Retirement Living in Topeka - Kansas
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Topeka – the capital of Kansas – is situated in Shawnee County, in the northeast quadrant of a state located in the center of the United States. Topeka offers four seasons, beautiful rolling hills, friendly people anda willing workforce.
Spring often arrives in early March. Summers pass with only a few 100-degree days. Nearly 70 percent of the annual precipitation falls between April and September. Autumn offers warm days with cool nights and colorful foliage. Winter usually arrives by December.
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Region Characteristics
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Area Amenities
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Things to Do, Recreation & Fitness
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Leisure time in Topeka is always exciting, whether you’re looking for nightlife, weekend activities – with or without kids – or an evening out. For nightlife, you’ll find live music venues to fit any taste, as well as several great clubs, bars and restaurants that keep the party going through the night.
The Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant, the only commercial brewery in Topeka, is locally owned and offers award winning beers, an extensive menu and family dining with a kid-friendly atmosphere. Blind Tiger brews about 1,200 barrels of craft beer each year and approximately one dozen great tasting craft beers are on tap at any given time.
For blues and jazz enthusiasts, relax, unwind and enjoy the great sounds at Uncle Bo’s Blues Bar in the lower level of the Ramada Convention Center in downtown Topeka.
For the early risers, Topeka has great parks and trails for biking, running, rollerblading and walking the dog. It’s easy to forget the urban life by watching the sun rise over the vast green spaces of Gage Park or by escaping into the winding paths of Shunga Trail.
Topeka is a regional cultural center as well. For music lovers, there’s the Topeka Symphony, with several live concerts every year, as well as frequent band performances at the Gage Park amphitheatre. Art lovers will enjoy the monthly First Friday Artwalks, as well as the expanding NOTO Arts District. Theatre buffs can catch shows at the Helen Hocker Theater, Topeka Civic Theatre and Academy, Topeka Performing Arts Center or Washburn University’s theater.
Sports enthusiasts will have a ball in Topeka, too. Washburn University has 10 different men’s and women’s NCAA Division II athletics teams. And speaking of sports, Hummer Sports Park and Natatorium hosts national, state and local events, including the NJCAA Division lll Soccer and USA Swimming’s Central Zone championships. Don’t miss your chance to cheer on the Roadrunners hockey team in the winter, the Kansas Koyotes indoor football team in the spring and the Golden Giants baseball team in the summer.
If you would rather participate, Shawnee County Parks and Recreation offers a variety of sporting options for people of all ages to get involved in, and there are club teams for youth trying to enhance their skills in track, soccer, basketball, football and more.
There’s plenty to do on a weekly basis in Topeka. The Farmer’s Market is open every Saturday during the warmer months, with local produce and crafts for sale. Downtown Topeka hosts myriad events for all ages from a “Tough Truck” event for youngsters to a “Do the Dart” Downtown Adventure Race for young professionals. There are even events for those who prefer adult beverages, blues and jazz and antique car shows.
Every weekend seems to have some events happening, from Cider Days and the Fiesta Mexicana, to the Huff n’ Puff Balloon Rally and Paws in the Park. There’s always something to celebrate in Topeka. With so much to do, it’s just a matter of finding the lifestyle and activities that fit you.
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Cultural Activities
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THEATRE The excitement of live theatre can be experienced nearly every night at Topeka Performing Arts Center, Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy, Helen Hocker Theater and Washburn University. Theater also is alive and well at venues such as the Break Room and Warehouse 414 in downtown Topeka. Volunteers are welcome to participate as ushers, tech support, performers and much more!
THEATRE The excitement of live theatre can be experienced nearly every night at Topeka Performing Arts Center, Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy, Helen Hocker Theater and Washburn University. Theater also is alive and well at venues such as the Break Room and Warehouse 414 in downtown Topeka. Volunteers are welcome to participate as ushers, tech support, performers and much more!
MUSIC Topeka’s Symphony Orchestra, Community Concert Association, Opera Society and Jazz Workshops offer a variety of entertainment by local, regional and national performers. The Sunflower Music Festival brings professional musicians from across the country to Washburn University each June, and Shawnee County Parks and Recreation features local musical groups in area parks during the summer months. In addition, there are venues for local and regional bands, and Topeka is known as a popular spot for local and national blues performers. You’ll also find myriad events downtown that feature local and regional artists.
VISUAL ARTS Topeka has over 20 art galleries devoted to furthering artistic expression and appreciation. The Mulvane Art Museum at Washburn University and the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library maintain permanent collections and offer special exhibits. Community events such as the Mulvane Art Fair, the Aaron Douglas Art Fair, Apple Festival and Cider Days give area artists opportunities to display and sell their works. First Friday events each month showcase the galleries, and many business venues show art by local artists.
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Public transportation
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Medical Facilities
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Topeka’s regional medical community is nationally recognized for offering high quality, low cost care. A multitude of community outreach services, including neighborhood clinics, prevention programs and services for children and low income individuals are provided by two general hospitals and five specialized hospitals that collectively employ more than 7,500 persons. Specialized infant care, rehabilitation services, surgical procedures, older adult programs and comprehensive heart services are offered in high-tech, newly remodeled facilities.
