First post here. We're a young couple and It's a a small town city with about 8,671 people. Household incomes average around $47,692 in Wharton. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What do you all think? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
6 upvotes
15 Replies
Ryan R.
Moved here from Tampa about 2 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to job market but Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Melanie Lopez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
39 upvotes
Waylon Morgan
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Jackson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Baltimore it's pretty good.
35 upvotes
fresno_jameson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 14 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Grace Miller
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
30 upvotes
Camila Brooks
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to San Diego it's surprisingly good.
30 upvotes
Asher Cook
couldn't agree more
27 upvotes
Landon Campbell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in legal. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Isabella Walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 28, moved here 2 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Greenfield and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The job market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Phoenix, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
23 upvotes
Anna Gray
Bought a house here in 2015 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
15 upvotes
Paisley Howard
Came here for cost of living and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The traffic is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
15 upvotes
lucy_native
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Nashville about 10 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Audrey Carter
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 57, moved here 3 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Highland and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- West: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Charlotte, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
13 upvotes
nycvibes2022
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Oak Park area are improving. Kids love it here.
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