In the late 1800s, a group of Bostonians moved to Topeka and developed Greater Auburndale as a near replica of their east coast home, right down to the name of the neighborhood and its architecture. Those same century-old homes are what make up this predominantly residential community today. Close together with small yards, the homes are shaded by mature trees, building on an atmosphere that defies the neighborhood's proximity to downtown.
The side-by-side bungalows often feature Craftsman-design influences. Some larger Victorian-influenced houses can also be found. "They're like gingerbread houses," says Pat Abbey, a resident who has lived in Greater Auburndale since 1996. "A lot of them have decorated wood and front porches that are very ornamental." Most homes were built in the early 1900s, though some date to the late 1800s. They're typically fixed on approximately tenth-acre lots and have small back yards that are accessible from back alleyways. Greater Auburndale's many trees can be viewed from wide, covered front porches, a common feature for homes in this neighborhood. Homebuyers can expect to spend around $100,000 to $200,000. However, some houses have been priced as low as $80,000 and as much as $215,000. Annette Harper, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker in Topeka, said the properties' connection to another era can be particularly appealing. "I sold a house to a couple who were really talented artists. The wife turned one room into an art space and the husband had a music room,'' she said.
From those front porches, neighbors interact with each other. "You see people going for jogs and older people walking their dogs, especially at Edgewood Park," Abbey says. Edgewood Park is located at the center of the neighborhood within walking distance of many homes. Along with dog walking, people can have fun on the playground, relax under the picnic pavilion and play tennis on the two courts. Auburndale Park, on the neighborhood's north side, is a large open field used by the Midwest Cricket League. Hummer Sports Park, about one block to the west, is where Topeka High, Topeka West High and Highland Park High share sports facilities. Gage Park, which is about 2 miles west of Greater Auburndale, is one of the largest in Topeka with 160 acres. There are tons of fun activities for kids, including a 1-mile miniature train ride, a century-old carousel, the Topeka Zoo and the Kansas Children's Discovery Center, featuring lots of hands-on learning activities. Walkways weave throughout the park, taking people over a lake bridge, under canopies of trees and to Reinisch Rose Garden's reflecting pond and 5,500 rose bushes. People also enjoy visiting the park to play beach volleyball and swim in the outdoor community pool, which features four water slides, high dives, sprinklers and a rope obstacle.
Locals can get their shopping done near the intersection of 6th Avenue and Macvicar Avenue on the south side of the neighborhood, where there's a Dollar Tree and Walmart Neighborhood Market. For dining out, locals can hit up Pal Indian Cuisine right next to Dollar Tree. Bobo's Drive In, about 1 mile south, has been serving its famous root beer, apple pie and burgers at car hops since 1948. The restaurant gained national attention when it was featured on the Food Network's show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2007. Several more restaurants can be found along 6th Avenue heading west to downtown, where there's a more established dining scene.
Students attend Meadows Elementary and Robinson Middle, each of which earns a C-plus grade from Niche. They'll go on to Topeka High, which earns a B grade while being ranked the fourth-most diverse high school in the state. Built in 1931, Topeka High is well known for its elaborate Gothic-style architecture with a 165-foot bell tower inspired by Henry VIII's Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace.
Locals have direct access to Interstate 70 and 6th Avenue, both of which can lead about 6 miles to downtown. Commuters can take a Topeka Metro bus with stops all along 6th Avenue. I-70 can also be taken west across the entire state and 65 miles east to Kansas City.
Like any place in Topeka, Greater Auburndale has the potential to be impacted by severe weather, as the city is located in the Midwest’s “Tornado Alley.” The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been tracking tornadoes since 1950 and has not recorded one in Greater Auburndale since. Topeka also does not have any public tornado shelters.
Kylie Edington
RE/MAX EK Real Estate
(785) 329-0494
251 Total Sales
3 in Greater Auburndale
$29K - $168K Price Range
Niki Barber
Countrywide Realty, Inc.
(785) 645-2681
47 Total Sales
1 in Greater Auburndale
$103,000 Price
Lesia McMillin
KW One Legacy Partners, LLC
(785) 329-4654
146 Total Sales
1 in Greater Auburndale
$82,000 Price
Tracy O'Brien
KW One Legacy Partners, LLC
(785) 329-0371
242 Total Sales
1 in Greater Auburndale
$82,000 Price
John Ringgold
KW One Legacy Partners, LLC
(785) 329-9688
436 Total Sales
5 in Greater Auburndale
$52K - $150K Price Range
Andre Mehrens
ReeceNichols Topeka Elite
(785) 675-5261
87 Total Sales
2 in Greater Auburndale
$115K - $145K Price Range
On average, homes in Greater Auburndale, Topeka sell after 23 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Greater Auburndale, Topeka over the last 12 months is $145,000, up 39% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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A community of century-old homes and a neighborly spirit
A preserved neighborhood dating back to the 1800s
A neighborhood of century-old homes shaded by mature trees
A historic neighborhood near downtown that honors one of Topeka's founders
A leafy, urban community with century-old bungalows
