Moving to Wichita

[windycityblues]

My wife is finally getting out of the Navy next spring and we're looking to move to Wichita as her and I were both military aircraft mechanics. I'm a sheetmetal guy and she's an engine mech. I'm going to night school right now for my A&P license. She's got family in KC but nobody seems to know much about Wichita. So what's the aircraft jobs look like there? Is there a bad part of town. I had read somewhere that Northside was the nicer part of the area, the Southwestern and Eastern sides were all pretty nice school districts. Any truth to this. Any info on where we should be looking? Any insider tips? We're a new family with 2 kids and it'll be our first home. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[paralegalpete]

Bump......

[Scooter_Trash]

Wish I could help. I'm up in the KC area. The few times I've gone down there the North part of the city did seem better.

[rfranz1952]

I lived in Wichita in the late 70's; and have been within 100 miles of the City for most of my life--all 55 years.

Far Northeast, far west, and far east are also good (and pricey). Southeast not as good, and as you get in closer from any direction, you will find some of the more modest neighborhoods, although even these areas can be pretty mixed, with pockets of relatively good housing and higher wealth, mixed in with concentrations of smaller and older homes.

As with many cities, there are still concentrations of population based on ethnicity. When we lived there, we were in a relatively modest neighborhood with a diverse population.

Not a bad place to live, if you like Cities. Some burbs around, if you don't mind driving a bit. The "yuppie" burb is Derby, which is Southeast of the City, beyond McConnell AFB.

Wish you luck!

[windycityblues]

Thanks for the replies. I've heard of Derby. Also Augusta on the east side. I can't seem to remember anything on the west side. I think someone just told me that alot of the AFB families live out that way. Is there an area where most of the AC manufacturers are or are they kinda all over?

[rfranz1952]

The AC manufacturer's are on the East/Southeast side. Rayteon is east, and Cessna (what was Cessna when I was there) and Boeing (not Boeing anymore) are Southeast. Learjet, I think was west. There are components/feeder companies all over town. I think a lot of Derby folks work at Boeing. Some other burbs I remember, besides Derby:

Haysville: Just West of Derby and S/SW Wichita. AS Derby's is the white collar/yuppie burb, Haysville's rep is blue collar/solid folks.

Goddard: Due west on Hiway 54.
Cheney: North of Goddard, furthur out
Maize: Northeast
Park City (former home of BTK) North on I-135
Newton: About 30 miles north. Solid Small community. Where I went to High School.
Andover (of Andover Tornado fame): Due East. Between Wichita and Augusta.
Eldorado: About 30 miles NE.

There are probably a half a dozen others. Colwich, Valley Center, Kechi. Benton, ranging in size from a few thousand to 25,000 or so for Derby.


Folks drive to work in the Aircraft industry from 1 1/2 hour (60 - 70 miles) or more out.

Topical Interest: Alef's HD is on the North Side, between Park City and Wichita. Brand new location within the last year.

[windycityblues]

So how's the riding there? I'd imagine you can't ride in the winter. I know western Kansas is flat and KC is hillly as all get out.

Is there a lot of work for the aircraft industry or is it hit or miss there too. It's just such a volatile market. Are there any companies that are known for letting people go any chance they get.

I wsa looking in El Dorado too. I think when I started looking at houses on the internet I focused on the east to northeast area cause my wifes family if from KC and the shorter we can make the trip for all parties involved the better.

Sorry if I'm bombarding you with questions. It's just a weird feeling planning on moving somewhere you know practically nothing about other than your prior work history seems to match the economy of the area.

[Carl-04XL]

I was stationed at McConnell from 90 to 92. I lived on S. Hydraulic in the apartment complex just south of E. MacArthur. A bunch of buildings dating from WWII. I could see Boeing (well, a little of the top of their buildings) from my apt. At the time, most of the residential road just to the west of Hydraulic were dirt. I used to take my Jeep on them to do a little urban 4-wheeling to keep the transfer case seals in good shape.

There was decent housing in all directions from McConnell. But, that was in the early 90's. Don't know about now, especially about kinds of neighborhoods.

What I do know is that Wichita, for that matter most of Kansas, is in tornado alley. I watched the Andover Tornado go from south of my apt complex and across the air force base. A little too close for me, as there were no shelters except the bottom of the stairwell, about 3 feet down in the ground in a wood framed building for gosh sakes.

