Help Us Decide? (Milwaukee, Madison, Wausau: homes, rent, job)

[WisconsinBound]

I've been lurking on this forum for about a month, and I'm wondering if I can get some input.

Hubby, Kids & I are moving from CA to WI. We are both generally familiar with Wisconsin, as I attended college in River Falls, and he grew up in MN/ND. We have always wanted to get back to the Midwest, and are beyond thrilled we are about to embark on this adventure!


He has a job offer in Wausau - we are looking at Weston, Steven's Point & Wisconsin Rapids. We are especially interested in areas where the schools are good - which according to Greatschools.net are the areas I've outlined. I'd love to get some opinions from people who know these areas.

Any input you can give would be appreciated. At this point we feel the most drawn to Stevens Point - however, we feel torn because we would prefer he has less of a commute to work, which makes us think Weston might be better for us.

Any thoughts or input would be really appreciated.

Wisconsin BOUND!!!

[CivicMinded]

How about a nice authentic Wausau neighborhood where you can easily walk to all sorts of places like parks, restaurants, the library, school, etc? There are some nice homes with a lot of character in Wausau, large trees liine the streets. Wausau has a really cool older neighborhoods close the river and all, at least some parts are nice. I'm not familiar enough with Wausau to tell you exactly where, but I know these places exist.

You're right, Stevens POint is nice too but that's kind of a long commute.

[Sideblinded]

I think Wausau may be your best choice. I haven't been there in a long time, but when I lived in Wisconsin Rapids, (First job out of college) it seemed like there was so much more to do in Wausau. They had a really nice downtown area. I grew up in Madison, so I tend to like larger cities/towns.

[golfgal]

We have some good friends that moved from Wisconsin Rapids and they have nothing but good to say about it. Their kids attended the Catholic schools there and they were happy with those. Not much help, sorry.

[yo vanilla]

i can tell you that SPASH (stevens point area HS) always had a kick-ass cross country team when i was in high school. my team was very good but we could never quite catch them. that was, oh, 1994ish though

[CivicMinded]

Andrew Warren Historical District is one area in Wausau that I'd look into if I was moving to Wausau.

[watergrl]

Ohhh my...I moved from San Diego, CA to Wisconsin in 1997. It was supposed to be just a summer trip. I ended up staying and unfortunately I have been here ever since. Im completely home sick and I would have been back if prices werent so expensive. Sorry, I dont like Milwaukee but I wish you the best and as long as you stay clear of Milwaukee, you should do just fine Just thought Id mention that.

[SportFury59]

Right now the Kronenwetter area is the hot spot. Kronenwetter is a village about 10 miles south of Wausau. Most of the area is in the D.C. Everest School District and part of it is in the Mosinee District. (Being an Everest alumni, Everest of course is tops). Given a choice, how could someone pass up not living in a place called "Kronenwetter"

[Supercrafty]

The Wausau schools are really good. We came from the top school district in the state where we used to live (another midwestern state) and have been entirely impressed with Wausau. Check out the East Hill area of Wausau. There are several lovely homes for sale - nestled in trees - with lovely views. I wouldn't go to the surrounding communities. I value curb and gutter and other city services. Plus, Wausau offers a real sense of place - not strip mall after strip mall like the burbs.

[tnelf]

The stevens point area is really growing. They are building this awesome area with tons of shopping and restaurants. I love point! It has all the city fun but still feels like a small town.