Atchison, KS? (Kansas City, Haven, South Haven: real estate, low crime, houses) - City-Data Forum

AnywhereElse · 03-24-2012, 06:37 AM

I have always wondered about Atchison, KS. A friend had just visited that area and I came across someone with a email address that came from the monastery there which I did not know existed. Real estate doesn't seem all that high there and the area manages to be close to bigger cities but far enough away to seem sort of remote. I called yesterday to ask about programs in the area for my adult son with developmental disabilities and the woman I spoke with was so nice and was willing to give me any information I wanted (they have services in the Jackson/Atchison area) while some other areas of KS are just always suspicious of anyone calling and of every question. It looks like we will relocate within the next couple of months and I have scratched off several possibilities in KS and have started looking at my home state. But, Atchison looks really attractive at least from a distance. Is anyone familiar with the area and how they adjust to "outsiders"? Would it be like here where everyone said "Why would anyone move here?" - my answer is now "I have no idea." I like a place that is "clean" and where people show a pride of ownership. Any input is appreciated.

GraniteStater · 03-24-2012, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnywhereElse

I have always wondered about Atchison, KS. A friend had just visited that area and I came across someone with a email address that came from the monastery there which I did not know existed. Real estate doesn't seem all that high there and the area manages to be close to bigger cities but far enough away to seem sort of remote. I called yesterday to ask about programs in the area for my adult son with developmental disabilities and the woman I spoke with was so nice and was willing to give me any information I wanted (they have services in the Jackson/Atchison area) while some other areas of KS are just always suspicious of anyone calling and of every question. It looks like we will relocate within the next couple of months and I have scratched off several possibilities in KS and have started looking at my home state. But, Atchison looks really attractive at least from a distance. Is anyone familiar with the area and how they adjust to "outsiders"? Would it be like here where everyone said "Why would anyone move here?" - my answer is now "I have no idea." I like a place that is "clean" and where people show a pride of ownership. Any input is appreciated.

The best way to get a good feel for Atchison is make a drive there and look at all portions of the town. It does have a good deal of historic architecture and some nicer areas, but many parts of town are very rundown with little upkeep at all. It isn't really a place that doesn't see many new folks moving in. With that being said, it is somewhat close to St. Joseph, MO and Kansas City metro area. Atchison is a nice place to visit but I can't really say I recommend living there

AnywhereElse · 03-24-2012, 11:01 AM

GraniteStater: Thank you. Our biggest issue is having time to go anywhere and look. I did wonder if the lower priced housing would be slum-like. I have my eye on Michigan, my hometown of 2,000 people also with low crime, less than 1/3 what it is here in SE KS and the cost of living is about the same. I don't want to get too far off the beaten path if I stay in KS but I don't want to be in the bigger cities either. Would like to go back to AZ or AL but opportunity has not knocked on those. AZ is nice, no grass to mow. Got to go mow the grass now that the rain has finally stopped.

GraniteStater · 03-24-2012, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnywhereElse

GraniteStater: Thank you. Our biggest issue is having time to go anywhere and look. I did wonder if the lower priced housing would be slum-like. I have my eye on Michigan, my hometown of 2,000 people also with low crime, less than 1/3 what it is here in SE KS and the cost of living is about the same. I don't want to get too far off the beaten path if I stay in KS but I don't want to be in the bigger cities either. Would like to go back to AZ or AL but opportunity has not knocked on those. AZ is nice, no grass to mow. Got to go mow the grass now that the rain has finally stopped.

Well, the low priced housing stock would mostly be in neighborhoods in Atchison that are very blighted. Occasionally I did see a few properties being fixed up, but not enough. The outskirts of town might be better, but I didn't ever explore the rural areas around there as much.

AnywhereElse · 03-24-2012, 05:54 PM

Gosh, I have had enough blight to last a lifetime here in SE KS. I realize that people may not make a lot of money but really here, it is matter of picking up the trash out of the yard or not putting it there in the first place and getting the sofa off the front porch. We have so many slum lords and they won't fix the properties because the taxes go up and if you have "delayed" maintenance, that can reduce your taxes. Kansas should be renamed Kan-Tax.

bkern1989 · 03-24-2012, 10:42 PM

As I stated in another thread, Atchison is a good place to visit and spend the day, but personally I'd never live there. It does have a lot of history and the International Forest of Friendship is really nice along with Jackson Park. But like the other guy stated...if you are looking for clean, Atchison isn't the place to be. For a place with so much history...they could really use a clean up. People like myself who have visited there would be more willing to go back if they'd do a bit of cleaning up. On the plus side, the Missouri river runs along the town and has a river walk. But yes, my opinion could be completely different from yours, so the best thing to do would be to make a trip there and check it out yourself.

AnywhereElse · 03-25-2012, 05:57 AM

bkern1989: I have a neighbor up the street that relocated here from Atchison, as she is retired and married the gentleman up the street, so I'm thinking she might be someone who could compare and contrast. I had always planned when I left MI 37 years ago to return so maybe all the signs are pointing in that direction. Thank you for your reply.

GraniteStater · 03-25-2012, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnywhereElse

bkern1989: I have a neighbor up the street that relocated here from Atchison, as she is retired and married the gentleman up the street, so I'm thinking she might be someone who could compare and contrast. I had always planned when I left MI 37 years ago to return so maybe all the signs are pointing in that direction. Thank you for your reply.

Have you considered the South Haven, Allegan, areas of Michigan? It is in southwest Michigan and a fairly decent area.

AnywhereElse · 03-25-2012, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

Have you considered the South Haven, Allegan, areas of Michigan? It is in southwest Michigan and a fairly decent area.

I'm from Cassopolis, MI in the southwest corner (Cass County) and have a few family members still left there. I realize it might not be everybody's "cup of tea" but it is "home" where my grandparents settled in their final years. As I said before, crime 1/3 what it is down here in the SE corner. I could go to Deer Forest in Coloma again and Pottawatomie Park in South Bend, my two most favorite places. Each county there would have a service center for my son. I asked my brother this morning if it was trashy with slums and the place falling down and he said "No it is better than when we kids and people have fixed up the older houses." And, real lakes, not man-made. It was funny to come to Kansas and learn they "made" their lakes after growing up in Michigan. I was so confused about that.

Seems like you too have lived or at least visited a few places in your lifetime also.

In this working "at will" state, my husband has put in over 60 hours this week and still isn't home with no choice and usually puts in at least 55 hours. Really, the jobs here are close to slave labor with low pay and little to no benefits and the "use you and lose you" attitude. He wanted to come here and get a house so he'll stay until the house sells as that is how we learn to think things through and listen to the input from others.

I'm one of those nutty people that watches for "signs" and I'm on the fence about making such a big move but leaning to MI. Would love to visit the UP.

I am afraid, I will just have to give up on KS.