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What Will The Climate And Weather Be Like If I Retire In Topeka In Kansas?
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Topeka offers four seasons, beautiful rolling hills, friendly people and a willing workforce. Spring often arrives in early March. Summers pass with only a few 100-degree days. Nearly 70 percent of the annual precipitation falls between April and September. Autumn offers warm days with cool nights and colorful foliage. Winter usually arrives by December.
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Monthly Temperature Ranges
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Month
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Low
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Avg
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High
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Jan
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19
F°
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29
F°
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39
F°
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Feb
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23
F°
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33
F°
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44
F°
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Mar
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32
F°
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44
F°
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56
F°
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Apr
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43
F°
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54
F°
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66
F°
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May
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53
F°
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64
F°
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75
F°
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Jun
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63
F°
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73
F°
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84
F°
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Jul
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68
F°
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78
F°
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89
F°
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Aug
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66
F°
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77
F°
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88
F°
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Sep
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56
F°
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68
F°
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80
F°
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Oct
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44
F°
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56
F°
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68
F°
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Nov
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33
F°
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43
F°
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54
F°
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Dec
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21
F°
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31
F°
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41
F°
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Monthly Average # of Hot and Cold Days
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Month
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Days Greater Than 90 F°
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Days Less Than 32 F°
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Days Less Than 0 F°
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Jan
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0 |
29 |
2 |
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Feb
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0 |
22 |
1 |
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Mar
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0 |
16 |
0 |
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Apr
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0 |
4 |
0 |
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May
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1 |
0 |
0 |
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Jun
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5 |
0 |
0 |
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Jul
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14 |
0 |
0 |
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Aug
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13 |
0 |
0 |
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Sep
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4 |
0 |
0 |
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Oct
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0 |
3 |
0 |
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Nov
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0 |
15 |
0 |
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Dec
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0 |
27 |
1 |
Rain & Humidity
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Month
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Rainfall
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Rainy Days
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Humidity
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Jan
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1 " |
5 |
20 % |
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Feb
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1 " |
5 |
24 % |
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Mar
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3 " |
8 |
32 % |
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Apr
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4 " |
9 |
41 % |
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May
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5 " |
11 |
53 % |
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Jun
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6 " |
10 |
63 % |
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Jul
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4 " |
8 |
67 % |
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Aug
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5 " |
8 |
65 % |
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Sep
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4 " |
7 |
57 % |
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Oct
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3 " |
7 |
45 % |
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Nov
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2 " |
6 |
34 % |
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Dec
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1 " |
5 |
24 % |
Snow
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Month
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Snowfall
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Snow On Ground Days
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Snowy Days
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Jan
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4 " |
7 |
3 |
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Feb
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4 " |
5 |
2 |
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Mar
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2 " |
1 |
1 |
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Apr
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0 " |
0 |
0 |
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May
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0 " |
0 |
0 |
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Jun
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0 " |
0 |
0 |
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Jul
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0 " |
0 |
0 |
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Aug
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0 " |
0 |
0 |
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Sep
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0 " |
0 |
0 |
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Oct
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0 " |
0 |
0 |
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Nov
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1 " |
0 |
1 |
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Dec
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5 " |
6 |
3 |
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Natural Disaster Areas
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Senior Housing Options
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COMPARABLE HOME PRICE INFORMATION Average Sales Price For Given Criteria Kansas City, Missouri $113,718 Topeka, Kansas $130,251 Little Rock, Arkansas $134,703 Wichita, Kansas $143,208 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma $167,967 Des Moines, Iowa $168,712 Springfield, Missouri $176,889 Indianapolis, Indiana $187,037 Houston, Texas $191,013 Dallas, Texas $192,358 Olathe, Kansas $210,673 Overland Park, Kansas $218,496 Austin, Texas $304,585 Denver, Colorado $390,436
Source: Coldwell Banker November 2013 (http://HLR.ColdwellBanker.com/FullData.html)
Prices represent the average home listing price of four-bedroom, two full bathroom properties listed between September 2011 and March 2012.
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Senior Assistance in
Topeka, KS
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Topeka, Kansas offers the following assistance for seniors:
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Cost of Living for
Topeka, KS
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Topeka, Kansas cost of living for Housing, Healthcare, Transportation, Taxes, Utilities, etc.:
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Demographics
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Race
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Religion
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Political Party
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Age
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Topeka offers a wide range of services. Senior living communities provide lifestyles and daily activities attractive to seniors. In addition, those over the age of 60 living in Kansas have option of auditing classes at Washburn University- from exercise classes to foreign languages to history classes.
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What Job or Volunteer Opportunities Does Topeka Offer For Retirees?
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Many organizations have discovered that seniors offer skills and expertise suitable for employment in many fields. There are also many volunteer opportunities at the Civic Theatre, library, social service agencies and schools, just to name a few.
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Additional Information
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Visitor Information
Relocation Information
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