Moving to Wichita (Hutchinson, Derby, Andover: apartments, rentals, lofts)

[Paul_Bettes]

I live in the Oaklawn area, and have for several years. The closest shooting was 5 blocks away, and that was a family dispute (father shot his pedophile son for molesting his grandkids). Only thing I've ever had stolen was some gas from my van, but a simple locking gas cap fixed that. I like my neighbors (except the illegal Mexican whom I think stole the gas, but I can't prove it). It's an older neighborhood that was built as offbase enlisted housing back in the '50s, and they are starting to tear down some of the older/run down houses and build brand new ones.

[Kansas City]

I agree with jbdallas.
The truly dumb things I've seen:
Building an arena in hopes someone will come . And using eminent domain to do it. At the same time losing the local baseball team. Wild West World is bankrupt (saw that coming a mile away).

Two thumbs up!!!

[Kansas City]

FYI:The Sprint Center (in Kansas City) opens in 43 days.

[ScarlettsMom]

I just found out that I'm going to be moving to Wichita (or the surrounding areas). I'm from NYC and enjoy is but all i've been reading on this site is about the crime and the lack of things to do. Is the crime as bad as it sounds? What areas are good live and are safe? We would be renting and schools aren't a factor, just safety and a welcoming community. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!!

[tarina482000]

I use to live in Wichita. I attended school there a few years ago. Derby is a nice area. It is near the Air Force Base. You want to live on the West or North Side. Stay away from the South side and the East side of Wichita. It is very flat there. There are many military families there in Derby.

[billymitchell]

Any one who lives or has lived around wichita will tell you that you don't move in wichita.
You move to derby,andover or some other town that is outside of wichita.
Wichita has to much crime and the bad thing about the so called good areas of wichita are never more than a few blocks away from the bad areas. and believe me, when I lived there the bad guys do not think twice about walking throught the good area, at night, in the early morning, 3 O'CLOCK in the morning.
Home prices reflect this, a home that would sell for 50% more in any other area can not bring a good price in wichita, mind you that there are some gated high end areas that are safe but you are living in a secured area, and you could have a projects next door and you would be safe.

[jbdallas]

ScarlettsMom, if schools are not a real big deal, but safety is, I'd probably consider Andover area around 21st/96. You will probably have to call around and ask for a leasing agent though.
We live in far NW Wichita, bordering Maize. As you may have seen in my post, we have had some things stolen in our neighborhood. Our entire street is rental duplex homes. And no one on the street stole the stuff, it was no doubt someone drove out there to take stuff (gas grills). We reported it but the police don't even come out, they just take the report over the phone.
If you are planning to stay long term I'd consider Goddard, whether there are rentals there or not I couldn't say though. I'm sure there are a few. The homes there seem to be very reasonable, and schools are good, which if you want to resell shortly would always be a bonus to would be buyers.

The crime rate here seems high to me, and I came from Dallas. I believe we've already passed last years homicide number, and we've still got 4 months to go.

KC, thanks for the Thumbs up on my noting the idiocy of the Arena. I think it honestly would have gone extremely well w/ a small casino, but thats just my thoughts of combining business/economic ideas. Historically, very few arenas ever pan out the way backers hope they will. Heck even the one in KC can't attract a basketball or hockey team, how is one in a community of 300k going to attract that much. A handful of concerts and shows won't do much, and only pull them from the small arena up North.

[ScarlettsMom]

We will be out here a minimum of 2 years. Does anyone have any thoughts on the College Hill area? A safe place with personality/character....does that sound like Andover or Derby or Maize? I work in the city in the arts and am a little bummed to be leaving my job and the area. Any suggestions on how to meet people or groups to join?

[iskerbibel]

I understand that a name like "College Hill" SOUNDS nice... but don't be fooled. You don't want to live there. There are a few nice houses in the area- but most of it is nasty... or just a couple blocks from nasty.

If you want character, look into the Riverside area. It's a neat area with lots of nice older houses... but it's a short walk from the Broadway area where the hookers and bums hang out. If you want less character, but want to be further from the ghetto- I'd suggest NW Wichita or one of the surrounding towns. Myself, I live in NE wichita- just a few blocks out of the high-crime area. I've had somebody go through my car when I left it unlocked... but have otherwise had no problems in the 9 months I've been here. I guess where you live depends on how much money you have and how much risk you feel is acceptable.

[jbdallas]

ScarlettsMom, where will you be working in Wichita? That might help determine where you want to live. I agree w/ the above post, College Hill does have some very cool older homes, but they are a stones throw from some higher crime areas. We have friends living there and they have had their car gone through as well.
Since you will only be here two years, I'd really consider renting. That is a very short turn around time to buy/sell, and I really don't see many homes going up in price here enough to cover your closing costs on both the front/back end. On top of any other misc items.
We have two sets of friends that live in Andover about 3 miles east of 96 off 21st. There is a very new hospital out there. The homes are new, medium sized, and it looked like a pretty nice little area. One owns their place, the other is renting. However, if you are going to be working on the west side, that isn't going to help you much.

You will find your commute here, no matter where you live, is probably no more than 20-30 minutes at most. You would really have to be at the extreme to have a longer drive than that.

Good Luck.