Anyone else feel this way? I'm a remote worker and With a population of 12,506, Baraboo is a small town. Median household income is $73,515, which feels about average for the area. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Is this normal for Baraboo? The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
13 upvotes
14 Replies
Skylar Williams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 6 years. Moved from Raleigh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is decent - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are excellent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Nightlife is limited. Bugs and humidity in summer. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Parker
seconding this
40 upvotes
Isabella Alvarez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Maple Ridge. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Jace Turner
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great craft beer places. it was the best decision I ever made.
37 upvotes
piper_dude
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Kayden Carter
big facts right here
33 upvotes
Victoria C.
Bought a house here in 2024 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
28 upvotes
Weston Walker
good to know, thanks
24 upvotes
Everett Clark
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much wild but now it's surprisingly good.
20 upvotes
Aaron C.
Saving this thread
15 upvotes
Jacob A.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 13 years. Moved from Houston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is improving - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited high-paying job options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Isaiah
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 6 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
addison_chef
Moved here from New York about 7 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to walkability but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Cameron Brooks
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely underrated and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Old Town) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
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