Topeka Relocation Guide 2009

T opeka Bragging Rights • Kansas state-owned highways were ranked 3rd in the nation by an independent California research foundation in its 16th annual report identifying the best and worst vehicle transportation systems. “The ranking for Kansas reflects investment by taxpayers in two multibillion-dollar transportation construction programs,” says Jerry Younger, assistant secretary, Kansas Department of Transportation. “It goes to show • Topeka is on the July 2008 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine list of the 359 U.S. metropolitan areas considered the “Best Cities to Live, Work and Play.” • The ACCRA Cost of Living Index ranks Topeka’s cost of living 10 percent lower than the national average. The index provides a measure of living cost differences among over 300 urban areas and is based on six components – housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods and services. For the housing component, Topeka is ranked a whopping 22 percent below the national average. • Topeka Public Schools received a 5-Star ranking from Expansion Management magazine. Topeka is one of only 72 metropolitan areas to receive the ranking. what a well-funded, fiscally responsible transportation program will do for your system.” • The Washburn University School of Business has been designated one of the best business schools in the nation by The Princeton Review. The New York-based education services company has selected the school for inclusion in the 2009 edition of “Best 296 Business Schools.” This is the second time the Washburn School of Business has been featured in the guidebook. • Southwest Art Magazine ranks Topeka 12th among the top 25 emerging arts towns in the western half of the United States. The article touting the top 25 art cities states: “From Ventura, California, to Topeka, Kansas, we explore towns that are popping up as hot new places for fine art.” • Washburn University is rated 7th in the Midwest among public master’s level universities in America’s Best Colleges rankings by U.S. News & World Report. This is the ninth consecutive year that Washburn has earned a top-10 ranking. Topek a Reloc at ion Gu ide 20 09 • Stormont-Vail HealthCare is ranked among the top five percent of hospitals nationally for patient safety, according to an independent national research study. HealthGrades, the nation’s leading health care ratings company, awarded Stormont-Vail the 2007 Distinguished Hospital Award for Patient Safety. • Both St. Francis Health Center and Stormont-Vail HealthCare received the 2008-2009 Consumer Choice Award for overall quality and image from National Research Corp. • In a HealthGrades study of hospital quality, the agency recognized St. Francis Health Center as a top-10 Kansas hospital for cardiology services for 2008 and also for five-star rated treatment for heart attacks in 2008. • Despite the shortage of registered nurses nationwide, Topeka has two nursing schools preparing registered nurses at the baccalaureate level – Washburn University School of Nursing and Baker University School of Nursing. • The State Scorecard on Health System Performance supported by The Commonwealth Fund ranks Kansas 10th and 11th nationwide in two categories of access to medical care – percentages of insured adults (ages 18-64) and children (ages 0-17). 10

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Topeka Relocation Guide 2009

Topeka Relocation Guide 2009 Contents Topeka's Pioneering Spirit Prevails During Turbulent Economic Times The Topeka & Shawnee County Library is "Your" Place Topeka Arts Community Grows Through ARTSConnect Topeka Bragging Rights History of Topeka Choosing Topeka Little Know Facts About Topeka 15 Things to Experience in Topeka What's a Young Professional to Do? Topeka in Profile Transportation Lodging Brick Oven: American Cuisine with a Multi-Cultural Twist Great Overland Station: Rich History, Elegant Architecture Religious Organizations Libraries, Shopping and Child Care Referral Housing Income Demographics Business and Industry Topeka MSA Employment Education Higher Education Opportunities Healthcare Local Transportation Taking Care of Pets Utilities Cultural Activities Trails Festivals Attractions Important Numbers Community Information Sources Licensing Agencies Employment Agencies

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