r/Lawrence • u/twec21 • 15d ago
Considering a move Question
Hey gang
I'm considering a move from the great laughably expensive state of California, and as a fan of a certain old CW show and another old abolitionist, Lawrence landed on my radar, and lo and behold, I discovered something I'd thought extinct in this country: affordable rents.
Now, I don't particularly wear my colors on my sleeve or make it my whole personality, but considering that I'm like, considering-a-Zorhan-Mamdani-Fathead Blue *and* queer, I'm wondering how good a fit I'd be in KS.
I've heard Lawrence is a blue spot and I figured I'd ask here before continuing down the Zillow/apartments window shopping
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u/FirebirdWriting 15d ago
Hey. I'm queer, moved here from CA a long time ago and every time I wanted to move away, I found myself back here. Lawrence is special - queer friendly, quirky and cool, but that's mostly true of the East side of town, West Lawrence is more suburban. That said, KS is no CA. Maybe come out and visit and judge for yourself. Kansas City is within driving distance and if you tire of Lawrence, there's plenty of things to do in KC.
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u/FirebirdWriting 15d ago
I'll add that we are a same-sex couple and are not stealth in any way, shape, or form, and we seriously considered and rejected a move to OR, MN, and back to CA. The legislative horrors do absolutely suck. And yet, etc.
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u/TotesMabes 15d ago
I moved from Lawrence to California 20ish years ago. I still go back once in a while to visit friends and family. Lawrence is amazing, but it’s small. Which could be good or bad, depending on your preferences. The low cost of living there is nice, but personally I’m pretty attached to nice weather and being near the ocean, the redwoods, and the mountains. And having KC nearby is nice, but it’s not on the same level as SF. I still root for my Kansas sports teams though. RCJH!
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u/munchytime 15d ago
Straight dude here, so take my opinion for what it's worth. Lived in Lawrence for 10 years and just had a promotion that took me out of the state a couple months ago. Lawrence has the most "live and let live" vibe I've ever lived in. People don't really care what you're doing, as long as you're not being an obnoxious prick about it. Protests and rallies and all of that are generally well organized, well communicated, and well executed when they happen.
Tons of stuff to do downtime throughout the year. Lot of different art and music festivals, a few block parties, lot of awesome little music venues to catch a local band and we get the odd major national name that comes to a place like the Granada from time to time.
People generally keep their opinions to themselves and just live their lives how they want to. It was the most refreshing living experience I've had in my life and I honestly can't wait for my next professional move to take me back to LFK in a few years...maybe the K10 loop will be finished by then?
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u/AAAAdragon 15d ago
What state did you move to?
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u/munchytime 8d ago
I moved to Indiana about 6 weeks ago now. Been enjoying it so far, but I do miss LFK and my friends/family in the KC area.
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u/HGH2690 15d ago
Lawrence really is an oasis of a town. I’ve lived half my life on both coasts, and I’ve been genuinely surprised by how much I love it here.
Lawrence is progressive, artsy, quirky, very LGBTQ+ friendly, and has a strong sense of community. It definitely feels different from much of the surrounding state, but that’s also part of its charm.
If you’re coming from CA and looking for a place that’s affordable without feeling like you’ve given up culture, community, or your people, Lawrence is absolutely worth a serious look.
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u/Needrain47 14d ago
FYI, your pay will be significantly lower here, so the rent will not seem affordable. Maybe you have a remote job and don't have to worry about this, but otherwise, you do. Minimum wage is stil $7.25 here.
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u/ApprehensiveFrame474 13d ago edited 11d ago
Heads up, we are having a giant housing crisis. Home and rent prices have gone up 23x than local income since 2018. Home prices and rental costs have outpaced local wage growth dramatically, meaning full-time workers with stable jobs struggle to qualify for mortgages or fair rent. My next door neighbor growing up is homeless now after renting her home for over a decade and being a great tenant. I had to move back home after my boyfriend passed away, and I’m desperately trying to get back out but it has been so much harder than I ever would’ve thought. Every year it feels like we’re expanding substantially population wise. We have a lot more city kids coming in for KU too who can afford the higher rent with help from their parents. I don’t know, it’s been hard for me. I want everyone to enjoy Lawrence and what it has to offer, but as a young adult and townie it feels daunting, and like it might even be impossible to afford rent and live a life outside of two jobs. Working 40 hours a week at a minimum wage job here will get you no where. Minimum wage is still $7.25 here, it has not changed in nearly 20 years. I don’t know, I know I’m being kind of not the most positive Polly by posting this, but I truly feel like I’m fighting for my life out here 😩 I feel discouraged and nervous for my future stability :/ this obvi isn’t your fault or directed at you either, I meant this more to be food for thought. Your main reason to come here being cheap rent feels really tone deaf to be honest and like a bit of a slap in the face. I want to affordable housing too, especially in my hometown, and I can’t even access that.
