Lawrence, what's the story?

[TheTravellers]

First of all, much thanks to everyone who's posted (and to the OP) since that's exactly the kind of info I was also looking for! If y'all don't mind, I've also got a coupla Lawrence questions:

Heard it was full of strip clubs, dive bars, etc. from someone who used to live around the KC metro area and was just not a good place, but every post on this thread seems to have disproved this, so just wondering if he just had an axe to grind or if he just wasn't tuned in to what it really was?

Also wondering about the commute to KC or Topeka - during rush hour and a snowstorm (I used to live a bit south of Kansas, so I know what kind of snow comes down there ), how bad would a commute from Lawrence to KC or Topeka be? During regular rush hour, how bad would it be? Trying to find a place with affordable housing (less than $250K for 2BR/2BA) and less than an hour driving commute to work, so thinking Lawrence might work, but just don't have all the facts yet. We've thought about Lawrence for a while, but few IT jobs means I'd have to commute a ways to my job and I just don't wanna be driving forever each day... Thanks tons!

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by TheTravellers

First of all, much thanks to everyone who's posted (and to the OP) since that's exactly the kind of info I was also looking for! If y'all don't mind, I've also got a coupla Lawrence questions:

Heard it was full of strip clubs, dive bars, etc. from someone who used to live around the KC metro area and was just not a good place, but every post on this thread seems to have disproved this, so just wondering if he just had an axe to grind or if he just wasn't tuned in to what it really was?

Also wondering about the commute to KC or Topeka - during rush hour and a snowstorm (I used to live a bit south of Kansas, so I know what kind of snow comes down there ), how bad would a commute from Lawrence to KC or Topeka be? During regular rush hour, how bad would it be? Trying to find a place with affordable housing (less than $250K for 2BR/2BA) and less than an hour driving commute to work, so thinking Lawrence might work, but just don't have all the facts yet. We've thought about Lawrence for a while, but few IT jobs means I'd have to commute a ways to my job and I just don't wanna be driving forever each day... Thanks tons!

Lawrence would be about a 30-45 minute commute both to Topeka and the KC metro. The I-70 Turnpike leads to Topeka, and you can get to the KC metro by using K-10 or I-70. I would not worry about commute times during snow because it does not seem like we get much anymore. I think you should find something you are looking for in Lawrence based on the price range. It is still a buyer's market. I would avoid the newer cookie cutter houses because the quality of construction is not the best. Lawrence has a lot of older tree-line neighborhoods as well. The areas where most of the students live are located mainly east and north of the University. There are apartments in many areas of the city as well as the west side of town. If prices are too high in Lawrence Eudora and Baldwin City are both smaller towns in Douglas County that are pretty good. Some people live in these two towns and commute to KC or Lawrence.

[ivanh3]

Well, three years later, and several trips to Lawrence, and it is possible we are going to be making the move. A few more questions.

We want to rent at first. Not finding an abundance of online rental searches that show houses. Most seem to show apartments. Any ideas? I have thought about contacting a local Remax realtor.

Any T-Mobile users out there? Does there "4G" service work well there?

Elementary schools. East side v West side. Scoop please.

Thanks for your help.