As for opportunities in aviation, Boeing is the West side of the runway of McConnell AFB, Cessna had something off the North end of the runway and a quick 'Find Business' through google maps got these:

Results 1-10 of about 1,261 for aircraft near Wichita, KS - Modify search
Categories: Aircraft Equip & Parts & Supls, Aircraft Mfrs

Midwest Corporate Aviation - more info »
3512 N Webb Rd, Wichita, KS
(316) 636-9700 - close call
Category: Aircraft Servicing & Maintenance

B & S Aircraft Parts & Accessories - more info »
1414 S Mosley St, Wichita, KS
(316) 264-2397 - close call

Kelly Manufacturing Company - more info »
555 S Topeka St, Wichita, KS
(316) 265-6868 - close call
Category: Aircraft Instruments

Wichita Mid-Continent Airport: Yingling Aircraft Inc - more info »
2010 S Airport Rd, Wichita, KS
(316) 943-3246 - close call

Wings Over Wichita - more info »
550 N Webb Rd, Wichita, KS
(316) 687-4999 - close call
Category: Aircraft Equipment Parts & Supplies

Boeing Co - more info »
3801 S Oliver St, Wichita, KS
(316) 526-2121 - close call
Category: Aircraft-Manufacturers

Midcontinent Instruments - more info »
9400 E 34th St N, Wichita, KS
(316) 630-0101 - close call
Category: Aircraft Equipment Parts & Supls-Mfrs

A E Petsche Co Inc - more info »
4545 W Harry St, Wichita, KS
(316) 943-9358 - close call
Category: Aircraft Equip & Parts & Supls

Electromech Technologies - more info »
2600 S Custer Ave, Wichita, KS
(316) 941-0400 - close call
Category: Aircraft Components-Manufacturers

Turbine Rotables - more info »
3414 W 29th St S, Wichita, KS
(316) 943-6100 - close call
Category: Aircraft Equipment Parts & Supls-Mfrs

Good luck on the move and ride safe.

[Carl-04XL]

Oh btw, if you are into darts, Wichita had a good league when I was there. I don't know if they still exist, but you never know. Just go to any bar and if they have boards hanging, ask about the league. Our team used to meet at Mary's on S. Hydraulic several times a month. (Mary's had some good fried mushrooms. :p )

[windycityblues]

Thanks Carl

Yeah Kansas is a threat for tornados for sure. "Tornado Alley" was still west of Wichita but with global warming and all that jazz anything is possible anywhere.

Google maps? I never tried that for searching for stuff. I actually just sent some fuel servos to that B&S for repair. Small world.

[Snuffy]

[QUOTE=windycityblues;814319]So how's the riding there? I'd imagine you can't ride in the winter. I know western Kansas is flat and KC is hillly as all get out.

Kansas ain't flat just seems that way. southeast of Wichita you got the flint hills bunch of old 2 lanes and good riding really in any direction. Been years since I've been there {lived in Haysville].

[windycityblues]

That's reassuring to hear.

[rfranz1952]

So how's the riding there? I'd imagine you can't ride in the winter. I know western Kansas is flat and KC is hillly as all get out.

Is there a lot of work for the aircraft industry or is it hit or miss there too. It's just such a volatile market. Are there any companies that are known for letting people go any chance they get.

I wsa looking in El Dorado too. I think when I started looking at houses on the internet I focused on the east to northeast area cause my wifes family if from KC and the shorter we can make the trip for all parties involved the better.

Sorry if I'm bombarding you with questions. It's just a weird feeling planning on moving somewhere you know practically nothing about other than your prior work history seems to match the economy of the area.

No problem.

I live north of Wichita, about 90 miles in Salina.

A lot of the riders around here stop riding in about October and don't start again until March or April. However, if you can handle temps in the 20's or 30's, you will miss very little in the Winter. I averaged about 1,000 miles per month from November through March, mostly to and from work. I ride unless its below about 25, or if there is threat of rain or snow at those temps. I don't relish the thought of riding on ice. However, I am kind of a lone ranger at that time of year!

As has been referenced, there is some interesting riding from due east of Wichita and up north through the Flint Hills to Emporia and Junction City areas. Also south and west of town are the Gypsum Hills in Southern KS and N Oklahoma. Not Mountain twisty's by any means, but a little break from the flat and straight routine. Also, very little traffic --but you do have to watch for farm equipment, and the locals own both sides of the roads.

The aircraft industry is pretty volotile as far as employment goes. Pretty good jobs, but they can disappear in a heartbeat. My wife used to run a magnesium foundry making flaps. The place is no longer in business, though.

[windycityblues]

I got a ticket in Salina on our move from KC to Washington and it's left a bad taste in my mouth ever since. I had our car loaded with stuff and there was a hill coming up so I gave it some gas to make it up the hill and he was coming the other way. 11mph over. I mean seriously as many speeders as there are on 80 or whatever it was. I can still picture that troopers face and his gay little hat. Grrrrrrrr

Anyhow I'd probably be out there with ya through most of the cold. Any snow on the ground or any chance of snow or ice and I'm truckin it though.

I'm hoping that once I finish off my A&P I can get on with a smaller repair station or something as opposed to the giants but who knows Hawker/Beechcraft is looking for a ton of people from what I've seen.

[bmonty72]

How far is it from Witchita to Cassoday??? There is a big bike gatering the first Sunday of the month in Cassoday, KS.

[bassplayer]

How far is it from Witchita to Cassoday??? There is a big bike gatering the first Sunday of the month in Cassoday, KS.

I think it's about 40mile NE of Witchita, there is a group of us from around Ottawa Ks that maybe going down there the 1st Sunday in Aug.