wichita - walk to WSU? (apartments, crime, transfer)

[geek4ever]

Hi All,

I am thinking of taking up a job at WSU later this year. However, I have some medical reasons due to which I cant drive a car. Are there any good, safe neighborhoods around WSU where I could live and walk to WSU? Walking 1 to 1.5 miles is ok. Or another option is use public transport - there are a few buses. Does anyone use these?

From what I have read so far wichita is not a walker friendly city, public transport is bad and there is crime near WSU after dark, especially in the area between WSU and downtown.

What are my options? If it is really bad, I could decline the offer, but that leaves me with a low paying job on the east coast (where I use public transport and/or walk).

Thanks.
geek

[KevK]

It is really bad. I would not walk around off campus over there. Even in the daytime it is fairly dangerous. The bus would be safer but some of the same charactors that terrorize the neighbourhood around there also ride the bus that goes there. WSU probably does have a ride match program. And, no Wichita is NOT a place you want to live if you cannot drive a car. How do you plan to shop and go to the doctor and stuff? The bus system there is bad. It only runs from 6AM to 6PM MOn-Sat and the buses only come once an hour in many places.
Where do you live now?

[lakerat66]

Do not walk in that area.

[averagejoe76]

You could live around 21st and Woodlawn and walk to school.
21st & Woodlawn is an OK area.Theres plenty of Apartments.
You could walk in the area of WSU during the day,I see students walking,jogging..
All the time.

[geek4ever]

Thanks for the responses. I live currently on the east coast in a college town near new york. We have plenty of buses available there, and crime is low.
As for wichita, if I am to go there, I plan to depend on my wife for most of night driving. I can still drive in the day but I prefer not to unless I have to. In wichita it seems I might have to. So one option is to live there for a few years until I can move to another place maybe. I am quite confused actually; I just wish crime wasnt a problem at WSU so that at least my commute wasn't affected.

[Shocking]

I have to disagree on the safety issue. My daughters each have apartments near WSU (east of Hillside), as does my son. They all feel safe.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by geek4ever

Thanks for the responses. I live currently on the east coast in a college town near new york. We have plenty of buses available there, and crime is low.
As for wichita, if I am to go there, I plan to depend on my wife for most of night driving. I can still drive in the day but I prefer not to unless I have to. In wichita it seems I might have to. So one option is to live there for a few years until I can move to another place maybe. I am quite confused actually; I just wish crime wasnt a problem at WSU so that at least my commute wasn't affected.

Well at least you have somebody that can drive when you need to drive. Wichita is NOT a place where one wants to live without a car. You need a car like you need a liver there.
Now here is the best advice I can give you about the Wichita bus system. WSU is served by 2 bus lines which are #17 E 17th St and #13 N Broadway. If you MUST ride the bus, the #13 would be the safest way to go. I would NOT, ride #17 because it goes through much more of the worst part of Wichita. While 25th and Piatt is dangerous, it is far less dangerous than 17th and Piatt! And remember that you working hours will be somewhat restricted by the Wichita bus system. Your dear wife will have to come and get you if you work late or you will have to call Best Cab and wait an hour to fork over a fortune to a rude driver in a cab that smells like a dirty ashtray.
Check it out here: City of Wichita - N. Broadway From Downtown/Transit Center

[Shocking]

I have to agree on taxis in Wichita. While I've never used a taxi in Wichita, I know people who do or are former employees. One problem is "supply and demand"; there is not enough demand for taxis and so service is slow (i.e. low density of taxis). Taxis I have used in D.C. and Rome (Italy) were quite good; safety is another matter.

[geek4ever]

Thanks for the info. If I go there, I plan to stay on the northeast side. I believe that way I can avoid piatt totally. That way both N Broadway route and E 17th route should be ok I think to go to WSU.

Also I read that there is a 5-year plan to improve the transit system. Anything more you know about this from local news or newspapers? That would simplify my life a bit.

If I live in the north east side near rock road or somewhere in future, and transit system covers those areas directly to WSU(currently I will need a transfer), and extend hours, I should be set. All this happening is another issue...

I can't understand how people can live feeling so unsafe inspite of so many cops around. Maybe I just cant imagine it.


Geek