Comments on: Cheapest places to live in America – Topeka, KS for under $840 a month

By: Forest

Forest — Wed, 18 May 2011 11:50:11 +0000

Thanks for the tips on Olathe and the insight into Topeka Amalia.

By: Amalia

Amalia — Mon, 16 May 2011 00:28:25 +0000

Topeka, I am telling you from personal experience, Sucks. It is sooo boring, and apartments are ghetto at best. I lived there in hell for almost a year, when my husband was working in the area temporarily. This was a couple years back, and I have to drive there from KC occasionally still for work purposes, you literally feel the life being sucked out of you as soon as you get off I-70. I have also lived in Lawrence, KS when I was a student, transferred to UMKC for graduate work, and lived in the greater KC area for 15+ years, quite happily. We owned a home while I was married, and after separating I found a three bedroom house, not apartment, in a very safe neighborhood in Olathe, KS for $600. I love Olathe, it is very safe there are numerous police every day so if that freaks you out, maybe not a good idea, but I like them patrolling the blocks, its kind of down-home type. There are all people here in KC, all types, not just “rednecks” because I certainly aint one lol!! (Aint is used here as a joke). There are lots of shopping and dining options, and in other areas of town, even downtown Olathe, you can find single apartments in the 350-400$ range. Topeka is a $h_t hole imo, it is a real drag. Lawrence is a college town but there are also plenty of families it has really sprawled out over the past few years.

By: Forest

Forest — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 06:51:29 +0000

Hi Tammy, I have never lived in Topeka myself but the comments vary. Some say it’s fine some don’t!

By: Tammy

Tammy — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 01:26:05 +0000

I was going to ask….are these cheap places Safe to live in?
I am originally from the Akron Canton area in Ohio…….there are many CHEAP places to live .But it is not Safe or clean :0(

By: Forest

Forest — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:12:20 +0000

Hi Jennifer, interesting to get an inside perspective. This post was written maybe 2 years ago now so maybe things have gotten much worse . What kind of crime seems to be prevalent?

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 01:50:00 +0000

Hi, unfortunately I had to move back to Topeka after I lost my last job in KC. I went to high school here and left shortly after to be an international flight attendent. Over the course of my employment with the airline I was based in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta and Miami. I liked all of those places very much…which made it that much more difficult having to move back to Topeka. I know where the “Prospect Hills” apartments are and they are horribly crime ridden. In fact, the city has an atrociously high crime rate. Most “affordable” rentals here are substandard at best…and full of crime. This town is bleak. It’s VERY ugly and run down (visually). I would never recommend anyone to live here. I can’t wait to leave here. Kansas City is only an hour away and there are many very nice, clean, well kept, SAFE and affordable rentals there…and the city is vibrant and clean.

By: Forest

Forest — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 10:12:06 +0000

Thanks for stopping by to let me know your thoughts John .

By: John

John — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 09:40:22 +0000

Sorry but you come off as narrow-minded. FAIL.

By: Forest

Forest — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 13:23:55 +0000

Hey Mary Lou Thomas, wow thanks for the compliment!

I can’t think of specific places but you may want to check out some smaller college towns. They often have cheaper rents because of students and a higher level of cultural events. Maybe some of the other commenters here can help more.

By: Mary Lou Thomas

Mary Lou Thomas — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 14:50:58 +0000

I am 52 years old and am currently living with some elderly parents who need my help. And I do not make a lot of money (close to $30,000 a year), so we are helping each other, by living together!

However, I realize there will be a time, when I will have to move on, but I have no idea where I can afford to live comfortably on what I make a yea!.

I also have 2 cats and I am finding there are not a lot of places here that are pet friendly in the Pinehurst, NC area. So, while living here, I am saving like a mad woman and also exploring and researching the cheapest places to live in the future!

I like cultural things, like fine arts, but I don’t have to live right in the city. In fact, I would prefer to live in a smaller community, but close to an art museum, because I think a smaller town would be safer for a single person, such as myself and I still want to enjoy an artistic environment, like we have here. Also, I’d like the shorter commute to work, since I’d also like to save on gas money!

If you have any ideas, on cheaper communities to live that are pet friendly and also cultural, I’d love to hear about those places!

And I want to thank you for creating such a beneficial website! In hard economic times, I’m sure there are gobs of people like me, who have interest in the information you are providing and sharing with others!

You are a God send!