Moving can be stressful, especially if you don’t have your heart set on a place to settle yet. You know it’s time for a change, but where can you live that will be your forever home?
Every year, people choose Topeka as a permanent place to live, and you can too! If you don’t know much about the city, this guide can help.
Keep reading to learn more.
1. Affordable Cost of Living
Many people choose Topeka, Kansas, to settle down because of the affordable cost of living.
Living in Topeka costs 1% less than the state average and 14% less than the national average. Compared to the U.S. average, housing is 30% cheaper overall, despite utilities being 3% higher.
Significant savings and home value are excellent reasons to make Topeka your permanent residence.
2. High Livability Rate
The quality of life in Topeka is high because of the livability rate. There are few attractions in the city, but it’s rated very livable because of the:
- Job market
- Housing
- Weather
- Nightlife
- Outdoor activities
Topeka is a great area for families and boasts a diverse community.
3. Low Unemployment Rate
People settle down in Topeka because of the job market and low unemployment rate. There are thousands of available jobs in the city with new ones consistently being added. Top employers in the city are:
- The State of Kansas
- Stormont-Vail HealthCare
- Topeka Unified School District
- Goodyear
- BlueCross BlueShield of Kansas
If you prefer not to work with a large corporation, a quick drive around the city will open you up to opportunities. You are likely to see help-wanted signs popping up in new places.
The consistently low unemployment rate is attractive for people who are ready to make a reliable income.
4. Close-Knit Community
Topeka is the fifth largest city in Kansas state and covers over 62 miles of land. Despite the large area, Topeka is home to a friendly and close-knit community.
There is a balance between knowing the people in the community while still having your distance when needed because of the big city vibes.
If you want to get involved in the community, this is the place to do it. Some of the organizations you can join in Topeka include:
- Topeka Chamber
- Young Life
- The Topeka Civic Theatre
- SENT
Find your niche of people and see where you can get involved to improve your quality of life and community outreach.
5. Lake Shawnee Attraction
Lake Shawnee is a great reason to live in Topeka but also a top reason to visit. As one of the best travel destinations in Kansas, you can enjoy living near the beautiful water all of the time.
People love Lake Shawnee because of attractions like:
- Lake Shawnee Golf Course
- Adventure Cove
- Campgrounds
- Fishing docks
- Bettis Family Sports Complex
There are plenty of surrounding recreational spots with sand volleyball and tennis courts as well. Families enjoy this space because of the closeness to the water and playgrounds.
6. Attractive Weather
Topeka is attractive weather-wise because it experiences all four seasons with fairly average weather. It doesn’t get too hot or too cold.
Topeka averages 211 sunny days per year. This is no surprise if you know that Kansas is the 10th sunniest state in the union. Because of the high number of sunny days, Topeka is a great place for solar panels.
Installing a residential solar system when you move to Topeka can save you money on energy bills and help you live a greener lifestyle. Residential solar panel experts from Blue Raven Solar can help you get started.
7. Ideal Location
When you live somewhere long enough, you might start to feel like there’s nothing to do. This isn’t usually a problem in Topeka because of its ideal location.
The proximity to bigger cities is something Topeka residents often take for granted.
Lawrence, Manhattan, and Kansas City are all within a driveable distance. You get to reap the benefits of a big city without any of the cons. Because you don’t live there, you don’t have to deal with a high cost of living, traffic, and crowding.
Instead, you can pick a day to get out of Topeka and do something fun like catch a Chiefs game or a college basketball game. Many huge artists perform in Kansas City, so seeing a concert one night is another great option.
8. Popular Downtown Area
The downtown area of Topeka is a hotspot for food and fun. For the past decade, downtown Topeka has changed, adding Evergy Plaza which opened in March 2020.
Each year, Evergy Plaza holds over 200 events for the locals and tourists to enjoy. It’s a great place for kids in the summer with the addition of a splash pad and nightly fountain shows.
Now home to many restaurants, bars, entertainment, and retail stores, downtown Topeka is the place to be. It’s one of the reasons why nightlife is so highly rated in the city.
9. Highly-Rated Public Schools
Topeka has some of the most highly-rated public schools in Kansas. Moving to Topeka as a family is a great option where schooling is concerned.
When looking at homes in Topeka, make sure to consider the school districts. You might be limited to the homes on the market if you prefer a certain school district over another.
Do your research and ask around the community to decide which school is best for your child’s needs.
10. Outdoor Activities
Topeka offers outdoor activities on Lake Shawnee and many nature areas and trails in other places.
There are more than 20 biking and walking trails to choose from. There are options for all types of preferences as you’ll find paved trails and natural surface trails with various types of terrain.
Lake Shawnee has one of the top trails because of the beautiful scenery. This list of trails and green spaces can help you find an ideal location for your favorite outdoor activities.
Choose Topeka as Your Permanent Home
Families and hard-working individuals choose Topeka as their permanent home for many reasons. It offers affordable living and a high quality of life.
The city has so much to offer as an agricultural and industrial center. The beautiful downtown area and amazing outdoor experiences attract people year after year.
Find a cozy home in Topeka now! Don’t forget to come back to this blog for more news.
