Rose Hill draws people looking for space and a small school district
The city of Rose Hill rests about 20 miles southeast of Wichita. Its name comes from one of its early settlers, who had ambitions of growing roses for a nursery business. Today, “it’s a farming community with a relatively small school district, which is a draw for many buyers,” says Carrissa Wells, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Realty, who has lived in the Wichita area all her life. Some Rose Hill residents work for the McConnell Air Force Base or in downtown Wichita but prefer not to live in the big city. “People come here looking for a little more space to spread out,” Wells says.
Established neighborhoods and newer developments like Sienna Ranch
Rose Hill offers a variety of housing styles and streetscapes, and lot sizes usually range from about a quarter of an acre to multiple acres. “People seem to like the established neighborhoods, because they tend to have bigger trees and better yards,” Wells says. Along the wide, two-lane South Rose Hill Road, there are a few early 1900s bungalows and some midcentury brick ranch-style homes. Newer subdivisions often feature ranch-style residences with multicar garages and front-facing gables. The majority of sales range from about $150,000 to $460,000, but homes in the gated Sienna Ranch community typically sell between $400,000 and $770,000. Sienna Ranch owners pay about $200 in HOA transfer fees, and monthly HOA dues are usually under $70. Storms may cause Eightmile Creek and low-lying areas to flood, so lenders may require flood insurance. The community’s CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Rose Hill schools and Butler Community College share a campus
The city’s four public schools are located on the same campus at the southern end of the city. Children may attend Rose Hill Primary School from prekindergarten through second grade. The school earns a C-plus on Niche. Rose Hill Intermediate School gets a B and serves third through fifth grades. Rose Hill Middle School rates a C-plus. It offers a variety of extracurricular sports during the school year, and in the summer, athletes can continue training at the school’s sports camps. Rose Hill High School gets a B-minus rating, and students have the option to enroll in dual-credit courses through Butler Community College, which has a satellite campus attached to the high school.
Access to city parks and the Rose Hill Recreation Center
Rose Hill has several recreation areas, including smaller neighborhood parks and city-run facilities. Walking trails lead around the School Street Pond, a popular spot for fishing. Grace Park offers a playground and a ball field. Members of the Rose Hill Recreation Center have 24-hour access to its fitness center, which is managed by the Rose Hill Recreation Commission. The commission organizes year-round youth programs, both at the center and around the city. Adults can also sign up for league sports and exercise classes through the RHRC. The 18-hole Hidden Lakes Golf Course, about 5 miles west, is open to the public.
A few businesses in town, and nearby Derby has large grocery stores
Louis’ Rose Hill Café is the local favorite for home-style dinners and other comfort food. A few chain restaurants, including Pizza Hut and Ziggi’s Coffee, rest along North Rose Hill Road. Dollar General has two locations in Rose Hill, which offer some fresh produce and frozen food, but most people do their grocery shopping in Derby, around 8 miles west, where there is a Walmart Supercenter and Dillons Marketplace. Wichita is also home to several indoor malls, including the Towne East Square, about 15 miles from Rose Hill.
Fourth of July fireworks and the annual Rose Hill Fall Festival
Residents gather for a city-wide garage sale each April, and they can watch the Fourth of July fireworks at Shorty Cox Park. The city’s main event is the Rose Hill Fall Festival, a multiday celebration that takes place in October. It features carnival rides, a parade and a street dance. Kids can also compete in the pedal tractor pull, get their faces painted and enter their turtles in a miniature road race.
Car travel to Wichita and the McConnell AFB
There are a few sidewalks in Rose Hill, but most residents depend on cars for travel. Small two-lane, paved roads run through rural farm country and connect with major roads like U.S. Route 400 and Interstate 35, both about 10 miles away. Freight trains periodically pass through the community, which can cause traffic delays and noise pollution. Emergency care is available through the Rock Regional Hospital in nearby Derby. The McConnell Air Force Base is less than 12 miles northwest, and the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is around 25 miles northwest.