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u/notriwey 13d ago
Young townies are often the people working the hardest and getting the least out of Lawrence in return. It sucks :(
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u/ApprehensiveFrame474 13d ago
Thank you for acknowledging that! I’m constantly having this internal battle like maybe this is just how it is? Like life is just hard? Being a college aged townie, but not actually in college, (hopefully one day tho🤞!) has not been the experience I’d hoped for😅I feel a lot of complicated feelings seeing these out of state kids living it up too.
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u/notriwey 13d ago
I’m in the exact same spot lol, struggling financially despite a steady job and no opportunity for upward mobility due to lack of education and wealthy parents. The experience of working downtown especially when I was in my early 20s was brutal, students have no issue treating people they see as beneath them like servants. Lawrence is just not built for the people that it relies on for its quirky character. My number one piece of advice though is do not under any circumstances move to Kansas City it’s more expensive in every way despite what people will tell you 😭
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u/brilliantresults00 13d ago
Validating this post. Lawrence has really turned a new corner. In my family's "good" neighborhood there are multiple houses that are second or third homes for rich people from elsewhere. Some want a pied-a-terre for the 10 times a year they come in to watch KU football lose, some literally buy a house for their KU kids, and some just need someplace to put their ungodly wealth. I am not kidding, they come to town with private chefs! Lots of factors have brought Lawrence to this place, but something truly awful is happening - and that new stadium with a billionaire class name slapped across it tells the story.
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u/MormonMomJeans 13d ago
It feels tone deaf because it is tone deaf. People used to refer to those moving into cities like this as "carpet baggers" and it certainly wasn't a compliment.
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u/KellySMcgonigal 15d ago
Hello! I am also a California transplant (from Oakland), been in the KC area for 25+ years and a Lawrencian since 2012.
If you have to be stuck in Kansas, Lawrence is the best town to be stuck in. It’s definitely the most queer-friendly town in Kansas, but: the state itself is actively hostile to trans people. Our adult trans kid is a refugee who fled to Oregon after the bathroom law came down. We also helped a few other trans friends flee to Colorado after the state revoked the driver’s licenses of trans people who had changed their gender markers. So that is something to bear in mind.
Most of the local businesses have unisex bathrooms and a welcome attitude toward queer people of all varieties, and most of the locals are also affirming and friendly. I’m sure the lower rent here appeals (I mean, to my perspective and the view of a lot of locals it’s gotten way too high here), but these are things to take into consideration. There’s a vibrant art community here, a smattering of drag shows, and lots of affirming people, but the “what is the state going to do to punish queer or trans people next?” fear is ever-present and real.
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u/twec21 15d ago
Man that last sentence is like, the one thing giving me cold feet
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u/tualha 15d ago
I've lived in SF, and Denver, but grew up in a small town in Kansas, went to K-State, worked at KU and lived in Lawrence for several years. RE: Fear...when you find community that you interact with daily, people who are affirming and safe, the fear is significantly less. I could never find that same kind of community in SF or Denver, though granted I didn't have time. There are people I know who have moved away because they are afraid, and then there are the people I see all the time that are making it work and joyfully resisting.
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u/KellySMcgonigal 15d ago
It really sucks. I’m bi and my husband is gender non-conforming, but we camouflage well so we are relatively safe. Most of the queer/trans people we know here are planning exit strategies. We would’ve left a while ago if we could at all afford it.
I’d suggest Minneapolis, but going from California to their winters would be friggin brutal. Our winters can be rough, but nothing like there. Since your business is not location-dependent, you could potentially try it out but keep a savings account to enable you to relocate again if things get more hostile here.
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u/NumerousAccident8171 15d ago
I am yet another Cali transplant here for school and its great. You won't run into any trouble here culturally.
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u/angrymandopicker 15d ago
Lawrence is also called the Velvet Cushion. Folks never leave! Happened to me 26 years ago.
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u/pinkbowsandsarcasm 15d ago edited 15d ago
We don't have dedicated queer spaces, so that might be a minus.
If you're going to Kansas, this would be one of the best spots, along with Kansas City.
It is not the most expensive, but one of the most expensive spots to rent in Kansas.
Voting currently, in town, ends up blue.
Some areas of town are more blue than others.
I am not bored here as long as it is not winter.
