Not sure if this has been asked before, but With a population of 1,385, Wilson is a small town. The median home value here is around $162,700, which is actually reasonable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Is this normal for Wilson? TIA! Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
1 upvotes
13 Replies
Daniel Bailey
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
39 upvotes
Joseph Reed
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Austin about 4 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
stl_lillian
I work in marketing here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is pretty good. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
dominic_lover
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
mason_kid
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 2 years. Moved from Atlanta for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have lakes 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 solid. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Road conditions need improvement. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Eli White
great question, following
23 upvotes
Matthew Anderson
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The walkability is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Kayden H.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
Madeline B.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Joshua R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 47, moved here 9 years ago from Portland. I've lived in North and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The food scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Portland, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
14 upvotes
Silas
it depends on the neighborhood
11 upvotes
Ronald M.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Thai places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
6 upvotes
Nathan Nelson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 2 years. Moved from LA for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are solid. 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. Dating scene is rough. Limited entertainment options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.