Eau Claire (Spirit: wedding, atheist, cell phone)

[Iseman]

Thanks a lot.

If you know anything about neighborhoods and schools, please let us know.

[politikally]

Well EC only has one school district that I'm aware of, unless you want to consider neighboring towns:

http://www.ecasd.k12.wi.us/index_page/

As for neighboorhoods... people around here don't really think in terms of neighboorhoods... it's just not big enough.

It sounds like you are moving from a larger metro area, and don't have much experience with cities this size...correct?

[dreamhunter65]

Eau Claire has 1 large district but many fine schools. NORTH,MEMORIAL,REGIS as some of the highschools..as far as neighborhoods go maybe talk to a couple realty's get schools in area,tax cost, and such may help when trying to decide on which area you would like to move into.Development is increasing there all the time so alot of places to look into.

[DaisyMae06]

I grew up in Eau Claire in the 60's. It has grown tremendously since then.
I am now 62 and divorced and I am going to move back to Eau Claire. I have lived all over the country and look forward to moving back. The weather is typical of Wisconsin and nothing to be afraid of. Not really much worse than PA. Go to Chamber of Commerce website and request "Relocation Package" be sent to you. Eau Claire is beautiful and friendly. Has lots of churches and things to do. University always has events to go to. Good schools - progressive as a result of University. Close knit locals.
Takes a while to "fit in" if I remember correctly. But most small towns are like that. Get involved in community and you will love it in Eau Claire. That is what I intend to do again when I move back.

[Iseman]

Thanks a lot for your encouraging note. We are from a minority community and have always blended in well with the community.

How diverse is EC?

[Drover]

Originally Posted by DaisyMae06

The weather is typical of Wisconsin and nothing to be afraid of. Not really much worse than PA.

Having lived in both WI and PA, I have to take issue here. WI winters are MUCH colder, and usually with lots more snow. The snow is nothing to be too worried about because they're well prepared for it in WI and plow fleets clear the streets off quickly. However, brace yourself for average January lows of about 2 degrees. That's AVERAGE, which means you can expect plenty of nights to dip well below zero.

[dreamhunter65]

Originally Posted by Iseman

Thanks a lot for your encouraging note. We are from a minority community and have always blended in well with the community.

How diverse is EC?

Perfect area for ya then many different cultures live in EC.

[4leaf]

I'm thinking of moving to Wisconsin or Minnesota from Arizona. Yes, I realize the winters are lovely, but it isn't enough of a reason for me to remain here after 30 years. I just got divorced and cannot afford housing in AZ. There are many other factors in deciding to leave AZ also. We are experiencing an invasion from Mexico, and you have to speak Spanish to do my job now. I feel like my job with the courts here has turned into a social services agency for illegal aliens. We can't even refer to them as illegal aliens because it is considered offensive. The new term is undocumented foreign nationals. Oh, please! I have another name, but I'll stay polite on this forum. The crime rates in Phoenix and the surrounding areas are extremely high. We are highest in the nation in identity theft and close to the top in auto theft. Violent crime is really bad, too. This past summer, we had 2 serial killers terrorizing the community. They're all in custody now, but it's still not at all safe here. My ex is from Chippewa Falls, and I really like that area, especially Eau Claire. I have about 100K to put down on a house, so I figure I'll wind up with a small mortagage if I buy something in the 150-175 range. I'll be retiring in 2009 with a monthly pension of about 3K. However, my take home would be around $2,300 per month. I have no debt, own my car, etc. Can I live on that kind of an income there? I was hoping to get some kind of a job to offset health insurance. I've worked as a probation officer for the last 22 years, and want nothing more to do with that field of work. It looks like jobs there may be on the scarce side. I'm not interested in pursuing another profession; just want something to supplement my income. Working at Costco or Sam's Club would be ok with me. So, am I crazy for looking down this path? I'm just looking for a small town, simple lifestyle, affordable housing, and lower crime so I can open the windows in my house during the day. Any advice either for or against would be greatly appreciated. Please and thank you.

[dreamhunter65]

If like the area and have that to spend a month,and get a part time job for Insurance be no problem.Look for houses outside the city be some cheaper and Eau claire is growing so more and more to look for as job opportunities.Have Sam's club,Walmart and such so should be no big deal. Just seems a switch alot like to retire down there and leave this area.I visited Tuscon in summer though and that was enough to hot for me.

[PrettyGirl30]

Hello,
I am a native of Eau Claire. It is my hometown. I was born and raised in Eau Claire, and Hallie, between Chippewa and Eau Claire.
I have been away from Eau Claire for 2 years, and now am planning on moving back. I have a new husband, and a severly disabled child, now.
Can anyone help me as far as programs and any information about how to get started in Eau Claire?
I have been in college pursuing a marketing degree, and plan on finishing that degree at Chippewa Valley Tech College. my new husband LOVES Eau claire as we have gone and visited back there to see family, but never got to stay for long enough to check out anything there.

He is a hard working man and has been at his job working for a grain and steel company in St Louis Missouri for 10 years now. He wants a good warehousing job, anywhere in Eau Claire or surrounding areas, that starts at about 13 or more dollars. I personally am looking for a job as administrative assistant or something similar, as I am pursuing a career in marketing.
I have about 10 years experience in marketing, from several jobs I have had in the past.

If anyone could help us out in anyway, that would be just great!
I miss my hometown desperately, and can't wait to move back there!
We'll be relocating Feb. 9th.

We currently live in Belleville Illinois, and it sucks bad here. We had 2 shootings at the end of the street 2 summers ago, and there are 3 registered sexual offenders that live at the end of the block. The crime is high. The people are rude and mean. There are next to no jobs here.
There are no family things to be involved with or to do here.

It really sucks here, and me and my husband are just "ITCHING" to get to Eau Claire!!!!!
Please, Please if anyone has any information on anything that they may think would help us, please drop me a line or post here.
I also have a severly disabled child that is 4 now. He has a rare syndrome called "Kabuki Syndrome".(www.kabukisyndrome.com) Its like Down's Syndrome in the fact that it is a chromosome defect, but it is MUCH MUCH worse. My son has 10 doctors, 5 therapists and the county health nurse that he sees weekly.
I need to get in touch with the GOOD doctors that I know are up north. My son was born up in Wisconsin, and the health care he got was TOP-NOTCH.
MUCH better then here, thats for sure.

Anyway, if anyone could PLEASE help us, we would SO VERY MUCH appreciate it.


Sincerely,
Beverly, David and KK (kabuki kid), little 4 yr old Cade