Floridian Relocating to Fond Du Lac (Milwaukee, Madison: real estate, rental, condominium)

[Jblondie1999]

My hubby might be transferred there and we're interested in finding a rental house hopefully in a historic district. Can anyone help me with this? We have 2 toddlers and need at least a 3 bedroom. Are there areas that I should avoid-crime wise? What about the snow? I've never lived somewhere where it actual stayed around more than a day. Does anyone have any pointers for what I should expect? I will be most appreciative for any advice and help in these matters. Thank you!

[Hntr]

I think Fond Du Lac has received about thirty inches of snow this winter, maybe more. But this has been an unusual year.

I live about 70 miles north of Fond Du Lac, we probably get a little more snow, a few degrees colder. On an average year we might have 5-6 days where the kids can't got to school. In fifteen years I have been late to work twice because of weather conditions. Both times it was freezing rain, and both times they had the roads salted by eight in the morning. Snow storms are a little different, if it's a bad storm they can't keep up with the snowfall so you have to drive in the snow. I live out in the country, living in the city is easier. Less snow drifts and they do more snowplowing and more salting. You just have to be extra careful driving.

Hopefully someone can give you a little information on housing.

[MadMaxx]

Well, first off you need to know. I'm a transplant of 35+ years and I love it here. The catch is, if the cold doesnt bother you, if having to say hello or wave to everyone you meet. You'd be surprised how you can do quite nicely at -20. The homes and buildings are designed for it, the cars still start and the streets are clear by 9a.m. or sooner, even it it was a blizzard.
It's not for everyone....but it is a great place to live and rear children.

[sammbols3]

Happy New Year to you!

My husband and I live about 12 miles south of Fond du Lac.

Fond du Lac is a very nice town. It does not have a high crime rate. It has many very nice parks, especially Lakeside Park, which is right along the shores of Lake Winnebago. There is a lovely lighthouse at one end of the park that you can walk up, and then take in the views of the lake and surrounding area. Also, there is a little petting zoo at the park, along with a carousel and little train ride, which are open during the summer months. It is a great place to take the family for a lovely picnic at the park.

There is a street in Fond du Lac called Division Street that has some spectacular old homes along it. They are gorgeous and well-maintained. There are also plenty of areas around the city that have new houses being built. Of course there are also lots of existing homes to choose from, too.

Fond du Lac has a nice mall, along with a Wal Mart, Target, Shopko and Best Buy, to name a few. It has plenty of fast food restaurants in addition to some nice sit-down places to enjoy a good meal. Have you ever heard of the custard place called Culver's? Fond du Lac has 3 of them!

The high school had a major remodeling and addition built just recently. It is a very impressive and attractive building. Unfortunately, I can't tell you about the quality of the education provided, since my husband and I do not have children, but I am sure the schools in the area are at least adequate.

As with every city, there are areas that you might want to avoid. There is not a lot of crime there...the area is simply a more industrial part of the city, and the houses and rental places that are there are not kept up and maintained as well as in other parts of the city.

I would recommend that you do a search for Fond du Lac real estate, so you can begin to have an idea of what is available. I must tell you, property taxes in Wisconsin are crazy. We live in a side by side duplex condominium, at 1250 sq. ft., with a 2 car garage, small cement patio, and very small portion of lawn, and this year we paid almost $2700 for our property taxes!

Winter is long, cold, and grey. This has been an unusual year for our area in that we have received a lot of snow. In fact, the local news reported that the month of December was the second snowiest on record. Our growing season is short. It is unwise to plant anything (annuals) before Memorial Day. Usually mid-September to the end of September marks the end of the season.

But indeed, the people here are very friendly and generous. Oh, before I forget to tell you, there is a small University of Wisconsin extension in Fond du Lac, along with the Moraine Park Technical College. Fond du Lac also has a small airport.

If you have any other questions, I am more than happy to try to answer them for you, or point you in the right direction. Have a great afternoon!

