Relocating/ buying a business in Westfield WI? (Madison, Stevens Point: home, unemployment)

[mindytriplett]

Hello, I currently live in CO and have family in WI. I have an opportunity to relocate and buy a business in Westfield. I have done a little research online and it said Westfield had a population of 705 in 2008. When I visited there recently it was almost 1400, It seems to have doubled over the year... must be doing something right!! My questions are...how are the schools, neighbors, the town in general? I was there as a visitor so I would like a little more insight please. I'm 30, my husband 32, my kids 8 and 5. Any info would be appreciated.

[Hntr]

I assume you mean Westfield in Marquette county. There is also a town of Westfield in Sauk county.

The census was 1217 in 2000, according to Wiki and CD's listing of towns from 1000-6000...... but according to CD's Westfield homepage the population in July 2008 was 705, up 2.3% from 2000.

The discrepancies might be due to confusion between the township of Westfield and the village of Westfield in Marquette county.

Westfield is right off Interstate 39, I've probably drove past it a hundred times but I've only gone thru it once on a fishing trip a couple of years ago, so there isn't much else I can tell you.

[gossi1]

Marquette County is one of the poorest in the state, something like third from the bottom. I live a short drive from Westfield and can tell you there isn't much going on. The school may be merging with Montello b/c Montello is in severe financial straights, like most small school districts. Westfield school already consists of Westfield, Oxford, Coloma and Harrisville (I think thats all).The economy around here is quite bad. It depends on what the business is that you are looking at. In most of the small towns around here, half of the main street buildings are empty and run down. Seems to be alot of drug issues as well, from looking at the Marquette County paper (no city papers for Westfield or any of the other small local towns).

[ranger17]

though i haven't been thru those areas for awhile except for visting family, i did live in Montello for HS+ years. Even 20-30 yrs ago it could be tough to try new businesses in those markets. The job options for adults are few--seems you can get in Brakebush close by, work on a farm, or drive to the Portage area ( or further ) for work. Which leads to some of the unemployment issues and lack of spending cash that's available for retail. Not sure the type of business you were looking at purchasing and if it's ready to go and profitable or needs time and work to get it there, so would suggest a lot of research to make sure it's viable. Now the family we have in those areas does well for themselves and are very happy, but we also know people who don't have it so good. It was only a year or so ago that Montello actually considered closing down it's school district; but was able to pull it thru that fight ( hopefully for long term ).
Do you currently live in a small community or one of CO's larger cities? Westfield by population is a small town as are the surrounding communities, and you're a good hour drive north of Madison ( and probably 1.5 hrs south of Stevens Point area ) if more shopping/recreation is desired. The rural areas can be beautiful if you enjoy the outdoors, and you already live in a snow state so that part won't shock your system.
Guess from my point of view, I always enjoy visiting the areas up there, but just couldn't live there as I do need more then what a small town offers. That is just an opinion though; good luck with your research. And don't just research the business market, but housing and the school district as well. You could find a nice home or acreage for what can be much cheaper then you are used to seeing, but depending on location you may have limited options for tv/phone, cell service, etc.
Though sounds like you visited before, a suggestion may be to hit it again, but branch out your travels to include places you would take your children to, things you and your spouse would do, etc. One can always find a roof for over their heads, but make sure you can find the things that your family enjoys to do as well.

[Wellstone]

there are no jobs in portage. that area is known for having no jobs and a weak economy, even in good times. not sure what the business is, but if it's not the mcdonald's off the freeway you might have trouble with it.