Finding Home on the High Plains: My Life as a Newcomer in Western Kansas
Two years ago, my family packed up everything we knew and left Ohio for a place I’d never really imagined myself living—Western Kansas. I was born and raised in Southern Ohio, in a town where my family had deep roots, living on land my great-great-grandmother once called home. Moving to Kansas felt like stepping into the unknown. But now? I’m grateful beyond words that we took the leap.
From the City to the Plains
Before Kansas, I worked in Columbus—a busy city with endless career opportunities, long commutes, and a fast-paced lifestyle. That experience gave me valuable skills, and I’ll always be thankful for the knowledge I gained there. But what I didn’t realize back then was how different life could be, and how much more opportunity could exist in a place where jobs aren’t always posted online, and where community is the heartbeat of everything.
In Western Kansas, jobs aren’t just about resumes and applications—they’re about relationships. If you put yourself out there, show what you’re capable of, and become part of the community, opportunities open up in ways I never saw coming. If I could go back and talk to 18-year-old Kerissa, I’d tell her: Forget the job boards. Go where the strong communities are. Go where there’s room to grow. Take the risk and stand on your own two feet.
What Kansas Taught Me About Life (and Myself)
Living here has taught me so much more than how to adjust to a new zip code. It’s taught me the difference between needs and wants. It’s shown me that strength comes from within, and that the best friendships aren’t about convenience—they’re about showing up for each other, again and again.
Western Kansas also taught me something I never expected: you have to put yourself out there. In small towns, people invest in people. When you step forward, offer your skills, and become part of the fabric of the community, doors open that you never even knew existed.
The Practical Perks of Prairie Life
Beyond the life lessons, the practical side of living here has been a breath of fresh air—literally and figuratively. Daycare? Homemade meals, no need to pack lunch, and lower costs. Preschool? Free, with transportation for just $2 a day. Healthcare? Today I went to my nurse practitioner, got a mole removed, and was out the door in 20 minutes, still in time for school pickup. Same-day appointments are normal here—not a luxury.
Oil change? They pick up your car and bring it back. Trash service? $25 a month. Internet? Affordable and reliable. Housing? Lower rent, lower cost of living, and you can even get a grant to help you build your first home here—up to $50,000 if you’re moving from out of state.
Slower Pace, Bigger Life
Out here, weekends aren’t for errands and shopping—they’re for family and experiences. Many local businesses close on Saturdays and Sundays because family time matters. The culture prioritizes what truly matters: people, memories, and quality of life.
Traffic? The only “rush hour” is harvest season or school drop-off, where waiting at a stop sign for a full minute feels like a long time. Class sizes are small, and if you want to pick up extra work, there’s always someone looking for help.
What about rules and red tape? They’re practically non-existent. You can build, create, and innovate without drowning in permits and regulations. It’s a place that trusts its people to make good decisions.
More Opportunity, Less Anxiety
If you had told me five years ago that a town of 2,000 people would give me more career opportunities, less stress, and more personal growth than any corporate job ever could, I wouldn’t have believed you. But Western Kansas has given my family a better start, a stronger foundation, and a clearer sense of what matters.
This place has shaped me into a better mom, a stronger wife, and a more confident woman. It’s shown me that sometimes the greatest opportunities aren’t in the places where everyone else is looking—they’re in the places willing to invest in people brave enough to show up.
So if you’re sitting in a crowded city, drowning in student loans, and wondering if there’s another way—there is. And if you’re willing to trade the noise for the wide-open sky, you just might find that a smaller place can offer you the biggest life of all.