Moving to Kansas?
The state of Kansas is situated in the midst of the American Great Plains and is often referred
to as “America’s Heartland.” Kansas is known for its contributions to jazz music and barbecue, and is also the setting
of L. Frank Baum’s classic children’s book, and later the feature film, “The Wizard of Oz.”
The famous line uttered by
Judy Garland in the classic film, “We’re not in Kansas anymore,” was meant to signify that the characters had landed
in a strange place, but also perfectly characterizes the state as a warm, comfortable place that just about anyone can
feel right at home in.
Kansas is about as close to being the geographic center of America as possible, and
because of that it is often seen as one of the state’s that most closely typifies what quintessential “American life”
is like, from centuries ago up until now.
If you’re moving to Kansas, there are a lot of things you’re going
to need to know. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.
Things to Know When Moving to Kansas
Kansas Climate
The state has an average of 230 sunny days per year and the highest average temperature recorded annually is around
92 degrees. The lowest average temperatures typically occur in January, when it can drop to as low as 18 degrees.
The comfort index of the state, which is based on humidity, is 31/100 and the U.S as a whole is around 44.The
state gets 32 inches of rainfall every year and the average yearly snowfall recorded in the state is 16 inches.
The precipitation recorded in the state is about 70-77 percent. The state is prone to a lot of tornadoes, with
an average speed of 14 mph (23 kph). Dodge City is said to be the windiest city in the U.S.
Registering your Car
Upon your arrival in Kansas after moving to the state permanently, you have a total
of 90 days to update your registration and have your vehicle registered in the state before you may be
required to pay a penalty.
Obtaining a Kansas Driver's License
A Kansas Driver’s License can be obtained at any Kansas DMV location.
The state requires new Kansas residents to update their license from their previous state to a Kansas driver’s
license as soon as possible after establishing permanent residency in the state. A driving test does not have
to be taken if you have a currently valid out-of-state license, but supplemental driving courses are available.
Crime Rankings
As of 2011, Kansas was ranked 29th out of 50 states in violent crime, with a total of less than 30
violent crimes for every 100,000 people in the state.
Industries
Kansas ranks seventh among all states for total agricultural production. The state’s top five agricultural
products in terms of the revenue generated are soybeans, wheat, corn for grain, cattle and calves and hogs. The primary
products manufactured in the state are transportation equipment, such as light aircraft, military aircraft, missiles,
air craft parts, railroad freight cars and railroad passenger cars. Business services, community services, personal services
and government services also add to the overall Kansas’s state revenue. Petroleum and natural gas are the most mined
products of the state.
Employment Statistics
As of early 2012, the state of Kansas had an unemployment rate of 6.2 percent, which is much lower than the national
average of 8.2 percent.
Average Income
The median household income in the state of Kansas is $49,424, while the average per capita income
for the state is $25,907.
Moving and Storage
If you are looking for a moving company or storage facility to help you with anything,
you should check to make sure the company is registered with the United States Department of Transportation or
with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Real Estate
The average listing price for homes in Kansas is $201,198, while the median sales price is just over $59,044.The Kansas Association of Realtors is the official real estate resource for the state of Kansas.
Major landmarks and attractions
Little House on the Prairie; Celebration of Freedom Memorial; Memorial Hall;
Konza Prairie; Old Prairie Town at Ward Meade Historic Site; Heritage Walk On the Square; Thomas County Courthouse;
First National Bank Building; Grinter State Historical Site
Largest Cities: Overland Park, Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, Lawrence, Olathe, Manhattan
Schools
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and the Kansas Association for Conversation and Environmental Education
(KACEE) have announced recently that Brookwood Elementary, Eisenhower High School and Erie High School are among
the 78 schools named U.S Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools. The state is also among the 29 states
with schools receiving their first- ever awards. In addition, there are a lot of special education programs available
for students who are moving to the state. Some of the most well-known universities located in Kansas are the
University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Emporia State University, and Wichita State University, among
many others.
National Parks
Fort Larned National Historic Site
Fort Scott National Historic Site
Nicodemus National Historic Site
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
State park System
Kansas has a lot of state parks which are filled with greenery and scenery alike, and also
a lot of history and tradition as well. These parks are great places for anyone to have fun and they provide
many opportunities to appreciate the natural wonders of Kansas by hiking, fishing, biking and hunting.
Major Airports
Wichita Mid-Continent Airport
Manhattan Regional Airport
Garden City Regional Airport