Feel-Good City - 1/4/2024

Grew up there in the 80s and moving back. It's very true about the feel-good blue skies and the friendliness of the communities. Wichita is perfect for those who want that small-town fee in a mid-sized city.

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Wichita, great for families or starter city. - 7/27/2020

My comparison is to living in AZ, CO, NE & WY. Wichita is a nice city with a lot to do. It has history, art, live music, breweries, plenty of biking and walking trails. Most stores / shopping that you would need. The housing is VERY affordable, job market is fair. Crime is more apparent than other cities I've lived in, which is unfortunate. Weather is typical mid-west. Can change on a dime, but the winters are light and the HOT summer days are few. Spring and Summers are fair and beautiful.

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Great city - 4/12/2020

I lived in Wichita for several years and it was a great place to live, low crime for such a large city. Very diverse, lots to do, plenty of jobs and beautiful area.

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It has nice and not so nice qualities - 7/8/2019

I grew up there. Here's the good, bad and ugly. First the bad- the worst thing about this place is the weather. It absolutely sucks all year. It's windy and freezing all winter, 90 to 110 degrees all summer and rains all spring. Don't make many outdoor plans! Parts of the city are quite dangerous crime wise. Avoid places like Planeview, Oaklawn and anyplace between Central and 25th and Grove and Hillside especially. In other neighbourhoods, you are less likely to be robbed or murdered but property and car crimes are fairly common everywhere. Also avoid picking up a date on S Broadway. You'll take home something really nasty! The nice: Living in Wichita is cheap. Housing cost less than 1/2 most cities. Schools were good when I went there. I went to East High and it was a great school. The parks are nice and kept up, especially College Hill Park where we went. The police are pretty tolerant for the most part. If you were nice to them, they'll just make you dump your pot in the gutter and let you go. And there is no traffic in Wichita really. Sometimes Kellogg gets a bit backed up but you can be anywhere in 15 minutes or less.

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Better than some places- harsh weather - 3/24/2018

After living in Seattle for 7 years I prefer Wichita. Violent crime worse in Wichita but property/vehicle crimes in Seattle MUCH worse and had to deal with CONSTANT panhandling from homeless junkies, and needles & open drug use everywhere. Harsh weather in ICT- humid summers & cold winters though not much snow. Zip codes that have lower crime- 67205, 67212, 67207 and 67226. Beware of any apts that allow Section 8- high crime. Best schools- Maize, Derby & Andover. Best special Ed' programs Maize & Andover. Check the crime rate for the neighborhood you are interested in- can't believe some people don't do this!! If you think gap between rich & poor is bad here you have never lived on the west or east coasts! MUCH worse there with thousands of homeless people who can't afford a place to live. Good luck & do your research :)

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Wish I could say better but.... - 1/22/2018

