In East Topeka, about 3 miles from downtown, Central Highland Park is a predominantly residential neighborhood of modest single-family homes with access to parks and city amenities. “It’s a very affordable, working-class neighborhood,” says Janet Carter, broker of Carter Realty and a native Topekan. “That’s why people move here. They like the convenience to all the stores and restaurants on California Avenue and the access to Lake Shawnee.” While Lake Shawnee, one of the city’s most prominent outdoor spots, is just a few miles away, the neighborhood also has a community center for outdoor and indoor recreation, along with free meals for kids.
Retailers and Mexican restaurants on California Avenue
Locals head to Southeast California Avenue to shop and dine out. The main road has a Walmart and Dillons right next to each other for getting groceries and other essentials. Southeast California is also a popular spot for Mexican food, with restaurants such as Mexicali, Tacos El Mexicano and the Tacos El Guitarron food truck typically in the Hernandez Muffler Shop parking lot. There’s also Soul Fire Food, known for its barbecue platters, and many fast food restaurants.
Recreation at Hillcrest Community Center and Lake Shawnee
Central Highland Park is home to the Hillcrest Community Center. The community pool and playground serve as outdoor centerpieces. Indoors, basketball, racquetball and futsal, a five-on-five version of soccer, is played on courts built during a 2020 renovation by Shawnee County Parks & Recreation. The community center also has a game room with table tennis and billiards, a fitness center and a computer lab. Every Monday through Thursday, Silverbackks, a local non-profit, serves dinner to kids 18 and under at the community center. Lake Shawnee, one of Topeka’s premier outdoor destinations, is about 3 miles away, where people from all over the region go to fish, hike miles of trails and stroll through Ted Ensley Gardens.
Two elementary school options
The northern half of the neighborhood is served by Williams Science & Fine Arts Magnet School, an elementary school with a C grade from Niche. The southern half is zoned to Highland Park Central Elementary School, which also earns a C grade. Students from both elementary schools go on to C-graded Eisenhower Middle School and C-plus-graded Highland Park High School.
Houses from the early and mid-1900s
The neighborhood’s grid-pattern residential streets are about 1 to 1.5 miles long. They’re lined with a mix of houses from the first half of the 20th century. Homebuyers can find bungalows and cottages from the early 1900s, along with ranch-style and split-level houses from the mid-1900s. It’s common for these homes to have original interiors. Some need renovations with prices ranging from $15,000 to $75,000. Homes with modern upgrades sell for around $80,000 to $200,000. Most homes in Central Highland Park are situated on leafy quarter-acre lots and have detached garages accessible from back alleyways.
Easy access to buses, downtown and I-70
Topeka Metro operates bus routes along Southeast California Avenue and Southeast Indiana Avenue. It’s about a 3-mile drive north along a few main roads to downtown Topeka. Residents also have two access points to Interstate 70 on the neighborhood’s north side. The interstate runs west throughout Kansas and about 60 miles east to Kansas City. Topeka Regional Airport is about 7 miles south. However, there are no commercial flights. Instead, people drive 70 miles to fly out of Kansas International Airport.
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Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site
Huntoon Park
Gage Park
Hillcrest Park
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Central Highland Park
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Central Highland Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Central Highland Park, Topeka sell after 30 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Central Highland Park, Topeka over the last 12 months is $61,125, down 19% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This well-maintained home on 5 spacious city lots boasts fantastic curb appeal and a wonderful covered porch. The easy-to-maintain vinyl siding gives you more time to relax in the jetted tub or tend to your chickens in the backyard coop. An oversized carport and shed offer plenty of storage for all your hobbies. Priced to sell and being sold "as-is". Call your favorite agent for a showing today!
This SE Topeka bungalow offers a solid layout with 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and a detached 2-car garage—situated on a roomy corner lot. The home was remodeled about 5 years ago, so while some updates are already in place, there's still room to make it your own. Inside, you’ll find a good mix of newer and lived-in features. The living room has plenty of natural light and updated flooring that
Very Cute, well managed 804 sq. ft., 2-bedroom home with one full bath. Larger kitchen with pantry and a separate room for laundry. The yard is fenced in and has a back porch and small deck. One car garage with additional carport cover. This home is located close to the Park, Community Center/Pool, shopping and I-70. Home is being sold "As Is".
Property Id: 2177715Nice 3 bd 1 ba home with luxury vinyl plank flooring in a quiet neighborhood with a large fenced in back yard and shed. Central air and heat.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
