Lifestyle
Yes, Kansas is Exciting!
The communities in the Sunflower Electric Power Corporation service area offer a relaxed, affordable alternative to the pressure and expense of big city living, while still serving up plenty to see and do.
We’re Affordable
The overall cost of living in our communities is much lower than the national average – as much as 25% less!
City | Cost of Living Index |
Dodge City | 80.6 |
Garden City | 87.6 |
Scott City | 81.1 |
Medicine Lodge | 72.7 |
Liberal | 80.4 |
Goodland | 78.1 |
Norton | 73.7 |
Phillipsburg | 73.6 |
100 = National Average. Source: Sperling’s Best Places
Housing Costs Less
Your housing dollar goes much farther in our communities, which means you can afford the home of your dreams!
City | Housing Cost Index |
Dodge City | 56.3 |
Garden City | 79.5 |
Scott City | 49.8 |
Medicine Lodge | 30.5 |
Liberal | 59.6 |
Goodland | 49.5 |
Norton | 35.4 |
Phillipsburg | 31.9 |
100 = National Average. Source: Sperling’s Best Places
We Have Great Schools
Lower pupil/teacher ratios mean our students get the personalized attention they need to excel.
City | Pupils Per Teacher |
Dodge City | 16 |
Garden City | 12.9 |
Scott City | 11.8 |
Medicine Lodge | 9 |
Liberal | 14 |
Goodland | 13.4 |
Norton | 10.9 |
Phillipsburg | 10.6 |
16 = National Average. Source: Sperling’s Best Places
Recreation & Entertainment
The Sunflower region provides a variety of venues for entertainment that appeal to all tastes. Musical, theatrical, semi-professional sports, and gaming events are just a few of the amusements that entertain. Regional theater companies provide opportunities to participate and spectate for productions year-round. The geographic location brings best-selling artists for concerts to multiple venues in the region. Art galleries reflect regional artists that capture the breathtaking vistas of central and western Kansas. Shopping is available with national retailers as well as specialty stores which provide unique merchandise.
Auto sports include circle track and drag racing as well as other automotive competitions like truck and tractor pull events. Kansas is friendly to ATV enthusiasts as well. Many communities have expanded the opportunities to enjoy all-terrain vehicles on city streets. If you enjoy off-roading with your all-terrain vehicle, you have access to sand dunes and miles of public parks for climbing or just enjoying the outdoors.
Semi-professional and college sports bring nationally rated competitors to the region in football, basketball, and other collegiate sports. Top-rated golf courses provide plenty of opportunities to hit the links and attend pro-am tournaments. Local water parks and sports facilities provide space for young and old to play. National and state sanctioned community rodeo events showcase talented men and women. Local fairs and festivals celebrate unique events whether to showcase a part of our history or to bring the community together just to have fun.
Communing with Nature
Kansas is rich with landscapes that provide wide ranging opportunities to enjoy nature. If you enjoy physical activity, you have plenty of space for biking, swimming, hiking, hunting, fishing, birdwatching, water skiing, sailing, and other sports. Kansas landscapes provide breathtaking scenery for you to enjoy physical activity in our area parks and lakes. The clear, bright sky gives plenty of days to watch the sun brighten the dawn and sunsets to close the day. Weather clouds are the only thing that might get in the way of star gazing. Most nights you have access to clear, bright skies.
State and local parks provide space to camp near lakes and streams. Local and state parks provide safe environments for enjoying outdoor activities. If you enjoy less strenuous activity, our lakes, whether from the shore or by boat, provide opportunity for fishing, bird watching, and relaxing. Our state parks offer camp sites or cabins, depending on your affinity for roughing it. Nationally recognized flyways host migratory birds. Ancient geologic formations provide plenty of fun if you’re looking for fossils or special formations.
History
History buffs know the Sunflower region blazed the trail to the Old West. Cattle drives, buffalo hunts, wagon trains, and building the railroad were part of our history. State parks commemorate the stories of settling the West from the perspective of Native Americans and immigrants. Regional museums and cultural centers share a perspective of local stories and the significant contributions made to taming the frontier.
Historical re-enactment brings history to life through festivals and special events at the national and state parks throughout the region.