Family life in Lawrence (Wichita, Topeka: rentals, house, established neighborhood)

[gardengirl5]

My family has lived in Leawood for the last 8 years and my husband commutes to Lawrence. We are expecting our fifth child this summer and my husband is getting tired of juggling family life and the commute. I love our current neighborhood and area schools, the easy access to great shopping, and the quality of medical care. What could I expect in Lawrence? I am searching for information on schools, neighborhoods, anything that might give me a sense of what family life is like there.
Thanks for your help!

[straw hat]

You might want go to Lawrence and ride the bus. This would give you a chance to see the town without the traffic getting in the way. Take notes and pictures. Your husband works in Lawrence have him get ideas from fellow workers. Also you may want to check out Eudora it is just down the road. Lawrence has a very good hospital. Many of the Doctors have offices in both Lawrence and the K.C. area. Lawrence has all the big chain stores with less traffic to fight. Also Massachusetts street is a very beautiful place to shop; in the summer they have several sidewalk cafes.

[kansas sky]

Last I heard, Lawrence schools have an excellent reputation.
As for shopping, it depends on what you're looking for. Lawrence can't compare with the KC area for variety, of course. But it's still a great place to shop! Mass street has wonderful unique locally-owned shops as well as a few national chains. South Iowa has many of the larger chain stores and they seem to be building more all the time.
There are always community events geared toward the whole family. The National Fiddlers and Pickers Championship is held at South Park every year and is one of my all-time favorite events.

[2005hawk]

Lawrence is seen as a pre-eminent college town, so the general perception is that it is not family-oreinted. Perhaps there may have been some truth to this decades ago when Lawrence was a small college town. But today, the city has about 92,000 year round residents. And as a previous poster said, its schools have a very good reputation. They are often ranked among the top 10 school districts among the nation's smaller metro areas LJWorld.com / Magazine ranks city district in top 10


Lawrence also has a superb parks and recreation department, with lots of organized youth recreation and lots of parks. Because the school district is so great, there really isnt a bad neighborhood from a school/education perspective. If your husband lives in Lawrence, you could live just about anywhere. If you like older, established neighborhoods, try the Barker neighborhood or the area south of 23rd Street between Louisiana Street and Iowa Street. The Deerfield area is also very nice, but a little more expensive. Its got a similar feel to it as the older parts of Leawood. Its located north of 6th Street, west of Iowa Street.

Dont hesitate to make the move, Lawrence is a great place for a family.

[burnt]

I haven't been to Lawrence in about four or five years, but I keep tabs on it from afar, and it sounds like it's getting even better than it was when I visited frequently. Shopping? Plenty. Schools? Very nice, and LFSHS is still very new. Medical care is probably pretty good, although I admit that I don't know much about what it has to offer. You'd think KU Med would be there, but of course you know it's split between KC 'burbs and Wichita. I really like the university atmosphere, as it's progressive, diverse, and there's always something to do. Once I finish at Georgetown Law and work a few more years here in DC, I'll be trying to move to the greater Lawrence-Topeka region. Yes, it's nice enough that I'm willing to leave Chesapeake Bay for it.

[rubato]

I completely disagree about the hospital. I will never again go unless I will die in the 30 minutes it takes me to go somewhere else!

I think the schools are pretty good. My son has had 3 amazing teachers so far (he's only in 2nd grade). I also love my house, but, it, like every other house in Lawrence is surrounded by rentals. The shopping is okay, but there's a lot more in KC, obviously. Lots of fast food and bars, not many high-end restaurants. I do love the parks and rec program. And, there is a lot for children here.

All this being said, we're moving to Shawnee. I want a neighborhood with kids and no college students. I want a town that has more than 2 roads to get in and out. And, I have lots of other issues, but they're just mine!