What is Chanute Like (Pittsburg, Iola: real estate, rentals, crime)

[DandF]

Hi All

considering moving to KS for a quieter life and someone recommended Chanute

but know really know anything about it

is there anyone on here that lives there or knows the place?

is there much to do?

is it a relaxing and is crime low?

thanks in advance

D

[quesera]

Chanute's a decent place to raise a family. There is a nice "lake" and park on the south end of town (Santa Fe Park/Lake). The schools are good and the atmosphere is generally friendly. Real estate prices are low, as well as rentals. There's not a lot of crime in Chanute. They've got a nice museum and library, an art gallery and seasonal festivals. I'm not sure what the job situation is like. When we lived there, businesses were shutting down. There was an IGA that closed a few years ago (couldn't compete with super w.m.) and Chanute lost bids for some industry because of tax issues.
I think, overall, the pluses outweigh the negatives, though. I'm sure someone with more recent experience will chime in and give you more information.

[sandstars]

Stuff to do:
I grew up in Chanute. Moved away 6 yrs ago but still have family there and go back on holidays. The vast majority of activities center around church activities. They do have a bowling alley, skating rink, and a Christian Coffee house for the teens. The school's are OK. They've got a few FABULOUS teachers, most are mediocre, and a few really bad ones. The community college in town is horrendous. Avoid. Go to Pittsburg instead (4 yr college, 45 min away). They have community theaters and plays that I played in the orchestra for, which was fun.

They've got a super walmart now which, IMO was a blessing. There are tons of TINY little towns within 45 min of Chanute that come to Chanute for Walmart, groceries and the like so it has a relatively rural feel although it is 10k people (last I checked). It covers every bit of your small town stereotypes: the gossipy neighbors who know everything about everything. Everyone knows who you are, what you drive, and what you wore yesterday. People are relatively friendly but that's because they know everyone! (esp my family: I've got 3 or 4 generations living there). I was on a first name basis with the owner of my bank because he was my youth church advisor for example.

Personally, I don't miss it one bit. I felt like the town was pretty run down and dumpy when I lived there but its since gotten new restaurants, banks, roads, etc and has really started to look nicer. Think they're putting in a new pool too. Oh, and they put in a new movie theatre (Thank God....the old one was about ready to litterally fall on your head).

Closest honest mall is about an hr away in Joplin. We used to go there for Christmas shopping. Closest major metropolitan is KC which is about 2 hrs away. You'll find very few nice restaurants in Chanute (esp chain ones for some reason like Applebees or Chiles or Old Chicago). Lots of fast food like Sonic or Subway. Iola's only a 30 min drive and its got similar features to Chanute but different so between the two towns, you've pretty much got your basis covered. Oh! And 30-40 min or so away in the town of Gas is a drive in movie theatre. Its rundown and antique but it exists and last I knew still operated.

Housing?
SouthEast Ks (SEK) is poor and sometimes it shows. Like I said, its gotten better but you'll find it nearly impossible to rent a NICE place because they're typically cheap enough to buy. I'd avoid most rentals in that area unless you want to deal with roaches and the like. (My family rented for a while and it was gross....) Think last I heard, SEK was one of the poorer regions in the state and Ks is typically poorer than its surrounding neighboring states. No idea if that's still true. Its been a long while ago.

Crime
There was a guy murdered in SaveaLot a few years back and it was THE talk of the town for MONTHS. Murders are essentially unheard of. My family lives in a decent part of town and they've had their cars broken into occationally, tires slashed, etc. Petty vandalism is fairly high from my personal experience but nothing serious (like breaking into houses, shootings, etc). Keep things locked up and put away and you shouldn't have any serious issues.

Thats all I can think of. Hope some of it helped if you haven't already found a place

[chanutian]

Chanute is NOT the place to live. if you have kids you want to raise here its a bad idea. theres not much to do after they get into high school. drugs are a HUGE problem. so are the corupt police. the town has no where to get a good job. busnises rarly stay opean. and if you have pets, look out because the animal control has been known to be a Pain(to put it nice.) the college and hospital are terrible. Anyone around here will tell you they would rather drive an extra 15-30 min. to the next hospital even in an emergancie, rather than go to the one in chanute.

[briansgi]

Chanute is no better, no worse then any other small town in America. Little bit of crime, drug issues, nothing for kids to do, etc. Chanute is as good as any place to live, it just depends on what you are looking for. Quiet living and stress free life, then yes! Low paying jobs, yes, will your neighbors be nosey, yes.