Info on Wichita neighborhoods (Derby, Andover: crime, new house, landscaping)

[Sco]

Please share opinions/information about some areas of Wichita. My wife and I are considering a move to Wichita and would like to get some thoughts about some areas that we have heard are nice. If you have some other suggestions, I would like to hear about those as well. We prefer older, more established neighborhoods with large lots and do not care about schools. We will not consider any suburbs nor anything west of West St. We like to live close to work which will be downtown or NE Wichita and hate the cookie cutter subdivisions and small town vibe of places like Andover. Budget is wide open. We have been told to look at some areas, but we are hoping to get the local perspective on the types of houses and personality of certain areas and how they would be suited for a couple in their mid 30s with no children. We are looking for something as an alternative to the tract home McMansion style subdivisions with treeless lots that seem so prevalent in the area. Also, why do so many of the new houses have no fences? That is the most unusual thing that we have noticed about Wichita, how many people live in houses with no fencing or barrier between them and their neighbors. In our current area, almost all of the houses have 6 foot masonry block walls for a nice private backyard. We have been told to look at:

1. Eastborough
2. College Hill
3. Riverside

[spongebob`]

The short answer is dont move to wichita, move to andover,augusta,goddard,rosehill, but not wichita. You will have a much hader time selling your home and crime is much higher. not a good idea

[leighland]

Eastborough is ridiculously expensive. Why on Earth would you spend 500K for a house in WICHITA? I mean, thats like spending 500K on a car that you drive to the grocery store and back. There are lots of nice places for a better value.

[Kansasfornow]

I live in Wichita and disagree with the last two posters. I agree with the areas where you were told to look. I hate the "white flight" mentality about Wichita. Compared to most cities there is little crime. Yes, there is diversity here but from my perspective that is a good thing. I would encourage you to find a realtor and check out homes in these areas rather then make a decision based on this discussion board.

[Sco]

What part of no suburbs was hard to understand? On our first and only trip to the area, a realtor took us to Andover and Derby and that is exactly the kind of place that I am trying to avoid. In fact, it wasted an entire house hunting trip and I am trying to be better prepared next time rather then rely solely on a realtor. We gave very specific criteria to the realtor and they still took us to suburb hell for some reason and we did not know any better. I absolutely hate tract home subdivisions and small towns. I am looking for info about the types of homes in the areas that I mentioned, the types of people that live there, etc. Our ideal home would be a colonial or victorian on a large lot with mature landscaping within Wichita in a neighborhood that is not so "family friendly" or "child centric".

I have been told that Eastborough is exactly what I want, but I cannot afford to waste another trip only to find out I have been misled again.

[spongebob`]

good luck with wasting your $ home prices do not rise that fast in andover but wichita good luck. LOL Get a good security alarm and dog.I would also get a shot gun under the bed. Maybe a vest also. The reason the realtors took you to places like andover was because when someone sees a person heading for a train wreck they try to warn them. but you can lead a cow to water..........................

[Sco]

Originally Posted by spongebob`

good luck with wasting your $ home prices do not rise that fast in andover but wichita good luck. LOL Get a good security alarm and dog.I would also get a shot gun under the bed. Maybe a vest also. The reason the realtors took you to places like andover was because when someone sees a person heading for a train wreck they try to warn them. but you can lead a cow to water..........................

You are an idiot, you act like Wichita is Mogadishu or something. Have you ever been a victim of a crime or are you just a paranoid bed wetter? I am guessing that you live in a lily white suburb and tremble like a little girl every time you see a black person.

[Kansasfornow]

Originally Posted by spongebob`

good luck with wasting your $ home prices do not rise that fast in andover but wichita good luck. LOL Get a good security alarm and dog.I would also get a shot gun under the bed. Maybe a vest also. The reason the realtors took you to places like andover was because when someone sees a person heading for a train wreck they try to warn them. but you can lead a cow to water..........................

Your comments are ridiculous. Lets talk about the facts, below is a link to a report by qualified researchers at Wichita State University whose finding show that, unlike many parts of the county, Wichita's housing market is strong and houses in Wichita are a good investment. If you want facts, not emotional rhetoic, click on the link below.

http://realestate.wichita.edu/

[KevK]

All those neighbourhoods are good but you will get more house for your dollar in College Hill in the area bounded by Grove, Oliver, Douglas and Kellogg.

[leighland]

Originally Posted by KevK

All those neighbourhoods are good but you will get more house for your dollar in College Hill in the area bounded by Grove, Oliver, Douglas and Kellogg.

Agreed. And its an older more mature neighborhood so you're more likely to find a home with character there. Plus the arty people I know in Wichita live in College Hill so my guess is that its more of a fit for you. I still believe Eastborough is just wasted money, a status address only.