Help! Where to live, Topeka, Lawrence or in between?

[Hueffenhardt]

I have lived in Lawrence and currently live in Topeka. I like both cities. My advice would be to investigate both places, look for places to live in both, and then pick whichever suits you best. I would avoid Perry/LeCompton.

Personally, I like Lawrence best, and its proximity to KC.

[hipsterpenumbra]

Washburn has a great reputation as a school. Besides the capital of the state being located in Topeka, there is no other big draws there.

I'm sure some people LOVE it there.

I don't know what type of people you are, it may be for you. I would say it's not a place where most educated grad-school types would want to LIVE.

A plus is housing is cheap,
but crime is high,
there are lots of mental patients wondering around the town,
and offspring of those also....

several years ago there were several state and private mental health hospitals located in Topeka, they all closed with no where for the patients to go, for lack of time, or a better choice of words....they let them all out.

I have also herd that in the 1950's (aprox) maybe earlier, many mentally retarded people were employed by the state to do various tasks that other higher functioning folks just wouldn't do, these people were also terminated and let go, from what I have heard in a all at once fashion. Again the story I have heard, and I have been meaning to do research on the subject, all settled in a specific area of town, coupled, married etc, had children and lived out their lives. As generations past, continued over time, less people had the knowledge in the front of their minds. Some have said another reason for the high crime rate in Topeka, in addition to the generations of set free to roam mental patients.

I have heard people call Topeka an open door psyc unit.

Lawrence is more international, lots of college students, many undergrads, so lots of younger students. Appartments/housing can be pricey. Crime is average to low. I wouldn't say there are specific areas of Lawrence to stay away from, where as there are many in Topeka. Lawrence has no Malls, but has a really great down town. Venues like Liberty Hall show great Indie films, lots to do for grad school types.
Areas in between are very rural, which there is nothing wrong with, but can be hard for broke students, grocery stores are far, gas is far, which costs money, if you run late for class, over sleep, you have a drive, which can be a bummer in bad weather.
Topeka, is an easy straight shot of I -70 from Lawrence, and an exit takes you right to the street Washburn is located. I -70 is always cleared in bad weather like snow and ice. Is safe as far as not secluded, patrolled at night etc. I think the drive is at most 30ish min. You can get a K tag to save money on toll costs, and there are back roads also.
Any other ?'s feel free to shoot me a message I would be glad to help.
Good Luck with Grad School and Your Search,

[SmalltownKSgirl]

Originally Posted by kansas sky

6th Street becomes Highway 40. It's pretty twisty and there are a ton of deer and not a few idiot drivers along that route.

Sometimes there are farm vehicles too, and the road is too narrow to pass.

[Garlicmaster]

The only 'easy' way between the two is the turnpike but you will still have the deer to contend with. The aforementioned routs are all nice drives no doubt. I'm on the other side of the fence as I am wanting input about renting to college students. As I will reside at the same residence, I'll be wanting to rent to students that are focused on their degree, I leave for work between 5-6AM so quiet in the evenings will be the normal. I know this sounds like I should rent to retirees and that may be the case but I am planning on starting a small naturally grown vegetable business and believe if I can get hooked up with students that are working on a related degree they could log some OJT hours as well. The reason I am replying to this post is my location, in Berryton, would be an alternative location for both students and I have two bed rooms with a shared bath as well as a single room with a private bath that are available. When I read that two students from the same family looking for a place I thought why not? Any positive input is appreciated.

[Rivertowntalk]

I would look for an apartment that is as close as possible to the west Lawrence Turnpike access (the newer access point). That would be the best case scenario. The Stull Road (45) is not a good commuter option. Highway 40 is not much better. 24 Highway is too far north for where you need to go. I know a person who used to teach at Washburn and she commuted from Lawrence. She exited off of the Turnpike onto Adams Street in Topeka. She then took 17th street over to Washburn. From the west Lawrence Turnpike access, it would probably take about the same amount of time each direction to get onto each campus. Lawrence traffic and parking on campus will be a challenge.