Would you recommend Appleton? (Milwaukee, Madison: 2009, crime rates, homes)

[yo vanilla]

wolfangel, i've only been here for 5-6 years but i havent noticed that many drastic changes. WI ave is finally getting some commerce in those wasted space areas between perkins and badger ave. theres been alot of development in the grand chute and darboy areas both housing and commerce. (and a crapload in the town of neenah and greenville areas, or as i like to call either the urban sprawl wastelands). downtown on college ave has gotten many different restaraunts etc in the last few years. oh, and we've been officially invaded by starbucks; i think there are a good 5 just in appleton now that sprang up in a couple years time.

[Sandra717]

Jeez, many opinions out there about where to live in WI. We will be moving to WI due to my husband's employment, at some point, and are researching areas. We are a mid-40's couple, with children, who enjoy entertaining, dining out, going out for drinks (not bar-hopping) but jazz bars, martini bars, etc. We enjoy shows and shopping and the outdoors. Of course good schools are a priority too. Everything we've read about Appleton claims to have all of this - am I missing something? I've read some posts about not much to do and it's boring. What is this town missing?

[Averie-Jay]

Originally Posted by Sandra717

Jeez, many opinions out there about where to live in WI. We will be moving to WI due to my husband's employment, at some point, and are researching areas. We are a mid-40's couple, with children, who enjoy entertaining, dining out, going out for drinks (not bar-hopping) but jazz bars, martini bars, etc. We enjoy shows and shopping and the outdoors. Of course good schools are a priority too. Everything we've read about Appleton claims to have all of this - am I missing something? I've read some posts about not much to do and it's boring. What is this town missing?

Hi, Sandra!

The trouble is that what one person finds "boring" another will find "slow-paced yet stimulating". It all depends on who you are, what stage of life you're in (single & dating or raising a family), and what lifestyle you lead.

I've personally found this forum to be an excellent source of information. I'm moving to Colorado in 2 days (VERY excited!) and wouldn't have had the courage to make this decision w/o the advice and support from those who've previously lived in CO & currently live in CO.

That being said, please remember that people are offering their opinions and personal experiences. It's much the same as a movie review - some loved "American Beauty" while others did not. You have to decide what you want from a town/city, and see that those priorities are met.

I grew up in the Green Bay area, about 30 minutes from Appleton, and my best friend grew up in Appleton. I know the area very well, and I think it's a wonderful place to raise a family, while offering enough "glitz" to keep life invigorating.

Appleton recently opened the PAC (Performing Arts Center) downtown.

Fox Cities P.A.C. A Gathering Place for the Community

I've seen several shows there (once during Christmas - everything was beautifully decorated for the holidays) and enjoyed them all. Just down the road from the PAC are many fine restaurants - AND a martini bar. It's called Deja Vu Martini Lounge - here's the link...

The Deja Vu Martini Lounge - Downtown Appleton, WI

There are also a score of great restaurants downtown and other interesting events. Here's the Appleton Downtown "guide", if you're interested in a sample.

Appleton Downtown, Inc. > Event Highlights

Further southeast, Appleton also has the Fox River Mall for a wide selection of shopping www.foxrivermall.com, and the usual restaurants - Red Lobster, etc. There's also a Barnes & Noble, where I spent a considerable time.

If you're interested in parks, Appleton has those, too. Appleton.org | City of Appleton, Wisconsin

As for the conservatism of Appleton (or any other city in WI), I've always been very liberal minded and never felt like I was ostracized because of my beliefs/opinions. Yes, the overall lifestyle of NE WI leans more toward heterosexual married couples raising children than it does to wild & free liberal Hipsters (not that there's anything wrong w/ either!). But sometimes the conservatism is preferred for a variety of personal reasons.

Good luck w/ your decision and future move...No matter where it winds up being!

[hc7612]

Sandra,
I think you will love Appleton! I miss it terribly. We have been gone for three years and I would move back there in a heartbeat, and I am not even from there originally. If you have children, it is a wonderfully safe place to raise them. There is plenty to do to keep you entertained. Frankly, the only downside to Wisconsin is the cold temps. Other than that, it is perfect by my standards. I never considered it boring, just safe.

[yo vanilla]

Originally Posted by Sandra717

Jeez, many opinions out there about where to live in WI. We will be moving to WI due to my husband's employment, at some point, and are researching areas. We are a mid-40's couple, with children, who enjoy entertaining, dining out, going out for drinks (not bar-hopping) but jazz bars, martini bars, etc. We enjoy shows and shopping and the outdoors. Of course good schools are a priority too. Everything we've read about Appleton claims to have all of this - am I missing something? I've read some posts about not much to do and it's boring. What is this town missing?

people can say any place is boring, usually they are the ones that never actually leave the house anyway lol.

[Sandra717]

Originally Posted by hc7612

Sandra,
I think you will love Appleton! I miss it terribly. We have been gone for three years and I would move back there in a heartbeat, and I am not even from there originally. If you have children, it is a wonderfully safe place to raise them. There is plenty to do to keep you entertained. Frankly, the only downside to Wisconsin is the cold temps. Other than that, it is perfect by my standards. I never considered it boring, just safe.

Thank you! And also thank you to Averie-Jay for the great info. We will be visiting Appleton sometime soon and looking forward to it. We're from the Northeast, so we're used to the cold. Thanks again, appreciate it!

[hc7612]

Sandra,
I hope you really get to enjoy it. It will be alot different from the Northeast. That is where we are now, and as I said before, I miss Appleton terribly. Good luck on your trip.

[Angorlee]

I have lived here for almost 5 years and I find Appleton a nice clean town although it is changing and I think its getting a little rougher now with ghetto types moving in. But on the whole it isn't too bad for a town this size. It has a big shopping mall and downtown Appleton has a little life compared to other cities this size. But Lacrosse's downtown is probably livlier and Eau Clairs's downtown is much deader. Oshkosh's downtown is competely dead. Rent in Appleton is reasonable which is one thing that keeps me here. The negatives are there isn't a lakefront that one can walk along like in kenosha, Racine, or Milwaukee and the town is a little too slow for me so I'm thinking of moving in the next 6 months or so.

[dc57]

I'm from Chicago and would love to live in a place like Appleton. The only problem I see comes from the city-data site: 241 registered sex offenders? What's up with that?
Registered sex offenders in Appleton, Wisconsin

[shannonM]

i could recommend appleton if you are still thinking of moving there.