Plaza West in Topeka, KS

Pros

• Plaza West Apartments are well maintained and very clean.
• Mona, the manager, is a great person who cares about the residents and puts in long hours to keep things running smoothly.
• The management and maintenance staff are extremely helpful and friendly.
• The staff helps residents secure an apartment quickly and affordably.
• Mona and Jose are the best, keeping the building clean and safe.
• The building smells nice and the cleaning is great.
• Residents appreciate the care and support shown by the staff.
• Plaza West is a great place to live.

Cons

• The owner is criticized for poor hiring, relying on only one maintenance person for an old building that is slowly falling apart.
• The management claims to value residents, but the reviews say issues are not fixed and residents are not treated well.
• The owner is suspected of being a slumlord and of using the property as a tax write-off.
• Residents are told it’s their job to sweep, mop, and wipe down hallways, implying a lack of cleaning staff.
• Bed bugs are still present in the building according to multiple tenants.
• Management is described as unresponsive, with calls and voicemails going unreturned.
• The manager is called a bully who twists facts and issues false lease violations.
• The manager is labeled a control freak, condescending, disrespectful, and unprofessional.
• It takes months to get rid of bed bugs, and tenants feel blamed by management for infestations.
• The office is often inaccessible, with signs like “Busy, in a Meeting,” preventing contact.
• Illegal evictions and associated misconduct are alleged against the manager.
• The environment is described as unhealthy and unsafe, including frequent unwarranted entries, burglary, and racist treatment.

Review

Plaza West in Topeka is best suited for seniors who want an affordable, community-oriented building with an on-site team that visibly cares and stays engaged in daily operations. The strongest draw is a clean, well-kept environment backed by a manager and maintenance staff who residents describe as helpful and committed. This is a practical choice for those who value responsiveness, clear rules, and a sense of routine, especially when affordability is a priority and proximity to services matters. However, it is not for residents who require a flawless pest-free living experience, or for those who insist on hands-off ownership and perfectly predictable communication. For anyone who cannot tolerate persistent pest challenges or potential management friction, alternatives deserve serious consideration.

On balance, the staff at Plaza West emerges as a core strength. Multiple residents highlight a level of dedication from Mona, the manager, and Jose, the maintenance technician, that translates into a consistently clean building, timely handling of issues, and a service-focused vibe. The presence of a proactive service coordinator and a team that people feel they can rely on underpins a workable daily living environment. When the environment is well maintained and staff are accessible, the practical benefits, quiet hallways, timely repairs, and a sense of security, matter deeply for seniors who want stability and a predictable routine.

Yet the cons in the community’s narrative are hard to ignore. Bed bug infestations recur across several accounts, and some residents describe the pest problem as chronic and costly to manage. Compounding that, a number of reviewers recount strained or confrontational interactions with management, including claims of bullying, aggressive lease enforcement, and even illegal eviction actions. Phone and voicemail responsiveness also surface as a recurring complaint, painting a picture of a building where communication can feel uneven. The property’s age, combined with lean maintenance staffing (one technician in an older structure, according to some comments), compounds maintenance delays and makes outright major repairs feel slower than desirable.

Those pros and cons collide in a practical way: a diligent staff and clean, affordable living can offset many day-to-day frustrations, but persistent pest pressures and fragile trust in management dilute the overall experience. For residents who are proactive, report issues promptly, partner with pest-control visits, and follow lease guidelines, the building can deliver dependable day-to-day livability and a supportive community. For others, especially those who cannot tolerate bed bugs or who require consistently unimpeachable communication and procedure, the drawbacks may overwhelm the positives. The result is a mixed value proposition that depends almost entirely on individual priorities and tolerance for risk.

With that in mind, Plaza West is a considered option for seniors who prioritize cost-conscious living and a hands-on, resident-facing management team, and who are prepared to engage actively with pest-control processes and lease enforcement. For those who want near-flawless pest control, a more predictable office experience, or a broader maintenance footprint, alternatives merit serious consideration. Prospective residents should target a candid conversation about current pest control history, the actual staffing reality, and the management approach to resident concerns. The right fit hinges on balancing the warmth and reliability of the on-site team against the realities of persistent pests and the intensity of lease governance.

To decide, request concrete, up-to-date information before moving in: the current pest-control plan and history, the exact maintenance staffing level and response timelines, a recent communications protocol for urgent requests, and a clear explanation of any past eviction or enforcement actions. Also ask for a sense of how often residents report issues and how quickly they see results after pest-control visits. This clarity will reveal whether Plaza West’s strengths, cleanliness, responsive staff, and an affordable, supportive environment, align with long-term needs, or whether a different community with stronger pest management and steadier communication is the better match.

This part of Topeka, Kansas offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area. With numerous dining options such as Bar 'N Grill, McDonald's, and Chipotle Mexican Grill, seniors can enjoy a variety of cuisine within close proximity. Additionally, there are several pharmacies nearby including Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy for easy access to medication and health supplies. The presence of healthcare facilities like Tallgrass Oral Surgery and Topeka ER and Hospital ensures that medical needs can be addressed effectively. Places of worship such as First Lutheran Church Elca provide spiritual support while parks like Gage Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment for seniors seeking a comfortable and convenient place to call home.

Restaurants

• Bar 'N Grill (0.1 miles)
• McDonald's (0.1 miles)
• Taco Villa (0.3 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (0.5 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (0.6 miles)
• Noodles & Company (0.6 miles)
• Hardee's (0.6 miles)

Cafes

• Classic Bean (0.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (1.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• CBD Nation Topeka (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Kansas Pharmacists Ass (1.6 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (1.7 miles)

Physicians

• Tallgrass Oral Surgery (0.4 miles)
• Kohake Deutscher & Hefner (0.6 miles)
• Capital City Oral Surgery (0.8 miles)
• Goering Family Optometry (0.9 miles)
• Jeri Dianne Stonestreet, LSCW (1 miles)
• The EyeDoctors Optometrists (1 miles)
• Beltone Hearing Care Center (1.2 miles)

Theaters

• Topeka Wheatfield 9 (0.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Topeka ER and Hospital (1 miles)
• Topeka Veterans Affairs Medical Center (1.5 miles)
• Topeka VA ICU (1.5 miles)
• Veterans Health Administration (1.6 miles)
• Colmery-o'Neil Va Medical Center (1.6 miles)
• Cotton O'Neil Urish (1.8 miles)
• Washburn Surgery Center (2.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Lutheran Church Elca (1.3 miles)
• Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene (1.8 miles)

Parks

• Gage Park (2.3 miles)