Name: Topeka, KS
Rating: 0.0

( 38 Ratings )

Living in Topeka, KS

Ranks better than 69% of areas Follow

Population

125,819

Median Age

38.1 Years

Topeka Area Facts

Topeka has a Livability Score of 69_/100, which is considered good
Topeka crime rates are 94% higher than the Kansas average
Cost of living in Topeka is 2% lower than the Kansas average

What do the locals think about Topeka?

53%

Family friendly

44%

Public transit is accessible

41%

Walkable to grocery stores

34%

Yards are well-kept

56%

Lots of parks

41%

Walkable to restaurants

Friendly neighbors

Safe at night

Pet friendly

Streets have sidewalks

38%

A quiet area

38%

Sense of community

Based on 32 votes from AreaVibes users. Take the poll

New Real Estate Listings in Topeka Area

For Sale For Rent

Search

Search Homes for Sale in Topeka, KS

See How Much House You Can Afford. Get Pre-Approved Today

Topeka Reviews

Write a review about Topeka Tell people what you like or don't like about Topeka…

SO MUCH USELESS 1 rating By Anonymous ( Jun 17, 2020) I’VE LIVED HERE FOR 8 YEARS SINCE JULY 2012 AND HATED IT EVER SINCE! RENT IS OFF THE CHARTS, SCHOOLS ARE TERRIBLE, NEIGHBORS ARE DUMBER THAN A DOORSTOP, STREETS ARE CLUTTERED WITH TRASH AND SO ON. ...Read More Read Less

HERE FOR MONEY ONLY 0.5 rating By Anonymous ( Apr 11, 2019) Customer service, across the board, sucks here. People don't return calls for services (i.e., landscaping, pest control, roofing, etc.) or don't answer phone at all during their advertised working hours. Haven't found one restaurant in town that has both good food (what and the ...Read More way you ordered it) or good customer service. Have given most a second chance but to no avail. From what I've read, crime has gone down in the last several years but it's still high; mostly in the NE section of town, although still present throughout. I did have two positive encounters with the Topeka Police Department; both in regards to prowlers trolling homes in the neighborhood. Every single house we looked had cracks in the walls; even homes less than 10 years old. We were told by everyone and everybody that it's normal here because of the soil. Common sense and a general sense of consideration for others seems to be lacking. Potholes are EVERYWHERE; some two years old. Fortunately, spouse has skills that brought us here from the mid-Atlantic area to make a good wage. Unfortunately , it's Topeka. Thank goodness it's not forever. Take me home country roads. Sunsets are lovely here though and there a lot of lakes. It's the little things. Read Less

nice schools here 0.5 rating By joeway2018 ( Aug 20, 2017) it is OK to go to collage i live here for over 33 years . apartments are not easy to come by here never rent from south brook on 34th because i really want to leave Topeka now because of them. neighbors are loud and mean and if you call the office they will not do a thing ...Read More Read Less

My family had a shoot out with the neighbors 0.5 rating By BigBenCustoms ( Mar 11, 2017) Luckly we all had glocks but the neighbors had AK47's so it was a hard battle. Someone was robbing my hosue as well and stabbed my kid. a tornado came and took out the neighbors house. when i was sleeping a hobo was in my room. overall dont move here it sucks ...Read More Read Less

Show All Reviews

nice schools here 0.5 rating By joeway2018 ( Aug 20, 2017) it is OK to go to collage i live here for over 33 years . apartments are not easy to come by here never rent from south brook on 34th because i really want to leave Topeka now because of them. neighbors are loud and mean and if you call the office they will not do a thing ...Read More Read Less

My family had a shoot out with the neighbors 0.5 rating By BigBenCustoms ( Mar 11, 2017) Luckly we all had glocks but the neighbors had AK47's so it was a hard battle. Someone was robbing my hosue as well and stabbed my kid. a tornado came and took out the neighbors house. when i was sleeping a hobo was in my room. overall dont move here it sucks ...Read More Read Less

you get what you pay for... 0.5 rating By jataadroid ( Jul 16, 2012) I've lived here for over 10 years and still can't wait to leave. The city officials are so blind to the real problems here that effect the citizens, in most cases of trying to make a situation better it gets worse. A horribly spotty law enforcement with questionable ethics and p ...Read More ractices. Transit and commutes are fairly short if you manage the dodge the huge population of road construction cones that remain unmoved or unmanned for months. You can bet every year you live here 60% of the roads will be blocked off, huge sections with no workmen in sight. With no prior notice being posted, and no detour; highways suddenly become less appealing when 80% of the whole length of highway is down to 1 lane going 50 (IF YOURE LUCKY) while there is only 1 crew working. The major improvement to the city was funded by donation in which the donor wished to remain anonymous, 1 we are in the top 10 for crime so probably watching his rear and 2 they probably didn't want the city to come begging for more. Look at financial standing to see the condition of the city...running on fumes. If you're thinking about opening up a business, good luck...especially if its innovative/alternative in anyway. Old fashioned people and old fashioned money.
I recommend looking at the crime stats. I have been robbed more then once, never received any follow up and on one occasion they attempted to charge me for defending my self against multiple assailants trying to rob me.

