Small Towns That Don't Want To Be Big? (Topeka, Salina: for sale, crime)

[AnywhereElse]

We are living in Fort Scott, KS right now and have had it. The population has been declining for probably 30 years and taxes are already high here because they have not been able to see that they could not really afford a community college here and a new middle school. Last year they lost a sales tax increase vote which was to support the 6 1/2 million dollar indoor and outdoor aquatic center which they thought could be mostly supported by tourist dollars - have you all ever even heard of Fort Scott because my husband was born and raised in Central Kansas and didn't even know it existed. Now they are greatly increasing the mil levy for 20 years, starting out small, getting higher and then eventually it would return to normal in 2028. I don't think it would ever drop back. It isn't official yet but all that needs to happen is for the City Commissioners to sign off on an ordinance to establish the bond issue and this is pretty much a done deal. So, we don't want to be in a small town that wants to be big by taxing us to death but we would like to be in a small town that is just plain and happy that way. We can deal with some dirt roads and don't need fancy theaters, centers or new schools. We are looking for a town of 6,000 or less that would be sort of self-contained and not a bedroom community for a big city but it still has to have a way to earn a living. Anybody know of a good place like this? We are most familiar with the cities between Salina and Manhattan but no area is off limits. We just want a simple life without this constant pocket picking they are doing here for things we don't need or desire. Thanks.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by AnywhereElse

We are living in Fort Scott, KS right now and have had it. The population has been declining for probably 30 years and taxes are already high here because they have not been able to see that they could not really afford a community college here and a new middle school. Last year they lost a sales tax increase vote which was to support the 6 1/2 million dollar indoor and outdoor aquatic center which they thought could be mostly supported by tourist dollars - have you all ever even heard of Fort Scott because my husband was born and raised in Central Kansas and didn't even know it existed. Now they are greatly increasing the mil levy for 20 years, starting out small, getting higher and then eventually it would return to normal in 2028. I don't think it would ever drop back. It isn't official yet but all that needs to happen is for the City Commissioners to sign off on an ordinance to establish the bond issue and this is pretty much a done deal. So, we don't want to be in a small town that wants to be big by taxing us to death but we would like to be in a small town that is just plain and happy that way. We can deal with some dirt roads and don't need fancy theaters, centers or new schools. We are looking for a town of 6,000 or less that would be sort of self-contained and not a bedroom community for a big city but it still has to have a way to earn a living. Anybody know of a good place like this? We are most familiar with the cities between Salina and Manhattan but no area is off limits. We just want a simple life without this constant pocket picking they are doing here for things we don't need or desire. Thanks.

Abilene, KS is probably what you are looking for. It is a smaller town of under 6000 people that is in between Manhattan and Salina.

[quesera]

Holton is a great little town of about 3200, north of Topeka about 25 miles. There are many beautiful older homes and a good school district.

[Houseslinger]

I have a great home for sale outside of Valley Falls. What do you do for money?

[AnywhereElse]

We always liked the tourist stuff at Abilene, KS so that could be good. Holton would be a possibility because we stayed for a short time in Topeka and was considering it but it is expensive, too large and crime is a little too high especially when you are looking at lower budget housing. Valley Falls is probably to expensive for us since as you get closer to KC, the prices skyrocket. We like the older type houses - 1940's & 1950's Grandma type. Thanks everyone!

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by AnywhereElse

We always liked the tourist stuff at Abilene, KS so that could be good. Holton would be a possibility because we stayed for a short time in Topeka and was considering it but it is expensive, too large and crime is a little too high especially when you are looking at lower budget housing. Valley Falls is probably to expensive for us since as you get closer to KC, the prices skyrocket. We like the older type houses - 1940's & 1950's Grandma type. Thanks everyone!

Valley Falls is a rural town that will not increase much in population. It is too far to commute to the KC metro for most people given the fact that gas prices continue to be quite high. The population for Jefferson County where Valley Falls is located is around 18,000. Median house prices for the county are not that high.

[Jim West]

What kind of work are you looking for? What does he do now? What do you do now? Packing your mule and going to another town is fine if you have a business or a trade that you can ply. However, just moving and thinking that you will find work there is not logical.

First, you should be looking for jobs in his line of work, then select a location from that..............make sense?

[AnywhereElse]

The past 30 years we have been moving every two to three years. We have lived in NC, AL, AZ and KS in different cities (Salina, Manhattan, JC and Fort Scott) together. Our desires being in our mid-50's and debt-free lean more toward finding a desirable location with low-tech into semi-retired jobs. My husband worked for a military contractor and I have worked many jobs, clerical, manufacturing, cooking, teacher's aide, etc. So, we are flexible on jobs and less flexible on atmosphere these days. We realize that trying to find a small friendly town that accepts people they were not born and raised there is going to be possibly an impossible task because here they act like we must be in the witness protection program or something. Maybe we should return to my home state, Michigan.

[quesera]

Mayetta has a casino. Horton has another casino. Holton has the Oldhams sausage plant, a Wal Mart, a Country Mart, and a pretty little downtown area. One of my boy's will be moving to Holton very soon; I think it has a pretty nice atmosphere. Marysville looks like a nice little town (on paper), although, all I really know about it I learned from my son's girlfriend, who lives there.
Good luck.

[prairie guy]

To Anywhere Else--you say you have moved often; I kind of see why as I wonder if you would be happy living anywhere.

I don't know much about Fort Scott, other than visting once and it seemed like an above-average pleasant community. It is only natural for such communities to want to "improve" themselves, which does require taxes. I presume the voters passed a bond to build a new school, so it seems you are complaining about democracy. Besides, strong school districts help increase or at least maintain your property values, so you do get a literal "payoff" in the end.

I'm thinking you should not live in the city limits of ANY town, no matter how small. Virtually any rural county in Kansas has plenty of isolated houses in an unincorporated area for sell cheap. Then you don't have to worry about paying city taxes. To me, a juco also increases your property values in the long run. But if this is bothersome, select an area not within a juco taxing district--there are plenty in the state. If you want lower city or county taxes, select areas with crumbling roads, no community swimming pools, badly maintained parks, or even no parks at all. Of course, you'll be in SOMEBODY's school district, but maybe you'll be lucky and the local parents won't care about improving their children's education. (Just like some parents in big cities!)

It seems to me almost unAmerican to actively seek a community that does NOT want to improve itself, but to each his own, good luck, and keep searching and moving until you find your "dream town."