Moving to Kansas

There’s no place like home in Kansas. Kansas is more than just plains and prairie lands. With affordable housing costs and a cost of living below the national average, the Sunflower State has so much to offer. 

The United Van Lines’ 2021 Movers Study found that 47% of people moving to Kansas moved for family reasons, with 56% of people moving being over the age of 55. 

There are pros and cons to living in Kansas depending on the lifestyle you’re looking for. Kansas offers everything from rural communities and small towns to big cities and suburbs. Did we mention that the barbeque is second to none? Remember, that wherever in Kansas your move takes you, United Van Lines can help. 

Kansas Education

With family reasons playing a large role in why people are moving to Kansas, education in the state could be a contributing factor.

Kansas is home to several college towns that take great pride in their universities. Families might be looking for quality higher education institutions for their children down the road.

Kansas’ schools provide not only great opportunities, but also great areas to live in and to visit on game days.

The University of Kansas, located in Lawrence, is ranked 24th among public schools for being one of the best value schools in the country. Popular majors at KU are psychology and journalism. 

Wichita State University has been the top transfer destination in the State of Kansas for Kansas community college students for 10 straight years. WSU is also ranked among the most affordable four-year colleges and universities in the state. The most popular majors are Business and Health professions. For families with higher education not quite on the radar yet, there are plenty of K-12 education options available. Some of the top-ranking school districts based on test scores, graduation rates,  college readiness, and other factors include Blue Valley Unified in Overland Park, DeSoto Unified in DeSoto, and West Elk in Howard, Kansas.

Popular Things To Do in Kansas

Living in Kansas provides no shortage of things to do, for families, retirees, and young professionals moving to the state. No matter the reason for moving to the Sunflower State, there’s a variety of things to do and explore.

Wichita River Festival

Riverfest started nearly 50 years ago as a way to celebrate and unify the community during Wichita’s Centennial and is the largest and longest-running festival in the region. The festival is usually a nine-day celebration with headliner concerts, fireworks, parades, competitions, a marathon, and of course, a food court.

Kansas City Barbeque

Although Kansas City is in both Missouri and Kansas, Kansas City style barbeque is available on both sides of the border. 

With more than 100 restaurants in the area, there are plenty of great options to satisfy everyone’s appetite. Barbeque is taken so seriously here that the Kansas City Barbeque Society was formed and has more than 20,000 members.  

Kansas City is also home to the American Royal World Series of Barbeque. It is the biggest barbeque contest and celebration in the world spanning over two weeks and more than 500 teams. 

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Kansas

The Wizard of Oz is the first thing many people think of when talking about Kansas. The Oz Museum in Wamego, Kansas is home to exclusive exhibits and memorabilia of all kinds. 

In Sedan, Kansas you can walk the Yellow Brick Road and find bricks bought by celebrities ranging from Bob Hope, Elizabeth Taylor, Whoopi Goldberg, and more.   

Working in Kansas

At 35%, job-related reasons were the second reason people moved to Kansas in 2021, according to United Van Lines’ Movers Study. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kansas’ unemployment rate has continued to improve. From November 2020 to November 2021, the unemployment rate has decreased from 4.7% to 3.6%. The state’s current 3.6% unemployment rate also out-performs the national average of 4.8%. With this ample employment growth, it’s not hard to see why people are moving to Kansas for employment. 

Major industries in Kansas include agriculture, where Kansas ranks as the number one producer of wheat in the U.S., and number 3 in cattle production. 

Logistics is also a thriving industry in Kansas, thanks to its accessible location in the middle of the country. 117,000 Kansas are employed through the transportation, warehousing, and wholesale trade sectors.

Kansas’ location in the middle of the US also makes corporate and professional services a large industry in the state. Over 60,000 people are employed through these markets. Major companies that have moved to Kansas include CarMAx, Quest Analytics, and Navatek CFD Technologies. 

If you’re moving to Kansas for a new job but have retirement in mind, you’re not alone. According to MoneyRates.com, Kansas’ high scores in healthcare, economy, and lifestyle place it on the list of top 20 places to retire in the United States.

Weathering the Storm in Kansas

Kansas weather allows residents to enjoy four distinct seasons. Parts of Western Kansas have a semi-arid and cold climate. The summers can be hot and humid, with snowy and cold winters. 

Spring brings rain and just like in the Wizard of Oz – tornadoes.

Tornado season runs from mid to late April through the middle of June. It’s important to be mindful of it when planning to move.

Ready to Move to Kansas? Let United Get You There

A professional moving company can make your move as simple and efficient as possible, so you can enjoy everything that the Sunflower State has to offer without headache. 

United Van Lines offers a variety of long-distance moving services that can be tailored to your needs, so check out our services and start an online quote.

MyUnited Move Portal

United Van Lines’ MyUnited Move Portal personalizes your move experience and helps you stay organized on your moving journey to the Sunflower State. It provides customized tools to keep track of your important contacts and major milestones so you can move with confidence.