Lawrence

About Lawrence

Positioned in a leafy part of northeastern Kansas, Lawrence is a charming city that's home to beautiful neighborhoods, a thriving arts scene and several high-ranking educational institutions. Its diverse economy offers a range of local jobs, while a well-developed transit and road system makes it easy to get around town. With all of these benefits, Lawrence has become a highly desirable place to live.

Living in Lawrence

Lawrence's location along the meandering banks of the Kansas and Wakarusa rivers, combined with its pretty public parks, help to give it a small-town vibe that nature lovers are sure to enjoy. Small grocery stores, medical clinics and restaurants are sprinkled throughout most neighborhoods, while large shopping malls and highly rated restaurants can be found in the city's busiest areas. With the public transportation links and well-connected road system, you'll be able to easily travel anywhere in the city.

The main east-west highway, K-10, makes it easy to travel from the city to other destinations in the state and throughout the country. Kansas City International Airport is 51 miles away, and shuttle buses are available to transport you to and from Lawrence. Public transportation options include a number of bus routes in Lawrence and the suburbs, as well as several railway lines running through the city.

Lawrence's Music Scene

Local venue The Replay Lounge has been named as one of the top music venues in the country. The Lied Center of Kansas is another important arts and music venue in the area, hosting Broadway musicals, touring dance companies and a number of well-known musicians. The University of Kansas has a student-managed radio station that's been a local institution for years, acting as a major presence in the city's music scene.

Lawrence Schools

Unified School District 497 operates the public elementary, middle and high schools in Lawrence. Local high schools are known for their athletic performance, holding records for state championships and winning seasons. If you're planning to enroll your child in private school, you have your choice of parochial, Montessori or Waldorf campuses.

If you're planning to pursue higher education in Lawrence, you'll have several top-rated campuses to choose from. The University of Kansas has degree programs in hundreds of fields of study. Haskell Indian Nations University is known for its American Indian Hall of Fame, while the Pinnacle Career Institute is a technical career college known for its electronics, massage and medical courses.

Resources for Moving to Lawrence

Here are a few helpful resources for planning your move to Lawrence:

• Utilities: Westar Electric and Black Hills Energy are Lawrence's major energy suppliers. The city manages water and sewer services.
• Garbage and Recycling: Trash and recyclables are collected curbside in most residential areas of Lawrence.
• Transportation: Lawrence Transit and KU on Wheels operate a network of bus routes throughout the city. The county also operates intercity bus services between the college campuses of Lawrence and Overland Park.

Lawrence Housing

Lawrence is made up of 19 neighborhoods, each with its own distinct attractions, facilities and personality. If budget is no issue, you can consider the high-end real estate on Nicklaus Drive or Stone Meadows Drive, which feature upscale apartments and townhouses. To get the best value for your money, try the Peterson Road/Iowa Street area. The tree-lined neighborhoods that surround the University of Kansas are a popular choice for those who love greenery and shopping. While home prices in Lawrence are among some of the highest in Kansas, they do fall below the average property costs for the United States.