Cost of living in Manhattan, Kansas

[lore]

Hi, I will have to move to Manhattan (Kansas) and spend over there one to three years, so I am searching for info about cost of living (food, energy, IT, water prices, etc.) per person in Manhattan, Kansas. I am also looking for appartment/condominium in Manhattan not so far from Campus. DO You know the best web sites where I can find such information. THanks in advanced.

[Johnna]

good luck, unless you have a good job its expensive to live here. Apartments can run up to a grand or more. Utilities are not to bad. but everything is a bit more expensive here.

[Katie]

Some would say Manhattan is expensive, but not hardly if you compare to the East or West coast. Visit www.ERAManhattan.com

[Sarah]

Manhattan isn't TOO expensive. Our apartment prices and availablity are rising due to the higher number of military people moving here, but are still far lower than Lawrence (the other major college town).

Check this website for apartment listings: http://www.kstatecollegian.com/classifieds/

It is the school's newspaper.

Food really depends on you and how much you eat. We have a Walmart and a Dillons near campus, and I generally recommend the Dillons for food purchases--get their discount card! Energy isn't too expensive either. It only costs me about $15 a month. I can't tell you about water because my landlord pays it, but many landolords here do. IT is going to be the biggest expense. Cox Communications is the major internet/cable provider here, and the bundle for basic cable and internet is over $90.

Unless you are getting a lot of loans, grants, and scholarships, you will need a job. Many landlords will only take in tenants who can make more money in a month than the rent.

[Sarah]

P.S. I live in Manhattan. I have NO idea why it says I live in Lake Charles, LA. I've never even been there.

[Casey Mears fan]

I am assuming since you are from Poland, that you will be an international student. Check into Jardine apartments on campus, they are for international, married, or graduate students. Since they are in the process of renovating, the prices might be high, but right now it is the cheapest place in town. Also, since the apartments are on campus you get tv and internet for 56 dollars a month and our energy is never over 25 dollars a month

[Lisa]

I have rented in Manhattan, Kansas sinc 1998...started school. I now work professionally in town.

IT DOES NOT COST A GRAND TO LIVE HERE MONTHLY. At least not in rent. I have never paid more than $600.00 for a nice two-bedroom. It is difficult to move in with 2 pets but that's it. Water is normally about $30.00 a month. Basic cable NOT EXPANDED with internet lower speed still fast ($24.00) is still under $50.00. I have my AC and heater on full blast it's the one luxury I will give myself and I never spend more than $100.00/month in an apartment.

I am purchasing a home very soon-1.) because I have 2 dogs and you can't find situable housing with 2 pets in town....2.) because I've thrown enough money away in rent.

I have a great friend that lives in Manhattan, New York and he only pays $1200/month. You don't pay that in this town unless you want a high end apartment or unless you want to rent a huge home on your own. Do your research for landlords and visit your place before you get there and research and you should be fine.

[Denise]

I would like to retire there in Manhattan, sounds like a good place to do so, is there land available,, are property taxes high, are the elementary school and middle schools good, or do they have behavior problems, bullying, etc High crime rate? Welcome newcomers or what? What energy issues are there? Living costs high? how so we'll be coming from Johnson COunty

[joggo]

I need to know where to find job opportunity in kansas state...

[leah]

manhattan is over priced. rent for a house or apartment is so high and there run down. im from tx. big change to me. me and my husband make 4000$ a month and still live pay check to pay check rent for a 3bedroom is between 900 to 1500 a month.

[William]

I heard that Manhattan makes you register all of your firearms and bullets and that you cant keep both of them at your house. i also heard you have to register your dog.

[Sandy M]

I've also lived in Manhattan since 1998. I agree, nowhere will you find an *apartment* that costs $1,000/mo. Duplexes and house may run you that much, but only if it's a 4 bedroom one.
When I got my first apartment, it was a 2 bedroom apt, 1 block from Aggieville (bar district) and 3 blocks from KState campus. It was $500/month plus utilities. The same apartment now goes for $650/month (because of it's location). The closer to campus you are, and/or the newer the building/amenities is what affects the price you will pay. One bedroom apartments are almost as much as 2 bedrooms so it'd make much more sense to get a roommate.
Also, you can access Manhattan's newspaper @ www.themercury.com Check the classifieds in there and also check on www.craigslist.com
Utilities vary on where you live and how new your apartment/house is. Apartments should expect to pay around $60/month electric and houses are closer to $100 depending on how well insulated it is.(also fluctuates between winter/summer times). If you live somewhere where you have to pay your own trash, it runs around $12/month. It's cheaper to get Dish Satellite or Dish Network than going through Cox Communications for Cable. Another option is SCI Cable out of Topeka KS (still cheaper than Cox).
Apartments/house/duplexes all have a "busy time" for turnovers. August and January are the two months when most leases are up so you need to look before then.
As for living here...Manhattan is expanding and developing at a fast pace. No, we still do not have the amenities that, say, Kansas City or Dallas have by a longshot. But we have a very low crime rate and are generally a very friendly town (at least the people that live here YEAR-ROUND are). Our "ghetto" area is still nicer than the middle-income area in bigger cities. There's a wonderful sense of community, and the whole town turns purple during football season. It's a college town, but it's also a family town. There's always something going on or fun things to do, you just have to look for it sometimes.
Welcome to Manhattan!!

[Sandy M]

leah wrote:

manhattan is over priced. rent for a house or apartment is so high and there run down. im from tx. big change to me. me and my husband make 4000$ a month and still live pay check to pay check rent for a 3bedroom is between 900 to 1500 a month.

Yes, if you're renting a house, the prices are exaggerated. Since this IS a college town, usually the only renters are 3-4 college kids and so the rent is split between them to a reasonable amount. You're at a disadvantage since you are military and unsure at how long you will be stationed here. If you knew that you would be here for quite a few years, I would suggest buying a house or down-sizing and renting a townhome/duplex instead. Or, you could look into living in Ogden. Even though they're not far from Manhattan (and closer to post for you), the property rates drop tremendously for renting and buying.
I'm sorry you think that Manhattan only has run-down places to rent. I'm guessing that yours was a sudden move and didn't allow you much time to look around. Hopefully when your lease is up, you'll be able to find somewhere nicer. Have you been put on the list for on-post housing?

[Nick]

You people have no idea how nice all that sounds. I am looking at retiring to a place like Manhattan, Kansas. Now I live in a suburb of LA (Los Angeles, not Louisiana). 2 berdoom/2 bathroom apartment 1600, electricity 150, cable/phone/internet 100, gas $3 a gallon. Manhattan will be a piece of cake on retirement alone.

[joanna]

I'm moving to Manhattan from Atlanta with my 2 girls(10 and 5). what kind of entertainment can i find there for my kids? what are the best schools?