Appleton, WI is a vibrant and exciting city with plenty to see and do. From its historical sites, cultural attractions, shopping venues, outdoor activities, and events throughout the year, it’s no wonder Appleton has become a popular destination for both locals and visitors alike. The city’s friendly atmosphere and picturesque landscape make it an ideal place to visit in Wisconsin. Whether you’re looking for a quick day trip or are planning an extended stay, there’s something for everyone in Appleton. Reviews of Appleton often describe it as a “hidden gem” that offers something for everyone. With its vibrant downtown area featuring unique boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and entertainment venues such as the Fox River Mall and the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel & Conference Center–there's no shortage of things to do here. Additionally, the sprawling parks provide great opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking or biking along scenic trails. If you're looking for a memorable travel experience in Wisconsin that won't break the bank–Appleton is definitely worth exploring!
based on 23 ReviewsGet to know Appleton with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Appleton
A full four-season year! - 1/4/2008
Appelton, WI, is a place to live where you can experience the four seasons as they were intended to be experienced. Lovely summers, calm and gorgeously colored autumns, proper winters with snow and cold temperatures, and a beautiful sringawakening of life and so the cycle
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Pleasant surprise! - 6/28/2007
Moving back to my hometown after 30 years away has been a wonderful surprise. I definitely did not appreciate enough how fortunate I was to be able to grow up here. Essentially no traffic, low cost of housing and recreation, home & auto insurance costs are low. Amenities include a new performing arts center and minor league stadium plus the full slate of civic favorites like libraries and museums. The presence of Lawrence University elevates the arts and intellectual interests of the citizens. The climate is temperate and blessed with clean air. Taking advantage of the outdoor recreation means that you find boating, hiking, and organized sporting leagues everywhere. Appleton is almost like a well-kept Midwestern
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I DO like it here - 4/4/2007
I wanted to give Appleton a proper thank you after reading someone elses negative post to this site. My family and I really like living here in Appleton. We moved here in 2004 and there is so much to be grateful for.
We have lived in New England, Southern California and South Texas. I have personally lived in other parts of the country including Illinois, Michigan, Florida and Washington state.
I used Sperling's three years ago to research many different cities before deciding to come to Appleton. The overall comparison and favorable demographics are why I came to Wisconsin. I am not a sportsman, a drunk or a rude driver.
I have found that Wisconsin and Appleton have much to offer beyond hunting, the Green Bay Packers and a sometimes short summer season. Although I am not a native of the state, my roots are midwestern (Michigan, sorry Badger fans) and I have found that this seems the most like home for my family and I.
People have been extremely friendly, we
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Great place to live, raise a family and have fun! - 8/30/2006
My husband and I moved to Appleton from Milwaukee in 1998. We have loved it since day one. Most of the people here are very friendly and down to earth with Midwestern values. Appleton has about 70k people (the enitire metropolitan area is about 300K or so) but you can do just about anything here you can do in a big city. And the water tastes GREAT! We often comment about how odor-free it is, and how crisp it tastes. Surrounding cities may get their water from different water treatment facilities, thus a difference in taste. Appleton has a state of the art water facility. There is a performing arts center here, large shopping mall, gourmet restaurants, a prestigious university (Lawrence), and a bustling downtown. There are now several ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, Mexican, Italian, Japanese, and several ethic grocery stores, including an Italian meat market and even a Russian store (which I'll have to check out!). We of course have cheese factories in nearby
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Strong support for entrepreneurs - 6/22/2006
The Fox Cities and NE Wisconsin (Green Bay area) currently offer an unprecendented level of support for those wishing to establish a new business. The technical colleges in both Appleton and Green Bay have sizable components aimed at entrepreneurs and all sorts of existing and emerging businesses. This is a terrific area to start a business--whether a franchise or from
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Do NOT like it here - 4/24/2006
We have lived here in the Appleton area now for over a year and are working on getting out of here.
First the good things; there is some urban sprawl, so you can find some newer stores and houses. It is easy to get around, and is a smaller/city so the crime is not as bad as a large city. The springs can be nice.
Now the bad, living in New England most of my life, I know us NEs can be aloof. This is ten times worse then there. The people on average are very rude! Salespeople are snobs. People will cut you off without thought. It is an all man for himself way of life.
The driving is scary here. First if you do go on the highway expect to be tailgated in all areas, I have seen more speeding then anywhere else, yet there are never any police around. When we lived in Chicago, I saw a lot of speeding, but there were always police pulling someone over. That and there are a LOT of drunk drivers. Speaking of, I have never seen more bars in all my life.
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Appleton WI - 4/9/2006
Im from the Madison area. People from WI are pretty nice people. Unless your from IL. They might give you hassle for that and call you a FIB. If you treat them how you want them to treat you, you will be
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Opinion - 4/2/2006
Appleton (WI) has one of the highest gas taxes in the country. Currently, a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.64. The winters are long and cold-lots of gray days, but Appleton is generally a very safe place to live-very low violent crime rate. Afforadable housing, in my opinion. A new construction 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home with 3 car garage starts in the low $200's. People are generally friendly and welcoming. Lots of factories (paper, cheese, farms, etc...) so there's quite a pollution issue (check Appleton's rating on scorecard.org-it's pretty bad). VERY high property taxes (we pay
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Opinion on Appleton - 4/2/2006
I find Appleton to be generally welcoming of out-of-towners. People here are very friendly. The violent crime rate is extremely low and it is basically considered to be a very safe place to raise a family. The winters are very long and very cold (expect some days to be below zero with the wind chill) and lots of sunless gray skies during these times. Housing is affordable in my opinion, with an older 3 bed/ 2 bath resale home going for about $150,000-new construction usually starts in the low $200's, but property taxes are very high (ours are $5000/year)! Pollution is a concern for much of the state including Appleton because of the factories, paper mills, farms, etc...check Appleton's rating on scorecard.org-it's not pretty! There are current accusations of local businesses dumping waste into our waterways. Public schools in Appleton, in my opinion, are substandard and not up to par with what other districts are doing across the nation. You hear nothing but talk around here about
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Opinion - 4/2/2006
Appleton is generally welcoming to "outsiders." Very friendly people. It is difficult to find work in the education field if you are new (extends beyond Appleton and throughout Fox Cities and beyond). There are lots of factories (paper, cheese, etc) so pollution is an issue. Check Appleton's rating on scorecard.org-it isn't pretty! Very low crime. Family oriented, long winters, lots of gray days. Extremely high property taxes, poor schools in my opinion-no vision for technology, etc... Nothing but talk about budget cuts, how there's no money for this and that. No foreign language instruction in elementary. Affordable housing, but again the property taxes are so
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