Why do people hate Topeka? (Wichita, Shawnee: sales, rentals, high crime)

[Steveareeno5]

Did not know that about the detention facilities. That might explain a lot. It's crime stats are not as bad as other bad cities it's size and Springfield, MO has a significantly higher rate of crime and assaults yet people are still moving there, but NOT moving to Topeka. A lot of ex imates would explain a lot about Topeka I am thinking.

[kyle19125]

OP, have you looked at cities like Wichita, Cedar Rapids or Toledo?

[Steveareeno5]

looked at them for what exactly?

[AnywhereElse]

Originally Posted by Steveareeno5

looked at them for what exactly?

I guessing that member may wonder if you are looking for a place to move to.

Also, it is not so much that there is "hate" for Topeka, they simply avoid it. I don't "hate" snakes, but I avoid them.

I guess the thing is why would anyone consider moving there with the reputation that it has for crime:

https://www.ksnt.com/news/how-safe-d...ink-topeka-is/

"Topeka has the unfortunate privilege of having one of the highest violent crime rates in the U.S. when compared to communities both large and small. Annually, Topeka sees around 888 violent crimes, making your chances of falling victim to violent crimes, such as rape, murder and armed robbery, about one in 143. This is higher than the average for the state of Kansas which sits at one in 237."

I mean, that doesn't exactly "sell it"! Gosh, there have been crime issues there forever. I remember 30 some years ago, we decided not to visit there anymore due to the criminal activity we saw on the news. I guess if one knows the area well, and knows where to avoid, it would help. Last we were there, they had security in the store parking lots, and this was not the downtown area, but the outskirt area.

All lower priced homes are NOT in desirable locations.

[jaysan89]

Originally Posted by bfrabel

If you just really need a cheap place to live, it's hard to do better than Topeka. My dad lived there for a few years after he got divorced and was down on his luck. I think that's probably a common story. People live there because they are "down on their luck" and can't afford to live any place better. It's rife with low-income people who have drug problems or gambling problems or mental health issues or who are stuck on the welfare marry-go-round with too many kids.

In general, it's a depressing place filled with depressing people.

I didn't know Topeka was that bad. I wonder if it is worse than the Wichita area.

[ClaraC]

I guess I'm the only person in this thread who was blown away by Topeka, when I stayed one night traveling from Texas to South Dakota a few years ago. What a charming little town! ZERO traffic, plenty of parking spots on a business day in front of the Courthouse, stunning high school. Really nice place to walk around town and enjoy the atmosphere.

Maybe it's better if you just stay one night? Either way, I was impressed.

[Steveareeno5]

Originally Posted by AnywhereElse

I guessing that member may wonder if you are looking for a place to move to.

Also, it is not so much that there is "hate" for Topeka, they simply avoid it. I don't "hate" snakes, but I avoid them.

I guess the thing is why would anyone consider moving there with the reputation that it has for crime:

https://www.ksnt.com/news/how-safe-d...ink-topeka-is/

"Topeka has the unfortunate privilege of having one of the highest violent crime rates in the U.S. when compared to communities both large and small. Annually, Topeka sees around 888 violent crimes, making your chances of falling victim to violent crimes, such as rape, murder and armed robbery, about one in 143. This is higher than the average for the state of Kansas which sits at one in 237."

I mean, that doesn't exactly "sell it"! Gosh, there have been crime issues there forever. I remember 30 some years ago, we decided not to visit there anymore due to the criminal activity we saw on the news. I guess if one knows the area well, and knows where to avoid, it would help. Last we were there, they had security in the store parking lots, and this was not the downtown area, but the outskirt area.

All lower priced homes are NOT in desirable locations.

do so many people post negative things about Topeka. Hate is maybe not the right word.
Take a look at city-data stats for Springfield , Mo assault rates, Much higher than Topeka.
Off the charts actually.

[Steveareeno5]

Originally Posted by jaysan89

I didn't know Topeka was that bad. I wonder if it is worse than the Wichita area.

I'd have to say Witchita is a factory town with all the bad connotations on those that are factory workers. Might be true, might not. But the time I passed through Wichita, I got that feeling form the superficial interactions I had there. Another friend told me: Don't go there, "it's a rough town". I think he's right.

[AnywhereElse]

Originally Posted by Steveareeno5

do so many people post negative things about Topeka. Hate is maybe not the right word.
Take a look at city-data stats for Springfield , Mo assault rates, Much higher than Topeka.
Off the charts actually.

Since Topeka is the capital, you would have more security, and probably the educational level would probably be higher there also. I think probably an older population also, so not so many meth heads. Springfield has a poverty rate of 22.9% which is higher than most areas. Median household income is fairly low. I have been in SW MO some years ago, and it does not have the "feel" of Topeka for sure. Topeka is on death row, and Springfield seems to be growing. When we lived in SE KS, a lot of people considered Springfield a great place to vacation.

Originally Posted by Steveareeno5

I'd have to say Witchita is a factory town with all the bad connotations on those that are factory workers. Might be true, might not. But the time I passed through Wichita, I got that feeling form the superficial interactions I had there. Another friend told me: Don't go there, "it's a rough town". I think he's right.

When Wichita lost most of the aircraft industry, it went downhill very quickly. Often I am looking for info, and end up at their "newspaper" site, and it is always filled with tragic stories, some really extra cruel crimes.

One needs to know what areas to avoid in these bigger cities, as a mistake can be deadly.

[Floorist]

Maybe because of the street gangs?