what's good (or bad) about KS? (Wichita, Topeka: sales, school, university)

[sevdie]

Originally Posted by tigerfan

SEVDIE: You mentioned the Kansas bigotry. I have 2 adopted mixed race sons, one is Eskimo/white and the other is black/white. We are thinking about Stillwater, OKlahoma as well as Lawrence or Manhattan, KS areas due to Architecuture/Engineering schools for our older son. We would buy rural property within 20 miles of any of these towns. Are there any particular races that the bigotry may apply to, or just anyone of color in general. Anyone else is welcome to comment on this and also on the safety of the Manhattan, KS area.

I think you would like Lawrence.

[Beej]

I was born in Ks. lived in a town some 16 miles from where I am now until I was 16 or so, then family moved to SanDiego to care for a sick aunt. I graduated with a class of 2500+, went to nursing school and then the Navy. Navy allowed me the pleasure of seeing the world and living just about in every condition.
I am raising a grandaughter(now 16) and when my husband was transferred back to KS from TX, by Ratheon, we lived in the Wichita area. When CJ was an 8th grader we decided we wanted her in a different atmosphere than what we could give her in Wichita. Didn't want the gangs, drugs and all that goes with that so we started looking for a community away from that. We ended up here in Burden. There are as less kids in the whole school district as was in her 8th grade class at one school in Wichita. We love it, she loves it. We are 48 miles from Wichita so we can still enjoy the bigger city when we want and not have to deal with it when we don't.
KS is no better nor worse than any other state or country that you might live in. Taxes are high in some areas, but they are in most states or cities across the US.
Most of our residents live here, educate their children here, but work in the Wichita area. Taxes are less expensive here, you get more for your money land and house wise than even in the town I grew up in that is 16 miles from here. We are close to OU and OK State as well as KU and Kstate. We are also close to the Colo. Neb lines.
The joke "if you don't like the weather just stick around for a minute or two and it will change" is so true. You never get bored with the weather. This is our first really cold winter and quite awhile, and I still don't own a coat.
Jobs are here to be had, granted you won't make as much here as you do in bigger areas, but you don't have to put up with the crap either and living is less expensive. Its all going to be in what you are looking for, what quality of life your looking for.
I love KS and unless I get the oppurtunity to move back to S. Carolina I will not be moving anytime in the near future.

[iamdbos]

Wow, what's good about Kansas? Let's see, I have 10 acres in the country 10miles from town with a 5 bedroom 1 1/2 story house, barn, shop misc bldgs, and silo overlooking Kill Creek & it only cost us in the $50,000 range. The taxes, I think are quite reasonable if there is such a thing as a reasonable property tax. The rural schools are usually quite good, although we home schooled all 3 of our kids from beginning thru High School. Our nearest neighbor is 3/4 mile from us but our rural community of farmers etc. get together after harvest every year for a big cookout & time of fellowship. Of course there are auctions every week somewhere where you can go buy just about anything or just go to see people and hang out. Even though we are from a small community town, we have a good business base and shopping and if we just must it's only 70 miles or so to go to a larger town for more options. And we usually don't have to bother to lock our doors, maybe if we're going to be gone several days we might, but usually not. There just isn't the crime & gang problems of the cities. You won't make the big "union" salaries of the cities & congested states, but then you don't have the high cost of living or the high pressure living, commute conditions to deal with either. If you want a safe place to raise kids with good schools, a sense of community, neighbors you will actually know and a peaceful lifestyle, then rural Kansas is the place to live.

[Beej]

As I said earlier We are living in a small town 48 miles south east of Wichita. We have a population of 564 people. Our claim to fame is our school district which incompasses 4 communities. It is great, great. Rubbermaid, Calmar and GE are in Winfield (16 miles) and a whole lot of the employees live out here. We also have commutrers to the Wichita area. Raytheon, Cessna and Boeing. When we first came here we had trouble getting past the "ole boy" attitude when it came to getting things going, changing. We opened a pizza place and caught all the gossip and bets on how long we would be open. I am now in my third year and have a great customer base, so now the ole timers leave us alone and when we ask for help for our community celebrations etc. we get it. I love small town America and I love my KS. We get cold and we get hot, but one thing about it, it's KS and all you have to do is wait a minute and the weather will change. I do not lock my car, I do not lock my home and there are times I even run out and leave my business unattended. It's safe, it's comfortable and I love it. I feel secure in my granddaughters education and in her safety. Not much else I can say but if you want to check us out go to our web page and check us out. http://skyways.lib.ks.us/towns/Burden/index.htm
Good luck on your decision where ever you might go.
Beej

[celery]

How's life in Hutchinson? small town feel to it??

[Mokey]

Yes, Hutchinson has a small town feel. It is similar to Salina in terms of general economic class, etc. There is a mall or two, a Walmart, an Applebees. Nothing special, but just big enough for many people who are looking for that sort of thing.

[ljkbsb]

We moved last year from Wichita to South Carolina and I miss it every day. The climate is comparable, the personal property taxes were lower and the housing costs were a bargain. We had to spend $ 50,000 more to get a house with comparable sq. ft. There might be a few downsides, but you can't beat the cost of living. Every month I wonder where our money went and we are making more gross income. If it were up to me, I would move back in a heartbeat.

[barrysaddy]

I just spent Jan-Feb in Waverly ks. I find it hard to believe S.C. gets down to 0 or 5 degrees.

Everyone wants a deposit for services here, guilty before you start, every company wants more for their services here because there are less people, and the company's that do service you here know they have you over a barrel as the saying goes so they soak you. Just like they do at the ball games.LOL...My cell phone with cingular uh the new at&t doesn't even work out here. Convenience ?
maybe Wichita is comparable to SC. One needs to own a gas station out here in Waverly. You must travel at least 30 miles in any direction to get to a walmart...

Sales Tax in Pa are 6% I think it is 7.4 or 7.9 here is Ks depending where you are in Ks

what about the crime rate in Wichita

I hear Wichita has a high crime rate ? You have my curiosity, because I'm thinking about a move to sc.

I shouldn't do it ?
Baar

[Kathy LuckyCat]

I moved here from California and I LOVE it! I'm in SE Kansas and I wouldn't trade it for the world. People are amazingly friendly and kind; there are smiles on faces and genuinely nice personalities. The land is gorgeous, the prices more than fair. I learned about this area and fell in love with it during two visits last year. I can't imagine coming back to overcrowded, frantic California. The attitudes and life style no longer appeal to me. I have 10 acres, privacy, beauty, and room to move that I'd pay multiple millions for in Ca. And there is no road rage, no smog police, no invasion of personal privacy due to over population, no invasion, while there is personal freedom, less restrictions, etc. The area is gorgeous. I really like Kansas

[HUSHYS]

I would say it depends on what you are looking for. If want a place to raise children you can't beat Western Kansas. I live in Hays moved from Ohio and have enjoyed it. The school system is superior, good medical services, airline service to Kansas City and Denver, and right on I-70 gateway to America. If you are a sportsman then there is deer, pheasant, quail, duck, goose, and turkey hunting along with several lakes for fishing. In fact last year a National Bass Tournament was held at Cedar Bluuf Lake about 40 miles from here.