What do you like best about living in WI (rural)? (Eau Claire: theatre, university)

[TKramar]

I don't know how long my aunt and uncle have lived where they do now--but it's UP there! Almost to the Michigan border. Vilas County. Their kids live in Wausau and a town near Madison. Looks like Rhinelander is the largest town nearby...but not all THAT nearby.

I still don't know if I'll be visiting them--I'll have to see.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by TKramar

I don't know how long my aunt and uncle have lived where they do now--but it's UP there! Almost to the Michigan border. Vilas County. Their kids live in Wausau and a town near Madison. Looks like Rhinelander is the largest town nearby...but not all THAT nearby.

I still don't know if I'll be visiting them--I'll have to see.

You have to see that area if you have never been. FANTASTIC scenery and lots of lakes with good fishing. It is the Northwoods so the landscape looks like parts of Canada. The people are generally friendly and chatty as well as reserved. It is the tavern and supper club capitol of the US. Lots of local culture and flavor

[TKramar]

I did a quick check--about 100 miles from Rhinelander...the nearest Home Depot store to them [I work for Home Depot, so I cheat using the store finder on their website when I want an idea...most driving directions things want two addresses inputted.]

[llratke]

I grew up on an 80 acre farm in NW Wisconsin and 2 miles from a ski resort. It was hands down, 100,000 times better than living in a suburb of Minneapolis. Wisconsin is absolutely beautiful and peaceful (at least where I grew up near St. Croix Falls, WI in a town called Dresser).

Originally Posted by Vintage_girl

I'm actually looking forward to moving to WI in the next year or so, but when I tell friends and family, they aren't all that impressed. Everyone acts like I'm going to live out in the sticks and there won't be any civilization around. I'd tell everyone to go up north in MN beyond Grand Marais, but most people don't even know where that is lmao.

I grew up in the city my whole life, but as I get older I realize that I don't enjoy the hustle and bustle of so many people, and I find it peaceful to be able to be away from that. When my husband and I compare notes about growing up, even though I was in a huge city, I find that his childhood experience was richer and more rewarding than mine, mostly because he lived in the country.

For those of you who have lived in WI your whole lives (or most of it), what do you like best? What has been the most rewarding? Would you trade it for "big city life"?

For those of you who recently moved to WI (in the last 5 years to current), what are your thoughts? Do you find it's a good place to raise your children? Do you feel that you are missing out?


I'm trying to get some feedback in a more positive manner. And noone is allowed to say that the winters are really cold!

[ImaloneJill]

My husband and I took our canoe out to Perch Lake in the Blue Hills this weekend and fished with loons and herons skirting the water. So lovely and peaceful.

[notmuch69]

I grew up on an 80 acre farm in NW Wisconsin and 2 miles from a ski resort. It was hands down, 100,000 times better than living in a suburb of Minneapolis. Wisconsin is absolutely beautiful and peaceful (at least where I grew up near St. Croix Falls, WI in a town called Dresser).

Nothing better than living in Rural Wisconsin with a large chunk of your own property!

[country pride]

I was very impressed with te southern areas of Wi, having been there twice. Janesville, Evansville, Madison and Oregon. I was astonished at so much beauty and greenery. Farms, open land, lots of it and green, country, it was gorgeous. A slower paced lifestyle. But my original purpose of going there was to visit with an old friend. Long story short and a year later I went again and at that time took on an interest in the possibility of relocating there. if I do so, it would most likely be near Madison or Stoughton, close to work. In fact am contemplating my vacation this year around the Green Bay area as one possibility when I take it.

[Stone1]

You have maybe already done this but I would encourage you to take a kittle vacation to the Wausau area then check the local papers or make contact with the local employers you would like to work for so you could see what work is available. The other concern would be if the wages can meet your expectations.

You could make short visits in Wausau, Green Bay & Appleton area in a 3 day trip.

[ImaloneJill]

We finally met our neighbors this weekend and both sets on either side of us are awesome, so friendly and caring. One couple is planning to retire there, and that is really encouraging.
We got a few real surprises: our lot has quite a bit of poison ivy-we really need to spray the heck out of it. And...we are in the middle of a bear path that extends over all our lots along the river in that area. A local showed our neighbor how she wears a holster packing bear repellent when she looks for her dog on our properties when it goes missing. Does it scare me? No, actually it makes the property more special to me. We just have to learn to live more carefully around such rustic nature. This trip we saw a cow that got loose from its' enclosure and was running down the highway. We also saw two bears at night on a road in the Blue Hills.
I just love being there. Can't wait until I won't have to leave.

[Uff Da!]

You guys are so blessed! Thanks for sharing your experiences with folks like me who long to be in your shoes. I am deeply saddened though to hear of those of you who are losing your family farms.