Places to live in Kansas (Wichita, Overland Park: rent, house, established neighborhood)

[kittycarmel]

I'm looking for a place to live in Kansas that has some diversity, affordable housing, decent schools, and entertainment,

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by kittycarmel

I'm looking for a place to live in Kansas that has some diversity, affordable housing, decent schools, and entertainment,

I would have to say Manhattan, KS or Lawrence, KS would be your best bets.

[athfo]

Don't forget Wichita

[Samantha S]

You might also try the Garder/Olathe and surrounding areas

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Samantha S

You might also try the Garder/Olathe and surrounding areas

Those areas are good for ultra cheap housing, good schools, and cheap entertainment. However, they might as well be overgrown versions of Salina, KS with a few more trees. A cultural grand canyon exists between Olathe/Gardner and much of Leawood/Overland Park.

[seastorm]

depends on how big of town you want

[boobear]

My wife and myself are thinking of moving from ct to ks. I would be working aroung gardner ks. I would think the winter would be about the same as here. But i,am wondering what the cost of living is compared to ct. If anyone has any thoughts about please let us know.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by boobear

My wife and myself are thinking of moving from ct to ks. I would be working aroung gardner ks. I would think the winter would be about the same as here. But i,am wondering what the cost of living is compared to ct. If anyone has any thoughts about please let us know.

Yes, the COL is lower in KS compared to CT. I can pretty much guarantee you of that. You will be working around Gardner? That is on the far southwest portion of the KC metro area.
Are you looking for an urban or suburban setting to reside?
Portions of the core of KC, MO provide the only true urban living in the metro area.
As for suburbs... I would definitely AVOID new construction at all costs. Most of the mid range to lower range housing stock built in the last 20+ years is mostly garbage. If you are working in Gardner I would recommend looking in some of the established neighborhoods in northern Overland Park or Prairie Village. Housing prices are very reasonable for the most part in those areas and the neighborhoods are much older with more trees as well as more diversity.

[boobear]

I see you moved to new Hampshire. The east coast is so full. We moved to ct from az to get away from the drug trade and moved into an area that the drug of choice ie meth. So we thought the middle of the country would be different. We would rent a house for a year then buy.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by boobear

I see you moved to new Hampshire. The east coast is so full. We moved to ct from az to get away from the drug trade and moved into an area that the drug of choice ie meth. So we thought the middle of the country would be different. We would rent a house for a year then buy.

NH is fairly rural actually. I live in the Merrimack Valley not too far from the Concord area. The pace of life here is moderate with plenty of trails and wooded areas. I wouldn't move to a new place just based on the proliferation of "drugs." Drug issues are everywhere these days and small towns are not immune to the terrible effects. If you avoid these kinds of people and their culture you will be just fine.