Moving to Wichita in August... (Kansas City, Hays: real estate, crime rate, houses)

[JerseyDevilDog]

Does anyone have any suggestions for neighborhoods that I might start my housing search in? I have a friend in Wichita that told me not to look for anything south of Kellogg, how valid is that?

I'm single with no children, so school districts are not important.

[janetjanetbobanet]

Originally Posted by JerseyDevilDog

Does anyone have any suggestions for neighborhoods that I might start my housing search in? I have a friend in Wichita that told me not to look for anything south of Kellogg, how valid is that?

I'm single with no children, so school districts are not important.

Huh? I live south of Kellogg. There's nothing wrong with this part of town that I can see. It totally depends on what you are looking for. If you want the newer and more expensive housing, look to the far east and west ends of town. Otherwise south of Kellogg is older, generally, but more affordable housing.

[iskerbibel]

Depends on what you're looking for. Go to the City of Wichita homepage... they have several "crime maps". It'll give you a good idea of where the ghettos are. The wife and I moved here to Wichita back in December from Hays Kansas, and we like it here. Post some more specifics on what you're looking for, and I can give you some ideas of where and where NOT to look.

[Ellie C.]

Have you been to Wichita? If not, go spend some time there before you commit. I'm from the East originally and I hated every minute of the 7 years I spent there.

It's boiling hot in the summer, ice storms all winter, and that godawful wind blows constantly. They don't clean the streets when it snows, and you'd better invest in a generator, because if the power goes out (like it does about three times a year), it takes several days to a week to get it back on.

There is nothing, and I mean nothing, to do there. Your next nearest cities are Kansas City (3 1/2 hours drive) or Oklahoma City (2 1/2 hours drive).

If you're anything but a right-wing Repuiblican born-again Christian, you're going to find yourself with not too many people you can have an open conversation with.

And sorry Janet, I wouldn't live south of Kellogg either. There are nicer houses for the same money north of Kellogg. The east side of town is nicer than the west side of town, and it's closer to the turnpike if you want to get out of town. If you work on the west side of town, you probably want to look around 21st and Maize. On the east side, look anywhere east of 21st and Rock Rd. for starters. If you like older homes with more interesting architecture, there's College Hill or Riverside, but the crime rate is higher there. If you look in College Hill, make sure you have the foundation of the house looked at by a structural engineer. Any Tom Dick or Harry can be a home inspector and have no knowledge about the foundation issues in College Hill.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

[KsHmLok8r]

Your best bet is to talk with a qualified licensed Real Estate expert in Wichita. They will have all the knowledge about neighborhoods and also be able to talk with you about specifics in what you are looking for. I can refer you to an agent there if you are interested.
Keri J.- Real Estate agent in KC.

[nasodearpa]

Andover,derby,goddard. Stay the heck out of wichita proper. there is nothing but crime there.
I would stay out of wichita and kansas completly. I lived there for several years. In wichita even if you live in a good area you are not but blocks from a bad area. and you will have break in problems ect.
My wife had a good job on main st. and in the day it was ok, but you still could see all the drugies and homeless people gathering up in front of the churches to get vouchers and food.
My wife would have to work to 8pm or a bit later and have to walk two blocks in the dark, We had to take a pay cut but with the funds we have to back us up we can afford it and live now in hot springs arkansas. So much more beautiful and nicer place to live.