Best Areas Of Wisconsin (Madison, Eau Claire: low crime, job market, to buy)

[countrymanl67]

Hello,

Lately I have been looking for land and have been focusing on western Wisconsin. I really like the look and feel of the area. I am looking for seclusion, however I am only 24 so I will need to find work. So my first question is what counties in Western Wisconsin have the best economies and strong work force? I have looked at land from Bloomer to Sparta. I'd assume since Eau Claire is a fairly large town there are a lot of jobs there. I don't mind a 50 mile commute one way as long as where I live is nice and secluded in the woods. I have noticed many lakes in Chippewa County. I am a avid Crappie fisherman so that is a plus. However, are these lakes still secluded? Or have they been urbanized by high end resorts? I love a nice quite lake. Lastly, what area of western Wisconsin would you say is the best from Lake Superior to Illinois? I am not set on one spot yet so some feedback from locals would be great. Thanks.

Brandon

[JoshB]

Brandon, I've lived in the Portage/Pacific area my whole life but have been to La Crosse a few times and must say the scenery and qaulity of life seem pretty good there. I'd check it out.

[travelindude]

I agree with Brandon - I've been to La Crosse many times because it's beautiful - one of my favorite places in WI. There's a lookout point that you can see three states at once.. pretty cool. Lots of hills and valleys, laid back people and decent cost of living. The population isn't all that big, and there's some nice places outside the 'city' part that has a secluded feel to it.
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[dreamhunter65]

Eau Claire,Chippewa,Rusk,Dunn county areas be good. Lakes have some resorts and alot of nice ones that are pretty nice fishing. Crappies good at Fireside in spring Rusk County,Otter Lake Chippewa County and alot of other small lakes around.Bass fishing fun also and lakes and rivers to have fun with smallies.
Try WDNR web sitelook at fishing lakes for crappie and such and maybe go from there.

[happy777]

lived in Eau Claire at one time. OK people,good place to buy a car,party town(UW school) bad drivers, blue collar jobs low pay. clean, high wisconsin TAXES, low crime, lots of fishing. Had fun there I guess but low pay job I think you need to be a professional.

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by countrymanl67

Hello,

Lately I have been looking for land and have been focusing on western Wisconsin. I really like the look and feel of the area. I am looking for seclusion, however I am only 24 so I will need to find work. So my first question is what counties in Western Wisconsin have the best economies and strong work force? I have looked at land from Bloomer to Sparta. I'd assume since Eau Claire is a fairly large town there are a lot of jobs there. I don't mind a 50 mile commute one way as long as where I live is nice and secluded in the woods. I have noticed many lakes in Chippewa County. I am a avid Crappie fisherman so that is a plus. However, are these lakes still secluded? Or have they been urbanized by high end resorts? I love a nice quite lake. Lastly, what area of western Wisconsin would you say is the best from Lake Superior to Illinois? I am not set on one spot yet so some feedback from locals would be great. Thanks.

Brandon

In a previous life, I used to be responsible for equipment at hospitals and doctors offices at a number of locations throughout Wisconsin. One of the areas that struck me with natural beauty, was from Spring Green north through Richland Center, north through the Sparta area, and over to La Crosse via Bohemian Valley. The area is very peaceful.

It took me a few months to catch on, but I finally figured out that people were waving at me when I'd drive on the smaller highways in western Wisconsin. And I sincerely doubt it was me they were waving at... I think it was everyone. There's something about Western WI that is very endearing. It is inexpensive, and the rolling terrain is much more interesting than other areas of the state. I used to call it "Horse Country" because a lot of the docs who I did business with, had horses on their property. And there were some Amish people too, but that's worth another thread.

I'm not sure what you do for work, but with a 50-mile commute, you could live in these areas and find something.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by 43north87west

In a previous life, I used to be responsible for equipment at hospitals and doctors offices at a number of locations throughout Wisconsin. One of the areas that struck me with natural beauty, was from Spring Green north through Richland Center, north through the Sparta area, and over to La Crosse via Bohemian Valley. The area is very peaceful.

It took me a few months to catch on, but I finally figured out that people were waving at me when I'd drive on the smaller highways in western Wisconsin. And I sincerely doubt it was me they were waving at... I think it was everyone. There's something about Western WI that is very endearing. It is inexpensive, and the rolling terrain is much more interesting than other areas of the state. I used to call it "Horse Country" because a lot of the docs who I did business with, had horses on their property. And there were some Amish people too, but that's worth another thread.

I'm not sure what you do for work, but with a 50-mile commute, you could live in these areas and find something.

Sparta is one of the colder locations in Wisconsin because it sits in a valley surrounded by bluffs. They had a low temperature of colder than -30F so far this winter. I like the scenery in that area of the state as well

[Drover]

You might also consider the Sauk Prairie area of Wisconsin. It's not really in the "western" part, but that particular patch of Wisconsin was not glaciated, so it has the same hilly terrain as much of western Wisconsin; plus you have access to the Madison market, which is one of (if not the) most vital job market in the state.

[GraniteStater]

Sauk County is growing in both jobs and population, and is not too far from Madison obviously.

[JoshB]

Sauk City is beautiful and even allows for Eagle Watching. I love western Wisconsin kind of reminds me of Kentucky and Tennessee. I can't believe how beautiful of a state we have.

Brandon, I'm sure whatever you choose you will be happy with. La Crosse has always been a beautiful area to me. Good Luck and go with whatever your gut and the folks here at city-data rate positively.