decent western and central Kansas towns... (Wichita, Kansas City: housing, condo, jobs)

[Paul_Bettes]

I worked as security at one of the Dodge City packing plants several years ago, and we used to see large drug deals (kilos and kilos in large styrofoam ice chests) right in the parking lot. Of course we'd call the police, but most of the time they were gone before the police could get there. The plant I worked at "supposedly" didn't hire illegals, but when a co-workers' husband showed up to talk to her one night in his uniform (another security company, and their uniforms looked a LOT like INS) one worker saw him, ran back into the plant and yelled "imigracions" (or however you spell it in Spanish), and you should have seen them running like roaches.

I WONT live in Dodge City again, but might work there if I have to.

[addsalot]

Definately stay out of southwest Kansas at all costs, even trips there are becoming depressing.
Salina - Nice size but not very impressive or tidy in appearance. For the size, shopping is very limited.
Hays - Amazing town. Small, and Quaint, But awesome when it comes to food, and shopping for the size. Hays is a hub for almost the entire western kansas. Small Regional Airport, Great Food Again (people come from up to 60 or more miles away just for a night on the town and to pick up the neccesities.)
Edit: The city limits of Hays are rapidly expanding. With a Home Depot Going in a short time ago (in a town of only 22,000, amazing huh?) Numerous new hotels and resauraunts are being built... Hopes of a Target are in everybody's mind. The interstate and 2 major highways all meet here.

[swissmiss]

I am from Colby, and I have lived in Hays, Topeka and Manhattan in my 25 years of life. My sister lives in Salina currently, and she used to live in Lawrence so I am very familiar with all of the I-70 communities. I have to say that Colby is a great place; even after being gone for 7+ years I still love to visit. They are a relatively small community, although they are not dying because of their I-70 connections. the downtown used to be great, but unfortunately, all the business owners have moved to accomodate the I-70 business. Agricultural base with lots of farmers! I worked at the Coop for two summers, and harvest time in colby is one of the most fun times of year; you work from before dawn to past midnight, but it's great, because everyone works together, it's truly an amazing experience. Custom cutters come into town, and within about a week they disappear! I went to Fort Hays State University, and it's a major party town. They have Oktoberfest each year and when I was there they cancelled classes for it! Their downtown is great; they've really worked a lot on it and it's coming back to life. Both Hays and Colby began as railroad towns, so the original townsite is far away from I-70 where the downtowns are. Brick streets, etc. really cool. Salina is ok, it's had major flooding problems in May. It's not situated on the best land, it's almost like it's in a bowl; there are a lot of areas that flood easily, but there are some charming neighborhoods and Santa Fe street is pretty cool (their downtown). Manhattan, I loved. I got my master's degree there, and the town is just great. Fort Riley is growing, there is a regional growth plan going on there right now, and traffic is getting crazy, but it's a really great place to live. Aggieville is cool, not just for the partying but there are some great stores there (Acme-cool, unique cards, awesome flowers; The Palace-really some upscale soaps, etc and unique gifts; great places to eat like Solong Saloon with sourdough buns; the best hamburger I've ever had! Even better than Westport Flea Market in Kansas City). Any questions, I can either answer them or get the right person to do it!

[jayhawks2]

I was born and raised in Ottawa Kansas. Now live in Pomona which has about 950 population. Ottawa is a nice smaller town and not that far from Lawrence, Topeka, Olathe and Kansas City. They have been building many new houses there and more are in the plans.

[restofstory]

you may concider Minneapolis ,good points along with the bad.a nice quiet town,except for the ones that insist on cutting the mufflers off there pickups.alot of fine people live in Minneapolis,ofcoarse you will have the buisy bodies and gossipers like any small town. Dont get a traffic ticket there unless you are on the no ticket list.Should you get on that list then you may pretty much do as you please.not much real news hits the newspaper ,mostly whos who and the chosen few.

[smplysum1]

I'm in Wichita, ks. It's a large town that's work force is largely aircraft. Although there are many job opportunities. We're currently going through a period of growth.

There is plenty to do here although nothing like KC. It's more expensive to use our airport than Salina or KC. There is still something for everyone, if you just look.

In some ways it's very conservative. We could use a few more people who can think independently.

A suggestion would be to look at the area newspapers online. Check out areas like the opinion line and crime statistics that are usually printed weekly. Wichita's newspaper is Wichitaeagle.com

[nm_photojournalist]

I am a native Salinan, and enjoy returning to my roots, and extended family, every now and then. Salina is a nice sized, small city, but even I've been surprised on how little it's grown since two interstates connected there. It should be a major shipping point by now. Nice parks, and the south side's growth has brought in more national chain restaurants, etc. I wouldn't move there unless you have a job locked up however.

Hutchison is similar in size, and closer to Wichita, with it's "excitement," including the usual gang activity in the wrong parts of town, that all cities have of that size and larger. There are some especially nice areas NW of Wichita...out towards the little Mennonite communities such as Mount Hope, and Yoder.

If you are of a liberal mind, I'd suggest you take a look at Lawrence, home of the UofK. Also cities and towns in the area surrounding both Kansas City, KS & Kansas City, MO. Central Kansas may be just too "conforming," for you, and if you're a big pro sports fan, KC would offer you access to those.

Kansas is slowly changing and evolving, especially with the influx of Hispanics into the state. I think this will make Kansas a more attractive destination over the coming years, as many of the residents become more accepting of others. I used to have "Mexican food" withdrawl while in Kansas. Now there are many fine Mexican-food restaurants. Even in Salina! :-)

[Plains10]

Originally Posted by nm_photojournalist

Kansas is slowly changing and evolving, especially with the influx of Hispanics into the state. I think this will make Kansas a more attractive destination over the coming years, as many of the residents become more accepting of others. I used to have "Mexican food" withdrawl while in Kansas. Now there are many fine Mexican-food restaurants. Even in Salina! :-)

I doubt that Kansas will become a more attractive destination, especially for the more rural counties. Dodge City, Garden City, and Liberal have seen a large Hispanic influx. None of those towns are very desirable places to live either.

[ex64060]

Kansas isnt bad But its flat except in the flint hills

[MrsMo]

I think you would like Salina. My in laws live there and I actually look forward to the weekends we spend there. It is a fast growing city right now. My in laws live on the east side, what we call up on the hill. Lots of new housing in that area.