You’re moving to Wichita. Now what? Here are ten practical and essential things you need to know about Wichita. Newcomers, welcome!

At noon on every clear-skied Monday the tornado sirens run for a full minute. Do not take cover; this is only a test. For information about preparing your family for imminent inclement weather check this out.

 

There is a mostly unspoken, mostly good-natured East Wichita versus West Wichita rivalry. There will come a time when you’ll need to choose sides, too. I don’t mean to sway you, but there’s the best side and then there’s the West side. To each their own! 

 

One common thing I hear from new transplants is that everyone said they had to move to Andover or Maize. Don’t get me wrong, Andover and Maize are nice, but don’t forget there are so many awesome neighborhoods to live in and explore. No matter where you’re coming from or what you’re looking for I hope you find a piece of the Wichita metro that is just right for you. Try Riverside, College Hill, Delano, No-Mar, Sleepy Hollow, and Crown Heights, or if the ‘burbs are your thing, don’t forget Augusta, Belle Plaine, Cheney, Bel Aire, Park City, Newton, and Derby.

 

You’ll likely never get to fully switch your closets over from winter to summer. In the last year we’ve seen freezing temperatures and triple digits in the same 10-day forecast. Be ready for anything, sartorially speaking. 

 

Wichita is fortunate to get all four seasons, but it comes at a price. Wichita is in the top ten worst places for spring allergy sufferers and the worst for fall allergies. Stock upon tissues and OTC meds now. 

 

 

Kansas is literally flatter than a pancake which has the benefit of giving us a great big sky. And in that expansive sky? Some of the most breathtaking sunrises and sunsets in the world. 

 

There’s a lot to get acquainted with in a new town – leverage Wichita Mom. Whether you’re looking for a dentist,a coffee shop or anything in between, use WMB for their useful guides. Story times, farmer’s markets, OB/GYNs, donuts, pumpkin patches, birthday parties or even where to go on that ever elusive date night.  You name it, our contributors have a recommendation for you! Don’t see something you want to know? Join one of our neighborhood groups and ask!

 

Wichitans are bad drivers. It feels like a betrayal to even admit that. Please accept a preemptive apology and the following excuses: complacency because we spend hordes of time in the car, overconfidence because we drive in all conditions, and, finally, we’re so nice in person we have to be jerks behind the wheel. Sorry.

 

You can call the state to our southeast whatever you’d like, but that river cutting through downtown is pronounced “r-Kansas.” If you’ve ever wondered why the states are spelled the same, but pronounced differently, blame linguistics. 

 

There’s No Place Like Home

Welcome to Ta-Town!