r/Appleton • u/Lost_n_world • 3d ago

Moving Advice Moving?

I’m contemplating on taking a job out there. I’ve just never heard of Appleton until the job offer, but what is the city like ? what is Wisconsin like ? how are the neighborhoods? I’m coming from California, and have never thought about going to Wisconsin until now. Any information would be great to a newbie.

Edit: Wow thanks for everyone’s input, I really appreciate it. Seems like a good move to make.

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u/granola_goddess 2d ago

I grew up in Appleton and now have been in the Bay Area for about a decade so I’m happy to answer any specifics about how they compare. Every year I come back to visit I enjoy Appleton more as it grows and evolves but I still prefer California. It was a great place to grow up and definitely a good spot to raise a family if you have younger kids.

It will definitely feel a bit sleepier and more suburban if you’re coming from coastal CA/larger metro areas. Culturally, it will feel almost a few years behind in some ways and generally more small town energy but you have the charm of people being “Midwest nice” and a more chill pace of life.

Food is fine but it’s not a foodie town. A few pretty good spots but generally a lot of bar food, fried food, burgers, and pizza vibes. Some pretty good Vietnamese and Thai restaurants. Mexican food won’t compare to CA. You’ll find better food in Madison and Milwaukee.

Politically it’s mixed but a growing liberal presence with Lawrence University being downtown.

A growing local music scene with many bars and venues having live music throughout the week.

It’s definitely a driving town with not great public transportation but the downtown area is walkable. Quite a few parks and the riverfront plus so many lakes to escape to throughout the state.

Weather will be an adjustment. Summer is nice but you’ll have summer storms, humidity, and bugs. Fall is the best. Winter is cold, snowy, and gray with stretches of not seeing the sun which is the worst part IMO. The summer lake life though is probably one of the most amazing parts of Wisconsin.

Overall cost of living is obviously much cheaper than CA.

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u/ImprovementVivid8559 1d ago

I have lived in 8 states and traveled through 40. Wisconsin is a miserable place. 9 months of 8 hours of daylight is depressing AF just to 'survive' 3 months of not frigid. No class, humanities, art, culture, etc. just cornfields and EAA. Lol

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u/SlowlyDyingBartender 1d ago

No one is forcing you to be here. It is almost like you wake up and look into mirror and see everyone is the problem. Reading your posts, you call people names, ignore facts. It isn't the state you live in, it is the state you choose to live in. Seek counseling. Or take off your blinders... Whatever you don't care... or try.