$287,536Average Value$125Average Price per Sq Ft32Homes For Sale
Laid-back subdivisions near Topeka's busiest commercial corridor
About 10 miles from downtown, Southwest Topeka is one of the city’s most bustling communities. Retailers and restaurants line the busy Wanamaker Corridor, the primary shopping and dining destination in Topeka. The neighborhood is divided into two school districts, with The Auburn-Washburn Unified School District serving much of the neighborhood’s west side. “The Auburn-Washburn Unified School District is the primary reason people move here,” says Becky Burghart, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway First, who has lived in Southwest Topeka for about 40 years and sells homes there. “If I’m working with someone who is familiar with Topeka, they always mention being drawn to the school district.” Though Burghart’s children attended private school, she says the main reason she and her family chose to live in Southwest Topeka was the quality of homes and the quality of life. “It had everything to do with having a newer property and a bigger yard,” says Burghart. “A lot of it is the lifestyle, too. It seems almost every other house has a basketball pole. So, people are not so much inside all the time on electronic devices. We’re outside doing things with our children.”
Southwest Topeka has several craftsman style homes with nice curb appeal.
Southwest Topeka is a quiet neighborhood just a few minutes away from downtown.
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Wanamaker Road is the city's most prominent shopping and dining destination
Wanamaker Road is where people from all over Topeka come to shop and dine out. There are dozens of big-box retailers on the busy strip, such as Walmart, Sam’s Club and Kohl’s, along with West Ridge Mall, which is in the midst of a resurgence. “The mall struggled for a while, but the new owners are making it strong again,” says Janet Carter, broker of Carter Realty and a native Topekan. In 2023, the mall was purchased for the fourth time since 1988, and owners Cody Foster and David Callanan, two longtime Topekans, brought in eight new businesses by May 2024 and are continuing to expand. Along with retailers and restaurants, the mall has a Sky Zone Trampoline Park, a Game Zone arcade and an indoor glow-in-the-dark mini golf course. Wanamaker Road is also lined with mostly national-chain restaurants, with a few regional chains and local establishments mixed in. The Big Biscuit, a popular breakfast spot, specializes not only in biscuits but also pancakes. At lunch and dinner time, people can head to Blue Moose for comfort food and drinks, whether inside or outside by the firepit. When it’s time for dessert, locals walk up to the window at Sheridan’s Frozen Custard, known for its concretes with dozens of toppings from which to choose.
Wanamaker Drive has a great selection shopping and dinning options.
West Ridge Mail is the perfect spot to shop or grab a bite to eat.
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Neighborhood split into two school districts
Southwest Topeka is served by Topeka Public Schools and Auburn Washburn Unified School District, which is ranked the best school district in Shawnee County by Niche. Much of the neighborhood’s west side is zoned to AWUSD, where students may attend one of three elementary schools, including Indian Hills Elementary, which Niche gives an A-minus grade. Come seventh grade, students head 5 miles south into the countryside to attend Washburn Rural Middle School, graded a B-plus, and Washburn Rural High School, graded an A-minus. The high school is one of eight in Kansas to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Students zoned to TPS may attend McClure Elementary School or McEachron Elementary School, which earn B-minus and B grades, respectively. They’ll go on to Marjorie French Middle School and Topeka West High School, each of which earn B grades. Topeka West High is ranked the third-best college prep high school in Shawnee County, offering dual-credit courses through Washburn University.
Newer homes combine with homes from the 1970s
Southwest Topeka is made up of subdivisions with many single-family homes built between the 1970s and 1990s on quarter- to half-acre lots. They include ranch-style, split-level and bi-level homes ranging from around 1,000 to 2,000 square feet, selling for approximately $150,000 to $200,000. Some newer Craftsman-style houses from the 1990s to 2020s can also be found. They can be anywhere from 1,800 to 5,800 square feet, with prices ranging from $300,000 to $675,000. Homebuyers can also settle down in a one- to three-bedroom condo for $70,000 to $115,000 or a duplex for $150,000 to $300,000. Not every subdivision has an HOA, but there are a few with monthly fees ranging from $10 to $170.
Brightly colored homes line the quiet streets of Southwest Topeka.
Southwest Topeka has several craftsman style homes with nice curb appeal.
