Possible Move to Hayward Area (Eau Claire, Oregon: schools, living in, shop)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 1.5 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.
The girlfriend and I are looking to relocate in the next 18 to 24 months, and the Haywar area is the choice. We are both very outdoorsy and like small town living. I used to live in Northwestern Ontario and Northern Wisconsin and North and Northeastern Minnesota are about as close as I can get to that in terms of wildlife and scenery. I love the wildlife, love to hunt, fish, snow machine, etc.
We are both in our early 30's and my goal is to start a web design and development company that specializes in the hunting and fishing industries. The area offers everything that we are looking for; all four seasons, beautiful Falls, gorgeous Winters and great Summers, along with beautiful scenery.
What recommendations could you all give to us with regards to the area, employment, etc. She is also very high on moving to Washington State, Oregon or Idaho. Help me convince her that Wisconsin has them all beat!
I don't live in Hayward but have been there several times. It is a small town but I think you can find most anything you would need in the town. It is a resort area with fishing, snowmobiling and skiing being some popular activities. Like much of Wisconsin there are many nice pubs/taverns to eat, drink and socialize at. Jobs may be limited.
Not to steer you away from Hayward but another area which is slightly larger and may give you better opportunity is the Minocqua & Eagle River area. It is much like Hayward but probably has more tourisim. There are also more small communities in that area which may be a boost for your web design business.
What would you like to know? What kinds of things does your girlfriend like to do? What is important to her?
One positive is the people--they are laid back, but very down-to-earth as well.
We are very familiar with the people of the state and they are friendly.
She likes to hike, hunt, mtn. bike, she shoots competitive archery and she likes festivals, art and wine. We are just very outdoor oriented people looking for a relaxed life.
If it were me I'd move to the PNW (Washington State, Oregon or Idaho) before ever moving to Hayward. I'm a WI native growing up in Eau Claire. Our family vacationed in the Hayward area for 20 plus years. But having left WI and living in Alaska and visiting the PNW numerous times, that area has my vote hands down over WI any day. It's way too conservative here, not much for arts, I find the people are very clannish and moving away from this area for 7 years really opened my eyes to what it is like here. Personally, I can't wait to move away.
You want great hiking? Got to the PNW. Also many great sporting opportunities ooy there with real mountains not endless flat land. A lot more festivals too. Just not much to do around the Hayward area or this whole area really, especially once you've been to other parts of the world.
Washington State or Wisconsin would be wonderful. Idaho is crazy conservative. I think that's the state where McCain won by 70 percent or so. lol So Idaho would be out for that reason alone, if it were my choice. Another couple reasons Idaho would be off my list is because certain parts of it are rather land-locked, away from water, and I like water. (Unless you're up by Coeur d' Alene.) It's also isolated from culture and major cities. Even if you don't want to live near a major city, it's sure nice to live nearby if you need/want them for any reason... shopping, fly out and see people, see a good show, etc.
So I would go with Wisconsin or Washington State. I can't really judge Oregon, because I've never been there. So, I can't recommend one way or the other on that one. But Washington State is beautiful. Best of all worlds - lakes, trees, mountains, and culture... if you live near Seattle/Tacoma/Vancouver.
Hayward... it's pretty nice up there. It's certainly grown over the years. I've heard that the schools are rather weak in comparison to the rest of the state though, if you have children or plan to. That's just what I've heard. You could look more into that. Snow removal is definitely superior to Washington. The arts are available near here in WI, you just have to seek it out a bit. Duluth, The Cities, even Eau Claire. And if you or your kids want to get involved in the arts yourselves, there's stuff available. You just have to seek it out. It's far easier to get bogged down in a redneck mentality in a small town anywhere because it's more readily available. In Wisconsin... bar on every corner. hehe! (But it's good beer!) Personally I'd explore my options further for what town to settle in. Hayward also gets touristy in the summer. Wisconsin is wonderful, just not sure I'd go with Hayward... although it's a beautiful town.
