Relocation assistance info, 1st KCMO/KCKS vs. Wichita,KS (Kansas City: how much, house)

[elfchica]

I have a dilemma. This will take a while.

My husband and I currently live in Miami. We hate it. My family is in Topeka, KS, and his is scattered everywhere. We both have agreed to move to the midwest. However my current job has a call center in Wichita and the Manager said I could probably relocate there. My husband works for TSA, but would like to become a cop. He is applying to KCMO but Wichita is hiring as well.

About us:
28 married, no kids but want kids, no house but want house, blue collar/clerical jobs, I'm bi-racial and he is Dominican.

I am not fond of Wichita but it would be helpful if locals could give me some ideas. Please don't tell me about the economy or anything, it's ok. I just want to know a local perspective.

[kcmo]

I think Wichita is an ok town. It's way too small for my liking, but it's a nice town and has some great areas. The riverfront downtown is pretty cool and they do have a few good museums and a nice little historic entertainment/residential district downtown. The area has some nice, suburban areas, nothing like KC, but they don't have the traffic and commutes that many KC suburbs have.

KC is only a few hours away and Oklahoma City is only a couple hours away for weekend trips.

Topeka is a freaking hellhole. Enough said.

The KC area is a much larger city than Wichita so you have a lot more to do and see, a big airport etc. the KC suburbs on both sides of the state line are probably where you would want to look. Overland Park and Lee's Summit are both great family oriented areas as is the Northland. You can live in a large upscale suburb that offers a mass variety of shopping, dining etc or a smaller more rural or residential suburb. Many of KC's suburbs are larger and offer more than the entire city of Wichita.

So it just depends on what you want. If you really want to get away from a large city like Miami, then Wichita might be the perfect place for you, and it really is a pretty nice city, especially for it being in the middle of Kansas. If you want a city that offers about the same entertainment and culture as Miami in a more laid back midwestern style, then the KC area would be good for you.

Sounds like you might like both areas though, so it might depend more on what kinds of jobs you get etc and how much you need to keep yourselves entertained.

We are constantly attending events like pro sports, broadway plays, concerts, festivals etc, so for me, I have to live in a city at least as large as KC. But I'm sure Wichita is fine for a lot of people that are not ADD like me

[Elizabeth_G]

I worked in Wichita (commuted from KC) years ago...small city, but not bad, truly. I'd choose KC over Wichita hands down if it were me SO many things to do and see with a great variety of neighborhoods, etc.

[Sportster]

Wichita ain't bad - new downtown area, plenty of new bistro type restaurants, river-walk kind of area as well as chic downtown area. All around a nice place.

Kansas City - much larger, easy to get lost and blend in here.

Its really a matter of taste. If you like the smaller feel of a Wichita, there may be better opportunities there for you, both in law enforcement and whatever your career path may hold.
The PD here is somewhat political depending on where you are. Additionally, there are talks of consolidation inside the department so there could be some upheaval as well.

Topeka - nice if you like Fred Phelps and his brood. Got a nice Harley dealer though - its a nice ride from Kansas City....

Sportster
...kc is nice, but the winters suck