14 Differences Between a Local and a Transplant in Kansas

A transplant may be surprised to find that Kansas isn’t black and white.

Seriously, I don’t know what The Wizard of Oz did to people, but Kansas is actually in Technicolor.

Locals have seen hundreds of beautiful sunsets, all of them in bright, vivid colors (not black and white).

Transplants have been missing out. Kansas might not have the monopoly on amazing sunsets but is probably pretty close to it.

Transplants think the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals are Kansas teams.

They might as well be as many fans as they have in Kansas, but they’re actually based in the Missouri side of Kansas City.

Transplants think Kansas City is in Kansas, but locals aren’t fooled by the name and know most of it is in Missouri.

Also, locals know “Missouri City” just doesn’t sound as good as “Kansas City” for some reason.

Locals know that Topeka is the Capitol of Kansas.

Transplants are often confused about this and think it’s Kansas City.

Transplants will have no idea what “Hutch” or “Tongie” is.

This is Kansas shorthand for Hutchinson and Tonganoxie.

Transplants will probably still rely on Google Maps for directions after asking a Kansan where something is.

This is because Kansans use nearby cities to explain, like, “20 minutes east of Tongie.”

Transplants probably think all Kansans are farmers.

While most Kansans have a great deal of respect for the hard work farmers do day in and day out, there’s a lot of us who have never farmed a day in our lives.

Locals know where all the best off-the-map restaurants are.

Transplants have a lot to learn. But, once they do, they may never want to leave Kansas.

Transplants have to learn how to dress for all four seasons in one day.

Probably haven’t had much experience with that. Not like a local.

A local really knows the meaning of “There’s no place like home.”

That place is Kansas. There’s no other place in the world like it.