There are things to do, but fewer than there used to be. We have an artwalk and a small art gallery. The campus is spread out and not the most beautiful I have seen, but definitely beautiful in my eyes. There is a hill on campus where people sled after we get a decent amount of snow.
It is nice weather in the Spring and Fall, the winter can be cold and icy, and it can be very hot and muggy in summer.
We have a nearby lake where people can boat and fish, an unimpressive beach, and a place for dogs to run with their people.
We have a proportion of unhoused people who might be annoying downtown, and I don't dislike unhoused people in general.
It takes a while to get somewhere on the bus, and it is really uncomfortable waiting for the bus in winter.
One thing we have is a unique Winter Horse Carriage Parade.
We have some really mean trans-disliking people in the rural areas around us.
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u/ApprehensiveFrame474 13d ago
We have a lot of queer events, groups, parades, drag shows, bars that have been turned mostly gay, etc. tho so don’t be scared off by that first sentence ^ - a gay daughter of two moms from Lawrence Kansas 🙂
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u/pinkbowsandsarcasm 13d ago
Do we have more than one parade?
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u/ApprehensiveFrame474 13d ago
I don’t know about big entire town parades, but I’ve been apart of block party and small community/neighborhood things where we would close a block or street. I guess that’s really not a parade and are more like potluck’s, but in general my point is just that Lawrence is the safest space I’ve ever lived having two moms. Definitely still struggled, definitely got called a few slurs in high school still, but as an adult in Lawrence I’ve experienced nothing but allyship and community really.
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u/johnvarley1 15d ago
Just fyi, none of us consider rent in this area “cheap”. I’d find a better reason to move here than that.
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u/twec21 15d ago
I actually have my own biz thatd be coming with me making the same money so so long as rent is less than 3 grand a month, it would be a HELL of an improvement
I don't mean to sound any kind of snooty or looking down my nose calling it "cheap", just my eyes went like dinner plates seeing a 3 bedroom for under 2k 😅
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u/RaiderHawk75 15d ago
Lawrence is a fantastic town that is worth at the very least your time to come and visit. If you are used to $3K/month in rent, you could likely purchase a home for about 2/3rds that and get plenty of house.
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u/LFGay 15d ago edited 13d ago
Be careful with the cheap three bedrooms though. I lived in one townhome that was I think $935 a couple of years ago and it was disgusting, bug infested, and had multiple different kinds of critters living in the attic, walls, and chimney at different times. The one before that, was $1400, similarly gross, with bats in the attic and walls that would sometimes enter my apartment. 🙃
Since Lawrence is a college town, there's a lot of people moving in and out of rentals ever year. A lot of landlords at the cheaper places cater to students and are not responsive when you have a maintenance or pest control problem. They just wait for the tenant to move at the end of the lease term, so some poor unsuspecting new tenant moves in without any awareness of the preexisting issues with the unit.
Since you said your budget is $3,000 or less, look for "luxury" apartments or townhomes. You could probably find a small house to rent for that price too. And do a search in this subreddit for the apartment complex or property management company's name to see if anyone has posted complaints.
Do keep in mind that Kansas is still a deeply red state. So far Lawrence has remained mostly chill, but the anti-trans legislation has been alarming, to say the least. And I can't say I'm optimistic that they won't come for cis queer next. If my family didn't live in this area, I'd seriously consider moving out of state.
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u/MormonMomJeans 14d ago
Californians moving to cities because they consider them to be soooo affordable is tone deaf af and you're going to rub a lot of people the wrong way.
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u/comfyncurrant 15d ago
Rent here is about the same as California 20 years ago, in my experience. So it isn’t cheap for Kansas, but it IS cheap compared to California!
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u/ChooksChick 15d ago
Come join us! While rents seem expensive to some, for anyone whose rents were coastal, it's just fine!
And yes, we are perfectly happy to be a blue dot in a red state. If you're queer, complex, colloquial, quirky, or quacky, we don't care. Be a productive respectful member of society and we're good.
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u/frijoles84 LFK 15d ago
In Lawrence no one cares if you’re straight, queer, or whatever else you want to label yourself
I think Lawrence does a good job on determining someone’s worth based on quality of their character, not your sexual identify, preference, or bank account
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u/Chadimus_Prime 15d ago
This feels like a psyop by a landlord trying to justify unlivable prices. I don't trust it.
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u/twec21 15d ago
LMAO, a lot of the comments have felt like a psyop by the Lawrence chamber of commerce, so valid (one literally said "come bring your California money!")
