So, I'm retired and With a population of 39,893, Wausau is a smaller city. Poverty rate is 9.0%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $950/month for a decent place. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
19 upvotes
17 Replies
Savannah Wright
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Tampa about 3 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Hunter Morgan
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Midtown area are tough. Kids love it here.
36 upvotes
Bella Sanchez
I work in finance here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is challenging. Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Jace R.
as a local I can confirm
33 upvotes
Abigail Jones
This.
32 upvotes
Ezra Patel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 11 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Piper Diaz
I work in construction here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Axel Smith
nah I disagree
29 upvotes
Rylee Foster
Moved here last year, no regrets.
23 upvotes
Ian Thompson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
20 upvotes
Emma Ross
nah I disagree
18 upvotes
sd_carson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Baltimore about 3 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is average.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Hazel Adams
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 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 Downtown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in tech. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Daniel Rivera
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much developing but now it's decent.
12 upvotes
Connor
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 2 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Isabelle Chavez
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Indian places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
6 upvotes
seattle_austin
I'm a contractor and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
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