Moving to Manhattan, KS (Wichita, Overland Park: salon, apartments, crime)

[dleopard]

I'm moving to Manhattan for a job in a couple of months and I wanted to find out some general things about the area. I was told its best to live in Manhattan than in the Junction City area. I'm not a student so I'm not into getting drunk and hanging out in the bars. I've lived on/near college campuses so I know there will be crime and some noise at times. I'm trying to find a nice quiet place to live. I've previously lived in New England and the Mid Atlantic areas so I'm not used to small towns. I've only talked to a few people I know that have lived in the midwest for school/jobs but most of them say at least I'll be near a university where people will be more open to different cultures. I'm not sure if people are just overreacting or if I should really be concerned. Does anyone have any advice for adjusting to life in Kansas?

[WildcatNmyheart]

I have lived in both Junction City and Manhattan. You want to live in Manhattan. JC is more military orientated although alot of military families live in Manhattan too. Having lived in Kansas most of my life I really can not tell you what it is like compared to other places but feel free to ask any specific questions and I will try to help if I can.

[dleopard]

Well I'm mostly concerned with the racial issues. My job is a contract job for 2 yrs so I probably won't be settling there. When I've been on other sites they told me in general that "aggieville" is not a nice area. I'm not sure if it is a city or just an area of manhattan. I'm assuming I won't have any trouble but the idea of rural areas makes me slightly nervous. One of my friends went to college in nebraska and lots of problems with people calling him the n word to his face which I found surprising especially since it was less than 10yrs ago. I just wanted to know the places I should stay away from.

[WildcatNmyheart]

I really do not think you will have any problems. You know with Ft.Riley so close there are people from all over and the locals love it because it is their bread and butter. I could maybe see more problems if you were going to a very small rural town but I think Manhattan and JC would both be ok.

[needing more]

My sister moved to Manhattan last yr. They are originally from MI but lived in Cinnicinatti and Denver before KS. They LOVE it!! Its friendly, cheap, and has lots of 30 somethings there.. Her hubby is a professor at K State so they dont party or bar hop anymore. There is a nice library, local health food store, farmers market, local art scene, a lake on the north side of town.. People seems to be very friendly and easy to make friends with.. With it being military close by and a college town its more liberal then the rest of the state. I think anyone is welcomed there. I visited there last spring and didnt see any areas I wouldnt drive thru alone at night... College area where the students live is like any other college town area... Sofas in the front yard and kids on bikes riding too fast and not watching where they are going..lol

Let me know if you need anymore info.

[dleopard]

I thought I'd ask if anyone knows good/bad things about Westchester, Sandstone, or Pebblebrook apartments? I'm looking at moving to one of those probably leaning towards Westchester.

[KSUgrad]

Westchester and Pebblebrook are the better choices. Sandstone is the oldest and Pebblebrook is the newest.

[dleopard]

2 more questions. Are restaurants listed in Fort Riley open to anyone or is it just military people?

Also, is there a salon in the area that works with african american hair? I usually go to the JcPenney's salon here so I was going to try that again but I thought i would ask if anyone out there knew of a nice clean place.

[KSUgrad]

I believe restaurants on post are open to all. From what I know Fort Riley doesn't have any restaurants other than fast food.

B Street Design works on African American hair: Beauty Schools in Kansas | Overland Park, Wichita, Topeka, Manhattan | B Street Design

Best wishes!

[dleopard]

Thanks. I meant more where I could go and get my hair done not a school. I have had way too much schooling already. More questions though since this site is so helpful. Anyone know of any places to take martial arts class and/or marching band related activities? I'm trying to find something to do in my spare time. I assume when you have a reg job there is time for activities, I haven't had a job before so I'm just guessing.