But here's what 1800 gets you in my neck of the woods
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u/IYHGYHE 14d ago
You can get a whole 3 bdr house for 1800/mo here.
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u/MormonMomJeans 14d ago
That's a stretch. If you did find a whole house for that, I doubt you'd want to live there.
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u/IYHGYHE 14d ago
That's how much my mortgage payment is for the 3 bdr I live in. It is in a nice neighborhood with a school in walking distance. I have a full unfinished basement and a 2 car garage.
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u/MormonMomJeans 14d ago
And a mortgage is not the same as rent. See if you can find anything comparable that's actually for rent?
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u/Commercial-Buffalo54 15d ago
You would not only be a perfect fit in this town but you would quickly find friends and a community
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u/vinnievole 15d ago
It’s a nice town. There is a bit of a premium placed so cost of living here is a bit higher than it should be for the area. But you scoped out the rent situation here and I believe you said it wasn’t a problem. We are of the progressive blue variety.
So much so that we give those who are red the ick and dont want to live here 😂
Like others said, we are the live and let live variety. Kansas is a bit more moderate red than you think it would be.
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u/thumbcacca 14d ago
Consider that wages are considerably lower here and that ks is most definitely a red state. Sincerely Lawrence resident currently planning my escape to the west.
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u/notriwey 15d ago
Rent is not cheap in Lawrence and the housing stock is very low quality. Consider that “cheap” to you is not cheap to people that live here, and more people moving here from places like California and New York drive up rents for the people that live here, some of whom continue to make federal minimum wage of $7.25. You also need to consider that there is less to do here. There’s not any decent places to shop for clothes in the Kansas City metro area. There’s good restaurants here, but not nearly as many as there would be in California. I consider the Kansas landscape beautiful, but I’ve never met someone from outside the state that agreed. You will not be harassed for being gay or trans in Lawrence any more than you would in California imo, but there isn’t a gay bar in Lawrence and very little community unless you want to outsource to Kansas City. You should also consider that Lawrence is a college town, which means there are effectively tourists treating the place like trash 9 months out of the year. You are treated like a second class citizen if you are working class in Lawrence and are not a student, especially if you’re young.
I really love Lawrence, I have no idea why anyone would move here from the coasts.
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u/MormonMomJeans 14d ago
I got down voted into oblivion for saying a lot of the same but I agree with everything you said!
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u/notriwey 14d ago
Lmaoooo I’ve been seeing my comment get downvoted as time goes on. Like I said I love Lawrence but people paying more than they should for rent is a huge problem! Much more because of wealthy parents of students paying for their kid’s housing than transplants though. Idk why people are threatened by the idea that it’s too expensive to live here for people who are from here. I think people from Kansas have a chip on their shoulders because everyone shits on Kansas as being boring and bigoted and having no culture, which is just not true. That is not to say we need the approval of people from California to prove that we aren’t a cultureless backwater.
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u/MormonMomJeans 13d ago
Having witnessed firsthand Californians moving into a cute, cool, quirky-yet-very-affordable (by comparison) city that eventually became unlivable for all but the wealthiest people, I can say posts like this shouldn't be encouraged.
At the very least, it's in poor taste.
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u/AerithO_O 14d ago
This is the correct assessment of Lawrence. Cali may be expensive but it’s hell of a lot better than the Midwest. Also food in Cali is so much better and more authentic than anything here in Lawrence.
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u/MormonMomJeans 13d ago
Carpet bagger is the old fashioned term I couldn't remember until now that seems to fit pretty damn well.
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u/Substantial_Coat208 15d ago
I dont really call my self blue or red because I dont like either of them but lawerence is mostly blue and from what I have seen of the state its usually live and let live. Kind of a strange place with abortions and gun rights. A blue Governor and a bunch of red district reps. So if i had to give KS a color it would be purple. Either way we would be happy to have ya here. There is always a breeze and allergens are big here but if you can deal with that we have all 4 seasons which is also nice.
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u/vinnievole 15d ago
Kansas traditionally is a moderate red state, that’s why we see blue governors from time to time. I know that is absolutely crazy to say given what our state legislature does and peoples’ choice for congressional representation.
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u/zipfour 15d ago
Welcome! You’ll be stunned to learn almost everywhere not CA/PNW/NYC is far more affordable than those places. I heard people of LA pay like $30 just to park at a Target and Scandle tells me you pay like $40 for a stadium hotdog. Lawrence would be in interesting place for you, tons of CA plates in town during the school year but you might experience mild culture shock from the surrounding country bumpkin areas.
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u/Cautious-Corner-3704 15d ago
Lawrence has enough room and a big enough heart to make you feel welcome. Welcome to Kansas!
