What is it really like in Polk County? (River Falls, Clayton: rent, crime rates)

[klm90]

My family and I are considering a move to Wisconsin from California. We're wondering about life in Polk County - economy, quality of life, commute times, crime rates, etc. Any first-hand information would be appreciated.

[angelaf]

Polk Country is pretty rural--you didn't say where you'd be commuting to, so it's hard to say how the commute would be. Most of the roads you'll be driving on here will be 2-lane highways. I know of some people who live in the western parts of Polk Co.--like Osceola--and commute to the Twin Cities for work or school, but man, that would be a helluva commute, IMO. The job market in this area is pretty tight right now--but I guess this depends on what line of work you're in. Can't tell you much about the economy--except that I think property taxes are lower in Polk Co. than in St. Croix, where they're very very high.
Quality of life is really a personal thing. You didn't say where in CA you're coming from--but probably you'll find the crime here is an improvement from what you're used to. I live in St. Croix Co., south of Polk, and crime is not much of a concern around here, honestly. I don't think most people lock their doors. (I do.) Traffic will probably seem good to you too--last summer I took many trips from River Falls up to Osceola and there was very little traffic. I think the winters could be hard for you, coming from California--winter starts in October here and lasts until April or May. Lots of snow--several feet at a time is not uncommon. This past year, we got 3 feet in late March, a couple of days after it had been 50* and sunny, looking like spring. It can get very depressing, as there is very little sunlight during the winter months. Very cloudy and dark, gray skies most of the time. If you're into winter sports, you'll probably like it. But if not--think twice about this region! Winters get very, very long.

[crankyyank]

let me be blunt.....REDNECK CAPITOL OF THE WORLD taxes are high compared to the average income houses are too. and most people would rather go muddin' than work. i live in an upscale neighborhood here(my house is not on blocks) and it is still redneck. the electric bills are some of the highest in the state as well as the u.s.. and the local government is a bunch of good ole' boys that are so corupt they cant even figure out which lie they told last. it will cost just a little more to go toward tampa than polk,but it is worth it!!!!

[storm54888]

I live in Polk County, It is a great place to raise a famliy Great Schools and only 1 hour from Minneapolis/St Paul!!... Polk County has good small town living!!!..the people are very nice! and wave all the time... There are Larger communites too, There are too Cities in Polk county they are Amery and St Croix Falls... St Croix Falls has the most places to shop and eat and Amery is the most populatied community in Polk County there is also natural wonders, the Beautiful St Croix River runs all along the Western Side of the county...there are too Riverside communties on the St Croix River they are St Croix Falls and Osceola I live in Clayton,WI Which is in eastern Polk County... People here are very nice and will almost do anything for anyone. Weather here is pretty good but we have Extream cold spells This january we has cold spells of -0.F highs for days but the NORMAL January HIGH temp is 19.F, Winter last from about November to End of March. I've had Crocus blooming the Frist week of April the past 2 years...Summer we have Hot spells where HIGH temps will be in the uppers 80s to low 90s and Very Humid we also have pretty nasty Severe Thunderstorms that come though each summer... but Polk County is a Beuteful Freindly Place to live and anyone wanting to move here should do so...

[disneyrecords]

Polk county is far less cosmopolitan than the two counties to the south. Almost saying that Polk county is not really part of the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area. However, this is not true, a good majority of the residents of the Osceola and Saint Croix Falls area commute into "the cities."
Polk county is the northern tip of the driftless zone (also known as the coulee region-- look it up on Wikipedia)
On a warm summer afternoon, head over to Interstate state park and rent a canoe or kayak. Take the four to five hour trip to William Obrien-- the geology of the region will amaze you.