I really wish I could give Wichita a good review. Its been my home for 6 months now. Its about to be my ex home - I have a job offer elsewhere. Its been hard. I have analyzed the reasons for it, and come up with some interesting facts about Wichita. First of all, the division between rich and poor is HUGE. So if you have a lot of money, are married (or single with a lot of money - preferably male), you will be welcomed with open arms here. But if not, if you are like me, just looking for a place to rebuild after a lot of hurtful life situations, stay away from here (really). They disliked me from Day 1. I honestly just came in, in peace, rented an apartment and thought I'd be fine. I hold a Bachelor's degree, Most of a Masters in Education (special Ed), and usually the schools snatch me right up! Not here. Nobody snatched me right up! Despite the fact that I am very mainstream, I was treated very badly and this does continue, although being vocal about it has helped some. Its been a daily battle just for fairness from Day 1. Here are some causes I have discovered: 1. The area is very homogenous - many people have never lived anywhere else (I was very surprised!). So they literally know no other way - I find this sad, myself, since I've lived in some good places. 2. They do favor the rich - Social class is a big, big deal here! BIG - trust me. 3. The State of Kansas has many political problems and corruption spills over into many places. Even decent, stable citizens here admitted this to me, and so when I have to deal with Education (government run), I ran into problems. 4. Its a low cost of living, but anything like licensing, work, etc is all hidden and high fees. My theory (just my personal theory) is that its to keep the poor, poor. (this is a big deal here) 5. The city does not prohibit helping the poor or even homeless (I am not homeless though). But I wonder about a place which says it values hard work - yet will not allow a person to be employed properly. 6. Abuse is everywhere here - I am single with no family, and not that affluent (although not destitute), so I have been a real target. Highlights of my stay: My wallet with ID was stolen (I had to replace everything and did, but it was expensive), my car was tampered with and damaged, Police and fire Dept won't come when called (and are not available on weekends and evenings), I have had "church wars"between denominations (which I am getting tired of), and church is BIG here too - if you not religious, this won't work). I was denied medical and still am here - I had to travel 60 miles away for a Dr. I have insurance (legit and most places has been fine). I also was hired 60 miles away but its hard for me to go, since its been hard for me to make money here. Pluses? People are friendly - very. In fact, guard your privacy, they do try and get in your business but I am pretty open anyway. But they are nice folks - there are some real honest people here, but there are some thugs too! Drugs and crime is high. Its know as top 10 for suicide in the nation, and I read online that its one of the most depressing places in the nation. I also tried another town in Kansas, same thing only worse. I think honestly its the way the State is run, sad to say. Yeah, there are good people and I do love many. It will break my heart to leave, yet I will be relieved as well.

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Wichita is a real S-hole. - 12/21/2016

If you're Conservative and Christian, you're going to love what Wichita has to offer! Churches & fast food is the staple of Wichita. Wichita is so Conservative that fast food restaurants test market their businesses here before spreading their franchises across the nation. If you're black and you can't play a professional sport, don't move here. Wichita is segregated into minority neighborhoods and policed the most to keep in those neighborhoods to keep the minorities in check. If you're Liberal, you are going to hate life here. Most small business are run by the wealthy (Because, lease on a building is more than a lease in a building in Miami, Kansas City, Chicago...) The price of rent is more than you would pay to own a home, yet owning a home here seems inexpensive until you have to pay taxes... My average is over $2000.00 a year on a $1200sqft house. Then there is insurance, and it's not cheap either because Wichita gets nasty hail storms every three to five years damaging cars and roofs of houses... Tornadoes of the F5 category. Toad strangling rainstorms - flash floods. Ice storms that kill electricity for a week or two and opportunists to jam you at every corner. Oh, howabout this one; Sam Brownback and Kris Kobach... They have made sure that it is nearly impossible for you to register to vote because of Kris Kobach's special voter ID laws... meaning if you are from another state. it is a real hassle to register to vote.... and even if you live here (My mother in her late 70's who has been voting at the same polling station for 50 years, was harassed and not allowed to vote because two forms of photo ID were not enough for her to vote this year). Let's talk about art and culture!!! They have an art crawl in Wichita. It's cute and it is monopolized by Wichita State University students. This means you see nothing but student grade art work at best. Every business in the downtown area calls their space a gallery, and the people with money who support the arts spend their money in other cities to supply their own private stash of art. Wichita has a art museum that was started by a wealthy woman way back when dirt was invented. They tout a Mary Cassatt collection, but without it, they don't have much of a museum because the people who run it are wealthy Conservative old biddies who are into Bob Ross and Thomas Kinkade. Is Wichita classy? Don't be ridiculous. T-shirts hoodies and bluejeans is the style... If you want to dress up and fit in with the business class, you need one of those buzz bowl around the head bi-gay-curious Christian conservative haircuts and a collared shirt. Don't get sunk here or over your head in debt, because you will become trapped here where no one will hear your screams. Other than that. Wichita is a great place to live... just make sure you have a car and internet access, and a plan B if everything goes to pot on you. Oklahoma City is your closest place of refuge if that tells you anything.

