Relocation Advice (Topeka, Manhattan, Garden City: rental, crime rates, houses)

[my4mgirls]

Hi everyone! This is my first post to this site....so trying to learn the "lay of the land." My husband and I are looking to relocate to western Kansas..specifically around the Garden City area. We currently live in a pretty rural part of Wisconsin. We have lived in incredibly remote locations (for anyone familiar with the Army....Ft. Irwin remote).

My husband is a diesel mechanic and I am a social worker. Yes, my husband has prospective employment there as well as myself. He has an interview scheduled for next week and I have two. We are planning on flying out there next week. We will be looking at houses, schools, etc. We want to rent a house for the time being. If I get the one job...I will be required to live in Finney County. We have 4 kids and 2 dogs. I have one kid in gymnastics...and another that takes piano and saxophone lessons.... Anyone have anything helpful to say about the area?? Good schools? Places to look for a rental? Places that gives lessons? Is there a YMCA of some sort? What is the average cost of a 4-5 bedroom house there (purchase and rental price)? I have been told that Southwinds and the Holcomb area are nice....we would perfer to find a farm house so we could have a few horses, etc. Sorry for all the questions....just trying to get some information in advance. Thanks!

[Gunluvver2]

A Diesel mechanic in the Garden City area should find work easily. In addition to being in prime farm country Garden City has a lot of trucks coming into and going out of various packing houses plus all the grain haulers in the area.

GL2

[AnywhereElse]

We looked into moving there and decided against it. Being "remote" won't be your biggest problem. Check the crime rates and what types of crimes are taking place. Did you subscribe to the newspaper so you could get a real "feel" for what goes on there? Have you done a search on this website to see what others have posted. I would look hard at the schools, really hard and see if they have private schools available. Now really, in a place where they have jobs available right now during these economic times, you must ask yourself "why" and really look hard at what you will be encountering. As crappy as the southeast corner of KS is, I would not consider moving to the southwest ever again. Best part of Kansas is the central part, think Hays to Topeka. We have lived in several states - hey, the Fort Riley, KS area by Junction City/Manhattan is decent and we hope to relocate up that way next year - check it out.

[KSUgrad]

The unemployment rate is around 4% here in Manahattan due to Fort Riley and K-State helping us remain stable. We've got great schools, also. For info on the community check out www.manhattan.org. For info on jobs, check out www.nationjob.com/manhattan.

Best wishes!

[my4mgirls]

Thanks for all the advice. I look forward to my trip to Garden City in the next few days. I have been looking for houses and have looked at the crime rate/types of crime occuring in the area. Although I would have to say it is not that far off from where I live at the moment.

I was wondering if any parents could provide insight into the private schools in the area?? What is the tuition like? How are the extra curriculars?

Thanks again for any additional insight!

[AnywhereElse]

Let us know what you think of Garden City and Kansas in general - always like to hear what people have to say and it helps others.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by my4mgirls

Hi everyone! This is my first post to this site....so trying to learn the "lay of the land." My husband and I are looking to relocate to western Kansas..specifically around the Garden City area. We currently live in a pretty rural part of Wisconsin. We have lived in incredibly remote locations (for anyone familiar with the Army....Ft. Irwin remote).

My husband is a diesel mechanic and I am a social worker. Yes, my husband has prospective employment there as well as myself. He has an interview scheduled for next week and I have two. We are planning on flying out there next week. We will be looking at houses, schools, etc. We want to rent a house for the time being. If I get the one job...I will be required to live in Finney County. We have 4 kids and 2 dogs. I have one kid in gymnastics...and another that takes piano and saxophone lessons.... Anyone have anything helpful to say about the area?? Good schools? Places to look for a rental? Places that gives lessons? Is there a YMCA of some sort? What is the average cost of a 4-5 bedroom house there (purchase and rental price)? I have been told that Southwinds and the Holcomb area are nice....we would perfer to find a farm house so we could have a few horses, etc. Sorry for all the questions....just trying to get some information in advance. Thanks!

Which pretty much describes any place in Wisconsin outside Madison and Milwaukee!