Bigger cities in Northwoods area?

[Rynldsbr]

And, for the record, I don't dislike Rhinelander. It is simply a very different place than Minocqua. As others have mentioned, Minocqua gets propped up with a lot more money from Chicago and Milwaukee vacationers.

There is a very significant consumption of alcohol across the state compared to other places I have been, and am currently. I will say that there is a culture of booze in the Northwoods overall. Events without beer or some form of drinking are few and far between. The amount of consumption does translate to some issues with petty arguments, bar fights, and DUI at times, but having lived in the Northwoods, Milwaukee, and Jefferson County for extended periods I would be hesitant to say it is more rampant there than it is anywhere else in the state.

I cannot think of a place anywhere in the Northern 2/3 of the state that I would not walk down the street at any time of the day or night and feel perfectly safe.

[cheese plate]

Originally Posted by Rynldsbr

I cannot think of a place anywhere in the Northern 2/3 of the state that I would not walk down the street at any time of the day or night and feel perfectly safe.

I thought about this for a bit, and I agree outside of 1) Menominee Reservation and 2) some areas of Green Bay. I think most would be surprised with the latter (maybe both?), but Green Bay is a bit different than it was 20 years ago, and there are some crappy pockets. I know several people who have been mugged late at night in GB over the last decade.

This was regarding the "perfectly" part of your statement. I walk around far worse areas in Milwaukee at night currently.

[ram2]

Originally Posted by AminWi

Isn't that true of a lot of smaller towns/cities in Wisconsin? I know folks who have moved out of Rhinelander because they couldn't take the meth addicts, and I remember being shocked as an innocent kid from Milwaukee whenever we'd visit our up-north cousins and see how much access they had to alcohol and drugs! The funny thing was that their parents were scared to let them hang out with us big-city kids, for fear we'd corrupt them.

That's a change. Back in the 1970s and and early 1980s, I would hear similar stories about drugs in Milwaukee when I used to visit my grandparents there.

[dirtydan57]

Originally Posted by Rynldsbr

I cannot think of a place anywhere in the Northern 2/3 of the state that I would not walk down the street at any time of the day or night and feel perfectly safe.

Pretty much I believe all of WI is like that but for sections of larger metropolitan areas. I suppose even La Crosse has a 10 or 12 block area that's questionable. But we spend lots of time in southern WI and I rarely feel unsafe.

[sdeweese]

I love Tomahawk. Have been visiting for summers only the last 30 years and just purchased the cabin we've been staying in and plan to spend more than just summers. Wife's aunt and uncle were born there and still help maintain the heritage house. She has loads of cousins who make me feel like one of the family despite the fact I am a third generation Southern Californian and would probably not survive a winter there. Understand the economic dichotomy between Minocqua and Rhinelander but have shopped and boated in both areas without incident. To me the Northwoods is as good as it gets.

[bethanyhellen]

The bigger towns around this area with the freezing crap and snow that will drive you insane after a year are duluth, mn and Minneapolis. I live in ironwood, mi in the UP and it SUCKS

[No Happy]

I've lived 20 miles from Wausau for my whole life and I enjoy it. I wouldn't consider it a great city by any means, but it has amenities and has a nice northwoods vibe relative to cities like Eau Claire of Stevens Point in the area. It's definitely safe, and while I've heard of the drug culture, I've never personally really felt it of any impact on me.

I just wish there were better places to eat.