Thanks we will check that out.

 

We'd like to have you in the KS Chapter if you can make it. I'm in Wichita and a long way from that area so I've been letting others reply. I seem to have had some info about housing being really expensive near Ft. Riley. Guess it depends on how close you want to get. I've been to Alma a few times and it is a nice city. I've been partial to Council Grove though. I have not check into anything, thats just my take from driving through. That might be too far away for you. A lot depends on what you like to do or need in the area. There are plenty of lakes in the area if you like to fish or boat. There is an Off-Road area up at Randolph, KS at the north end of Tuttle Creek Lake. KC has the NASCAR track, and then there is the NHRA track at Topeka.

No smog inspections in KS. As was posted you will have to have an inspection to register an out of state vehicle in KS. I think it cost $10 a year and a half ago when I brought Green in from PA. That is a one time fee. One other thing though. They charge personal property tax every year for each vehicle you own and register. Depends on how new a vehicle is as to what they charge you. Don't know if they do that in NC or not but just letting you know so it doesn't catch you by surprise.

Glad you stopped by and hope you do so more often. Please tell your son thankyou from folks in the KS chapter. We'll be waiting to meet the whole family at a GTG soon.

 

I guess the area doesn't matter as long there is employment opportunity and reasonable rent. We don't need to be close to FT.Riley just where we can make the trip without it taking 2 days. I only have a 85 F150 4X2 and a 86 Chev Wagon. I really would like to have a F250 SC 4X4 one day.

Thank you for my Son.

 

How Much do Houses rent for in the smaller towns?

 

I've been in my house for 25 years in Wichita so I have no idea what housing cost these days. My brother has his house for sale accross town. I don't know what he wants for it but I'll try to find out for you. It is a 3 bedroom 2 bath upstairs with a partially finished basement and a single car attached garage.

You can check online in the local news paper, the Wichita Eagle for prices and jobs at: http://www.kansas.com/

And we had some folks looking for work back at Christmas time and have a thread you might check out for some ideas at: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...in-threes.html

 

I would love to buy a house but it will be a long time before I can.I have to clear up my credit. Thanks for the link to the newspaper and the 2nd link I will check them out now.

 

The most expensive rental in Moundridge that i have seen is $450 a month. There are jobs available here as well. It is a quiet community with very friendly people. It is located right off the interstate. It sits about 15 mins from McPherson 30mins from Hutchinson and Wichita and about 45mins from Salina.

 

The area right around Ft. Riley isn't the cheapest rental housing for what you get because of Big Red 1 coming back to the fort, but if you don't mind being 40 to 100 miles from the fort there are a huge number of options. A lot of it will depend on if you want to be closer to a larger community (30,000+ or if you don't mind driving a ways. If you want to be closer to Topeka and Kansas City, then rents may be more than if you are willing to live west, north or south of Junction City/Ft. Riley. If you go west and north of JC/Ft. Riley you will be in more rural areas, but housing will be cheaper. You will also be farther away from the larger towns.

My wife works on base, and I get out there occasionally. I think it is a good base. We have lots of retired military in the area who liked the rural smaller community lifestyle and chose to stay here or come back after they retired.

 

My Son is coming Back to FT.Riley we hope in April and we are hoping to find a place there so we can meet his Unit when they fly in from Iraq.So I guess we need to find something really cheap and a place that takes pets.

 

Since you do puter stuff you might check the classifieds online for the newspapers in Junction City(I think it is the Daily Union) the Manhattan Mercury, and Salina Journal. Also, Ft Riley has the post paper, but I don't know about subscribing or if it is available online. The first three all have online editions. Also, get a Kansas map and draw look at the communities around the area where you think you might want to live and check with their local chamber of commerce. They are always a good source of local information. The smaller communities also get excited if they think someone is looking to relocate to their community. You can find the web links to these papers by doing a web search at google etc. Manhattan is a "college town" with Kansas State University, so rents tend to be higher here than in other area communities. Also most places in Manhattan want a years lease to be able to rent something. If you think you are interested in Manhattan I could put you in touch with several locals that rent or know whats available

 

We have been doing that but Thanks to everyone here we have a better idea of where to look. We'll be looking at more places tonight. Again Thanks Everyone.

 

No problem man! Let us know what you come up with!

 

I will.We really like everything y'all have told us along with what we found out. Everyone has been a big help.Thank You

 

Avoid living in Topeka like the plague, Earlier I had wrote out a whole explanation and lost it all when my ISP locked up my puter, but the end result is the same. working in Topeka isn't too bad, so if that was a goal, outside Topeka is better . Alma is nice, Council Grove is cool, but not alot of industry in either. Clay Center is a nice town, with a few mfg plants, yet still small enough to know most people in town and within driving distances of most places 45 minutes to Manhattan, 40 minutes to Abline or less, and about 60 or so minutes to Salina.
Salina, Manhattan, Abilene, JC, Manhattan all have higher rent, with Manhattan as being one of the highest in the area. If you want to live around Manhattan, there are some smaller towns around that would be more affordable if driving isn't a problem. With gas prices, this is something to take into consideration.

 

Thanks for this information. My wife will be getting on later and check these small towns out.