Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Our plan is to move to a small town in Wi this next summer. Obviously, not all small towns are great. Based on your experience, what some warning signs of towns you think should be avoided. I already plan to eliminate any town with a high burglary rate(drugs).
If you've definitely decided on WI, you might get more relevant info on the WI forum.
Couple of things I've learned to check out: the local library. Not sure what you'd find out in this age of electronic stuff but: do they have computers anyone can use? What about their book selection (the old fashioned real books), and magazines? How connected are they to online publications of any kind?
Read a issue or 2 of the local newspaper. Doesn't have to be published in the same town just cover the town you're interested in. Check ads, news, whatever else is in it
Some people will assume this means avoiding senior-dominant towns because “young people cannot find jobs or afford to live there” etc, but it goes both ways. If a town is loaded with only younger people, an economic bust can mean ghost town time, because there aren’t enough retirees left to patronize businesses, pay property taxes, and maintain homes.
Similarly, avoid one-company towns. When the economy goes up and down, it helps to have eggs in more than one kind of basket.
I thought of the one company town. But most small towns are dominated by one major employer or income source, even if its not one company. If farming is the big emoloyer, and thats down, then the whole area suffers. If its tourism, then high gas prices or a recession can be a kick in the teeth. Same for a mine or oil fields. The most stable is probably close to a major National Park, or a prison.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
