Empty nesters relo to Wichita: best areas?

[athfo]

Originally Posted by roxfan

I've been searching the realtor.com listings, doing drive-bys of the addresses, and emailing my impressions along with the links to the individual listings to her. We did the same thing 6 years ago when I took a job in Albuquerque, except I was working with a realtor then. I haven't contacted a realtor here yet; I want to get closer to being able to buy before I bring one in. Also, that way, I don't give sellers premature hope, either. If I'm a seller, which I am, I'd prefer someone coming by to look who is pretty much ready to make a decision.

By the time we're ready, I'm going to try to have narrowed it down to a couple of areas of town and a few listings in each (of whatever's available at the time). Since I'm the one that's here, it's my job to do the recon.

There are some really nice neighborhoods all over the far-east areas of the city proper as well, from Kechi/Bel Aire to Andover down to Derby. You might specifically check housing developments around Harry & Webb to Harry & Greenwich. That would put you extremely close to McConnell - plus shopping, movie theaters, restaurants, and highways. Granted, just about anywhere in Wichita could be considered "close" to these things, but that area would be great for you specifically.

EDIT: For Wichita city limits (and if you're wanting to be really close to the base), stay away from the entire area basically west of the base, bordered by I-135 and Kellogg (54).

EDIT 2: You might check out College Hill, Crown Heights, and Eastborough - charming neighborhoods (well, Eastborough is its own little enclave - city, that is) just north of Kellogg (54) and east of Hillside. These are much older houses, however, but in my opinion, the feel and atmosphere of those areas make up for it. Of course, I've never remodeled an aging home, so there's that to watch out for, of course.

[drjones96]

Originally Posted by roxfan

I've been searching the realtor.com listings, doing drive-bys of the addresses, and emailing my impressions along with the links to the individual listings to her. We did the same thing 6 years ago when I took a job in Albuquerque, except I was working with a realtor then. I haven't contacted a realtor here yet; I want to get closer to being able to buy before I bring one in. Also, that way, I don't give sellers premature hope, either. If I'm a seller, which I am, I'd prefer someone coming by to look who is pretty much ready to make a decision.

By the time we're ready, I'm going to try to have narrowed it down to a couple of areas of town and a few listings in each (of whatever's available at the time). Since I'm the one that's here, it's my job to do the recon.

My wife and I must have looked at 30 different houses here before we decided on something....which was sold before we could make an offer...as well as the succeeding 3 houses we attempted to make an offer on. We would look at the houses and make an offer the next day and somehow that was just too slow! It seems that the selling cycle is a lot shorter here than in a lot of other areas of the country.

So I agree with your phylosophy about waiting till you're prepared to buy before you go for a showing....but if you see something you really like be quick to make the offer.

[drjones96]

Originally Posted by athfo

You might specifically check housing developments around Harry & Webb to Harry & Greenwich.

I'd agree with this as well. There is a lot of decent housing between Harry & Web and Pawnee & Webb. And it would be very close to the base....like a mile close.

[roxfan]

I've actually been paying some attention to the area around Harry and Webb and Greenwich for the past few days. There are a lot of places there in the price range we're looking at (140 - 175K). I paid a visit to an open house in a development called Ballyclair this past weekend, and it was selling for just a little more than we want to pay, but BOY was it a nice home. In a roundabout way, I found out that the builder was Robl, and they scored some points in my book with that place. The big selling point for me there is location, because it's less than 4 miles to McConnell's main gate and close to a lot of other stuff. I saw the breakdown for the taxes and the specials there, so I've got my eyes open to that. There are some other established homes around there as well. Lots of options.

Again, thanks for ALL the input. Now if we don't have to wait nine months for our place to sell...

[prden]

Are there neighborhoods in Wichita near greenways?

[janelle144]

If by greenways you mean parks, yes we have several. Also, bike paths. The different housing developments have walking paths. Wichita is not like a big city. You will have green grass everywhere you look unless you are in the center of the small downtown district.

[drjones96]

...or does he mean near golf courses?