11 Things to Know When Moving to Kansas
Kansas is a state in the Midwestern United States. You can expect a small-town feel with big-city amenities in Kansas. It is affordable and a family-friendly state with a lot of outdoor activities, parks and some of the best hospitals. The state is also home to some great educational institutions. In addition to this, Kansas’s weather is quite predictable, and you can expect to enjoy all four seasons throughout the year. So, if you are considering moving to Kansas, there are several things you need to know and prepare. Here are 11 things you need to know before moving to Kansas.
What to Know Before your Move to Kansas
1. Before you Arrive in Kansas
Find a reliable moving company, truck rental or moving container
For your move to Kansas, you will need to hire a reliable moving company or take on the move yourself. To find the best moving company in Kansas, look for good reviews, a professional-looking website, and years of experience.
Planning a move to Kansas? Have a look at our selection of
Forward your mail
If you are moving to Kansas permanently and you receive a lot of mail (excluding packages), you may want to sign up with USPS’s mail forwarding service. Mail forwarding will allow your mail to be redirected to the right address for a given period of time. The fee for regular mail forwarding is only a little over a dollar for 6 months. If you want to extend the service, you will have to pay around $20 for 6 months more. You can begin your mail forwarding process by signing up on USPS’s website or directly at your local Post Office.
Sell or donate the items you won’t need in Kansas
Moving to a new place is an opportunity to start afresh. If you’re moving to Kansas, selling or donating the items you won’t need will go a long way in making your move easier. You can sell your old household items and personal possessions, and anything that will not be useful. Pick out the items that will not be useful for you in Kansas, then decide if you want to sell them on websites like Craigslist or Facebook MarketPlace or donate them to a non-profit organization.
2. What are the First Steps to Take When Arriving in Kansas?
Change your address
Along with mail forwarding, you will also have to update your new address with the concerned authorities in Kansas like the DMV. To exercise your right to vote in Kansas, you can register to vote online, by mail, in person or by fax. To register by mail, in person or by fax, you need to submit a completed Kansas Voter Registration Application to your local KS county election office. You should also change your address with your employer, bank, doctor, insurer, and service providers so that you can avoid any complications further down the road. You will have to register at least 21 days before elections if you wish to participate.
Exchange your driver’s license
Once you move to Kansas and establish residency, you must transfer your out-of-state driver’s license within 90 days. In order to transfer your out-of-state driver’s license, you’ll need to visit the DOR office in person and bring acceptable documents as proof of your lawful status, name, date of birth, social security number and some additional documents as well. If you have a valid out-of-state driver’s license, your written and driving test will be waived.
Register your vehicle
If you have just moved to Kansas, you’ll have to register your out-of-state vehicle within 90 days of establishing residency. Failure to do so might result in penalties and additional charges. To get your car registered in Kansas, you will have to visit your local KS DOR office along with your vehicle title, driver’s license, proof of insurance, registration application, and payment for your registration fee. You might also have to get your vehicle inspected, depending on whether it was purchased in or out-of-state.
Consider getting health insurance
Getting health insurance is an excellent way to get peace of mind when it comes to your health. With health insurance, you will not have to worry about spending a ton of money in case of a health-related emergency. The state of Kansas proposes a website to help you with your health insurance search. Simply choose Kansas as your state and create an account.
Consider getting home insurance
Getting home insurance is essential, whichever state you are residing in. It is a kind of financial protection that will cover for your expenses if a natural disaster damages your home. Residents in Kansas are at a high risk of severe storms, floods, tornadoes, hailstorms, earthquakes, landslides, and wildfires. Therefore, getting home insurance will prove to be valuable.
3. Best Places to Live in Kansas
If you are a couple, you might want to consider living in Overland Park. It offers a good quality of life, good job prospects, a low crime rate and an active and friendly neighborhood.
If you are a family, you might want to consider Leawood. Leawood offers a prospering job market and a low crime rate (55% below the Kansas average). Additionally, Leawood is filled with some amazing restaurants, shopping areas and two of the top-performing school districts in the country.
If you are single, you should consider moving to Manhattan. Manhattan offers a thriving college environment; it is home to the University of Kansas. The people here are very welcoming and friendly. In addition, it has some amazing restaurants.
4. Housing and Renting in Kansas
How to find an apartment in Kansas?
If you are looking for an apartment for rent in Kansas, these websites will help you out.
How to find a house in Kansas?
5. How to Set Up Utilities in Kansas?
Electricity, water, and gas in Kansas
Kansas Municipal Utilities is responsible for regulating electricity, natural gas, water and telecommunication services in Kansas. They ensure that consumers are provided with accessible, safe and reliable energy services at reasonable rates. You can visit their website and search for electricity, water and gas providers and even reach out to them if you have any inquiry. The main purpose of KMU is to keep the customers well informed regarding the services they are getting from the utility providers.
Internet and cell phone in Kansas
Getting a reliable internet service provider is what everyone desires. The state of Kansas has some of the best internet providers and is the 34th most connected state in the USA with 78 broadband providers and 94% residents having access to 25 Mbps internet service. Internet providers in Kansas offer a wide range of prices, speed and connection types. When it comes to a high-speed internet connection, there is a wide variety of options to choose from in Kansas, including cable, DSL, Fiber and Satellite. The best internet providers in Kansas will have bundling options, various speeds, and multiple package options at reasonable prices.
6. Cost of Living in Kansas
The average cost of living in Wichita, Kansas per month is $1825 for a couple.
Cost of living per month for a couple in Wichita
Expense | USD $ |
Rent – Mortgage | $500 |
Utilities (gas, water, electricity, phone, internet) | $250 |
Groceries | $275 |
Entertainment | $100 |
Insurance (home, car, health) | $550 |
Other (transportation, material goods) | $150 |
Source: Numbeo, TheZebra, Trusted Choice, Love Money