Small town preferences? (Milwaukee, Waukesha, Eau Claire: crime, house, living in)

[geekduo]

Ok, what is everybody's preferences for the size of town/city to live in? I'll start.
I like the quieter, slower pace of life in rural areas. I also prefer being where I can see woods, hills everyday out my windows or at least within walking distance. I also prefer a small town community. Necessity dictates that I also have to live near a source of good jobs and shopping. So my perfect home is on the outskirts or within a couple miles of a small town of 1-5000 people or so. But that also has to be within a half hour to an hour drive of a city of 50-100,000 people for jobs, shopping and occasional outings.
Of course that is in a perfect world and I prefer it to be in the northern half of Wisconsin as well!

[JoshB]

geekdue, I can blame you for choosing the northern part of the state.. It sure is nice up there. I would have to say maybe 10 minutes from a town of 5,000 people and then at least 45 minutes to a city of 30,000 people. I think that would offer enough shopping, grocery options etc.... I think maybe in the Driftless area of SW Wisconsin.

[Tim-mac]

As I age smaller town living looks better. I do also know myself well enough to know I need a bit more then a couple of pubs and a Wal-Mart near by. Hopefully that does not sound arrogant. I'm a jeans and t-shirt kinda guy and I don't need a opera near by. 30,000+ was too small a few years ago, but it's sounding better everyday. JoshB I looked at your photo albums WOW. Very nice. My youngest would do anything to live out like that. I still don't know if I could.

[JoshB]

Tim, I love living where I do... My friends ask me how I can be so simple? I just love the country, I actually live on the outskirts of town...The city just annexxed the land around here so now where in city limits... I still love the peace and quiet around here... I tell you what I'm a jean and t-shirt kinda guy as well! Wal-Mart is my wardrobe except dress clothes.lol We have a Wally World and a few restaurants which is more than enough to get by...

[susancruzs]

I like small town living but need to be in town. My sister in the UP doesn't mind that she is 6 mis. from a gallon of milk. Me, 3 block walk to Pick n Save!

Two Rivers is 12,500, not real small but enough to be quiet. When I was looking last year, I wanted a town with a defined town center, grocery store, drug store, gas station, bank, etc. and I wanted sidewalks to get there. I'm one mile from the center of town, a very easy walk.

In Illinois (Waukegan), I was putting my life in danger if I decided to walk somewhere. Crossing a busy street, cars would aim for you, a pedestrian in a crosswalk was good for target practice. Somewhat of an exageration but you get the idea! I needed quieter and safety!

[geekduo]

Susan,
Yeah, living close enough to a small downtown is great. I used to have a house like that and it was nice to walk down for a gallon of milk or ice cream cone. I like the privacy of living in the country though, but if I couldn't live in the country than I would want to live in a nice walkable small town.

[shannonM]

I want to live in a smaller town than what i am in now. but not too small to where if i need something it's a pain to go get it.

[slamont61]

I used to live in what I thought was the country, in Waukesha County's Lake Country. Well it is more than a half hour into Milwaukee from there if not a full 40 minutes.

Then I moved to Northern Minnesota and to a town where the population is about 680 or so. Wow is life in a small rural town different. So laid back and friendly. No crime to speak of, no traffic of any sort, except maybe a tractor holding back traffic for a moment. It's just wonderful....

Small Town - between 6 and 8 hundered is just right. Any bigger and you'll end up with a Wal Mart in town.

[JoshB]

Originally Posted by slamont61

I used to live in what I thought was the country, in Waukesha County's Lake Country. Well it is more than a half hour into Milwaukee from there if not a full 40 minutes.

Then I moved to Northern Minnesota and to a town where the population is about 680 or so. Wow is life in a small rural town different. So laid back and friendly. No crime to speak of, no traffic of any sort, except maybe a tractor holding back traffic for a moment. It's just wonderful....

Small Town - between 6 and 8 hundered is just right. Any bigger and you'll end up with a Wal Mart in town.

That sounds so nice. I wish I lived in a smaller town requiring residents to be more independent...

[Alt Dach]

The only area I can think of that meets your criteria are small towns in the Eau Claire
area.Augusta maybe?