Commuting To Fort Riley/Junction City area (Manhattan, Fort Scott: for rent, house)

[AnywhereElse]

Looks like the chance that we will be able to go back to the FR/JC area and although we lived in JC for a few years (my husband grew up there) and Grandview Plaza a short time with the current cost of homes in JC, we are looking to the surrounding small towns. Does anyone drive in from one of the smaller towns? Our concern is the condition of roads in bad weather or driving at night. I love Herington but a friend says the road in to JC is tough in bad weather and Alma, Enterprise, Clay Center and Wakefield all look good when I research them. This has got to be our last move so can't take it as lightly as before. Thank you.

[quesera]

The road from I-70 to Alma was winding and narrow when I went there a few years ago. I wouldn't want to drive it on a snowy/icy night. The town, itself, is pretty cute, though.

[city_data_poster]

I love the cheese at Alma Creamery! Mmmm!
As far as JC goes....I thought that place was not-so-great. Too many run-down areas for my taste.
Loved Manhattan, though! Yeah, it's a college town...but I liked it. Clay Center is out in the boonies.
If I had to work in JC I'd probably wanna live in Manhattan.

[AnywhereElse]

We aren't "college-town" material and lived in Manhattan years ago but didn't care for it. The zoo is nice for a small town and we always enjoyed that. My husband is from JC originally and we lived there several years when we had both kids at home but it is a little rough in some areas although I have heard that there is a lot of new development. Also liked all the nearby camping spots and lakes just being a quick drive on Friday afternoon for the weekend. Right now any place would be an improvement. Thanks.

[city_data_poster]

"Right now any place would be an improvement."

From Fort Scott, you mean? Yeah, I suppose.
But JC, in my book, isn't all that great.

[tbfkinidaho]

I have a home that will be available for rent January 1st if you are interested. It is out in the country one half mile off of HWY 77. It is beautiful and only 22 miles from Ft Riley. When I lived there up until 2 years ago I commuted back and forth to the fort and never had any problems with the highway. I was the manager at the Ft Riley Post Office. It is a main highway north and south so they keep it pretty clear. We built the house in 2001 so it is not very old. It sits on 20 acres. It overlooks a 26 acre water shed pond so there is good fishing right out the back door and lots of wildlife. I absolutely love to watch the geese come and go this time of year. The house is 2600 square feet. 1300 on the main floor and 1300 finished basement. The basement is open though on one whole end so it really doesn't feel like a basement. It leads out to a covered patio that faces that giant pond. There is a laundry room, family room, guest bedroom and bath room downstairs. The main floor has a covered porch the length of the house on the north side facing the driveway and the south side has a deck the entire length that walks out from the dining room and faces the pond. 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, kitchen, dining and living room upstairs. It has a detatched 2 car garage and a garden shed that my boys used as a kids "cabin" while we lived there. The couple that rents it now has taken great care of it and I hate to lose them but they are deploying for Afghanistan in December. They are helicopter pilots at Ft Riley and haven't had any trouble with the commute at all. Anyway, I saw your blog and thought I would reply.