why move to kansas (Wichita, Salina: home, rent, hotel)

[gonesouth]

I have family in segwick county, and am thinking of moving there. I do not like kansas much at all, but would like to be near family.
I am in missouri and love it here, I have been in the title industry for years and know I can find work in wichita.
I am shocked at the high taxes and specials. I am trying to see what kansas has to offer, I also checked on food and utilitys and they are the same or more as the surrounding states.
I just do not see what kansas is offering as a draw to people to move there. it is an ugly state for the most part unless you like corn and cows and flat land. It just is as they say fly over country. Can any one give me some positives?

[brucep]

It sounds like you're trying to talk yourself out of moving to Kansas. I think it is all in your perspective. Someone in a congested, expensive state who can't make ends meet might very well like the lower cost of living, the slower pace that Kansas offers. I'm sure there are many things that might draw a particular person to Kansas, depending on their needs and perspective. I don't think it's "an ugly state for the most part". If your perspective of ugly = flat then you'll probably see a lot of ugly in Kansas. But if you really look (and see) I think you'll be surprised...check out the "stone post country", check out the Flint Hills, check out the Gypsum Hills (I admit I haven't seen them but hear they're awesome), drive west out of Salina on I-70 (beautiful area!), check out a field full of blooming wildflowers or sunflowers. My mother was from Independence so I know the SE corner pretty well. I'm from Arkansas originally, now living in Utah and really wanting to be back in Colorado but no matter which way I spin everything it just seems that I can't afford it. So this spring my wife and I made a trip to Kansas to check it out. We were looking at McPherson area. We met an artist in Marquette who was just loving it. She seemed to be engrossed in her work and Marquette, Kansas sure appeared a great fit for her. With all that said we were disappointed and saddened. A lot of the smaller towns in Kansas are dying. And from our perspective it isn't what we want--which is really the Rocky Mountains, and they just aren't there. But we did enjoy Marquette, Lindsborg, McPherson, driving through the Flint Hills, having a warm piece of pie at the Beaumont Hotel on a rainy day....If family is priority I bet you would find some positives in Kansas. But I also think that a head full of negatives will outweigh any positives that come along. Good luck.

[michiganmanami]

I to have looked at kansas, it is not ugly as in detroit ugly. but it is not missouri or arkansas cool either.
The taxes that are charged for property and then add in the specials, and home owner ass. dues. it is no wonder that small towns are not doing well.
Wichita is doing good for now because of the new GE turbine and plans that they are putting out. they have contracts for 7 years or so. but as in physics what goes up must come down. and if any one thinks airbus is sitting by and doing nothing they are crazy.

[mom-in-ca]

Originally Posted by brucep

My mother was from Independence so I know the SE corner pretty well.

Hi brucep,
We will be leaving on a trip to Independence, KS on July 3. My grandparents and aunt live there and since my grandparents are 92 and 89, I want to visit while they're still around. I've never been to Independence because the last time I was in Kansas (1986), my grandparents lived in Winfield and my aunt was in Coffeyville (been there). Can you give me some ideas of what to do while there? We'll be there from July 3 - 11 and I'll be taking my 3 kids (ages 10, 8, and 4). I do know of Riverside Park and Zoo. I believe there is a water park there. I also plan on visiting the Laura Ingalls log cabin and going into Coffeyville to the Dalton Gang museum. Any other ideas?

Thanks!
mom-in-ca

[bls5555]

Manhattan Kansas is one of the greatest places in the country. GREAT place to go to school.

[brucep]

Hi mom-in-Ca,

What to do in Independence? That's a tough one for me. I haven't spent much time there since my mother passed away in 1990. It sounds like you've found the "major spots". There is also a lake and state park nearby, Elk River Reservoir and State Park--maybe some fishing? A little to the west, Sedan, Kansas has a Wizard of Oz theme downtown that might be fun. It's the home town of famous clown Emmet Kelly. They have an Emmet Kelly museum and I think you will have just missed a clown festival there, the World's Largest Clown Gathering, which I imagine would've been great fun for your kids. Another attraction to the east of Independence (about an hour away?) that I've heard of for years but never visited is Big Brutus, a monstrous sized piece of heavy equipment used in coal mining (I know, be still my heart). Sorry, I don't feel very helpful--I never thought of Independence as a destination for "stuff to do". I'm sure there will be a fireworks display while you're there--with a name like Independence how could there not be? That's great that you'll get to see family--have a great trip!

[brucep]

P.S. to mom-in-ca,

I'd plan a stop at the historic Beaumont Hotel in Beaumont, between Wichita and Independence. It's a tiny, dying Kansas town and the hotel is about the only thing going there but I've always enjoyed stopping and having a piece of their delicious homemade pie. It's a fly-in hotel, with an airstrip across the street. It's also very scenic there, on the southern tip of the Flint Hills.

[prango]

I am just about 10 miles from the "Big Brutis"....and let me tell you, you have never seen anything like it in your life, this machine is huge..and if you're not afraid of heights, you can pay a small price to go into the machine and climb the stairs up and up and up all the way to the top where the bucket would be, (bucket is setting on ground next to the machine), you can see for miles at the top.

Note:
I just went to the site and read that the public is no longer allowed to climb to the top, due to insurence issues..
but here is the link if you would like to view some pictures of the machine

brutus

[NYMTman]

I drove through Kansas a while back, and I was actually pleasently surprised. I guess it is flat, but there is a beauty to the flat expanses, albiet subtle. It's not ugly. And I've lived in Montana, so I don't really have low standards.

[kmflan]

Stay in Mo. It is much prettier. And driving to Ks to see family is not bad. We live in KC and drive to VA once a year to visit family. 22 hours straight through.....