Need some info about smell issues around Appleton (Madison, Green Bay: health insurance, house)

[dlk33]

We presently live in Madison & are trying to figure out where we want to retire to next year. We're considering Manitowoc, Sheboygan, & Appleton. We were in Fond du lac today, but feel it just doesn't offer enough interest or size for us. My husband has concerns about the paper mills smells in the Appleton area (also Menasha, Kaukauna, Kimberly). Can someone let us know if the smells are bad everywhere, a daily issue, if it only stinks when it's breezy, stinks in certain areas more then others? How do those of you who live with it, deal with it? We want live in an area that has a good selection of decent disc golf courses, which all our considerations seem to have, a good amount of shopping options, outdoor activites like biking, places to walk & close to areas for hiking. We already know the cost of living & median home costs are less in any of those places then Madison. Not much we can do about the property tax, that stinks everywhere in Wi.
Also, any of those places not into drinking as a profession nghts & weekends? Would love to hear why you would choose one city over another.
By the way, we were planning on moving down to South Carolina, but since I qualify for Badger Care Core health insurance, which is basically free health ins., it makes sense to stay & deal with the long cold snowy winters

[dlk33]

Somebody, anybody????? Good thing we don't live that far away so we can take a few road trips to compare, but I would like some input from anyone living in those places or someone who has moved to any of those places from Madison.

[dcisive]

I don't live there, but I used to travel through those towns often enough to have become very familiar with them. Honestly I only recall ONE time of dozens in which there was any smell at all in Appleton. On the waterfront towards Manitowoc it should be even fresher with the breezes from the lake to help matters. Frankly if it were me I'd move a bit further north along the waterfront or even Two Rivers. But that's my taste. Appleton offers the most in regards to the amenities of living if you need that sort of thing. Restaurants, hospitals etc. In retirement I'd prefer to be far from the main populations and have more peace and quiet. But as for smells along the Hwy 41 corridor (from Fon Du Lac to Green Bay) you can expect an odoriferous lifestyle from time to time due to the industry. If you want to get away from that I still say the waterfront (Lake Michigan) communities offer the best choice.

[yo vanilla]

Menasha, Kaukauna, and Oshkosh are the smelliest. I live in Appleton and I don't recall ever smelling the paper plants in Appleton. I used to live in Oshkosh and I think the smells there are mostly from the dump. Kaukauna smells more on the south east side of the river; there's a few paper plants on the river and in nearby Combined Locks . Menasha smells all over, there's a plant right on the centerline of town on the lake.

[dlk33]

Originally Posted by dcisive

I don't live there, but I used to travel through those towns often enough to have become very familiar with them. Honestly I only recall ONE time of dozens in which there was any smell at all in Appleton. On the waterfront towards Manitowoc it should be even fresher with the breezes from the lake to help matters. Frankly if it were me I'd move a bit further north along the waterfront or even Two Rivers. But that's my taste. Appleton offers the most in regards to the amenities of living if you need that sort of thing. Restaurants, hospitals etc. In retirement I'd prefer to be far from the main populations and have more peace and quiet. But as for smells along the Hwy 41 corridor (from Fon Du Lac to Green Bay) you can expect an odoriferous lifestyle from time to time due to the industry. If you want to get away from that I still say the waterfront (Lake Michigan) communities offer the best choice.

Madison has been a good size city for our liking for the last 20 years. We recently took a day trip to Fond du lac & found it to be too quiet for us. Having been born & raised in Miami, Fl & living there for my first 21 years, Appleton should be right up our alley as far as population goes. What would be nice, is finding an inexpensive house without neighbors too close, within a 10 min. drive to the city. We like having all the amenities near us, just like having our own space for that peace & quiet
Everything has trade offs. We haven't discounted Sheboygan or Manitowoc, but I think we'd be happier living in or close to Appleton.

[dlk33]

Originally Posted by yo vanilla

Menasha, Kaukauna, and Oshkosh are the smelliest. I live in Appleton and I don't recall ever smelling the paper plants in Appleton. I used to live in Oshkosh and I think the smells there are mostly from the dump. Kaukauna smells more on the south east side of the river; there's a few paper plants on the river and in nearby Combined Locks . Menasha smells all over, there's a plant right on the centerline of town on the lake.

Anything you don't like about living in Appleton? I've read a lot of your replies in favor of where you live. Do you think Appleton would still be a good choice for a retired active couple? Do you know if there are any trails for biking within or close to Appleton?

[ndheah]

Appleton does not smell. Kauakana and Menansha may. Not sure about Oshkosh I avoid it. Appleton is great, lots of activities and things to do. Great restaurants too.

[Wingfoot]

Appleton also has a great library for a town of its size, if thats of any interest.

[yo vanilla]

Originally Posted by dlk33

Anything you don't like about living in Appleton? I've read a lot of your replies in favor of where you live. Do you think Appleton would still be a good choice for a retired active couple? Do you know if there are any trails for biking within or close to Appleton?

Winter? lol. That's one thing, I'm not much for winter. Also I wish the job market was stronger so I could find a new one. Actually, I really wish there was more business downtown, we've only got two tall buildings but each is about half full with tenants. In some ways downtown is great with restaurants and night life but in that way, lacking.

Otherwise... it's not Utopia or anything but we think it has a good mix of amenities and is a good place to raise the kids. We've been here for about 8-9 years. My other pick for the state would be Madison, actually.

BTW, if you're looking for a house a few minutes out of the city, try in the town of Menasha (west of 41), the town of Harrison (east of 441), or Greenville (north-west of Appleton down hwy 15)

[dlk33]

Originally Posted by ndheah

Appleton does not smell. Kauakana and Menansha may. Not sure about Oshkosh I avoid it. Appleton is great, lots of activities and things to do. Great restaurants too.

Why do you avoid Oshkosh?