Hi all, I grew up here but left for a while. Household incomes average around $87,204 in Willard. The unemployment rate is 1.8%, which is pretty low. With a population of 6,418, Willard is a small town. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Thanks for reading. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
8 upvotes
13 Replies
Victoria Reed
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The walkability is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Henry W.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
36 upvotes
Nolan Diaz
bump
34 upvotes
dallas_mason
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Nashville about 12 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Lillian Rogers
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Waylon B.
noted, appreciate it
31 upvotes
Emily Martinez
interesting, hadn't considered that
31 upvotes
Mia C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 30, moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Westside and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Raleigh, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
28 upvotes
Caleb
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 24, moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in North and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
19 upvotes
Logan White
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
15 upvotes
Marie G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Charlotte 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 Springfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
portlandlocal2024
yeah no that's not right
4 upvotes
Steven J.
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much established but now it's hit or miss.
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