Hey everyone, I'm retired and Rent is about $872/month for a decent place. With a population of 1,037, Topeka is a small town. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Looking forward to hearing from you all. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
2 upvotes
12 Replies
Nathan Nguyen
great question, following
38 upvotes
Sophia Long
yep
37 upvotes
Olivia J.
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
35 upvotes
Nathan King
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Tampa about 8 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is average.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Gianna Lee
hmm interesting perspective
33 upvotes
Mateo P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 52, moved here 10 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in West and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Property taxes are high
3. The traffic situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Atlanta, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
32 upvotes
Nathan R.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
Aurora Morales
couldn't agree more
18 upvotes
John W.
hard disagree but ok
17 upvotes
mesalocal2020
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Raleigh it's hit or miss.
15 upvotes
Greyson W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 2 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are underrated. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Can feel isolated. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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