Historic Fox River Mills Apartments... (Appleton, Lawrence: low income, rental, houses)

[carmac]

Does anyone know anything about the Historic Fox River Mills Apartments in Appleton? Are they as beautiful as they appears in their on-line site? Quiet? Well maintained? What is the surrounding area like? Can you be carless there? What is it like getting around on a bike?

We are retired and have dreamed, over the years of moving up to WI, but that will probably never happen and we aren't getting any younger. Our idea is to rent an apartment and then spend at least half the year up there...the other half here in Southern California where our entire family lives.

Any and all information would be appreciated...thanks so much!

[crazyme4878]

My friend lived there when they first opened. She had a very small apartment (2 br), but it was very much like the pictures in the adverts. Very pretty. The only thing I didn't like was that one bedroom didn't have any windows, so I would be alert to that issue. I'm not sure how the upkeep has been these last 10 years, nor what the demigraphics of the residents are.

It is situated right below downtown--close to restuarants, the PAC, City Park, and the college. However, note my word "below." You have to climb a steep hill to get up to College Ave. It has been ten years, but if I remember correctly, I did not like climbing that hill as a fit 20 year old!

[carmac]

Originally Posted by crazyme4878

My friend lived there when they first opened. She had a very small apartment (2 br), but it was very much like the pictures in the adverts. Very pretty. The only thing I didn't like was that one bedroom didn't have any windows, so I would be alert to that issue. I'm not sure how the upkeep has been these last 10 years, nor what the demigraphics of the residents are.

It is situated right below downtown--close to restuarants, the PAC, City Park, and the college. However, note my word "below." You have to climb a steep hill to get up to College Ave. It has been ten years, but if I remember correctly, I did not like climbing that hill as a fit 20 year old!

Thank you crazyme...that's good to know! We hope to be able to ride bikes and leave the car behind in SoCal...a steep hill would definitely be a concern on a bike!

[elspaniel]

Originally Posted by carmac

Thank you crazyme...that's good to know! We hope to be able to ride bikes and leave the car behind in SoCal...a steep hill would definitely be a concern on a bike!

You can check out the hills on google street view follow water street east to college and than west to prospect both ends have hills that would be annoying everyday & I don't think there is a bus stop near the apartments.
I lived in the mills about 10 years ago as well. We had an awesome apt. 2 bedroom 2 floors w/ a cool little tower got in on the low income plan back then with a new baby rent was only about $750.
You could look for rental units in some of the cool old houses near Lawrence U. / city park area you'd be downtown and out of the river flats where the mills are. Only problem with downtown is no real grocery options except jacobs meat market.

[crazyme4878]

Originally Posted by elspaniel

You could look for rental units in some of the cool old houses near Lawrence U. / city park area you'd be downtown and out of the river flats where the mills are. Only problem with downtown is no real grocery options except jacobs meat market.

I love the City Park area. Probably the best area in the entire city. The grocery stores are a bit far away, but I wouldn't want to live around or bike to the areas with them. When I lived there 10 years ago, the farmer's market was in the parking lot of the library (which is downtown), I believe. Not sure if it still is. I would think that there would be a grocery-delivery service somewhere in Appleton if it really is an issue.

[elspaniel]

Originally Posted by crazyme4878

When I lived there 10 years ago, the farmer's market was in the parking lot of the library (which is downtown), I believe. Not sure if it still is.

I forgot about the farmers market! Duh! They close off college ave downtown for it now. Tons of vendors.