possibly moving to Chippewa Falls/Eau Claire (Milwaukee, Brookfield: co-op, safe area)

[Dragynwing]

My husband is being scouted for a job in Chippewa Falls/Eau Claire. We live in Milwaukee and really love it here but the job is for a company he really works for so there's a good possibility that we'll be moving in the near future. What are some good areas to live/rent in the area? We're in our early 30s with no children and we aren't into the bar scene. What is there to do for fun? Since we live in Milwaukee, we're used to going out nearly every weekend to a festival or farmer's market or some local gathering. We also love that there are so many ethnic restaurants near us. We live in a young, artistic community with local co-op grocery stores and a Tai-chi center and other amenities like that that we enjoy. Will we be able to find things like that in the area?

[argot]

I can't answer this question for you, but more people who are knowledgeable about that area might see it if you move this to the general WI forum rather than the Milwaukee subforum.

[Brunswick A2]

Dwing,

I have 20 years on ya', but grew up in Brookfield and moved up north of Eau Claire just over 20 years ago. Eau Claire is a college town and that gives it a young edge right from the start. You would do yourself well to check out the UW Eau Claire website and the City of Eau Claire website to see what the area has to offer.

My wife and I, and our son live in a community just north of Eau Claire with a population around 2,000+. You get to know your neighbors in a community this size whether you like it or not. Eau Claire is big enough to avoid that situation. There are plenty of fine communities in Eau Claire for young professionals like yourselves.

Small towns and villages have a lot to offer, not to mention Eau Claire. During the summer the communities each have their weekend to put on their festival, they take turns. You will drive no more than an hour to find great festivals each weekend during the summer. But that's only if you get into that scene.

There is the big mall with major anchors, plus a fair amount of ethnic restaurants.

Nature is all around, for jogging, fishing, biking, boating, or meditating, it pulls you in.

I can't tell you pro or con, but it is a change from Milwaukee, which I dearly love, so many memories. We get back now and then to share Milwaukee with our son.

Your both young, give it a chance, you can always move on.

B A2

[Dragynwing]

whoops! thanks argot!

thanks for the info Brunswick.

[omaraz]

I've lived in both Eau Claire (currently) and Chippewa Falls and both towns are good. I prefer Eau Claire only because I spent most of my time in Eau Claire when I lived in Chippewa. It's a very safe area and the people are friendly. I live in south Eau Claire which is quiet and close to the mall, restaurants and other retail stores. It can be boring times but when that happens if you find a community activity or decide to explore the outdoors, it will subside easily.

We're about an hour and a half from Minneapolis so if you really need something that you can't get in Eau Claire or Chippewa Falls, you can take a day trip there to get what you need. The housing is decent and you should find no trouble finding a place as long as you keep an eye out. The college students are more concentrated in the downtown area so unless you live down there, you won't be affect by "college life."

I really enjoy it here and it's a nice change from living in a big town (moved from Phoenix). Close enough to everything you need but far enough away not to deal with the big city feel.