What Is WRONG With Wichita - City Of?

[KevK]

Originally Posted by averagejoe76

If i had Children i wouldnt put them in Wichita Schools,thats probably the biggest..
Reason.That and Crime.

The Wichita Public Schools are really good schools. I don't know why some people fear them. I went to them in the 60s and 70s when all kinds of racial, social and political strife was going on and I got a good education. When I went back to my 30th reunion at East High I saw that the school has a great mix of cultures and is considered one of the best in the country now.
As for crime, that is an unfounded fear too. 90% of Wichita is perfectly safe. As long as you stay out of the other 10%- mainly Planeview and the near NE side- you will be fine. I have family members and tenants in a property I own that have NEVER been crime victims in Wichita except for a single petty theft from a car.

[4myfam]

My wife and I just spent 10 years in Wichita loving what it had to offer. Good restaurants, hole in the wall burger joints (which are the best) and so many other businesses thanks to an abundant entreprenurial spirit.

Don't forget Coleman, Koch Industries and Cargill are there also helping shore up what aviation is lacking at the moment.

The schools are good. I think (my opinion, no data) the teachers have too many students, not enough funds and not enough parent volunteers to get their job done effectively; but they do their best. We have 3 kids in grade school and made the move to a smaller town close by for them to get a tighter teacher to student atmosphere.

When you stick in the cost of living with what Wichita has to offer, it's a great place to live.

[jordysmama]

Originally Posted by homesellerforkansas

The point is with any Major City in every state there is going to be crime. As a Realtor, it is always my job to satisfy the buyers needs and I do it well. It is also my job to ask them what specifications they would like with their new home. I never under any circumstances direct them to any areas, that is their decision what area they would like to live in. Who is to say that a buyer feels safe in an area that otherwise someone else does not. Yes, I do agree that outer area schools around Wichita seem to show better results, but I do know parents that have their kids in Wichita Schools that love the progress their kids are making. If it is a concern of my buyers, then I will let them know where to get crime and school statistical information.

But the problem is...Wichita is NOT a major city.

When you live in a 'city' you also get the benefits of culture and professional sports and thriving city life. Wichita has none of that.

[jordysmama]

Originally Posted by KevK

The Wichita Public Schools are really good schools. I don't know why some people fear them. I went to them in the 60s and 70s when all kinds of racial, social and political strife was going on and I got a good education. When I went back to my 30th reunion at East High I saw that the school has a great mix of cultures and is considered one of the best in the country now.
As for crime, that is an unfounded fear too. 90% of Wichita is perfectly safe. As long as you stay out of the other 10%- mainly Planeview and the near NE side- you will be fine. I have family members and tenants in a property I own that have NEVER been crime victims in Wichita except for a single petty theft from a car.

But statistically, they are not good.

East IB maybe...but other than that, I would always go private.

[Sco]

Originally Posted by lawnorder

High crime. Or at minimum higher than Andover and the other towns you mention. Also High populations of race and ethnic people other than white. Some will say it is not a problem and maybe to them it is not. But many whites will not live on north Emporia st. Behind Via Christi, many Hispanics living there. Homes are not a nice as other places. Go to a sub, in Andover and you will be hard pressed to find a black family. I am not saying none live there, I have seen a few. But comparatively 1% compare that to Wichita.

I agree, much of the appeal of the suburbs is their segregated nature. Not to say that all of the residents are cross burning racists, but a big part of the reason that people believe they are safer and that the schools are better is because they are white and feel uncomfortable with the diversity of Wichita. People love the fact that places like Derby, Andover, Rose Hill, Maize etc are lily white and you can be relatively sure that you and your kids will not have to live near or come into contact with any blacks or latinos. Anyone that denies this is lying to you and themselves.