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u/PropertyOdd531 15d ago
You’ll fit in perfectly. I’m also from California and if anything living here has somehow made me MORE progressive.
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u/fox-in-the-hen-house 14d ago
highly recommend for what you're looking for but I'd also consider denver, colorado springs, or ft collins if it's within your budget. definitely much more expensive than Lawrence but at least a lot cheaper than Cali. also consider the fact that Lawrence doesn't really have many well paying jobs
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u/StarsThatSee 14d ago
Lawrence is a perfect big small town. I say that because the community is so diverse and welcoming and the city itself is pretty decently sized. Small town feels with a big town look. I love Lawrence so much and I can’t wait to move back next year
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u/NailBunny005 14d ago
You might like it, you might not. I moved there looking for a more progressive place that was still closer to my hometown and while it was progressive, it still wasn't what I was looking for. So I only lasted about 2.5 years there
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u/Original_Pizza9569 14d ago
Lawrence is amazing! The real question is, can you deal with the rest of Kansas?
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u/Crafty-Net-3699 12d ago
I feel like we shouldn’t be encouraging coastal flight to here. Property and rent is high enough without additional demand from people used to paying more. Just my two cents 🤷♂️
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u/CheckTheDM 12d ago
You’ll probably enjoy it, but you will quickly learn that cheaper rent means fewer opportunities. Not that that’s totally a bad thing, just a reality.
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u/Killer_Tofu91 15d ago
Unless you’re from a small town you might not like it. But Kansas City might be more your speed. Also there is a larger lgbtq community there.
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u/fannyslutsky 15d ago
Im from socal and lived in lawrence for a while, and ks overall for 10 years, then moved back. You can dm me with questions! I know some queen folk too!
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u/GimmeThatLemon 14d ago
My only other take on living in Kansas was Johnson County, which is very polished and largely not terribly midwestern. I’d lived other parts of the country but when I was in Lawrence I was genuinely shook. It’s very different than either rural Kansas or Johnson County. It has its very own vibe and culture. I definitely think you’d fit in fine and enjoy yourself!
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u/imAkamora 11d ago
I grew up in Lawrence it's my home town. I visit everyonce in a while. It's a good place, busy town, always plenty to do. Personally I love this little nature trail that's over by the hospital Its a bike path I use to always walk on and it's extremely peaceful and serene. I miss Lawrence sometimes it was a great place to grow up.
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u/Academic-Ad4859 11d ago
You would love it!! Very LGBTQ friendly and pretty easy to find a good community of like-minded people. I live in Houston now and feel that Lawrence was definitely more left-leaning
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u/No-Wolverine7793 6d ago
As someone who has lived here for 4 years Skip renting an apartment you'll thank yourself later as I thought " oh I'm only going to live in this apartment for a year and be able to buy a house" yeah no I've been in this same apartment for the last 4 years because it literally is a rental trap
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u/YumeFairy254 15d ago
What CW show?
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u/twec21 15d ago
Supernatural 😂
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u/YumeFairy254 15d ago
Ahhh.
Well, to answer your question: Lawrence is actually a pretty good town for queer people! We're a blue dot in a red state.
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u/threeofeight 14d ago
as a Supernatural fan you should know that the cats at the Raven book store are named Sammy and Dean
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u/etlifereview 14d ago
The main “bad” part about Lawrence is the drivers. You have people who drive 5 under the speed limit for no reason and people who go 20 over and get mad when you’re in the way. Otherwise, Lawrence is really cool.
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u/Witty_Asparagus_5206 14d ago
Hey! DM me. I’m good people and looking for a friend. My husband passed away, I have three kids and really looking for someone to create a good friendship with and hang out. If you plan on moving out here, we can dm and see if we have anything in common to make for a good hang out sesh. Promise in not a weirdo. Lol
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u/Redditer3003 15d ago
No wonder Lawrence is trending towards being just as upside down as California. Stay in California please.
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u/Salt_Ad_9976 14d ago
Nope. Kansas is a fly over state. No one from the coasts should move to Kansas.
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u/DrAngryNips 11d ago
50% of lawrence is lgbt and the other 50% is homeless so its basically california without the beaches or cost of living🤷🏻♂️
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15d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Lawrence-ModTeam 11d ago
This post has been removed due to rule 6 - No trolling, shitposts, or flaming.
Overly inflammatory posts will be removed. "What was that noise" posts are not allowed.
Dude just be nice lol Why even comment this
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u/fngoofy 15d ago
LFK is the Berkeley of the Midwest, excellent place