde Elementary School which is an international studies magnet. It is an excellant school because it is diverse (including mixed race children) and the curriculum includes content about different cultures; all the children are required yearly to give a presentation to the parents and school community called Know Your World. I understand what you are saying however one cannot generalize from blogs or discussion boards to an entire population. I hope that I have helped to portray another side of Wichita which runs counter to what you describe.

[leighland]

Originally Posted by Sco

IMy family is mixed race and it was shocking to see such overt bigotry on display. I would have to agree with the previous poster that it seems Wichitans are fairly bold when it comes to displaying their prejudices and that is something that I am not used to.

May I suggest besides walking around Old Town downtown, you take an hour through Towne East Mall on your trip? You'll drive thru Eastborough and by strolling the Mall, get a feeling for the locals. Good Luck on your trip!

[Kansasfornow]

You also might come to Wichita on a final Friday of a month. On the final Friday, there is a free trolley service around all the art galleries where there are opening with wine, cheese, and the artists are discussing their work. I have provided a link below which has a section "Final Friday Map." That would also expose you to people other than the bigoted posters who you have encountered online. Good luck!
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[KevK]

You can go to the Wichita paper at Kansas.com | Kansas news, sports, jobs, cars and look at a daily map of all crimes that happened in Wichita. That will pretty much give you an idea of where to avoid and where is safe.

[missmanors]

sco sounds like maybe you are the raciest, You seem like you want to pick a fight. Yes the subs are mostly white and very safe places to live. the high densitys of black and hispanic are also the highest crime rates.
This is not an opinion or a slur, it is a fact. does one have something to do with the other, I dont know.
But I would not live in wichita. I value my home dollar to much to waste it on wichita homes. Not to say that there is not some very nice homes in wichita there are. but at the same time, when I was looking at homes there even in the good areas, you can be only 100 yards away from the bad area, and the goolies and ghosties can walk through your area and break in just as easy and do.
If this is your bag buy buy buy I am sure you will make some white flight person happy.