The state of Kansas has a blanket of plains and prairies that produce wheat and corn. Kansan culture of rugged cowboys makes Kansas a classic slice of old-fashioned America. When you have wanted to move to the breadbasket of the United States, you have probably considered the pros and cons of Kansas, but you may have overlooked a few. You can learn more about Kansas from our Kansas guide.
Kansas has a rich history and takes pride in its illustrious past. Named after Kansas Native Americans who lived along the Kansas River, the 'Sunflower State' is named after the state. Kansas has been predominantly an agricultural economy since 1861 and is one of the largest producers of wheat, corn, soybeans, sorghum, and beef.
As we have looked at some of the pros of moving to Kansas, we can now look at some cons. Let us start with the pros section:
1. Kansas has a convenient commute system
Kansas has light traffic, and it is easy to drive through rural Kansas for various purposes. For example, Kansas rural areas and Kansas cities take 30-60 minutes to move to another town; commute times are typically less than 25 minutes. Despite the considerable distance between the rural villages, you will have no problem reaching your destination in good time thanks to the smaller traffic and good roads. For an area of its size, Kansas has the 5th shortest commute in the country. Traveling within Kansas will be more of a pleasure if you're used to long commutes in Chicago or Los Angeles. Kansas is not just about perfection, but it also has its pros and cons.
2. Kansas has a much lower cost of living than you'd expect
Kansas is incredibly cheap to live in, which is what draws most people here. Kansas's cost of living is 21% lower than the national average, while the average family earns about $55,000 per year. You can now imagine how cheap it is to live in Kansas.
However, do not assume that Kansas is only cheap in the rural areas. For example, living in Wichita, Topeka, and Overland City is much less expensive than in San Francisco, Oklahoma City, Houston, and Aurora.
Let's now analyze some of the cons of living in the Sunflower State.
1. If you don't have a car, you can't travel outside
We told you earlier that Kansas is almost traffic-free, and commuting is fast and easy. Nevertheless, that applies if you own a car here. There are several small communities in Kansas, each located at a significant distance from the other, and Kansas' biggest problem is the lack of a reliable transportation system.
Despite having the third-largest highway system after Texas and California, Kansas has no public transportation. A car is necessary outside of large cities if you want to live a simple, routine life.
2. When you live in Kansas, you may be subject to excise taxes.
As part of their tax policy in Kansas, when you buy or bring a vehicle to Kansas when you move, you'll pay an excise tax of between 6.3% and 7.65% if it was previously untaxed. After you move, you have 90 days to register your vehicle at the county clerk's office. You will need to pay for emissions tests. You should register to vote when you obtain your driver's license so that you can participate in local elections immediately.
Bonus: Here are more facts about Kansas:
- Smith County is the geographical center of the 48 contiguous states.
- Amelia Earhart, the first woman granted a pilot's license by the National Aeronautics Associate and the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, was from Atchison.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower from Abilene was the 34th President of the United States.
- Silent comedian Buster Keaton, of early film success, was from Piqua, Kansas.
- The three largest herds of buffalo (correctly called bison) in Kansas are located on public lands at the Maxwell Game Preserve (McPherson), Big Basin (Ashland), and Buffalo Game Preserve (Garden City).
- Fort Riley, between Junction City and Manhattan, was the cradle of the United States Cavalry for 83 years. George Custer formed the famed 7th Cavalry there in 1866. Ten years later, at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, the 7th was virtually wiped out. The only Cavalry survivor was a horse named Comanche.
- Wyatt Earp, James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok, and William B. "Bat" Masterson were three legendary lawmen. They kept the peace in rowdy frontier towns like Abilene, Dodge City, Ellsworth, Hays, and Wichita.
- The public swimming pool at the Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City occupies half a city block and holds 2 1/2 million gallons of water.
- Cedar Crest is the name of the governor's mansion in Topeka, the state capital.
- Barton County is the only Kansas County named for a woman; the famous volunteer Civil War nurse Clara Barton.
Let us know what you think of these pros and cons about the state of Kansas! Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaw_people
https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/state/kansas
https://ballotpedia.org/Tax_policy_in_Kansas
https://www.50states.com/facts/kansas.htm