Retirement options...Menasha or Manitowoc??? (Madison, Appleton: sale, to rent, house)

[dlk33]

Here is our situation, we just accepted an offer on the sale of our house and will need to make a relocation decision fast. This is also a retirement move. Initially after doing research and visiting both cities, we decided that Menasha(which has the lowest median home cost of other surrounding cities like Appleton) would be the best choice for us, because it reminded us of a mini Madison(where we live now), except less liberal thinking. Then after some further consideration, we started thinking that Manitowoc would better fit our desires in retirement. Doing research there's no question that Manitowoc would have the lower cost of living, lower property taxes, which is very important to us. Menasha has more conveniences for shopping & eating. Manitowoc is a smaller community with much less density then Menasha. Manitowoc has a nice bike trail along the lake, easy access to other other areas for outdoor recreation. Both cities offer decent options for our passion of playing disc golf. Lake Michigan seems to have a strong draw to us for some reason. We won't own a boat, so it's not that. Although a kayak seems to be a strong thought. Ease of getting around a city matters, seems Manitowoc would be less stressful and smelly(paper factory). As far as the weather & winter goes, I've read that Manitowoc actually has less snow then Menasha, and that it's warmer there in the winter and cooler in the summer. We will make one more trip shortly to both cities for one more look around, but I'd love to know your thoughts. Maybe you can bring something to light that we haven't thought about

[ccjarider]

To me the concept of "making a relocation decision fast" seems like a recipe for unhappiness. What is the rush? especially in your situation? rent for a year in each town.


As far as the towns you mention - both average midsize WI communities that offer amenities as well as negatives. Both seem to me, to have a larger share than normal of lower income neighborhoods. Reason of low average home prices perhaps?

Manitowoc friends have had horrible times trying to sell homes. They feel stuck in an unfriendly town.
Is this fair or true - I don't know. I am only passing along comments I have heard.

Appelton area is one of nicest in WI, but i think there are nicer areas than Menasha. Neenah is a very nice town that has done a good rehab in the downtown area. It is a very civic minded town. If I moved back to WI, it would be to Neenah.

Good luck with your change!

[Radical_Car]

Either town is fine

[susancruzs]

I like the Manitowoc area because it is smaller, which is why I came here 3 yrs. ago. The lake was a major draw for me. I like living near Lake Michigan, in Illinois I was 2 mis. or so away, here I'm just blocks away, which is nice.

I haven't found people to be unfriendly or stand offish any where I go in NE Wisconsin, quite the opposite in fact, even when they find out I'm an Illinois transplant!

[alle]

Manitowoc is clean, inexpensive, friendly and safe. It is beautiful by Lake Michigan. All your basic daily needs can be met here and if you wish to visit Appleton it's only 45 minutes away.

[dlk33]

Well, thanks for your thoughts:0 Actually, we just took an overnight trip to check neighborhoods out in both places. We have visited both cities before, to get a feel for them. Now after this trip I believe that the Appleton area would suit us better. Manitowoc seems to be more spread out which I actually don't care for. In the Appleton area, I feel like I'm still living in Madison. Looking at homes in our price range, there were more possibilities of nicer looking areas in Menasha then Manitowoc. While Manitowoc does have lake michigan, we probably wouldn't find a house close enough to the lake to appreciate it on a daily basis without driving over to it. Menasha & Appleton have a couple lakes and the fox river. The suggestion was brought up to just rent for a year in both cities. Honestly, I hate moving! I only wanted to have to do it this one last time, and into a home we bought. However, I have come to realize we will need to rent short term. There are no perfect places, there are always trade offs. Hopefully, we will make the best decision we can with whatever information we have, and I've done a lot of research.