New Friends in Western Kansas.... (Kansas City, Topeka: 2011, apartment, house)

[CArizona]

Hi! I plan to move to Western Kansas before too long. (Have some relatives in Grinnell, Kansas.)

I'd love to hear from people who live in Western Kansas, and learn more about the culture ahead of time.

My Dad was born on a farm in Grinnell Kansas in the early 1900's. He moved out to CA in his 20's...and later, met and married my Mom.

Life was great back in CA during the 50's, 60's and even the 70's. But, I just didn't feel "at home" anymore when CA became nothing more than row after row of tract homes....and shopping centers on every corner!

Later on, I moved to a rural city in AZ....hoping to get away from the "rat race." But today, AZ seems like a clone & carbon-copy of CA. (Except for being a desert!)

Even though I was born and raised in CA, I seem to be a "small town" person on my inside. This is why I want to move to Western Kansas. I want to go back to my Dad's "roots."

I've had my fill of "cookie-cutter" tract homes and shopping centers, malls, etc. These days, I dream about country roads and wide open spaces...along with friendly neighbors and "small town values."

Anyway, I'd love to hear from people who live in Western Kansas. Do I sound like I would fit-in? Thanks, Claire

[katie45]

I live near Kansas City (Eastern KS) so I am sorry that I can't help you with Western KS; but wanted to wish you luck in your move, and to also say that I am a CA native (So Cal) and lived briefly in AZ (Cottonwood) before ending up back here.

I can sure relate and agree with your comments about CA being much better in the 50's - 70's! I left in the mid-90's.

Have you visited the area your dad is from in Grinnell, KS? Or have you visited any parts of KS?

The biggest adjustment for me was the climate change But, I did what I had to do to adjust and survive. I love the four seasons, but here in the KC area we get a lot of ice in the winter that I can do without. And of course I had to learn what "winterizing" means and all about getting a winter wardrobe, etc., and had to get used to the weather dictating my life.

I would like to move to a warmer climate "when and if" I retire; but for now, I am here (and if the economy is punk, I will stay put and do what I have to do). The thing I would miss the most is the people; I have never known so many wonderful, happy, kind and generous people as I've met here. Sure, we have some jerks, who doesn't; but the majority would give you the shirt off their back and are very courteous.

I had never experienced four seasons until I moved back here, and my first experience of seeing the Fall colors was truly amazing - and I still marvel at the gorgeous Fall colors. And I love the beauty and rebirth of the Spring season; and the lush green of summer with the warm evenings and the fireflies! And to have clear blue skies and big "white" fluffy clouds instead of smog brown clouds!! I'll never take any of that for granted.

Having driven in Los Angeles, the traffic in this area is nothing to me! And I suppose it's all relative anyway as to where a person comes from and what they're used to.

Anyway, just wanted to say hi and wish you the best in your decision!

[CArizona]

Katie45:

Thanks for the wonderful letter!! Thanks for taking the time to write back to me.

It sounds like you stopped feeling "at home" in California too. (So, I'm not alone!) What was it like when you lived in Cottonwood? We moved to Arizona in the early 90's. (And it was wonderful here until home prices skyrocketed in CA a few years back.) I never, ever want to live in a state bordering CA ever again!!

I really enjoyed your description of the 4 seasons in Kansas. Out here in the desert, we have 2-speeds: hot, hot, hot...and some cold in the winter. Nothing ever seems to change very much! (But, I do enjoy the "Monsoon Season" in late summer....as long as the lightning isn't too strong, and doesn't sit over our house for hours!) Do you ever miss living in AZ?

Even though we're going to move to Western Kansas, I'd still like to learn more about Kansas City, and other cities all throughout Kansas. What is the population of Kansas City today? What is the culture like? I'm glad you are surrounded by friendly people most of all. Did you ever run into any resentment when you were a newcomer to the state?

I'm planning a trip to Grinnell really soon. After my Dad died in 1999, I heard from one of my cousins in Kansas and we've become really close through the years. (Like sisters!) This is great because I'm an only child and don't have much family left out here in the west. Anyway, thanks again for taking the time to write!! Claire

[katie45]

The main reason we left CA was employment: my company was closing it's doors and moving operations overseas; and my husband's company laid him and many others off (we'd both been with our employers for ten years). And we were fed up with the crime, smog, high cost of housing and just general attitudes.

We were in Cottonwood for only about 5 months; and it was during the worst part of summer and way too hot for us. And we didn't really like the problems of dealing with scorpions, tarantulas and the "no seeums".

I would love to enjoy the mild winters of "most of AZ". And I love the beauty of Sedona, and also love Flag very much (but obviously in Flag I would have winter to contend with).

Here is a link that will give you an idea of the population in the Kansas City Metro Area:
Kansas City Metropolitan Area - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I live about 5 mi SW of Kansas City, MO, in Johnson County, KS. There is a lot to do in this area (most of it in KC, MO); there are concerts, museums, art shows, the Chiefs, the Royals, and the Kansas Speedway. Pretty much something for everyone:
Kansas City : VisitKC.com Official Travel Source

I personally never had any difficulty with being accepted in this area; and found that companies were open to hiring anyone who had the qualifications, no matter where they relocated from.

