Southwest Topeka - Topeka, KS

Before the area known as Southwest Topeka became incorporated as part of the city of Topeka, it claimed only a small portion of land while other smaller establishments cropped up nearby. Because several areas, including Southwest Topeka, became annexed into Topeka, Southwest Topeka remains distinctively different from the rest of the city with its own laid-back environment and economy.

Near Southwest Topeka lies the Kansas History Museum, home to a large tipi, a 1950s diner and a jacket Dwight D. Eisenhower wore in WWII. The museum has preserved a number of important relics of the past, much of which illustrates early Native American culture.

The Mulvane Art Fair, which happens every summer up at Washburn University, features more than 100 artists local to Kansas and has become a can’t-miss event for locals.

Though few local restaurants have been able to compete with the much larger chain restaurants that characterize the area, several local gems shine out in the crowd.

Among them, Glory Days Pizza takes dine-in pizza to a new level. This reliably brilliant cuisine includes potato pizzas, thick garlic crust, and the bacon cheeseburger pizza, complete with pickles. You pay extra for the great taste compared to the other pizza joints in town, but the generous sauce and toppings makes it worth it.

Southwest Topeka does not have much in the way of sushi, but Yuki Restaurant of Japan provides amazing sushi chefs who love to create new, tasty masterpieces for you. Whether you want to go with the standard sesame chicken or the octopus salad, you get fresh fish, fast service and a family-friendly environment.

Far from the Mexican border lies El Maguey, a Mexican restaurant and cantina that serves huge portions whether you get the tamales deluxe or the pork enchiladas, two of the most coveted dishes there. Come late for drinks with a friend at a reasonable price.

Even though music venues have not made their way into the area, you can always fall back to Blue Moose Bar and Grill, an essential part of the local casual nightlife scene.

Both Wanamaker Road and 29th Street make driving around Southwest Topeka and the nearby neighborhoods simple. With easy access to I-470 and I-70, heading in toward downtown or Kansas City by car remains easy. Many large parking lots serve the businesses in the area, making it both free and easy to find a good parking spot near your final destination.

The walking and biking trails, especially Shunga Trail, provide the best way to get around on foot or by bike, but, aside from the restaurants and establishments near the Hyvee in the area, many of your destinations may be too spread out for easy access. Some roads feature bike lanes.

Bus routes 6 and 9 provide the best means of transportation if you want to take mass transit, but the buses do not run into the night, which can be inconvenient if you have to work late.

Several cab companies serve the area, but you have to call to get them for pickup. Uber has yet to come to Topeka.

The two biggest parks near Southwest Topeka remain Felker Park and Big Shunga Park. Felker, named for a previous mayor, houses the Kossover Tennis Center, where avid tennis players and beginners alike can play for hours on end. The park has also been renovated to provide more adequate patio and bench space as well as a remodeled clubhouse and bathrooms that cost nothing and are open to the public.

Big Shunga Park, located along Shunga Trail, provides residents with lengthy walking and biking trails, BBQ grills, a baseball diamond, soccer fields, picnic tables and a playground, making it the perfect place whether you want a nice, quiet walk or a place to bring your kids or dogs.

The annual 5K walk and 8K run takes places along Big Shunga Park, and disc golf in the area brings all types of sports enthusiasts into the wide, green fields. If you’re lucky, you might also see baby bunnies hopping around in the springtime or fireflies in the heat of the summer nights.

Overall, the cost of living in Southwest Topeka sits 14 percent lower than the national average, 13 percent lower than in nearby Kansas City and 4 percent lower than the Kansas average. Much of that difference relates to housing as the average rental rate in the area lies around $577. Groceries and utilities also cost well below the national average.

A one-way ticket on the bus costs $2, and ordering a beer in a bar run around $4. Gas prices typically settle around 8 percent lower than the national average at any given time.

Because Southwest Topeka does not have many central shopping centers, West Ridge Mall presents your best opportunity for getting gifts, picking out something new to wear on your date or getting some lunch. The area features chain stores such as Bath & Body Works as well as more local venues such as Game Zone and 4-1-9 Design, a custom airbrush art store within the mall. Most residents head over to either Hy-Vee or Dillon's, the Kroger store in the area, for grocery shopping and fresh produce. However, the Topeka Farmers Market, with more than 40 vendors, makes for the best place to find tasty snacks, face painting, crisp, home-grown veggies and local music.