Ladysmith, WI? (Eau Claire, Rice Lake: rent, crime rate, houses)

[michigan_girl]

Hi everyone,
I have lived in Grand Rapids, MI all my life, and have a teaching opportunity in Ladysmith. PLEASE give me the scoop on that city! No movie theaters? No national stores? Restaurants? What on earth do ppl there do? I am single and think I will be lonely! I am used to a town that has over 200,000 residents. How about Eau Claire? I think it sounds like it has enough to offer someone like me, but is it within a reasonable daily driving distance from Ladysmith? Mapquest is saying it is 1 hour and 20 minutes - just a little too far, especially in the snow, if you ask me. Anything you know about these 2 cities would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks!

[Birdie]

It is a very small town and there isn't a big city near by. If your into nature and solitude it might be a good place for you. This might be a good adventure for you to see what its like in the Wisconsin booneys. This might be a good time for you to take up a hobby or something. remember you can always find a different job if you don't like it there..... "a job is better than no job"

[wiemergal]

Ladysmith is a smaller city, but some like it that way. There is a small movie theatre and Walmart should be open there by next summer. Rice Lake is about 45 minutes away which is somewhat closer than Eau Claire but doesn't have as much to offer.

[BlackKnight]

In what field do you teach? There may be some opportunities in other parts of the state. I work for a school district in a larger community and we do have some openings. Ladysmith is in a beautiful part of the state, but it would be a big change from Grand Rapids.

[flowerchild]

Birdie has a good idea. . .adventure is always good. Ladysmith can bore you into a coma however if you need constant outside activity. Forget shopping. . .for that, Eau Claire or Rice Lake are a must and worth the trip if you are organized and know to make a day of it e.g. shopping, movie or event at the U., an Olive Garden-type restaurant etc. It can be a hassle but life is full of trade-offs. Ladysmith does have top-drawer library. The movie theater does its best and is a bargain for right-now movies. CAUTION! if going date-less for a stretch is a fate worse than death, don't even think about Ladysmith. If it's time to discover and strengthen your inner resources, you'll be o.k.

[polarisman_98]

I grew up in the Eau Claire area and a job took me to Ladysmith for about 1 year. I loved the job and I love the outdoors and outdoor recreation, but aside from that, the small town with no opportunities drove me nuts. I was friends with the people from work, but that was about it. It's hard to make friends with people who all know each other already and grew up with each other and aren't as open to new people.

I don't think you'll find a whole lot of people who moved to Ladysmith later in life and stayed there. You'll find most people who live in the area have lived there for their whole lives.

Ladysmith is about 45 minutes from Rice Lake and about 1hr 15mins from Eau Claire, so its not the end of the world if you want to shop, dine, etc.

You will also find though that the cost of living is extremely low. Rent is cheap, houses are cheap, things are generally cheap (except for County Market which is ridiculous, but that will change in about 1 year when Wal-Mart is completed.)

All in all, I liked living there. You just have to get used to the small town life. I took a better-paying, more opportunities job in a larger city about 6 months ago, but still will get back to Ladysmith occasionaly.

[dreamhunter65]

Ladysmith is not that bad a town to live in. It will keep growing also with Walmart and the old college coming back to life. Summer and winter activities all over..I have only lived here 5 years found many friends and found more ways to be involved in the community.Crime rate is lower than big cities and if look around you can always find something to do.