Also... up in Hayward, some of my family notice a slight difference in how we're treated as Native Americans. I don't look VERY Native. I am pale-skinned but have a look about me that suggests I have Native American in me. Some of my relatives look very Native. And Hayward is very near Lac Courte Oreilles Chippewa Indian Reservation. So expect to see them around and be kind. They won't steal anything. I've had relatives and friends remark that "Up in Hayward, they look at you like you're going to steal something" when you go in a store. I've not quite experienced that myself, but I noticed a little bit of a "frostiness" in comparison to living a mere few miles south of there.... do you wanna raise kids around that? (It's certainly not anywhere near as rude as where I used to live, Northcentral Montana, but it was very vaguely reminiscent.)
Washington State or Wisconsin would be wonderful. Idaho is crazy conservative. I think that's the state where McCain won by 70 percent or so. lol So Idaho would be out for that reason alone, if it were my choice. Another couple reasons Idaho would be off my list is because certain parts of it are rather land-locked, away from water, and I like water. (Unless you're up by Coeur d' Alene.) It's also isolated from culture and major cities. Even if you don't want to live near a major city, it's sure nice to live nearby if you need/want them for any reason... shopping, fly out and see people, see a good show, etc.
So I would go with Wisconsin or Washington State. I can't really judge Oregon, because I've never been there. So, I can't recommend one way or the other on that one. But Washington State is beautiful. Best of all worlds - lakes, trees, mountains, and culture... if you live near Seattle/Tacoma/Vancouver.
Hayward... it's pretty nice up there. It's certainly grown over the years. I've heard that the schools are rather weak in comparison to the rest of the state though, if you have children or plan to. That's just what I've heard. You could look more into that. Snow removal is definitely superior to Washington. The arts are available near here in WI, you just have to seek it out a bit. Duluth, The Cities, even Eau Claire. And if you or your kids want to get involved in the arts yourselves, there's stuff available. You just have to seek it out. It's far easier to get bogged down in a redneck mentality in a small town anywhere because it's more readily available. In Wisconsin... bar on every corner. hehe! (But it's good beer!) Personally I'd explore my options further for what town to settle in. Hayward also gets touristy in the summer. Wisconsin is wonderful, just not sure I'd go with Hayward... although it's a beautiful town.
Also... up in Hayward, some of my family notice a slight difference in how we're treated as Native Americans. I don't look VERY Native. I am pale-skinned but have a look about me that suggests I have Native American in me. Some of my relatives look very Native. And Hayward is very near Lac Courte Oreilles Chippewa Indian Reservation. So expect to see them around and be kind. They won't steal anything. I've had relatives and friends remark that "Up in Hayward, they look at you like you're going to steal something" when you go in a store. I've not quite experienced that myself, but I noticed a little bit of a "frostiness" in comparison to living a mere few miles south of there.... do you wanna raise kids around that? (It's certainly not anywhere near as rude as where I used to live, Northcentral Montana, but it was very vaguely reminiscent.)
Excellent Post!
I have no problems with natives! I used to live in Northwestern Ontario and I currently live in Arizona. Northern Wisconsin is great and beautiful, however, the more we look into things, the more we are seriously considering Washington or Oregon.
Washington and Oregon offer just about everything that we could ask for. I will miss a few things and I will be farther from Ontario, but I think it will probably be the PNW for us.
I disagree with the poster that did not like So. Idaho. Boise/Nampa is very cultural and full of art. I don't know where they were, maybe hiding under a rock?
Living in WA state, even if you can't be close to Ontario, you've got BC right close (Vancouver) (British Columbia) and of course, the Olympic Penisula, which is outstanding! Check out the town of Port Townsend, a GREAT little town right on the ocean. Art galleries, fab eateries, close to Seattle, just hop on the ferry and your there in a flash. Lots of hiking, mountain climbing if you like that, kayaking, fishing, etc.
I disagree with the poster that did not like So. Idaho. Boise/Nampa is very cultural and full of art. I don't know where they were, maybe hiding under a rock?
Not anymore, I moved away.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $53,000 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 1.5 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.
I've had relatives and friends remark that "Up in Hayward, they look at you like you're going to steal something" when you go in a store. I've not quite experienced that myself, but I noticed a little bit of a "frostiness" in comparison to living a mere few miles south of there.... do you wanna raise kids around that? (It's certainly not anywhere near as rude as where I used to live, Northcentral Montana, but it was very vaguely reminiscent.)
