Menominee or Marinette (Green Bay, Appleton, Eau Claire: house, employment, neighborhoods)

[KaleyMae]

I’ll be starting a job, in the spring in the Menominee/Marinette area.
Since I’ll have the choice of living in Michigan or Wisconsin which would be better?
I visited the area a few weeks ago, and found both towns to be very nice.
Thanks,
Kaley Mae

[ndheah]

Grew up in Marinette, got out of there as soon as I could, and I head there a half dozen times a year (family)

Can't imagine why anyone would want to move to this town honestly. My parents want to get out, my in-laws want to get out, my sister got out, my wifes brothers (2) got out...

Marinette has horrible taxes, I want to say we are #7 for the state, which is horrible for what we have. Our city is so poorly run it's almost sad. If you must make the move, stick with MI. Less taxes, less moronic policitians, and Menominee is actually starting to build itself back up, while Marinette is in the gutter.

Overall, the area has a horrible economy, moronic politicians, nothing to do, and a dwindling population. I forsee within 10 years the population will drop by at least 10-15% as all the old folks will well, expire.

All of our factories are dwindling too, lots have no 3rd shift, no over time, and some have gone to 4 day weeks. We have no jobs for anyone educated unless you work at the local hospital

By the way, where did you land a job?

Am I being negative? Yup, sure am, but the town deserves it, it's a horrible place to live and raise a family. The schools are near closing year after year, hardly can afford books, I remember my sophomore year I didn't have an English book until 8 weeks into the year (That was only 6 years ago, as I'm 22 now).

Do not recommend the area, but if I had to choose, Menominee.

[susancruzs]

Just drove through there today as my sister lives in Michigan, about 180 miles from me. I'm very happy that I moved to Wisconsin but in this case I think I would choose Menominee over Marinette.

Lots of northern areas have employment issues and decreasing population, young folks don't want to stay in the area. If you have a job lined up, good for you and Michigan would be cheaper than Wisconsin.

[AnonymousCoward]

As a former resident, I found it Marinette/Menominee to be rather isolated, and lacking the outside/tourist influence that you might find in Minocqua or across the bay in Fish Creek. Still, the scenery is nice, the locals are interesting, and if you enjoy hunting, fishing or just nature you will enjoy living there.

Where you live in Marinette or Menominee is more important than which city you live in, but all things being equal I would pick Menominee. I would avoid any of the older neighborhoods that were away from the water. There certainly aren't any troubled neighborhoods, but some areas are certainly newer and nicer than others. The town is a bit economically depressed, so living where people aren't as poor may be better for your overall outlook on life. The bayfront is nicer in Menominee than it is in Marinette. More shopping/retail is concentrated in Marinette, and these days this includes most of the boring and familiar chain stores. Since you may find yourself traveling to Green Bay and Appleton ocassionally, living on this side of town is more convenient for that reason as well. Much of the rural area surrounding Marinette falls in the Peshtigo township, but has a Marinette address.

You may want to consider lakefront or riverfront property if you can afford it. You can buy a house on the bayshore for what a starter home costs in many places. In any case, if I were moving back there, I would only consider a newer area, a rural area, or waterfront property, especially if I considered selling it later on. I wouldn't consider anything too far from town, because Marinette/Menominee is small enough there is little need to commute.

If you have kids in school, you may want to consider sending them to a private school such as Catholic Central. The public schools aren't dangerous, but they do lack the resources for some college bound students.

Be sure to enjoy a burger at Mickey Lu's and a Pasty just about anywhere :-)

[lee09]

I agree with a lot everyone said. Marinette and menominee both are a bad place to live but i would choose menominee. Neither is a good place though...for yourself or your family (if you have one) I would get a job somewhere else! No job is worth living here. I am getting out of here as soon as I can. BIG mistake moving here. Good luck! Hope you find the job worth it.

[Worker Bea]

Nonsense! I moved to Marinette 15 years ago and it took me a while to get used to it, but I love it here.

If you like old-fashioned friendliness, big-hearted people, outdoor activities, a dash of culture and charming old neighborhoods, you will love Marinette Menomonee. Yes, to most business people, this is one community that happens to be on either side of a state line.

True, there are some negatives, but there are also some progressive-minded people in leadership positions who are working hard to improve the quality of life and the economy here.

As for tourism, Marinette County funds it, and recently tourism in the county jumped in terms of revenue.

There is plenty to do. You can sail, golf, fish, hunt, bike, play tennis, get your kids involved in soccer or other sports. There are lots of antique shops and there is good shopping, if you know where to find it. You can eat everything from fast food to fine American cuisine. There are charming B&B inns, nature trails, a great old lighthouse, a wonderful public marina, restored buildings and a lot more.

Menominee is a bit more residential, but Marinette has some great old neighborhoods.

Every hear the expression "Bloom where you are planted?" If you cannot do that, you will not be happy anywhere.

[notmuch69]

Nonsense! I moved to Marinette 15 years ago and it took me a while to get used to it, but I love it here.

If you like old-fashioned friendliness, big-hearted people, outdoor activities, a dash of culture and charming old neighborhoods, you will love Marinette Menomonee. Yes, to most business people, this is one community that happens to be on either side of a state line.

True, there are some negatives, but there are also some progressive-minded people in leadership positions who are working hard to improve the quality of life and the economy here.

As for tourism, Marinette County funds it, and recently tourism in the county jumped in terms of revenue.

There is plenty to do. You can sail, golf, fish, hunt, bike, play tennis, get your kids involved in soccer or other sports. There are lots of antique shops and there is good shopping, if you know where to find it. You can eat everything from fast food to fine American cuisine. There are charming B&B inns, nature trails, a great old lighthouse, a wonderful public marina, restored buildings and a lot more.

Menominee is a bit more residential, but Marinette has some great old neighborhoods.

Every hear the expression "Bloom where you are planted?" If you cannot do that, you will not be happy anywhere.

Perfect!
Close to Eau Claire and Minneapolis too.

[Duk123]

Originally Posted by notmuch69

Perfect!
Close to Eau Claire and Minneapolis too.

This thread is about the Menominee, MI / Marinette, WI are that is northeast of Green Bay, WI. Not the Menomonie, WI area that is northwest of Eau Claire. Even growning up in WI it can get a little confusing. An don't even get me started on all the lakes that have the same name. I can think of 3 Bass Lakes and about 6 Mud Lakes.

[notmuch69]

This thread is about the Menominee, MI / Marinette, WI are that is northeast of Green Bay, WI. Not the Menomonie, WI area that is northwest of Eau Claire. Even growning up in WI it can get a little confusing. An don't even get me started on all the lakes that have the same name. I can think of 3 Bass Lakes and about 6 Mud Lakes.

Funny! I was wondering why they were mentioning Michigan. I figured Marinett must be a small town by Menomonie WI, I know people there.