moving to wichita (Derby, Andover, Bel Aire: appointed, sales, high crime) - City-Data Forum

tenndeb · 01-11-2008, 09:45 PM

we are moving to wichita and our office is located in the 8200 block of E 34th St N what kind of neighbor hood is that and where should we live (zip code). Was born and raised in Wichita but it has been many many years since I have been home and do not know what has become of Wichita since my departure in the late 60 early 70. We only have 21 days as of 1/11/08 to find a place to live. Thinking of buying, schools are not a priority for us now but will be leaving in 3 years so need to find a place that would have some resale value. Please help. Have read some of the blogs and it sounds like Wichita has become a violent place to live, should we reconsider living in Wichita and consider living in a suburb of Wichita or should we ask for hazardous pay? Seriously, need some kind of input from my fellow Jayhawkers.

GraniteStater · 01-11-2008, 10:24 PM

If you do not mind cookie cutter houses look at Andover just to the east of Wichita. Resale value should be fairly good there.

tenndeb · 01-12-2008, 10:12 AM

Plains10 thanks for the info, have read more blogs today and it sounds as though Andover or Derby are the safest places to be with a better resale value. Not sold on the cookie cutter houses but it's a temporary move. Can you tell me what property taxes are like and what is the local sales tax. Moving from TN where property taxes are low, no imcome taxes but high sales tax.

Kansasfornow · 01-12-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenndeb

we are moving to wichita and our office is located in the 8200 block of E 34th St N what kind of neighbor hood is that and where should we live (zip code). Was born and raised in Wichita but it has been many many years since I have been home and do not know what has become of Wichita since my departure in the late 60 early 70. We only have 21 days as of 1/11/08 to find a place to live. Thinking of buying, schools are not a priority for us now but will be leaving in 3 years so need to find a place that would have some resale value. Please help. Have read some of the blogs and it sounds like Wichita has become a violent place to live, should we reconsider living in Wichita and consider living in a suburb of Wichita or should we ask for hazardous pay? Seriously, need some kind of input from my fellow Jayhawkers.

As someone who lives in Wichtia, I find it amusing the way that Wichita is portrayed in this disucussion board. It is a safe city but like all cities there is crime. Obviously if you have a choice of where to live you don't live where the data shows there is a high crime rate! Why don't you go to one of the well established realty companies in town and speak with a realtor? Contact the police precincts of neighborhoods you might want to live to find out the real deal about crime. Wichita has many neighborhoods from which to chose. The ones which people typically chose are College Hill, Crown Heights, Eastborough and West Wichita around Ridge road is now a growing area with many new subdivisions and shopping galore. Good luck and if you do your research, you won't need hazard pay.

tenndeb · 01-12-2008, 09:49 PM

After spending all day on the internet searching for suitable housing and reading the forum again to make sure I was reading it correctly about the crime, I called upon a friend that I grew up with and he agreed with what Kansasfornow said and he was disappointed that there was so much negativity about Wichita. He is looking forward to my return to Wichita and has put me in contact with a reputable realtor. Just hoping that I can do the impossible and find a place to live in 3 days. Looking forward to moving to a city that offers more than one place to have a cocktail. TN is pretty, but in a town of 65,000 one would think there would be a little more diversity. Thanks for pointing me in another direction.

nomoreschrub · 01-13-2008, 05:14 AM

I would not move to Wichita, Andover is a much better place to live. Wichita is a mismash of bad blocks next to better blocks. breakins and theft is very high. In the day I would not be scard to drive on most any street.
But at night there is some streets north of via christi that is gangland area. I would not drive in some areas at night. Two cops were just shot at an apt. building a few months ago. Wichita just made national news when a woman was shot at a quick stop, and people were walking over the body and taking photos with their camera phones for 2 hours before anyone called the police. But No casino will surely help the crime. Ya the christians sure do have a grip on reality.

leighland · 01-13-2008, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomoreschrub

IIn the day I would not be scard to drive on most any street..

You have to be kidding. You won't drive down Rock Road to go to the movies? Or to Towne East Mall through Eastborough? Give me a break. Wichita has some VERY vary parts but A LOT of it is as family friendly as ever. Better not move to Tallgrass or Vickridge, You may get accosted by a patent lawyer and his Rolls Royce.

tenndeb · 01-15-2008, 07:51 PM

I am coming to town soon and I guess I will have to form my own opinion. I am looking in the Andover, Bel Aire, Park City area and my realtor has some other options for me. Am coming with an open mind as I cannot get a firm grip from this forum. Will keep you posted as to what I thought of my home town. If anyone has an opinion on my choices please feel free to give me your thoughts. Basically looking for a friendly but not over friendly neighboorhood (40-65 fun loving people) a place that I want to go home after work and a close place to have a few cocktails and a couple of games of pool without getting hassled. Looking for a good time but yet a low keyed but yet high keyed at times. I am pretty flexible and open minded person just wanting to have a good time but yet expecting a reasonably safe environment while on this earth. I want to grow old and enjoy all life can offer. Isn't that what most of us want? I have worked hard all my life and now can afford some of what life has to offer and do not want to spend my life looking over my shoulder. Have cheated the grim reaper in my youth as most of us have and now what to celebrate and enjoy life with some caution to the wind .

GraniteStater · 01-16-2008, 10:14 AM

Andover is still probably your best pick out of all your choices. I do not know much about Bel Aire. Andover is still low key and most people are quite friendly. Keep us updated.

tenndeb · 01-16-2008, 10:33 PM

Plains10, I will keep you updated and thanks for your concern and input I greatly appreciate it. Don't know if you are from Kansas but you seem to have the Midwestern disposition and that is worth a lot in every aspect of life. Lots of people want to hire people from the Midwest as their work ethic is by far above the rest of the US. Sorry if I offend others but that is what I have found throught out my work history and it has gotten me far.