Hey guys, we might have the opportunity to move to Olathe. I've been through KS a few times, spent a little time in Topeka but nowhere else. Can any of you tell me the good/bad/ugly of the Olathe area?
Olathe, KS and surrounding areas
- Thread starter KS-Ryan
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Olathe has very big variations in it. Older areas and newer areas. Do you have kids? Compared to CA prices, you should be able to afford the nicer sections. Schools are generally good.
What are your hobbies, or what you would want access to?
As far as wheeling, you really have 2 hour drive to find a good location.
What are your hobbies, or what you would want access to?
As far as wheeling, you really have 2 hour drive to find a good location.
- Thread starter
- #3
We have two boys, 1 and 3. The wife would teach at one of the colleges there. We like to camp/hike, I like to race radio controlled cars, the wife likes to knit.
Can you give me an idea of what the nicer areas are? Housing prices seem very reasonable, especially compared to southern CA.
Of course, the most important question is will I have to smog my 91 FJ80?
Can you give me an idea of what the nicer areas are? Housing prices seem very reasonable, especially compared to southern CA.
Of course, the most important question is will I have to smog my 91 FJ80?
Seems that the closer to the downtown is the older section and older houses. newer neighborhood is around 151st on the south side of town, to the north would be 119th.
I would look at a realtor site to get an idea.
k
I would look at a realtor site to get an idea.
k
Smog. Ha. I barely own anything that would pass a visual. Sniffer yes. We aint got those stupid smog laws. St Louis side of mo has smog checks.
Do you hunt or fish? Cause one you choose a state of residence ur stuck with that state
Sent from my phone using IH8MUD
Do you hunt or fish? Cause one you choose a state of residence ur stuck with that state
Sent from my phone using IH8MUD
- Thread starter
- #7
The school is in Olathe and we would like to live within 5 miles of it. The school is on the eastern side of 35, south of W 135th St. Not knowing the area, I don't know if that is feasible or if it is a decent part of town to live in.
I don't hunt (hunt what here in the concrete jungle of southern CA???). The times I 've been fishing, I have enjoyed it, but have not been in several years and do not own any equipment.
Great news on the smog. That means I could potentially desmog my 3FE!
I don't hunt (hunt what here in the concrete jungle of southern CA???). The times I 've been fishing, I have enjoyed it, but have not been in several years and do not own any equipment.
Great news on the smog. That means I could potentially desmog my 3FE!
- Thread starter
- #9
I got a good chuckle out of that. So many family and friends can't understand why we would want to leave southern CA. They just don't understand.
If you are willing to drive 5 or 10 more minutes, you can easily pick up 10 acres and have complete freedom.... no neighborhood associations. Look outside Gardner or North of Spring Hill.
I love being able to sandblast and paint stuff out in the yard!!
I love being able to sandblast and paint stuff out in the yard!!
- Thread starter
- #11
I think we are going to try and rent a townhouse for the first year. I have always dreamed of having some land and a barn to work on the Cruiser in. Thanks for the tip, I'll look around Gardner and see what I find.
Here's a stupid question (at least for you all). How often do tornadoes come through? Those things kinda freak me out.
Here's a stupid question (at least for you all). How often do tornadoes come through? Those things kinda freak me out.
Tornadoes are really rare statistically speaking. I've lived in Kansas, Missouri, and Wisconsin all my life. I have seen exactly zero tornados with my own eyes. Granted I have been close to damage a few times. These phenomena are usually less than a mile wide pencil lines on a map that infinitely large. Most tornados hit empty rural areas due to much more of that around. That said, I always buy a home with a good basement. My current home actually had a shelter in the basement that doubles as my beer cave.
I second that. Lived in Kansas City area for 40 years. Never seen one.
This year we have not had any warnings in our area, so there were not any seen by eyesight or radar, such that we had to go to the basement. Typically there is one warning a year, sometimes two. That would mean that somewhere within 50 miles there was some sort of action in the atmosphere that warranted a warning.
Our rule is keep beer and wine in the basement, so going down to take cover is really a treat!!
This year we have not had any warnings in our area, so there were not any seen by eyesight or radar, such that we had to go to the basement. Typically there is one warning a year, sometimes two. That would mean that somewhere within 50 miles there was some sort of action in the atmosphere that warranted a warning.
Our rule is keep beer and wine in the basement, so going down to take cover is really a treat!!
Olathe is hit or miss, nice area next to an older run down area. Olathe is a big and sprawls out. You'll have no problem finding things to do or places to eat, olathe has it all.
- Thread starter
- #15
So what is the off-road situation there? I see you guys go to an off-road park in MO. Is that all there is? I am not much of a rock crawler these days. My 80 is setup for desert/overlanding (I hate that term). I don't suppose there are any random dirt roads to explore? Does anyone make the trek to CO or Moab? We do Moab at least once a year (getting ready to go in a few weeks).
Here's a picture of the 80
Here's a picture of the 80
You could drive a couple hours south to the ozarks. Lots of forest roads for exploring where light 4wd to may be required. Glade top area (hwy 125) south east of Springfield and roaring river st park near AR.
seen one funnel cloud when i was a kid chased it on our bikes.. lived here my whole life. KC has weather patterns as well and the storms split when they hit the city heat. might try googling tonganoxie split. certain parts of the city get worse weather cause of this phenomonem. yeah, cant spell today.
That's a good area. You'll be fine with anything E of 35 and S of 135th. Been in Olathe for about 15 years and no problems yet.
KS has good public schools for the most part. A lot of young families are looking at their kid's schools as an important factor in picking home location. www.greatschools.org/ shows avg test scores and a few other factors for determining that, but its not always perfect.
I don't think you can go wrong spending 6-12 months in a townhome first - get the lay of the land and then make a better decision.
For overlanding/camping/whatever, you are in a good spot - Missouri spends 1% of its gross receipts on the outdoors, fish/game, parks, etc. We love floating the Niangua river, camping at the state parks, etc. You also have NW Arkansas close by and it is beautiful - Buffalo National River, Magazine Mt, Petit Jean St Park . . on and on. I'm not even counting trips to Colorado or New Mexico here, yet
We just moved out from a sterile Overland Park subdivision to a slightly smaller home in Stilwell and have 2.25 acres now. Love it!
Check out http://www.reeceandnichols.com/ or Trulia or Zillow or even Craigslist in the area to see what looks good.
I don't think you can go wrong spending 6-12 months in a townhome first - get the lay of the land and then make a better decision.
For overlanding/camping/whatever, you are in a good spot - Missouri spends 1% of its gross receipts on the outdoors, fish/game, parks, etc. We love floating the Niangua river, camping at the state parks, etc. You also have NW Arkansas close by and it is beautiful - Buffalo National River, Magazine Mt, Petit Jean St Park . . on and on. I'm not even counting trips to Colorado or New Mexico here, yet
We just moved out from a sterile Overland Park subdivision to a slightly smaller home in Stilwell and have 2.25 acres now. Love it!
Check out http://www.reeceandnichols.com/ or Trulia or Zillow or even Craigslist in the area to see what looks good.