Portage Wisconsin (Madison, Oshkosh, Wausau: fit in, house, school district)

[randi]

If anyone is trying to decide on a good city to raise a family...consider Portage. To this day I remember all the great times and small town living that have stuck with me to this day.

I know things change but I would like to hope that Portage is still the
"Mayberry" of Wisconsin.

[JoshB]

Portage, the Mayberry of Wisconsin? Hardly anymore. My dad has lived here his whole life and has said that this town has not changed for the better. I've also lived here mu whole life and can tell you one thing I'm moving to Tennessee. Portage has nothing for a young guy like me.

Thats my .02 cents from a local!

[JoshB]

Here is a picture just outside Portage.

[stephenluscombe]

My wife and I are considering moving to Portage. She is originally from Madison. I, on the other hand, am from Plymouth UK. We are living in the UK at the moment but intend moving to the States this summer - if all paperwork is in order. My wife would like to live between her parents in Madison and her twin sister who lives further up just north of Sparta. It seems as if Portage has pretty good access to both areas (and I'm happy that it seems to have a train station - I love train transportation - although they do seem few and far between. Also, I do seem to recall that US trains seem to be heavy on the horns - is train noise a problem in Portage??? How far do you need to live away from the railway lines?

Also, we have a 5 and a 7 year old. Does it make much of a difference which elementary schools they should try and get into?

Cheers for any advice to a limey.

[nikkj123]

You should really consider the Wausau Wisconsin area.

[JoshB]

I'll admit the school district is very good. We have many different programs available. Thats one thing I give Portage Kudos for. The train whistles, not really heard in town. Its really pretty low key.

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by nikkj123

You should really consider the Wausau Wisconsin area.

Can you add why they should ?

[stephenluscombe]

I would think Wausau is a little too far out for us. My wife has family in Madison and in Sparta. I'd prefer being closer to Madison. However, we have thought of a few other areas along I94 from Baraboo to Mauston up to Tomah, but Portage seems a nice fit in seems ideally placed on the Interstate system. I have no idea what the schools are like though. For a limey, I do actually have some experience of Wisconsin. Obviously since being hitched to a Wisconsin belle - I've visited it frequently - even in those cold winters. However, I'd actually spent some time working on summer camps around Wild Rose - although I was initially based out of Oshkosh. I suppose it was this kind of inside information that allowed me to woo my beloved when I bumped into her in Japan - where we met many moons ago now. I'm quite an outdoorsy person (although in a hiking and campcraft kind of way rather than a blow all the wildlife away kind of way) although I do like to have access to culture, libraries and museums if even a car ride away.

[nikkj123]

The reason why Wausau would be a better option would be ....better schools..more house for the money..Wausau area has several towns around it ( about 90,000 people ) I mean, why live in Portage and spend all your time in Madison ? Madison is over priced !

[happy777]

Originally Posted by randi

If anyone is trying to decide on a good city to raise a family...consider Portage. To this day I remember all the great times and small town living that have stuck with me to this day.

I know things change but I would like to hope that Portage is still the
"Mayberry" of Wisconsin.

does anyone know a gene krause that once lived in Portage???