Would you recommend Appleton? (Milwaukee, Green Bay: where to stay, hotel, attorney)

[ggaetti]

I would still encourage you to give Appleton consideration. We have lived in both Appleton and Green Bay. Green Bay is where the rudeness is. Appleton is very friendly compared to Green Bay. Cost of living is very reasonable in Appleton. It is not all that conservative...Lawrence University is here and it is one of the most liberal colleges in the nation.
You can go out in Appleton, 30 minutes to Green Bay, 2 hours to Milwaukee (65 mph), 2 hours to Madison...

[CrimsonJosh]

Appleton > Green Bay

[BacktoNE]

We moved to Appleton last May, and I am one of those who find the people here to be extremely rude. Not all of them, of course, but so far the negatives outweigh the positives. It's too bad because Appleton does have some positive things in its favor. The performing arts center attracts some good shows; excellent shopping; the smoking ban is very nice when you want to go out to eat and actually be able to taste your food. It's an easy drive to the lakes.

The downside, in addition to the rude people, would be the city government. I have never seen money wasted like this. The people who run this city don't have a clue about budgets.

The other downside, and this appears to extend well outside Appleton, is the acceptance of drunk drivers as "just one of those things". I can't begin to count the number of accidents, including fatalities, that have been attributed to drunk drivers just since we moved here. The police don't seem to care; they don't run road blocks or extra patrols on the weekends to try and stop these people. My husband and I never go out on Friday or Saturday nights as it just isn't worth the risk.

We have been told repeatedly over the months that we should have gone over to LaCrosse, that we would find it much friendlier and certainly more scenic. Because of DH's job, we can't move over there, but I do try to encourage people moving to WI to look closely at that area.

One more thing. If you have environmental allergies, rethink WI in general. I have been sneezing, itching and coughing since we moved here. Mold is a particularly big problem.

[MattDen]

Originally Posted by BacktoNE

We moved to Appleton last May, and I am one of those who find the people here to be extremely rude. Not all of them, of course, but so far the negatives outweigh the positives. It's too bad because Appleton does have some positive things in its favor. The performing arts center attracts some good shows; excellent shopping; the smoking ban is very nice when you want to go out to eat and actually be able to taste your food. It's an easy drive to the lakes.

The downside, in addition to the rude people, would be the city government. I have never seen money wasted like this. The people who run this city don't have a clue about budgets.

The other downside, and this appears to extend well outside Appleton, is the acceptance of drunk drivers as "just one of those things". I can't begin to count the number of accidents, including fatalities, that have been attributed to drunk drivers just since we moved here. The police don't seem to care; they don't run road blocks or extra patrols on the weekends to try and stop these people. My husband and I never go out on Friday or Saturday nights as it just isn't worth the risk.

We have been told repeatedly over the months that we should have gone over to LaCrosse, that we would find it much friendlier and certainly more scenic. Because of DH's job, we can't move over there, but I do try to encourage people moving to WI to look closely at that area.

One more thing. If you have environmental allergies, rethink WI in general. I have been sneezing, itching and coughing since we moved here. Mold is a particularly big problem.

I live in Nebraska and have talked to people from Boston and Maine who say that people in Nebraska are extremely rude people also. I am sure Maine really stands out on great people though from what ive been told. I venture to guess Appleton on the friendliness scale is similar to Nebraska from what people have wrote on the board.

The draw with Appleton for me is the close proximity to Milwaukee and Chicago where I could go once or twice a month have a good weekend and enjoy all the amenities in those two cities and be able to live in a very affordale place like Appleton which has a good economy and good retail.

I am not moving yet and just considering Wisconsin, but I think I will look more into La Crosse though and see whats up there. Rents are very low in La Crosse also and they have a good bus system.

I am just wondering does any one of idea of how many taverns are in Appleton, it seems like people on here think say there is alot

[ggaetti]

Twin Cities are about 90 minutes or a little more from La Crosse.

[GreggB]

AS BacktoNE says, the downside to Appleton is it's rude people and the lousy city government. It is a TAX and SPEND attitude. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!! I lived there for 30 plus years. I KNOW!!!! I've seen it first hand. All the poor planning. All the bungled projects. All the so called "Consultants" that came to town telling Appleton leadership how to do things, when they don't have a clue about Appleton. Appleton is where I was born. My hometown. I don't bad mouth the place just for the heck of it. I have seen firsthand the changes there and most of them are of a negative nature. It is the lack of leadership within the confines of city hall that can be held accountable for this. I have said it before--and I'll say it again. In real SIMPLE terms---it is a handfull of the local wealthy that call the shots for Appleton. The citinzens of the city don't have much too say about things. Few referendums on matters of importance. It is a CONSERVATIVE community. Anyone who says that it is not, is just plain WRONG. PERIOD!! To anyone planning on moving here you will find out for yourself. As I have also said before in Appleton's defense, and will say again--Yes, it is a safe city. Low crime rate. Decent schools. Housing still affordable (if you can afford the sky high property taxes). And finally, I stand firm om my comparison of Appleton vs La Crosse. La Crosse, BY FAR, a much nicer community.

[GreggB]

Originally Posted by MattDen

I am not planning on moving yet anyway, but I will look at La Crosse also.

I know La Crosse has a beautiful background and It looks like the hiking would be great there almost like Colorado. It just seems like a beautiful place.

My main concern with La Crosse is the entire area is 125,000 people and alot of times with population that low people tend to be very insular and it's very hard to meet people. I went to college in the Fargo area and although I liked the quality of life the people there were very conservative and had no interest in meeting people outside the same social circle they have known their entire lives.

I was wondering as far as nightlife which one is better and where are the people more open-minded in meeting new friends?

LA CROSSE, by far is your best bet. If your are concerned about people tending to be 'Insular' ---- Look NO FURTHER, than APPLETON!!!!

[ggaetti]

I don't know the number of taverns/bars/pubs but there are MANY! Appleton is sixth in the NATION as far as the number of bars per capita! Between Appleton itself and the surrounding nearby area there are definitely hundreds.

[GreggB]

Originally Posted by ggaetti

I don't know the number of taverns/bars/pubs but there are MANY! Appleton is sixth in the NATION as far as the number of bars per capita! Between Appleton itself and the surrounding nearby area there are definitely hundreds.

SO----Now we know another of Appleton's Claim To Fame. It is most understandable. After living in the depressing city for as long as I did. it became very apparent to me that drinking and getting drunk is what it's all about up there. It is indeed the number one pastime. HOW SAD--when ya really think about it--isn't it!!! Not just Appleton though-really the entire Dysfunctional state.

[GreggB]

Hey--did you all hear about the Tornado that hit Appleton last summer?? Yep... it was a doozy!! Did over 100 milliom dollars of IMPROVEMENTS.