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Great healthcare in Wichita - 3/4/2015

Excellent, affordable healthcare. Appointments with primary care physician and dentist have consistently been available soon and at convenient times. Extremely satisfied with quality of care.

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The weather - 1/1/2015

The sky is blue the majority of time. The wind blows constantly and the summers are very hot...mid to upper 90s.

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I do not recommend anyone ever move here - 12/20/2014

Terrible schools, they are behind schools in California, Washington and probably every where else. The worst doctors I have ever encountered, I have lived in NM, WV, CA, WA and in Japan, only here have I almost died from a misdiagnosis in an ER where the nurses bring their dogs in to run around, and almost lost the use of a hand because my primary care physician refuses to refer patients to specialists. I look forward to going somewhere that has medical ethics, intelligent students and far less prejudice.

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American Dream Is Alive and Well In Oz - 10/9/2014

I've lived in Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami, (25 years), Scottsdale and Newport Beach, Ca, yet amongst all the places I've lived there is no better than Wichita for a variety of reasons, yet allow me to share a few. 1.) Low cost of living-(you can acquire a very nice home in a nice neighborhood with good schools for under 200k and everything is less here. Gas, Food, Drinks, Dry Cleaning, Parking, etc.) 2.) No traffic congestion. (I commuted 2-3+ hours a day in Southern California) 3.) Very nice people who greet everyone and would help a stranger in a minute. 4.) High quality of life. -(more days of sunshine with blue sky than in Miami) 5.) Centrally located for travel by car or plane.

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Not a Nice Place to Live - 9/6/2014

For years I have been listening to my neighbor beat on his drum set. As he's gotten older, he's also gotten stronger, and beats on his drums even harder. I talked to him about it one day as the noise from his drums was driving me crazy. He said he didn't realize it was that loud as he wears noise cancelling headphones while he beats on the drums. He said he "was sorry", but he went back to his house and started beating on the drums again. The people that live on either side of his house don't appreciate the noise either, but don't want to rock the boat. I finally called the police and this individual seems to start drumming with minutes of me getting home. I can be gone for hours and he doesn't play, but when I get home he starts immediately. The police say that the prosecutor will not prosecute as he is a juvenile and that I just have to live with it. So, if you don't mind being in your house and someone in another house beating on the drums whenever they feel like it (currently I believe he's allowed to beat his drums from 7am to 10pm each and every day) then this is the place for you. If I ever get enough money to leave Wichita, I will be gone so fast. This "nut job" neighbor sometimes beats on his drums 8 or nine times a day (anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour each time). I can honestly say that over all the years he's been beating on the drums that he has not even learned an entire song.

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Not a bad little city. - 8/15/2014

Wichita has its ups and downs,but I find the city refreshing compared to overlandpark.

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Crime And Culture In Wichita-KS - 2/12/2013

I moved here about 2.5 years ago due to my job, and it certainly is amazing to find out how high the crime rate in Wichita-KS is as compared to other cities. I live in an upper-middle class neighborhood, but during the past year, my neighbor's truck got stolen, some thieves have tried to break into my house. Some did break into my neighbor's garage and stole items from his vehicle. There have been several other breakin-instances during this time. I was told that the reasons of all these crimes are: Firstly, the people are not very well educated, many are druggies, and worst thing is that there are no severe penalties for these crimes. Most of these criminals are out on bail/loose waiting months to go to courts and during that time they stay busing earning their "livelihood" without getting caught harming the community. It's a pity that the many people I come across have not travelled or lived outside of Kansas, & they really think Wichita has very low crime rate. It amazes me that general public really thinks that way! A wise man once said, "The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is a knowledge of our own ignorance." Add to the wrong, Wichita people in general are also discriminatory towards blacks or other minorities.

