If you’re considering a life change, relocating to a place that offers more breathing room, a strong sense of community, and financial incentives—Topeka, Kansas might be exactly what you’ve been looking for. The Choose Topeka initiative is a bold program designed to attract new residents by combining opportunity, affordability, and support. Below is a deeper look at what makes Topeka stand out—and why choosing Topeka could be one of the best decisions you ever make.
What Is Choose Topeka?
Choose Topeka is a collaborative relocation and talent attraction program run by GO Topeka and the Greater Topeka Partnership, with backing from the Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO). topeka.org Its goal: to entice professionals, families, remote workers, and graduates to move into Shawnee County (where Topeka is situated) by offering financial incentives and support for relocation. Citizen Remote
As the program states, Topeka is “small enough to be shaped by big dreams, yet big enough to have everything you need for a dream life.” choosetopeka.com In practice, Choose Topeka aims to make relocation less risky and more rewarding—for both employees and employers willing to participate in the match-funding model. choosetopeka.com
The Incentives: Putting Money in Your Pocket
One of the biggest draws to Choose Topeka is the financial incentive package. Depending on your employment status—on-site or remote—you may qualify for:
- Up to $10,000 toward rent in your first year
- Up to $15,000 for home purchase or home rehabilitation in Shawnee County choosetopeka.com
- For remote workers (working for a company headquartered outside Shawnee County), the incentives are scaled: up to $5,000 for rent, or up to $10,000 when purchasing a home choosetopeka.com
- To encourage long-term commitment, after your first year of residence, GO Topeka / JEDO reimburses employers 50% of the relocation incentive they provided—so employer and community both share in the investment. National Association of Counties
These funds can help offset moving-related expenses—moving trucks, closing costs, settling in, and the financial burden that often comes with change. choosetopeka.com
Since the program’s 2019 launch, it has captured attention for offering up to $15,000 to qualified applicants who move and work in the area. choosetopeka.com As one news source notes, interest has particularly surged among first-generation Latino immigrants, citing Topeka’s existing Spanish-speaking community and resources as a strong draw. KCUR
Who Qualifies?
To make the move under Choose Topeka, you’ll need to meet several eligibility criteria:
For On-Site (In-Person Employment) Applicants:
- Move to Topeka / Shawnee County for a full-time job with an employer participating in the program. choosetopeka.com
- Rent or purchase a home in Shawnee County (for your primary residence) within one year of relocating. choosetopeka.com
- Be legally authorized to work in the U.S. choosetopeka.com
- Employer must commit to matching or contributing funds, and to adhering to program documentation and reporting processes. choosetopeka.com
For Remote Workers (working for companies outside Shawnee County):
- You must work full-time remotely for a company whose base is outside Shawnee County. Citizen Remote
- Same requirement to rent or purchase real property in Shawnee County within a year. choosetopeka.com
- There is a limit of one relocation incentive per household. choosetopeka.com+1
The program is performance-based—applicants must remain in the community for at least a year and provide follow-up documentation to complete the incentive process. National Association of Counties
When Incentives Meet Opportunity: Work + Economy
Behind the financial carrots, the real strength of Choose Topeka is its connection to real job opportunities. The program links newcomers with participating employers in Shawnee County, so relocating isn’t guesswork—it’s a strategic career step. choosetopeka.com
Some of Topeka’s major employers include:
- Advisors Excel
- AT&T
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas
- BNSF Railway
- Capitol Federal
- Hill’s Pet Nutrition
- Stormont Vail Health
- Washburn University
- And several food & manufacturing companies like Mars, JM Smucker, Frito-Lay, SE2, and more choosetopeka.com
These employers span industries from healthcare, finance, and education to manufacturing and consumer goods. That breadth gives flexibility: whether you’re in tech, health, operations, management, or creative fields, there’s potential. choosetopeka.com
Moreover, Choose Topeka is intentionally designed to benefit both sides: employers can attract and retain talent in a competitive labor market, while new employees gain a reason to live where they work. Over time, this alignment strengthens the local economy and community. choosetopeka.com
Affordability + Quality of Life
One of the most compelling reasons to move to Topeka is how far your money goes. Compared to major metro areas, housing costs, utilities, transportation, and general expenses are considerably lower. Because of that, you can live with space, stability, and comfort—without stretching your budget. National Association of Counties
Neighborhoods in Topeka range from upscale, elegant areas to more charming, affordable neighborhoods. Choose Topeka’s site offers a “Live” section that helps you explore different neighborhoods, their character, housing types, and rental/temporary housing options. choosetopeka.com
Transportation is manageable, too. Commutes are shorter compared to dense cities, and infrastructure is adequate for everyday travel. choosetopeka.com
Because life is less expensive in Topeka, you gain time—time for family, hobbies, rest, and community. With less financial strain, you can pursue things that matter beyond work.