The biggest adjustment for me was winter. This will be my 19th winter in this area and I still miss the mild winters of So Cal. Guess you can take the gal out of CA, but you can't take CA out of the gal.

What I really miss about CA: the ocean, the mountains, large selection of Mexican restaurants, and most of all? In n Out Burger! Everytime I visit CA, I have to get my fix at In n Out.

I'm very happy for you and your cousin having a close relationship! Family means a lot!

[Txchief]

Originally Posted by katie45

What I really miss about CA: the ocean, the mountains, large selection of Mexican restaurants, and most of all? In n Out Burger! Everytime I visit CA, I have to get my fix at In n Out.

If you ever go west to Salina(2 hours west of KC), then I would suggest the Cozy Inn for your burger fix. The link is: The Cozy Inn - Salina, Kansas

This should satisfy your craving until you can get back to the In Out.

[CArizona]

Katie45: Thanks for writing, and thanks for the links too. Good hearing from you!

I'm glad that everyone was friendly to you when you first moved to Kansas. I hope you find another place to live before long...with milder winters. Do you have a long way to go before you can retire?

I am ready for 4 seasons....I am a "bundle-up" type of person and I probably don't belong here in AZ! I have to have my "blankies" with me at night. (Even during the hot summer!) I love wearing jackets and sweaters. It gets boring wearing shorts all the time. And, I get bored having the same type of weather day after day. (Except for afternoons...during the "Monsoon" Season.)

I used to feel bored with the weather in CA too. Guess I am just "hungry" for more variety, if this makes sense. When we've taken trips to Colorado and Utah during the winter, I loved the snow and "cold!" I feel so sad when it gets too hot (in the spring) to wear my jacket, sweaters and long pants.

Do you have high humidity in your area during the summer? My cousin says that the humidity in Western Kansas is less than other parts of the state. Have you had many tornadoes? Do you have a basement in your house?

Years ago, my husband spent several years in Topeka, Kansas. (When he was in the Air Force.) He said it was such a friendly place...and he never wanted to leave!!

When we first moved to AZ, we used to love traveling around the state...to Flagstaff, Sedona, Prescott, Payson, etc. (And all of the small towns in between!) But over the years, AZ has started to look too much like So. CA for us...with all of the rapid development, rows of tract homes, and same-old-same old chain stores and restaurants in each town, etc.

I've developed a condition called "Vibroacoustic Disease" from living too close to "booming" stereos and "earthquake" type sub-woofers, etc. Now, I am extemely sensitive to any type of noise or vibrations. This is why I want to move to a super small town with lots of space around my house. I've had my fill of bigger cities!! (And all of traffic, road-rage, long lines, "boomers," etc.)

My husband receives a retirement check and we sell our products online. So, we should be ok most anywhere...with occasional trips to larger cities. We're not big shoppers. It's nice to go to plays, museums, art galleries, book stores, etc....but right now, I need peace and quiet most of all. Can't wait to spend more time cooking, and even canning. Want to grow our own veggies again. My husband might put a cookbook together. I want to get back to my writing...It's hard to do these things where we live now because all of the noise really gets on our nerves, and it's hard to function at times.

Sorry that you don't have an "In & Out" near you. I'd mail you a burger and fries, if I could! Do you have any Mexican restaurants near you at all? (How about other ethnic restaurants?...Italian, Chinese, Thai, etc.) I figure that we might have to cook specialty dishes at home a lot more when we move to a small town in Kansas, and this is ok with us. (Since we both love to cook so much!!)

When I first thought of moving out of So. CA, I worried that I might feel "suffocated" if I moved "inland." I enjoyed living on the coast and "edge" ...near the ocean. Moving to AZ taught me that I will be ok...as long as I live close to some lakes and rivers. (I need to be able to see water once in awhile.)

Do you still have family in CA? Do you get out this way very often? We're looking forward to being close to our family in Kansas. Thanks for writing and more soon, Claire

[katie45]

Hi Claire,

You write good letters! You express yourself well and they are fun to read. And you mentioned about being a writer and it shows! What type of writing have you done? Has any of your writing been published?

My retirement (or transitioning to part-time employment) will occur in 2011; and it's not really that much longer.

I don't have family in this area; but have good friends and my job keeps me really busy.

If you enjoy 'changing' weather, then you'll love KS! They joke that 'if you don't like the weather, just wait 5 minutes'. And it is definitely more exciting than what I ever experiened in CA.

The winters here wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to get out and go to work; the worse part is driving on the icy roads, and then after work having to bundle up like the Michelin Man and scrape ice off the windshield, or getting the snow off - and freezing the whole time. I obviously didn't move here with proper winter clothing; but it didn't take me long to build up my winter wardrobe.

We get humidity in this area; but not anything like the SE. As far as tornadoes, I've never seen one, and the closest one was about 7 mi (close enough!). I live in an apartment and don't have a basement.

I'm sorry to hear that AZ is getting to look like So CA. I haven't been to AZ since '94 and I am sure in that time it has changed a lot. I know that housing in Flag is very expensive, and that the job market there isn't the greatest.

