Located in the south-central part of Kansas, Wichita is the largest city in the state. Since it was founded as a trading post on the Chisholm Trail in the 1860s, the city has been attracting new residents all the time. If you’re making a move to Wichita and you’re wondering what to expect, here are five things to keep in mind.
1. Minimal Traffic
If you’re coming from another major city in the United States, you might be surprised by the minimal traffic in Wichita. Even though it’s the biggest city in the state, you’ll rarely have to deal with major traffic delays. You might occasionally run into a slow down during rush hour or when the roads are being worked on, but almost everything in Wichita is a 15- to 20-minute drive away, which makes commuting and running errands a breeze.
2. Easy to Get Around
Perhaps one reason why Wichita doesn’t have to deal with major traffic issues like other cities is that the city is laid out in a grid system that’s fairly easy to navigate. The interstate system also makes it simple to get around the city. If you want to avoid the heart of Wichita, Interstate 35 runs east of the city and Interstate 235 runs west of it. On the other hand, if you need to head to downtown Wichita, Interstate 135 takes you directly through the heart of the city.
3. Plenty of Things to Do
When you arrive in Wichita, you’ll discover you have plenty of activities to enjoy. You can check out the animals at the Sedgwick County Zoo, learn more about nature at the Great Plains Nature Center, tour the Wichita Art Museum, stroll through the lovely Botanica Wichita Gardens, and more.
4. East Versus West
After you move to Wichita, you might notice people will ask if you live on the east side or west side. This is because Wichitans have a friendly East Wichita versus West Wichita rivalry. At one time, it wasn’t so easy to get from one side of the city to the other. People who lived on the east side or west side typically didn’t leave their side of town. While new major highways have now made it much easier to get around, this good-natured teasing about which side is best still persists.
5. Numerous Golf Courses
Although places like Florida and Arizona get all the glory when it comes to golf courses, Wichita also has plenty of excellent options. If you enjoy golfing, Wichita has five premium public courses conveniently located around the city. Each course offers its own unique layout and provides a different challenge for golfers of all skill levels. Of course, these aren’t the only golf courses in the area. You’ll also find numerous private clubs that have some spectacular courses and other amenities.
Wichita is a lovely city with a unique vibe. If you’re planning a move to the city, these are just a few things you can expect when you arrive.
Image via Flickr by Ty Nigh
Connect with us