Education, Healthcare & Services
Families and professionals moving long-term will care about schools, healthcare, and civic infrastructure. Topeka doesn’t disappoint.
Education
- Topeka supports a solid public school system, as well as private options. choosetopeka.com
- For higher education, Washburn University is a central institution, offering programs in law, business, healthcare, and more. choosetopeka.com
- The Choose Topeka site includes a College & Careers segment, showing how the program works for new grads or those transitioning careers. choosetopeka.com
Healthcare & Services
- Full medical services are available across Topeka and Shawnee County. The “Live” menu on the Choose Topeka site includes a healthcare section. choosetopeka.com
- Other municipal services—transportation, utilities, local government—are scaled to a city that values efficient delivery and accessibility. choosetopeka.com
These systems support a strong baseline for daily living, especially for people relocating from places where such services come with premium costs.
Play, Culture & Community
Life isn’t just about work. Topeka invests in a rich cultural ecosystem, green spaces, and community life that keeps residents engaged.
- Arts & Culture: The site’s “Culture” section highlights local restaurants, breweries, art galleries, music venues, and a commitment to celebrating diversity. choosetopeka.com
- Parks & Outdoors: Large parks, walking trails, and lakes (such as Lake Shawnee) offer nature escapes within reach. choosetopeka.com
- Community & Inclusion: Topeka lays claim to being a place where all voices are welcomed. The relocation program has especially targeted Spanish-speaking communities, leveraging Topeka’s existing Hispanic/Latino population (about 16.5% of residents) and resources like bilingual education to make the transition smoother. KCUR
- Local Events & Festivals: Regular festivals, markets, and cultural events help newcomers integrate, find friends, and build roots. choosetopeka.com
Why Choose Topeka?
When you weigh everything together, here’s what sets Topeka (and Choose Topeka) apart:
- Financial incentives that reduce risk: Up to $15,000 is a serious boost when relocating—whether for purchase or rent.
- Employer-backed matching model: You’re not going it alone. The employer and community invest with you.
- Wide range of job opportunities: With multiple major employers from health, finance, manufacturing, education, and tech, you won’t be limited in career choice.
- Affordability + space: You can own or rent a comfortable home without stretching your budget.
- Strong community infrastructure: Schools, healthcare, transportation, and services are built to support everyday life.
- Vibrant cultural life & inclusivity: Topeka isn’t a bland Midwestern town—it’s one with character, creativity, and an intentional embrace of diversity.
- Remote-friendly orientation: The program evolved to include remote workers, recognizing shifting patterns in how and where people work. National Association of Counties
- Strategic location + connectivity: While Topeka is in Kansas, it’s centrally positioned, making regional travel feasible without the headaches of a major metro.
- Sustainability & growth vision: Downtown revitalization, housing development, and economic strategy are underway, showing the city isn’t standing still.
Finally, there’s something intangible but powerful: belonging. Choose Topeka doesn’t present Topeka as a blank slate—it frames it as a place where your talents, dreams, and identity can matter. Whether you’re a first-generation immigrant, a recent graduate, or someone seeking a fresh start, the city pitches itself not just as a place to move to, but as a place to grow with.
