Curious what people think. I'm a college student here and Median household income is $104,929, which feels pretty solid for the area. With a population of 13,223, Waconia is a small town. Household incomes average around $104,929 in Waconia. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Am I wrong here? Cheers. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
10 upvotes
7 Replies
Leo M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
29 upvotes
Elijah Cox
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is solid in most areas.
29 upvotes
jonathan_chef
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 8 years. Moved from Chicago for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. 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. Downtown 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. Limited shopping options. Limited entertainment options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Zoey T.
I've lived in West for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The walkability scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Ryan M.
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
6 upvotes
Lily Kim
preach
5 upvotes
mountain_kaylee69
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
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