Menomonie or Rice Lake (Milwaukee, Eau Claire: apartments, rent, homes)

[BadgerNut]

Can anyone share some insite on Menomonie or Rice Lake? I'm looking into some cities to move to and would appreciate all the help and information you all could share with me. Housing costs, taxes, things to do, jobs. My children are home schooled so I'm not worried about schooling. Thanks in advance for your help.

[disneyrecords]

I live in River Falls and have been to both recently.
Menomonie is a lot like River Falls in that it is a college town. Menomonie's economy and main industry is centered around the University (UW-Stout) There is also a distribution center for WalMart. Located on the Red Cedar Trail, you can walk, bike, or rollerblade all the way to Eau Claire if you desire. Although far flung from the twin cities, it could be considered east metro St Paul. I know of a few commuters who make that trip daily. Personally, I think it is quite a ways away.

Rice Lake is shopping hub, sawmill area, industrial center considered a bright spot in the Indianhead area. Located on and very close to other recreational lakes and forests, Rice Lake offers many opportunities target at the outdoor enthusiast. Rice Lake is more blue collar than Menomonie.

Cost of living would be higher in Menomonie over Rice Lake due to location near the twin cities, on the interstate, etc. More trees and lakes around Rice Lake. Toss up, both would be nice places to live. Check them out.

[BadgerNut]

Thanks disneyrecords that's very helpful.

[ndheah]

I live in Menomonie currently, and I am moving in May to somewhere else...Wife and I are thinking Denver or Charleston actually...Anyway, Menomonie is an alright town, it's a college town, expect to pay high rent due to all the college kids getting all the apartments. Currently we pay $500 / month for 375sq feet, granted we are on campass for the most part, thus the higher rent.

Menomonie doesn't have much to offer though, only one decent bar (Log Jam) the night life is filled with college kids, and the summers are awefully slow, the lake is polluted, no place to shop(Hope you like Wal-Mart). If it wasn't for Eau Claire being so close I'd go mad...

Menomonie is a fine town if you are old, boring, and set in your ways. If you are looking for any sort of normal, fun life, move on.

[#Littledog]

My friend just re-located to Rice Lake from the Milwaukee area and loves it. She also plans on homeschooling her children so there's at least a small community of homeschoolers in Rice Lake.