Comparing Wausau & Green Bay (Milwaukee, Madison: low crime, schools, university)

[Vallombrosa]

Which of these cities is best for raising families? I'm thinking in terms of crime and public safety, quality of schools, extra-curricular opportunities, and social/cultural conservatism. Thanks in advance.

[cheese plate]

With what you've listed, probably Wausau, though there is overall more to do in Green Bay and that's what I'd pick. But for low crime and conservatism, well, that would be Wausau.

[Vallombrosa]

Thanks, Cheese Plate. Just curious, why would you pick Green Bay exactly? What can you do in Green Bay that you can't do in Wausau?

[cheese plate]

Just more amenities, NFL football, D1 college basketball, better restaurants, bigger entertaintment names in general, that sort of thing. It's over double the metro size and 3 times the city population. Also, it's more connected with "civilization" - GB/Valley/Milwaukee/Madison and everything else outside that in the state is kind of out in the boonies (outside Twin Cities sphere). The Fox Valley, Sheboygan, Door County, all very close with additional amenities (for Wausau, you have Stevens Point with the university and Marshfield with the clinic and...that's about it). If you'd prefer to be more isolated, Wausau works great and is a great access point for the northwoods.

[Vallombrosa]

Very helpful, thank you kindly. I like the idea of an isolated but still-civilized small city, if that makes any sense.

How about access to medical care? Does Green Bay trump Wausau there too?

[Rynldsbr]

I generally agree with cheese plate regarding the size of the cities and the amenities in Green Bay, but think he may be selling Wausau a little short. Growing up in Northern WI we went to Wausau for many of our needs. There is good shopping options, two technical colleges, a fair amount of entertainment options, as well as generally easy access to fantastic medical care.

Marshfield clinic and Aspirus both have a large presence in Wausau area and family has received world class care (cancer) in these facilities. I do not think Green Bay can trump Wausau for their health care. Interestingly, Wausau also has a very large Hmong population, and a growing Hispanic population. I haven't looked at the actual demographic numbers but would not be surprised at all if Wausau is more diverse than Green Bay while still avoiding the big city feel.

[cheese plate]

Green Bay is definitely more diverse than Wausau. Green Bay, which also has a Hmong community, is 77% white, vs Wausau at 84%. Neither is particularly diverse on the whole, though. GB has a well-entrenched Mexican community that's been there for decades, and a surprising number of authentic Mexican restaurants. I believe that when the newest official numbers come out, Green Bay will show an even bigger gap - the city has changed markedly over the last decade.

I like Wausau, but having lived in both Point and Green Bay, the amenities just don't compare. OP likes the idea of this, though, but I wanted to point out the contrast for an educated decision.

Certainly agree that, because of the access to Marshfield, Wausau is closer to top notch medical care. There's better care within the city of GB vs Wausau, but it's under an hour to Marshfield and as Rynldsbr mentioned, there are local Marshfield clinics in the city of Wausau as well.

[ranger17]

for medical purposes, at least "way back when", Theda Clark in Neenah/Menasha seemed to be a highly rated system and about the same distance from GB as Marshfield to Wausau. I cant speak for how well the medical services up and down the Fox Valley compare these days just thought i'd add it to the discussion.