I'm really sorry that you have Vibroacoustic Disease! How unpleasant that has to be for you. If you are away from the loud noises for a given amount of time will the condition improve?

That is great that your husband can work from home; that doesn't limit you to where you live.

I love the idea of gardening, canning, etc., that would be wonderful to do!

There are many Mexican restaurants here; but because there are so many different styles of Mexican cooking, it was difficult to find any that are very close to CA or SW taste. One I found in the Kansas City area is Manny's; they are about as close as I can find. We have a large variety of ethnic foods. KC boasts BBQ and it is good; I prefer the dry-rub seasoning and oak-pit style of BBQ, but the KC sauce is still good.

One thing you will find here that you won't find in CA or AZ is Kansas beef! It is the best! Very, very tender and delicious!

Have you made a decision as to when you plan on moving to KS?

Katie

[CArizona]

Katie:

Thanks for writing back so quickly! YEA!! Always good to hear from you....

Well, I think I will probably feel nervous when I have to drive on icy roads, etc. It may take me awhile to build up my confidence. How long did it take you to become more relaxed and comfortable with all of it? Do you find yourself dreading winters a little bit? I have a friend who lives alone in NJ and she seems to dread winter.

Here in the desert...I dread summer. But after awhile, I get used to the heat. It becomes normal. (I'm hoping that I will feel the same way about winters in Kansas....I hope that I will adapt quickly.) And you're right, it's different when you have to go to work every day. In this sense...CA and AZ do seem better "weather-wise!" (I can relate to what you've been saying!)

When my husband was in the Air Force, he lived in "snow areas"...like Virginia, Delaware, Kansas, New Mexico and even Alaska. So, I am counting on him to teach me how to drive in snow and icy conditions. (But, he's been away from snow for awhile...so he will take things slow and easy at first too.) What was your very first winter like in Kansas? You must have been overwhelmed!

What type of clothes and accessories do you have in your "winter wardrobe?" Maybe I should start getting prepared for the "change" now! (But, it's not easy to buy "warm weather clothes" where I live in AZ.) Maybe I should shop online!!

Good that your retirement isn't too far away. How long did it take you to make close friends in Kansas? Are most of your friends people you work with? Are your neighbors super friendly?

When we first moved to AZ over 14 years ago, we did have a few friendly neighbors on our street. But, everyone moved away thru the years...and our present neighbors are rather "into themselves." Everyone just does want they want...without regards to how their behavior might affect other people who live on their street. (We're surrounded by loud "boomers" who play their stereos all night long. Unfortunately, our city officials and police don't enforce noise ordinances.)

I want to live in a small town where people gossip a bit. This way, people who live in the town might be on their "best behavior" a little more...to avoid damaging their reputation. (Does it work this way??) Things seem too anonymous out here in the west, and people don't feel connected to each other....No one seems to worry about damaging their reputation. People can live on the same block for years and years....and never meet their neighbors.

When my Dad passed away, I spent time in my former hometown in CA to get my parents' house ready to sell. (They lived in Montebello...a suburb of LA.) Boy, I was sure looking forward to having some wonderful Mexican meals while I was there. But, I was in for a big shock and disappointment....Everything had changed since I lived there....All of the Mexican restaurants served health-conscious "Tex-Mex" "yuppie" type of food. YUK!!! None of it was the same....All of the restaurants had stopped serving traditional Mexican food. Thank goodness, we still had some Mexican restaurants here in AZ who served "our kind of Mexican food!" But, things are starting to change here now too. (SAD!!)

Sometimes, I sell cookbooks online and I've always heard about Kansas City BBQ sauces & rubs, etc. Can't wait to taste it myself. How is Kansas City, KS different than Kansas City, MO? Just curious!!

I'm glad that you haven't personally faced any damaging tornadoes right in your town. I hope there wasn't a lot of damage in the town near you that had a tornado. Did a lot of people go to the town after the tornado hit...to see if they could help the residents? My cousin and her family always go to neighboring towns when they have tornadoes or severe ice storms, etc. (To help out, if they can.) This is so nice!!

I'm not sure if I will ever totally recover from Vibroacoutic disease, but I think I will do better if I am away from sub-woofers and "booming" stereos all around me...all the time. (Thanks for caring.) I've read that people can get this disease from living close to "wind farms." (Used for alternative energy.) Of course, the companies deny that the wind turbines can affect local residents....Just like companies who manufacture high-powered stereos and sub-woofers deny that they cause the public any problems. (SAD!!!)

Thanks for the compliments about my writing. I sure enjoy your letters too!! Most of the time, I write non-fiction. But sometimes, I let my imagination run wild and write little "tales" and stories too. I've had some of my work published, and my husband and I have had publications of our own too.

Well, this is sure getting long. Time to stop for now. Write anytime. Always enjoy hearing from you. Thanks, Claire

[katie45]

Hi Clair...I sent you a 'direct message'....

Katie

[CArizona]

Katie: Thanks for your "direct message!" You're right, it's better to talk off the forum. We were sure getting carried away!! Thanks for all of your great letters and friendship, Claire