Opinions on Waterloo, WI (Milwaukee, Madison: appointed, buying a home, buying)

[Baumpower]

Reposting since I didn't receive any response in the general WI forum:

My wife and I are looking at relocating to the Madison area and have found a home we love in Waterloo. We have a 6 and 12 year old and would like to hear if anyone has any opinions on the schools and/or the town in general. I've looked up some online stats and am not real impressed. I'm hoping someone can share an experience or a friends' experience with the area.

Thanks in advance!

[JoshB]

My mom has a farm not too far from Waterloo. It's your average small town. Things kind of died down when Perry Judd Printing left a few years ago. The Burger King also closed. Some people will complain about the influx of Hispanics into the area. They're all friendly and mean no-harm. Many of them work as laborers at local dairy farms.

If I didn't work on the west side of Madison Waterloo would be a town I would consider buying a home in.

[Baumpower]

Thanks JoshB. I had heard about the influx of Hispanics into the area...is it seasonal?

[JoshB]

Originally Posted by Baumpower

Thanks JoshB. I had heard about the influx of Hispanics into the area...is it seasonal?

I couldn't tell if it's seasonal. I actually drove through Waterloo yesterday on my way to my moms place. They had the annual brat festival. The town was hopping!

[Rynldsbr]

Waterloo is a typical Midwest farming community and offers a comfortable lifestyle at a much more affordable budget than closer burbs to Madison will provide. Depending on where you are coming from, that may be good or that may mean you will be disappointed.

Typical small town issues include the limited choices of everything from churches to entertainment. We lived the last 11 years in Jefferson County and loved it, and my wife was a native Milwaukee transplant. My family came from the Lake Mills area (three generations) and so it was a mixed blessing being back in a small town and acclimating my wife to the culture shift. You need to be prepared for everyone knowing your business, and a significant portion of the community probably being related in some way or another. The nice thing is that a small community typically really looks out for each other and will become very close if you wish/allow it.

While I don't know a lot about Waterloo in detail, I know the area and the small town WI mindset and can tell you it can be absolutely wonderful if you want to dive in and be part of the community. If you aren't comfortable with the close knit community mindset, then it may be a challenge. Good luck.