Best towns in WESTERN KANSAS...and why? (Garden City, Hays: home, universities)

[Tiger Beer]

I recall driving through Western Kansas...and going through some towns like Colby and Hays...very interesting because of the geography.

Just curious what people could say about them...what they are like politically, socially, near universities or community colleges, etc.

How about other towns that I didn't see...like Garden City, etc...in western Kansas...what are they like?

Are some better or worse or more interesting than others...and why?

[thriftylefty]

Some western Kansans consider them selves more as Coloradans or SouthWestern rather than Midwestern, If they are large land Owners then they might be pretty well off if not rich. Politically that part of Kansas is rather odd because even the Liberals will vote Republican.

[city_data_poster]

Well..I'm not sure if there's any "best of" towns out that way....to be honest with you.

However, I personally do love the geography.....go see the chalk pyramids! Pretty wild they are!

And southwestern Kansas has a desert look and feel to it that's pretty neat!

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

I recall driving through Western Kansas...and going through some towns like Colby and Hays...very interesting because of the geography.

Just curious what people could say about them...what they are like politically, socially, near universities or community colleges, etc.

How about other towns that I didn't see...like Garden City, etc...in western Kansas...what are they like?

Are some better or worse or more interesting than others...and why?

Others will disagree with me, but I like Hays the best out of all the regional center towns in western Kansas. Hays is home to FHSU and has a Downtown area on the rebound. Healthcare is a growing sector of the economy there and it is a solid town for retirees. However, for some it can be too isolated.

[cp1969]

Most of the little towns in western Kansas are small...and getting smaller.

The consolidation of farms and ranches plus the modernization of agriculture and cattle ranching continue to eliminate jobs, hence, the shrinking population.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by cp1969

Most of the little towns in western Kansas are small...and getting smaller.

The consolidation of farms and ranches plus the modernization of agriculture and cattle ranching continue to eliminate jobs, hence, the shrinking population.

The younger people that are college educated do not remain in the isolated towns for the most part. The younger people also take away the potential capital and job creation that is needed to sustain many agriculturally dependent communities. It is an unfortunate continuous cycle in some areas, though.

[Tiger Beer]

Hays does stick in my mind as an interesting place...plus I did look a little more on the archives here to find there is a college town there. Nice.

Actually it is the geography, the lay of the land that was so impressive. I've driven every east-west highway across the United States...and Western Kansas always looked the most interesting by far (that and a little stretch up near the Black Hills of South Dakota).

I mostly recall just looking across the horizon and seeing FAR...like miles and miles...windmills...rich soil you could smell...just something amazing about it.

[city_data_poster]

Well, to be fair to the other plains states....the Dakotas, Nebraska, Oklahoma......there are plenty of breathtaking views to be had....up and down the plains!!

[denverian]

Hands down, Kanorado. Because although it's not in Colorado, you can see Colorado from there! (or just walk to Colorado from there)

[jmgg]

I spent several days driving through western Kansas one afternoon. THE without a question, most boring drive of my life. Flat as a board. At least in other rural states you might have hills to go over so there is at least the anticipation that something different might be on the other side of the hill.

You can see the next town 10 miles away. The giant elevators are a dead giveaway.