Looking for a fresh start, looking at you Kansas! (Kansas City: casino, living in)

[j_k_k]

Kansas has great agriculture, but not a lot of agricultural diversity. Most of it goes into winter wheat, then milo/sorghum or soybeans after the wheat's harvested. There's some corn. Some parts are pastureland, mainly the Flint Hills, which is cowboy country. So it's not like Washington, for example, where there might be twenty-five different crops plentifully cultivated within fifty miles of where I lived, or the Willamette Valley, or parts of California. I think the logic behind the crop choices is what you'd expect: combination of what grows well there, and what is most likely to thrive (or some years, survive) the climate. You'll find great farmer's market places in Amish and Mennonite country, though, with a wide variety of things.

My aunt and uncle valiantly tried to run a vineyard in the Flint Hills. They were very scientific, and they fought the battle for ten years with varying results, but vineyards are like orchards: if you lose a vine, it's years to get it back. It's not that grapes wouldn't grow; it's that between birds and weather shifts and deer and every other thing that could go wrong, the yield was never enough.

I think Kansas has so many retirees because people there tend to live a long time, or so it appears to me. Southern manners with elders I would not say are always expected, but are most definitely welcome and will earn a lot of respect--that's one thing you might bring with you that would serve you well. I have a terrible time calling anyone in their 70s or later by their first name, even if they encourage me to; it's so ingrained and I have to make mental notes.

[j_k_k]

Oh. And it's windy. The Kawsa or Konza or Kansa or Kaw (the Latin characters are a poor fit for the original pronunciation, I think) were the People of the South Wind for a reason. It blows all the time. Kansas weather will teach one to adjust. And quickly.

[hc130radio]

I'm from Garden City with family in Dodge City and currently live in Sanford, NC...

[AnywhereElse]

"Change", they cover their ears. If it worked in the 1960's........... You get the general idea I'm sure. Do you have an "accent"? I got SO tired of hearing about my "accent" and how they could tell I wasn't from KS. I have a MI accent. In another city, I got "Why would anyone move here?" Well, it wasn't long before I was saying "I have no idea." Your best bet, at least in the beginning, is to go where there is diversity, where "outsiders" are more common. I had liked Salina and Junction City but as it turns out, Salina had an Air Force base which closed but brought in diversity and Junction City had Fort Riley right next door and leaving that diversity, ah, not good. In the richer parts of the state, they'll take care of the roads, plow/sand/fill the pot holes and you should have decent drinking water. There has been drought for some time. A couple of years ago, nearly everyone lost their gardens and it hit the Amish in SE KS very hard. We had a frost warning last night and in about 3 days, it is supposed to be 95 degrees. We have moved around a lot and made mistakes along the way but that is part of the journey of life in general. House goes on the market next month. We thought that moving to a larger city would afford more opportunities and it did not, same poor programs for people with developmental disabilities (our son) and same slave labor jobs. Sometimes you just have to take a chance. Just make sure you have an exit plan (where you will go and how you will pay for the going) and you won't feel trapped. Trapped is bad! KS has some very interesting and unique places to see and interesting history. We like the "Off the Beaten Path" - the KS edition. It is a guide to "unique places".

I wish you the best in whatever you decide. Moving around is good for the mind and soul.

[AnywhereElse]

Things we miss from NC: a brand of instant coffee that I can't remember the name of, the pork - has to be the best tasting pork in the world, the greenery, fresh vegetables, more shopping choices, friendly people and the milder winter.

[Daltrooney]

I live in Topeka, about a 30 minute drive from Lawrence. Is Topeka my favorite place in the world? No, but I've lived here most of my life and haven't ran away yet (born in Dodge City, lived south of there when I was younger.) But.. Being close to Lawrence, if you don't want to jump right in you could always consider it. I know several people who do or have gone to school at KU and lived/worked in Topeka. Not to mention Washburn University is here too.

[Weaubleau]

Yeah, about moving to KS, I would hold up to see what Brownback's ( the unfortunate choice the residents of KS made to be their governor ) grand experiment of draconian tax cuts does to the KS economy. Initial signs are not good as tax revenues are way down as is economic activity. Of course he spins it as Obama's fault ( what isn't these days according to conservatives ) but other states are not suffering the same fate as KS.

[AnywhereElse]

Originally Posted by Weaubleau

Yeah, about moving to KS, I would hold up to see what Brownback's ( the unfortunate choice the residents of KS made to be their governor ) grand experiment of draconian tax cuts does to the KS economy. Initial signs are not good as tax revenues are way down as is economic activity. Of course he spins it as Obama's fault ( what isn't these days according to conservatives ) but other states are not suffering the same fate as KS.

I wouldn't let whether or not Brownback is re-elected dictate a decision to KS or not. Most of the damage here was done by Sebelius during her reign of terror and hopefully, she won't darken our doorway again. If you understand the real issues here, they are similar to some other states. KS has always frowned on change so refused to change with the times and now is paying the price. Too often, areas here are dependent on one type of business, think Wichita/aircraft and you'll see it again in the future in another area people wouldn't expect thus leaving them in the lurch.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by AnywhereElse

I wouldn't let whether or not Brownback is re-elected dictate a decision to KS or not. Most of the damage here was done by Sebelius during her reign of terror and hopefully, she won't darken our doorway again. If you understand the real issues here, they are similar to some other states. KS has always frowned on change so refused to change with the times and now is paying the price. Too often, areas here are dependent on one type of business, think Wichita/aircraft and you'll see it again in the future in another area people wouldn't expect thus leaving them in the lurch.

You are only partially correct. The correct portion is that it is true that any region, city, or town that is dependent on on particular type of business or industry will be at the forefront of any headwinds if total employment is cut or more work is automated- as that will become increasingly common in many sectors of the economy in the coming years. Brownback, however, has done far more damage going forward because future tax revenues will be far less as the economy only grows in the Kansas City metro area (Johnson County) and a few other select parts of the state with decline across the board elsewhere. Funding for education and roads continue to get worse and worse. Also, Kansas will not attract the type of talent and professionals as most do not like the direction the state is going with Brownback in charge. As you recall, Kansas population demographics are heavily skewed toward very old and very young compared to most other states.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by AnywhereElse

I wouldn't let whether or not Brownback is re-elected dictate a decision to KS or not. Most of the damage here was done by Sebelius during her reign of terror and hopefully, she won't darken our doorway again. If you understand the real issues here, they are similar to some other states. KS has always frowned on change so refused to change with the times and now is paying the price. Too often, areas here are dependent on one type of business, think Wichita/aircraft and you'll see it again in the future in another area people wouldn't expect thus leaving them in the lurch.

Since I've moved here they have instituted Sunday liquor sales and casino gambling......not sure what the whole "refuse to change" vibe is but I've seen a fair bit.