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This is almost the perfectly perfect town. - 11/13/2012

Wichita is just big enough but still small enough, just like Goldilocks choice of bedding and lunch. Every major retailer has at least one location here like Best Buy, HomeDepot, Lowes. A single strip of cosmopolitan shops stretches through the center of town, old money wealth keeps Wichita stable since WW2 era aviation companies built factories here far away from the vulnerable coastlines. Koch Industries (the Koch brothers) is headquartered here and their main facility looms over the town like Montgomery Burns power plant, the building's imposing presence feels like Darth Vader's Eagle's Nest of the Kansas Alps. Tornado's seem to hover here, Wichita is in the center lane of "tornado alley" and the months of March - June are scariest here since tornadoes usually behave like freight trains but they seem to slow down and just hover over Wichita as if stopped by god's vindictive thumb regardless of your religion. Atheists quickly convert here during the tornadic season, crime is pretty low and seemingly isolated into a small, tightly packed zone of downtown poverty that feels more like a modern day Barter Town with nightly news reports of Thunderdome festivities. Major airport access is non existent, you'll have to drive three hours to Kansas City International Airport or wait for the sporadic major flights out of "Wichita International" Cruise ships dock here more frequently than United Airlines departures.

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Crime in Kansas??... - 10/23/2012

Can anyone tell me why the crime rate (ie: especially Wichita) is exceptionally high? Truth please. Thank you

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Wichita Kansas - 2/4/2012

Wichita is the largest city in Kansas. It is noted as the AirCapital of the world due to the large number of aircraft manufacturers that are located here. Now that Boeing has elected to leave that status my change. Currently Bombardier is expanding with plans that would offset the Boeing exit.

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Housing in Wichita Ks 1/2012 - 1/18/2012

There are TONS and TONS of Apartments, houses, and duplexes for rent but all the landlords here must think they are special because they can turn down potential tennants... Even ones with CASH ready to move in and sign a lease... Are there that many people in line looking for a place to live? I don't see them... Just because one has a not so spotless credit rating doesn't mean they don't have money in the bank... Just words of wisdom for ya... Most other cities around Wichita will be happy to take your cash and give you the keys! Wichita isn't all that special either! Ifr you have a choice, pick a smaller city within a short drive of Wichita, you can thank me later!

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Blacks in Wichita - 11/5/2011

All I have to say is that Wichita is not a place for Blacks. Extremely racist, all the way from the police down to just every day people. Those who don't believe it are probably not of this ethnicity. Everything in Wichita fits one race and one race only. Bills are more expensive in Northeast Wichita. Yet, they keep rent cheaper there. If you want to move to a different neighborhood, it is difficult. First chance I get, I'm running the other way. Police harrassment is ridiculous. I am raising 3 sons, and it is hard!! So, my goal next year is to move to a place where you don't have to worry about those kinds of things as much.... Wichita is still definitely in the 60's.

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a GREAT place to live - 7/15/2011

All you people saying there's no shopping obviously have not been to New Market Square or the very upscale Bradley Fair stores. True our malls are not the very best, but not the worst by far either. We have old town with plenty of night clubs. The Riverside area is clean and nice homes, sorry but not just the rich of Maize and Rock rd are clean. We are very clean people. You need to come out of your box and see what Wichita truly is. We have the art museum, Opera, a new arena with plenty of concerts including Elton John,George Straight,and many others. Ice hockey, indoor football, minor league baseball at a newly remodeled field. Plenty of golf courses, ice skating, roller skating, a beautiful botanical gardens, two adventure centers, youth sports include volleyball, football, cheerleading, softball, and more. chili cookoff, river festival, craft fairs, plenty of museums(have you been to any?) an Imax theatre, The Wichita symphony, the Wichita theatrical plays, Exploration place, Delano district shopping. Car shows, boat shows, Tea rooms, beautiful parks, lakes and more. You can get a burger,coke and fries for $2.99. Try finding that in Mn, New York, NM, or anywhere for that matter. Upscale restraunts are also here. And illegals are everywhere hate to tell you.. And I don't worry everyday that we are going to be bombed by terrorists.. give me this city any day. If you prefer a big city good MOVE!

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