I don't feel safe here. Just dealing with the traffic signals and construction almost drives me to an aneurysm. If I can sum it up, I personally would not recommend kansas in its entirety to anybody for the fact that Topeka is it capitol, its running the rest of the state just as well. Hence why we are the butt of most jokes.

Any place prone to this much oversight, inefficiencies, and degradation as this city goes through needs a wake up calls.

Experience gathered from 7 residences, 6 jobs, and running a business throughout Topeka for the last 10 years Read Less

Topeka, KS - The City with a Sense of Humor 4.5 rating By Anonymous ( May 20, 2010) I just recently visited Topeka, KS in the spring of 2010. The city of Topeka, KS would be an excellent place to live and has a wonderful sense of humor. For anybody who had not heard in an effort to draw attention from Google to have the new wireless service brought to Topeka, t ...Read More he city actually temporarily changed their name from Topeka, KS to "Google", KS.

The sense of humor and entertainment is one which can felt throughout Google, or is it Topeka, KS. While this little city doesn't have anything that stands out too much it is worth a visit because of the agreeable attitude, decent restaurants & bars, ample shopping and the strong will of the community.

You get the feeling Topeka is constantly searching to better itself which was the reason for the "Google" renaming, attempting to bring a free wireless Internet service to the entire city. Topeka is an excellent place to live because of the community. For visitors be sure to pass by the "Blind Tiger Brewery and Restaurant" to taste some great local brews and a great steak! I was disappointed with the nightlife, very few actual clubs aimed at a mixed audience however there are plenty of Gentlemen clubs. Read Less

Compare Topeka, KS Livability

Topeka, KS

The state capital of Kansas, Topeka is rich in history, and that history doesn't necessarily revolve around government. Long ago, the town was an important railway center and one of the major cattle drive destinations in the region. What sets it apart from other Kansas towns in the 21st century is the wonderful big-town feel of a mid-size community. Although the population is less than 130,000, the city has a truly cosmopolitan air about it.

Here are some fun facts you'll find interesting. The medium household income rate, when compared to the cost of living and the average single-family home cost, is one of the highest in the nation. Working away from the home doesn't mean a long commute, either. The average commute time in this city is less than 16 minutes. Traffic is light even at rush hour, so if you hate bumper-to-bumper travel, this is the place for you. Topeka is situated on the plains, but it's near to some of the regions best-known and most spectacular vacation destinations. Lakes, fishing streams, hiking trails, and wildlife preserves are all within a day's drive.

This is a very family-friendly city that you'll fall in love with as soon as you and your kids arrive. The downtown area is vibrant, with wide sidewalks and plenty of cafes, knick-knack shops, and retail outlets. The upscale restaurant industry is alive and well. Taste some of the finest regional cuisine at such establishments as Bobo's, The Pennant, The Shack, Taco Villa, and North Star Steakhouse.

The Evergy Plaza is a new construction project in the heart of downtown. It boasts a fire pit, a huge outdoor movie screen, a set of choreographed fountains, and an enormous performance stage for nighttime outdoor entertainment. This is just one of the reasons why you'll love spending time in the downtown core.

The city is also known for its school district, one of the highest-rated in all of Kansas. The elementary schools are evenly distributed across the metro area, and most families will find that their nearest school is within walking distance. The famous Washburn University is located here as well. Its beautiful campus is crowded not only with students but also the locals who come to attend the more than 100 public events held each year.

For those who love to bike and hike, Topeka can't be beat. The system of bike trails is well-designed, and the wide sidewalks in the residential neighborhoods are full of joggers. Near the city is Lake Shawnee, one of the state's most popular vacation destinations. Go boating, fish for bass, camp under the stars, or play on the sports courts while visiting this amazing lake retreat.

Topeka is quite diverse when it comes to employment opportunities, so you'll want to peruse the job market when contemplating a move to this part of the country. Whatever the reason for choosing a move to this exciting state capital, one thing is certain. You'll love the peaceful yet upscale city atmosphere Topeka has to offer.