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[jackknife]

Bugpac007, what part of Michigan are you from. I've spent some time in the UP and can tell you that we get less snow in the winter than that but it is a much more bitter sort of cold with the wind. The first time I was in the UP during winter the snow drifts were taller than we were but we didn't near nearly as much clothing for warmth. A sweatshirt or a jacket with a sweater was enough.

I grew up in Dodge and I really loved it. My family is still there and I still consider it home.

I'm actually heading to the UP in July.

[OLDHAG]

But Garden City does not have the GREAT PEOPLE of this board. lol

[jackknife]

I was just thinking of some other positives about Dodge.

There is a great art culture there. You have to look to find it at first but once you know where to look then it is great. There is a great community there. People care about each other and in most cases you will not only know your neighbors but at times socialize with them. There are fun events in the summer for Dodge City Days and you get to feel part of a culture and enjoy events that the whole town comes out to enjoy.

There are so many good points about the town. The cost of living isn't very high and when there is a need the community really pulls together. I don't know, I just like it.

[Bubba]

Originally Posted by OLDHAG

But Garden City does not have the GREAT PEOPLE of this board. lol

The Garden City people that are on this board will no doubt thank you for that.

Originally Posted by jackknife

I was just thinking of some other positives about Dodge.

There is a great art culture there. You have to look to find it at first but once you know where to look then it is great. There is a great community there. People care about each other and in most cases you will not only know your neighbors but at times socialize with them. There are fun events in the summer for Dodge City Days and you get to feel part of a culture and enjoy events that the whole town comes out to enjoy.

There are so many good points about the town. The cost of living isn't very high and when there is a need the community really pulls together. I don't know, I just like it.

Garden City has Beef Empire Days in the summer as well....and the cost of living is lower than the cost of living in Dodge City.

[Highwayman]

Don’t fret about the shopping. It’s only a 30 min drive from Dodge to Garden when the KHP isn’t out. Otherwise it’s an hour unless you drive a Yugo, then it’s an hour and a half.

When it snows in Kansas it comes down sideways. We have a lot of wind because Oklahoma sucks.

Learn to wave at folks on the highway. Those are honest to gosh friendly gestures, not one finger salutes. (Most of the time anyway.)

Be sure to try the calf fries. I think Southwest Kansas is the only place that gets them right.

[Bubba]

Originally Posted by Highwayman

Don’t fret about the shopping. It’s only a 30 min drive from Dodge to Garden when the KHP isn’t out. Otherwise it’s an hour unless you drive a Yugo, then it’s an hour and a half.

When it snows in Kansas it comes down sideways. We have a lot of wind because Oklahoma sucks.

Learn to wave at folks on the highway. Those are honest to gosh friendly gestures, not one finger salutes. (Most of the time anyway.)

Be sure to try the calf fries. I think Southwest Kansas is the only place that gets them right.

Are you saying that you would pick Dodge over Garden even with our high property taxes, high car tags, wasteful school system, and City Commissioners that seem inept at their job most of the time?

[Lou]

Pac,

Some very valid posts above or on the previous pages. DB members are helpful and trustworthy. But let me give you another thing or two to think about... I was born and raised in DC, but I've lived in GC for decades.

1. In either town you choose, you need to know that illegal immigrants are the driving force. If you have to visit the emergency room of the hospital in either town for any reason, expect to wait 2 hours or more unless you're brought-in by ambulance. This, the emergency room, is the primary health care facility for illegals. No payment for services expected or received.

2. Both towns have friendly folks, similar to what you might expect in MI.

3. Dodge has a better aura... it's filled with many hardworking folks who pay their taxes, work hard to improve their way of life, and try to maintain a way of life conducive to tourism. Wyatt, Doc and "Marshal Dillon" are long gone, but the myth lives on (secondary to the "packing" trade).

4. Both towns are heavy on the beef packing trade. This industry relies on illegal immigrants as the workforce, so plan to expect that when your children enter either school district.

5. Garden may have better shopping and slightly larger population, but that's about it. Here again, Dodge has the upper hand. While Dodge may not not have a real Sears, a Target, Home Depot or Sam's Club, it has better dining establishments. These establishments have local owners (or managers) who strive to take care of their customers. If in doubt, check threads here on the board concerning local "chain" restaurants.

6. I was born and raised in DC, but I've lived in GC for decades. The memebers of the Dodge Board are good folks who will strive to help you and your family make a good decision pertaining to where to re-locate.

We hope these posts will help you decide where you may want to put your new roots down. Either way, best of luck to you and your family.

To M, this is Lou... forty seven and out.

[Made in the USA]

Welcome Buggie! You might want to check out some of the surrounding towns, also. Spearville, Jetmore, Minneola, Cimarron, Bucklin, Holcomb, Lakin. They all have good schools without the problems of Dodge or Garden, decent housing, less taxes, friendly folks, but you will have to commute, and don't expect alot of amenities of the larger towns.

[Bubba]

There are a lot of people that I know that live in Cimarron(pop. around 2000) and work in Dodge City(20-30 min. drive) they also shop in Garden(35-45min drive). The schools are excellent, the people are very friendly and the illegal immigrant problem isn't near as noticeable in Cimarron.

Here are some links that may be helpful - Cimarron, Kansas (KS) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders

Dodge City, Kansas (KS) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders

Garden City, Kansas (KS) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders

Minneola, Kansas (KS) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news

[bugpac007]

thanks for all the input so far. for us the more info we get the better i have been reading alot online but every one knows that its not like talking to some one who lives there.some people say that crime is really bad in garden city but not as bad in dodge city. i know that crime is every where but they made it sound extreme. thank you to everyone and all your advise i really appriciate it.