[yo vanilla]

fond du lac has been rated as having the lowest crime rate (or near it) most of the last few years. i dont know if the city is big enough to divide it into districts lol, but the only historical homes i can think of are going to be near the division st and park ave areas. if i had to put some figures on it, i'd say its 30% crappy neighborhoods, 50% ok, 10% pretty nice, and 10% or less really nice homes. its a very blue-collar town. theres actually a decent number of people who have real money there but you'd never know it.

i grew up there. its a nice, quiet, boring small town. not a heck of a lot of shopping; the mall is kind of small and you'll want to drive to madison or appleton for better shopping opportunities. its got a few good restaraunts though.

and if you aren't accustomed to snow, get yourself a snowblower and make sure you've got tires that can handle snow and ice on your car. its snowed more this year than it has in the last few years, and it can be all over the place. when i was a kid we'd get snow in october. last few years it hadn't snowed until late december (except this year). and once we got a huge snowstorm on my birthday, may 10!!

[Jblondie1999]

Thanks for the wonderful advice and very helpful tips. I went skiing as a teen with the youth group from Church, it snowed in Atlanta when I was there working and I can remember snow in Jacksonville, FL at least 3 times but it wouldn't compare to what ya'll have described. It's a little scary for me. Been thru the hurricanes, tornados and terrible Nor Easterns. I've even stared down at some sharks while surfing but the thought of being snowed in...well, I know I'll adapt but does anyone know any good tips for a Florida girl learning the ways of the frigid north. LOL

[sammbols3]

Good morning!

The best advice I can give you for learning the ways of the frigid north (and believe me, it is c-c-c-cold here today! It is about 11 degrees right now. On a positive note, at least it's above 0!) is to dress in layers. Keep your cell phone charged and with you when you are out and about, in case your car does not start or you get stuck in snow. Speaking of cars, keep yours clean in the winter time. They use salt, and sand mixed with salt, to keep the roads clean, and the salt build-up on your car can make it rust quickly if you do not wash it regularly. My car is over 11 years old and there is not a spot of rust on it because I keep the salt off of it.

If you are not a fan of the cold weather or outdoor activities in the winter, stay busy with hobbies; or better yet, volunteer somewhere. It will get you out of the house and involved, and can take your mind off of the grey and cold.

I think the most difficult time of the season is towards the end of January. The holidays are long over, but the snow and the cold still linger. People start to get stir crazy, and cabin fever runs rampant. Spring fever hits everyone if the temperature gets above 40 degrees.

I think snow is only frightening when the winds kick in...the snow will blow and drift all over the place, which can be quite an eye opener if you are driving down a road that is clear, you turn a corner, and run right into a big snow drift.

I don't think you have to worry about being snowed in. I have lived in Wisconsin my entire life (46 years) and have never been snowed in once, even when I lived out in the country for a few years. If a big snow storm is predicted for the area, we usually know well in advance, and can plan ahead by stocking up with basics from the grocery store, etc. Places of business sometimes allow their employees to leave work early, while it is still daylight, so they can make it home safely before nightfall during a storm. I used to work for a large printing company that would send its maintenance people out into the company's parking lots at shift change when the weather was bitterly cold, to make sure that everyone's cars started. If someone had trouble, they would give them a jump to get them going.

Oh, another positive attribute of Fond du Lac is that it has access to a main highway, so you can easily travel to the cities north of Fond du Lac: Oshkosh, Appleton, and Green Bay; and you have an easy drive to Milwaukee (south) and Madison, which is to the southwest.

Have a great day!

[hamjeepr]

We were in a similar boat a couple years ago. I had an opportunity in Sheboygan. Back then I thought Florida had a sex offender problem, but it was nothing compared to Sheboygan. Make sure you check the registry, there are plenty up there and you don't want to move your children next door to one. National Sex Offender Registry or just search familywatchdog. There are map searches that are very helpful.

[KateDaum]

It is cold here this morning too. A few degrees below zero. But the sun is shining and I will take that over damp and 30 any day. Went for my walk this morning and by the time I was done I was sweating. I make sure I cover up and dress in layers but I love being outside. Saw a few other hardy souls also out. If it gets too windy I will walk on the treadmill but I hate that and try to be outside if possible. They are talking rain for the week end.

[yo vanilla]

Originally Posted by sammbols3

I think the most difficult time of the season is towards the end of January. The holidays are long over, but the snow and the cold still linger. People start to get stir crazy, and cabin fever runs rampant. Spring fever hits everyone if the temperature gets above 40 degrees.

yeah i was just telling a coworker that from today until march 1 may as well be an entire year long!! i guess you could say it makes spring that much better though... i guess