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Parks deliver recreational options
Southwest Topeka has several municipal parks with playgrounds, such as Brookfield Park, which also has a fenced-in court used for tennis, pickleball, basketball and shuffleboard. The neighborhood is home to Skyline Park, where hikers can walk just over a half-mile to Burnett’s Mound, the highest point in Topeka, which offers panoramic views of the city and Shawnee County. The Midwest Health Aquatic Center opens during the summer months, complete with a bowtie-shaped wave pool, five towering water slides, a toddler pool and other aquatic activities. For more outdoor recreation, Sonic, the chain drive-in restaurant, offers a playground, beach volleyball court and batting cages. There’s also Cypress Ridge Golf Course, where golfers can play for a day, sign up for an annual pass or join a league.
The Gage Park Mini-Train weaves its way through the park terrain and tunnels.
The Warren Nature Area has a great trail system where residents can enjoy long walks.
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Downtown is 10 miles away
Residents have direct access to Interstate 470. It leads to Interstate 70, which can be taken to downtown Topeka for a 10-mile drive. The interstates are also used to drive to Kansas City, about 65 miles east. Though Topeka Regional Airport is about 10 miles away, there are no commercial flights. Therefore, people will drive to Kansas City International Airport to fly from there. Residents have the option of taking a Topeka Metro bus to get around town, with bus stops all along Wanamaker Road.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Southwest Topeka neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Southwest Topeka
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Southwest Topeka Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Southwest Topeka, Topeka sell after 20 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Southwest Topeka, Topeka over the last 12 months is $262,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
New Price on this exceptionally well maintained Quail Cove single family home with HOA provided snow removal, lawn care, exterior painting, neighborhood pool, and tennis courts. The main floor great room with vaulted ceiling is anchored by a stately stone fireplace. The great room flows to the dining room and eat-in kitchen with newer appliances. Two features you'll just love include the inviting
Beautifully updated 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home located in the highly desirable Washburn Rural District! Step inside to find all new flooring throughout and a stunning, fully remodeled kitchen featuring modern finishes, sleek countertops, and stainless steel appliances. The spacious layout offers multiple living areas, perfect for entertaining or relaxing with family. The primary suite provides a
Just listed in the desirable Quail Cove subdivision! Enjoy maintenance-free living with snow removal, lawn care, a community pool, and tennis courts included. This home has been fully remodeled from top to bottom with new paint, lighting, flooring, and stainless steel appliances. The freshly refinished basement adds extra living space, and a brand-new sewer line offers peace of mind. Located in
Find your Holiday cheer in this stunning ranch-style home, boasting 2,296 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space. Nestled on a tranquil cul-de -sac, this four-bedroom, two-full-bathroom residence offers the perfect blend of comfort and modern elegance. Step inside to find a spacious open-concept living and dining area with vaulted ceilings, creating an airy atmosphere ideal for
Stunning 4-Bedroom Home in Prairie Trace – The Ideal Blend of Comfort, Style, and Space! Welcome to this beautifully maintained 2-story home nestled in the desirable Prairie Trace neighborhood. Featuring 4 spacious bedrooms, 3 1⁄2 baths, and a 2-car garage, this home perfectly balances modern updates with a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Key Features: Spacious Main Bedroom: Enjoy a peaceful retreat
Move-in ready ranch in Southwest Topeka with low maintenance living. This 2-bed, 2-bath home features an open floor plan, zero-entry access, and a large arched window that fills the living room with natural light. Enjoy a simple fenced patio with a small garden, and a zero-entry shower in the primary suite. The two-car garage has converted half into a heated and cooled office that can be removed
Relax and Recharge at Cedar Ridge! Find your haven in our spacious, affordable apartments and unwind in a welcoming community. Visit Cedar Ridge today and discover your new home!
Welcome to The Residences of Auburn Hills (formerly Whispering Pines) in Topeka, Kansas! As a resident, you’ll enjoy our inviting one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, along with a fantastic selection of community amenities. All of our floorplans offer open layouts, spacious living areas, fully-equipped kitchens, and generous storage space!
On the hunt for your new home in Topeka, KS? Youve found it at Villa West Apartments in Southwest Topeka, KS! Weve got 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments & townhomes to meet your every need. Nestled in a quiet neighborhood, youll be conveniently located near all the stores in the city and quick proximity to the interstate Enjoy our spacious layouts featuring industry-leading amenities like washer and
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