our Topeka Story

Bovell family

The Bovell family arrived in Topeka in the spring of 2022. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, they made the decision to reach for a better life by relocating to Kansas in 2017. “I enrolled at Pittsburgh State University, in Pittsburgh, Kansas and earned my master’s degree” said Erik Bovell, “this gave me the opportunity to earn a position for a company in Seneca, a smaller city in northern Kansas.”

Erik Bovell, his wife, and two children relocated to Seneca but began travelling extensively to the Kansas City area to support their children’s youth soccer ambitions. “My daughter plays for the state team in Kansas City. We are in Kansas City every weekend for practices and games. When my company gave me the opportunity to work remotely, we began looking to move to the Kansas City area.” The Bovell family soon realized Topeka, Kansas could be an option. While researching communities online, Bovell learned about the Choose Topeka program. The program offered between 2020-2022 offered remote workers the opportunity to receive $10,000 to relocate to Topeka. “We did not know much about Topeka when we applied, but were very excited to be admitted to the program.” Bovell said, “My family loves Topeka now. We are close to Kansas City for sports, our kids love their school and everyone here has been so welcoming and friendly. We are very happy here.”