Leoti........???

[pamark1]

Originally Posted by Jim West

Leoti is a typical western small town. You either become part of it or you dont. It is up to you. If your hubby does diesel mechanics for one of the large farm implement places, then he will make a place for himself.

You might get asked as to what makes you so special that you cant send your kids to Wichita County Schools like everyone else? It is a small community and your social participation will be important, as will the participation of your children. It will be difficult for them to participate in the community and with other children if they do not attend the school there.

You wont have a lot of success bringing your eastern ways and values to Leoti. They have their own ways of doing things and are content with them. The industry there is huge farms, and huge feedlots with a train passing through, and a few scattered oil wells. Wichita County is one of the wealtiest per capita counties in the nation. This is not intended to critisize, but to help you understand the culture there. The culture is mixed anglo/hispanic, and church is a big part of the community. You will need to make the adjustment to Leoti, as Leoti wont adjust to you.

The country is flat, there are no trees, and you can go either side of the town and you can see the grain elevators of other towns 30-40 miles away.

Welcome to the west. I say this from having lived there, and still have a lot of friends there.

JW

My Eastern ways??? Now that's funny.........and quite judgmental. I am anything but "up east" in style or philosophy. But hey, if passing judgment is what you are into, have at it.

And as far as feeling special because we homeschool....... I've already made contact with other homeschoolers in Wichita County and also down in Garden City.... so we won't be the only ones. We are independent enough to not give much of a rat's fuzzy hiney about whether we fit in or not.

I am highly thick skinned and would rather live out away from the backbiting pettiness of small town gossips. When my family moved down south from Chicago area to Atlanta we were yelled at and threatened on a regular basis to "Go home you damn Yankee!!" We have now lived down here since 1976........ it all becomes so much water off a ducks back.

There's hope yet, though........... we have to decide between North Dakota and Western Kansas, and judging from your attitude, North Dakota will give us a warmer welcome. But hey, we'll go where the money is.... whether the natives like it or not.

Good day.

[Jim West]

Most likely Kansas will pay better. Not trying to run you off, just to let you know that that area is fiercely independent. The people there are good people, they worked for what they have. It is like any other small town, complete with small town politics.

The town is very community oriented, like I said. It will just be what you make of it.

Enjoy.

[pamark1]

Originally Posted by Jim West

Most likely Kansas will pay better. Not trying to run you off, just to let you know that that area is fiercely independent. The people there are good people, they worked for what they have. It is like any other small town, complete with small town politics.

The town is very community oriented, like I said. It will just be what you make of it.

Enjoy.

Thank you Jim. You can't run me off.... but you did ruffle my feathers a bit.... lol. I've traveled around quite a bit in my 40 some odd years and am very independent myself..... but look forward to being part of a small community.

If it is right for us to be there then the rest will fall into place. Right now we live in a pretty small town for west Georgia..... and are looking forward to actually being able to buy some small bit of land and living semi-self sufficiently. Probably the only thing that could run me off from going to Kansas are the Rattlesnakes....... I love snakes but they kind of freak me out a bit.

Again.... thank you Jim.... for your information and coming back to answer me.

[tlawwife]

I grew up in Leoti, moved away and then moved my family back. This is my take on Leoti.

We are a typical small town. We are friendly and welcoming. What you put into Leoti is what you take out of it. If you want to be involved there are several different opportunities to do so. If you want to keep to yourselves that is possible to. People in Leoti have no problem asking what has brought you to town. After hearing your story if you choose to give it you will most likely then be welcomed.

We don't have a lot of activities but enjoy the ones we have. The pride of our community is our 4 day fair with a carnival that is home owned and all rides and games are a quarter. Anyone is welcome to attend and participate. We have a great museum with a curator who loves to tell the story of their display items.

I don't personally know any current home schoolers. That is not to say we don't have any I just don't know of any. Many of our activities do revolve around school but many people have nothing to do with it whatsoever.

We have several active welcoming church groups if you are interested in that.

My favorite thing about living here is that I can walk down the street and talk to people all the way down. When I go in a store I am spoken to and helped.

We have all of the necessary stores. Most of the people do at least some shopping in Garden City as that is the closest big stores.

I hope this helps.

[pamark1]

Originally Posted by tlawwife

I grew up in Leoti, moved away and then moved my family back. This is my take on Leoti.

We are a typical small town. We are friendly and welcoming. What you put into Leoti is what you take out of it. If you want to be involved there are several different opportunities to do so. If you want to keep to yourselves that is possible to. People in Leoti have no problem asking what has brought you to town. After hearing your story if you choose to give it you will most likely then be welcomed.

We don't have a lot of activities but enjoy the ones we have. The pride of our community is our 4 day fair with a carnival that is home owned and all rides and games are a quarter. Anyone is welcome to attend and participate. We have a great museum with a curator who loves to tell the story of their display items.

I don't personally know any current home schoolers. That is not to say we don't have any I just don't know of any. Many of our activities do revolve around school but many people have nothing to do with it whatsoever.

We have several active welcoming church groups if you are interested in that.

My favorite thing about living here is that I can walk down the street and talk to people all the way down. When I go in a store I am spoken to and helped.

We have all of the necessary stores. Most of the people do at least some shopping in Garden City as that is the closest big stores.

I hope this helps.

Now see..... that sounds absolutely perfect to me!! I've checked out the websites associated with Leoti and the carnival sounds wonderful, my kids will love it as will my hubby and I. The museum also sounds good...we all love museums and I'm sure will frequent it often.

Thank you so much for your information.... when I know where we are going I will be sure to post it here for more information.

Pam

[concrete it]

Your husband should easily find a job in the midwest if he is a diesel mechanic.
I live in the northeast corner of ks and their is an active homeschool group here,they get along fine. My two best employees were homeschooled.
If you move to western ks I would caution you to not purchase a home right away because resell might be a problem later. good luck

[my4mgirls]

Originally Posted by pamark1

There is a chance we will be moving to Leoti, KS soon.... with 3 children and 2 dogs..... is Leoti a nice place?

Also.... we are homeschoolers...... how is homeschooling in KS?

Thanks!!!



Pam in GA

I would love to know an update as my husband and I are headed out to the area next week to check things out....were you able to find a rental? We too will need to rent for awhile before purchasing something. We have 4 children and 2 dogs. Any info you found would be helpful. Thanks!

[pamark1]

Originally Posted by my4mgirls

I would love to know an update as my husband and I are headed out to the area next week to check things out....were you able to find a rental? We too will need to rent for awhile before purchasing something. We have 4 children and 2 dogs. Any info you found would be helpful. Thanks!

Well, we never got to Leoti........ we are now in Moorhead, MN. Essentially we were told that my husband was too old for the job..... their exact words were, "We are really looking for someone who will be around for another 30 years." Hubby is in his mid-50's so that ruled him out.

Good Luck! I hope that you guys are young enough for them......or perhaps they have seen the error in their ways. Hubby got a job with the largest John Deere dealer in the US...... I guess he wasn't too old for them.