Topeka KS - consider of relocating

[missikay10]

I swear all anyone ever says on these thing is negative. I grew up in Topeka. I lived by Lake Shawnee in a great home, great neighborhood and went to a great public school. (usd 450) My children go to the same school are in high school, both are very well behaved, straight A students and very involved in sports. Although like any town Topeka has some bad areas there are many good ones like my parents neighborhood in Clarion. Wasburn rual is a great school, as well as the one my boys go to. (Shawnee Heights) Anything on the west side of town by Wanamaker St is perfectly safe. Just avoid downtown and east Topeka and you will be fine!!

[tam121196]

We are currently living in NYC and planning to move to Topeka, Kansas by summer due to a job. We have a 4 year old daughter. So far, I read that SW is a good area to live in Topeka. What about the public school in SW Topeka? Is is good too? Is the SW area diversed? How is the safety compared to NYC? Please advise. Thank you so much.

[missikay10]

I dont know where in NYC you live, but the safety in Topeka has got to be better than what you are used to. It is WAY smaller than NYC. The sw area is diverse as are the area schools. Topeka West in sw topeka is a better school than Topeka high. Your best bet would be washburn rhural school district though. Dont worry and dont let the people on here scare you. They are just hating on Topeka just like everyone else on here is hating on every other town posted. I grew up in Topeka, my kids are growing up in Topeka and all is well. Good luck!

[tam121196]

Thanks for your reply Missikay. Made me feel a lot better. I guess everytown has it's own good and bad area. We are really looking into moving into the SW area of Topeka. Thanks again for your input.

[bob2514]

I am blown away by the negativity of the people on this post. I have lived in Lawrence and Topeka and am very happy in Topeka. We live in SW Topeka, but I have lived in SE also. I have never been a victim of a crime, and the schools and recreational activities are great. Yes there is crime in the central part of the city which has more lower income families, but crime is decreasing in Topeka, down 23% in the 1st quarter of 2008, and down 10% in 2007 to 2006.

[zman0457]

Originally Posted by drblonde

The most interesting thing I discovered is that there is very little understanding or appreciation for the "collective good". The attitude in the state is a kind of extreme libertarianism where any attempt to harness collective resources is vehemently resisted, even to the point of creating bigger problems for the state. As such, services are limited, the physical surroundings are often neglected and allowed to fall into decline, and people out of the mainstream suffer disproportionately. Perhaps the hardest part for me is dealing with the pervasive anti-intellectualism. It is almost considered a crime to be well educated and often results in social ostracism and derision.

Sounds like a microcosm of what's been the pervasive mentality in America since Ronald Reagan. Hopefully we're coming out of that now.

[sumanp]

I am also planning to relocate but saw all these negative reviews. What about the area south of SW 21st and west of SW Wanamaker Road. I believe it is Brookfield.