Bigger cities in Northwoods area? (Milwaukee, Madison: to buy, living, shops)

[Angel Heart]

Are there are bigger cities in the northern part of Wisconsin that provide the type of convenience you get in Madison or Milwaukee? I read some posts in the Madison subforum and apparently just about anything you'll ever need is only a short bike ride away.

I like the natural beauty, the lake snow effect of Superior and the general outdoorsy feel of northern WI, but I also don't want to live in the middle of nowhere and have to drive 100 miles to buy a cheeseburger.

[timberline742]

no

there are places like Ashland that have things, but nothing like Madison

[Nicci6Squirrels]

Wautoma is not "big" but it has most conveniences. It's just barely "northwoods," though.

[dirtydan57]

LOL, this is Wisconsin, you can get a cheeseburger anywhere.

[Angel Heart]

I'd love an area that's bone-chilling cold with lots of snow, lakes and forests, but one that's close to a bigger city with convenience. I was considering New Hampshire and/or Colorado, but I'm thinking WI is probably the better deal.

[timberline742]

Live north of the Twin Cities.

[thefragile]

Originally Posted by Angel Heart

Are there are bigger cities in the northern part of Wisconsin that provide the type of convenience you get in Madison or Milwaukee? I read some posts in the Madison subforum and apparently just about anything you'll ever need is only a short bike ride away.

I like the natural beauty, the lake snow effect of Superior and the general outdoorsy feel of northern WI, but I also don't want to live in the middle of nowhere and have to drive 100 miles to buy a cheeseburger.

There are no larger cities like Madison or Milwaukee in northern WI however there are bigger towns like Wausau, Rhinelander, Minocqua where you can get basically whatever you need. Actually, Minocqua Pizza Company has really good pizza. I don't know about good burgers though, whenever I'm up north I usually just grill my own burgers.

[AminWi]

What about Wausau? It's bone-chillingly cold, north of the tension zone (so you'll have lots of northern-feeling pine forests) and has great amenities. It has Rib Mountain, Red Eye Brewing Company, shops - tons to do, and it is a short drive from lakes with loons on them.

[cheese plate]

If you like Lake Superior, the best way to go is Ashland (pretty small) or the Duluth/Superior area. Superior isn't the best, but Duluth has a good chunk of what you'd need and they're twin cities. Duluth has some urban bones, and it's quite scenic up on a giant hill.

Otherwise Wausau would be the closest, though a case could be made for living just north of Green Bay (much bigger/more amenities in the area than anything listed above). That would be a Lake Michigan location, not a Lake Superior one, though.

[ram2]

Would you consider Marquette, Michigan?