Iwould really encourage you you to do some thorough homework before moving to St. Mary's. The economy is difficult. I do quite like the area. St. Mary's and the small towns around it are quiet and friendly, but if you are used to living some place more upscale and ritzy, you will probably be displeased with it. The SSPX parish there rubbed me the wrong way the handful of times that I've been there. There is also a FFSP parish right down the road in Mapleton.

Topeka has a pretty high crime rate. I don't enjoy Topeka. Sure, it's the state capital, but I find the whole place depressing and lifeless, despite it's large population.

I lived in Manhattan for several years and I really liked it. There are a lot of scenic opportunities right outside of the city. You do have to deal with the shenanigans that come with it being a college town. Land prices are high there, and housing is not cheap.

Lawrence provides a lot of cultural opportunities, some nice, some wicked. It's the biggest Liberal hotspot in Kansas. Homos galore. Personally you couldn't pay me to move there.

I lived in The Kansas City area for a couple years. It was miserable for me because I am a small town girl, but if you don't mind the City, this is the place I would reccomend. Depending on where you would like to settle in the area, housing costs aren't that bad. Maybe you should check out Bonner Springs or Shawnee.

Marlelar is right, I love Kansas! It does have some interesting weather, but no more interesting than the Tulsa area, IMO. I grew up in North Central Kansas and have a great love for the landscape found on the short grass prairie. There's so much beauty if one is willing to see it! I am currently living about an hour South of Kansas City, and IMO it is the most scenic area in Kansas. It's so green and lush, lots of trees, creeks and small lakes. It also happens to be one of the poorest places in Kansas. Housing is cheap, and many people commute to the city for work. You know, we are looking to move soon, and we will be selling our large house. How about you buy it! Lol.

A lot of great advice in this thread.  Thanks guys.  I will be investigating your leads in coming weeks.  

House prices: let me put it this way.  I paid $55,000 for my house, and unless I am making what I'm making now, I won't be able to afford anything more expensive than that.  Hence the need to move to a large population with hospitals.  There'd be a greater chance for a good-paying job.  

I've actually considered Phoenix.  I like the desert.  But it's so radically different from what we're used to.  I'll look into Phoenix as well.  

Our options are limited, as we're a single-income family living off of what I make with CT and x-ray work.