Emporia (Wichita, Kansas City, Topeka: real estate, property taxes, for sale)

[nj-family]

We are thinking of moving from NJ to KS. Hubby will be working in Emporia.. We have 2 kids, 5 & 3 and we want to buy house where its more kid friendly,great schools and they have lots of things to do..

How is Emporia?

[mercedes1]

Hi NJ, As no one is responding, I thought I would post my limited information to you about Emporia. I didn't want you to think Kansans were rude! I don't live in Emporia, but my in-laws retired to Emporia because they enjoyed boating at nearby John Redmond Res., and they preferred small town living. The biggest plus is Emporia is home to Emporia State University, and that adds considerably to the culture of a small town. In addition to that plus, Emporia is located off on I-35 and has excellent access to Wichita, Topeka and Kansas City for shopping, sports events, cultural activities, etc. I would imagine that you will be able to purchase a very nice home with the proceeds of the sale of your home in NJ (providing that you are a homeowner). Real estate and the cost of living would be considerably less for you in Emporia. I do know that Emporia has very good medical facilities. Hopefully, someone else on this board will be able to give you information regarding the schools and whether it is a family friendly town. I would think with the faculty, administration and staff of the university living nearby that Emporia would be family oriented with all the usual sports and activities for the kids. Good luck.

[RiverRat1964]

Emporia is also home to Tyson Meats, and is rich in ethnic backgrounds, flatter than a pancake, it is still a nice town!!
I used to drive truck through there all the time.....

[nj-family]

Mercedes1 and Riverrat1964,thanks for replying.. We are thinking of going there and check out the schools & real estate.. Can't wait..

[Houseslinger]

Hi, My Great-Aunt and Grandmother lived there so I was there a lot. It's small town but easy access to bigger places if you want with the advantage of small town expenses. There is a nice University and it's growing. My ex-beauticontrol director lives there. If you need a make-over when you settle in...lol....

[slowdog101]

I lived in Emporia from 1996-98, and I would consider moving back. Just be aware that the meat packing plant could stink to high heaven, especially on warm days. Sometimes it was all you could do to keep from losing your lunch. If it is still operating, make sure you don't live in the path of the normal wind patterns. I lived in the SE part of town, and I never smelled the odor near my home. Best of luck.

[nannergirl]

There are so much real estate on the market. A lot of people have moved away since the Tyson meats plant had layoffs in February. I guess it doesn't really stink so much anymore and a lot of the ethnic population has moved on, but jobs can be hard to find. It's really a nice town and people are friendly. It has a pretty cool history too. The University is rated one of the best in the country for teaching degrees.

[irocworld]

Originally Posted by nj-family

We are thinking of moving from NJ to KS. Hubby will be working in Emporia.. We have 2 kids, 5 & 3 and we want to buy house where its more kid friendly,great schools and they have lots of things to do..

How is Emporia?

I lived in Emporia several years ago. Great fun town. I purchased a home for my son to go to college a year ago and now he has changed his mind about school. Teenagers! I have a home for sale in Emporia that is approximately 3 blocks from Emporia State University or 3 homes south of the Country Club & golf course. Beautiful area. It is a 2 bedroom, 1 bath ranch home located on the north side of town with a single car garage, fenced back yard with large shade trees. New carpet throughout home installed May 2007 - listing price $78,500. It is a great starter home or great investment for rental since it is so close to the college. This property is owned by a real estate agent.

I also know of a larger condo in Hammond Heights one block from the other home that is available if you are interested in maintenance free living.

I am not sure of what price range you are looking in; however, Emporia is a great town.

[isabella 1]

Nj family.

I had lived in Emporia for 7 years up until april of 2007. Emporia is in Lyon county and they have one of the highest property taxes in the state and are wanting to raise sales tax another 1% this year. There have been a lot of businesses closing in the area Tyson has downsized ay 1700 jobs in march, Modine has closed, Dolly madison about to close, menu pet food has layed off people to. Since tyson closed there are a lot of homes for sale. The schools are not the greatest my children went from c & d in the schools there to the honor roll in their new school in reading which is 30 miles from emporia and are much happier their. The entertainment in emporia is ok but not the greatest, They have a movie theater, peter pan park which has put in a new playground, Their is a pool, and a rec center in town.They now have a gang problem. The city has cancled its 4th of July fireworks and the bbq festival for this year.Not trying to paint a bad picture of Emporia but I have 2 children and they are much happer living in the reading area then in emporia. Its much more friendly and the school system is much better. Not much entertainment but it's 30 miles to Emopia or Topeka.And only 10 miles to osage city where they have a nice pool and a park. And very little crime.Hope this helps a little.

[sweetpotater58]

Originally Posted by nannergirl

There are so much real estate on the market. A lot of people have moved away since the Tyson meats plant had layoffs in February. I guess it doesn't really stink so much anymore and a lot of the ethnic population has moved on, but jobs can be hard to find. It's really a nice town and people are friendly. It has a pretty cool history too. The University is rated one of the best in the country for teaching degrees.

Let's not use the word ethnic so politely, they were mostly hispanic which is not that bad, but what was bad were the high number of islamic Somalians who didn't help the plant there one bit as they were brought in as cheap labor provided through one of the most detrimental programs our government has unleashed upon us-the Refugee Resettlement program. Now some folks will tell you that these people work jobs no Americans want. At the unfair, unlivable wages Tyson's paid to U.S. born citizens this is sort of true. The answer was carting in so-called Somalian refugees who basically came in given food stamps, child care support, medical and the like-all paid for by you and I! Be glad Tyson's is gone, the smell was bad, and the help was deplorable, a true business in a community is one that is part of it. Not one which brings in cheap labor to undercut native born. Sorry to rant, but Emporia's one time problem with Tysons sadly is now Shelbyville Tennessee's-recent moves by the Somali workers there show just how community minded these folks have been-first replacing Labor Day with an islamic holiday. No Emporia-you are a better city without the likes of Tysons and co.