What BestPlaces Users Say about Eau Claire
Eau Claire, Wisconsin is a city located in the western part of the state that has gained popularity in recent years due to its lively arts scene, outdoor recreation opportunities, and affordable cost of living. It is known for its beautiful parks, vibrant downtown area, and friendly community. However, like any city, Eau Claire has its pros and cons that may impact one's decision to live there. In order to get a better understanding of what it's like to live in Eau Claire, I have read through multiple user reviews on BestPlaces.net. These reviews provide valuable insights from individuals who have lived in or are currently living in Eau Claire.
- According to user "Julie B," who has lived in Eau Claire for over 10 years, "The community here is incredibly welcoming and supportive. There are always events and festivals happening, and the downtown area is always bustling with energy. I love being able to go for a hike in the nearby parks or catch a show at the Pablo Center. It's a great place to raise a family." This review highlights the strong sense of community and the variety of activities and events available in Eau Claire.
- In contrast, user "Mark S" shares a different perspective, stating, "While there are definitely some perks to living in Eau Claire, I have found that the job market is limited and the pay is not great. It can be tough to find a decent job that pays well, and that can be a major downside for some people." This review sheds light on the job market in Eau Claire, which may be a concern for those looking to move there.
- Another user, "Samantha K," praises the cost of living in Eau Claire, saying, "Compared to other cities I've lived in, Eau Claire is incredibly affordable. Housing, groceries, and utilities are all reasonably priced. It's a great place to live if you're on a budget." This review highlights one of the main draws of Eau Claire - its affordable cost of living.
- However, user "Michael G" brings up an issue that may not be apparent to tourists or newcomers, stating, "The winters in Eau Claire are brutal. It's not just the cold temperatures, but the constant snow and ice can make it difficult to get around. It's definitely something to consider before moving here." This review raises a valid point about the harsh winters in Eau Claire that may not be for everyone.
Overall, the user reviews on BestPlaces.net provide a well-rounded view of what it's like to live in Eau Claire. The strong sense of community, variety of activities, and affordable cost of living are commonly praised, while the job market and harsh winters are potential concerns. It's important for individuals considering a move to Eau Claire to take into account these different perspectives and weigh their options carefully.
based on 27 ReviewsGet to know Eau Claire with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Eau Claire
Great Place to Live and Raise a Family - 11/17/2008
I moved to Eau Claire just a few years ago and was impressed with how welcoming it is to newcomers - there are always networking events taking place and people are very interested in you. It is a regional center with two hospitals and great shopping and dining opportunities. For entertainment make sure you check out downtown, there is always something going on. Low cost of living, little traffic and low crime rate make it the ideal place to raise a family. And it is only 90 minutes from Minneapolis/ St. Paul, so you can get the small town feel without compromising the metropolitan life. The City has programs for businesses and entrepreneurs looking to move to Eau Claire, so give them a
Read More
Start Your Review of Eau Claire
Eau Claire - 7/14/2008
I love living here in Eau Claire, housing is cheap, we bought a house here for 69,000 (8 years ago) that would have cost us $150,000 in Milwaukee with a 5x smaller yard. Probably not the smartest thing to do but we didn't have locks on our doors for about 2 years after we bought the house. The neighborhood is quiet, very nice neighbors and close to grocery stores, the mall and restaurants. We lived in Milwaukee for about 20 years and I can't believe I stayed that long. Don't get me wrong for a big city Milwaukee was for the most part pretty nice but I love the fact that here I can be hiking or camping within 15 minutes of Eau Claire. And no ozone alerts, ever!!!! If I ever miss the big city, the Twin Cities is only an hour
Read More
Eau Claire area has a small town feel - 6/26/2008
Eau Claire is really a city with a small town feel - this is because it is surrounded by small towns. A 90 minute drive will get you to Minneapolis, MN if you need a large metro city. It is a "Family City" which is a great place to raise kids. There are many things for kids and families to do (with a great school system too). The winters are cold and long, but the summers are green and lush with lakes, rivers, and hills. The area boasts three large outdoor summer music festivals: Country Jam, Rock Festival, and Country
Read More
Good to Raise a Family & Good School - 3/17/2008
Eau Claire goes not have a HUGE cultural selection of activities, although it is really trying its best to expand in this area & revitalize its downtown.
Yes, it's a good city to raise young kids, because of low crime rates and there really is a lot for young kids (grades PK-6) to do. After that age, the city kind of dries out.
It has good schools
Read More
The Flip-Side of Eau Claire - 7/18/2007
I have lived in this area for ten years and although I love living here - there is a downside of Eau Claire that the Chamber of Commerce doesn't talk about. This is an open message to anyone who wants to move here. Please, please make sure you visit here first and check out the cost (and quality of apartments) and please have a job position already firmly in place.
I worked with too many people that move here based on the belief that good jobs are plentiful and the cost of living is low. Well, everything is not so rosy. I personally know of several master-degree holding people that are working at low-paying service jobs because they can not secure the employment that they went to school for.
An average family consisting of two adults and two school-age children will have a tough time unless one of the adults has a job paying 30K and
Read More
Eau Claire Employment - 5/29/2007
Eau Claire is a pleasent community to raise children. A deficit is the lack of adequate paying employment for professional career minded people. People seeking technical/professional employment do commute to Minneapolis/St Paul MN which is 97 miles away. There is a regional medical center which has assisted in elevated the prices of the average home in the area, and provides employment for those with a medical career focus; however, other opportunites for stable/decent paying jobs is
Read More
Boring - 5/6/2007
In spite of being the home of a college campus, Eau Claire is an incredibly boring city. Need to travel to St. Paul/Minneapolis (about 90 miles) for music, theater,
Read More
Great place to live - 4/16/2007
Eau Claire is probably one of the nicest places in the country to live if you can handle 3 months of very cold
Read More
Great place to live but job market is somewhat tig - 1/15/2007
I lived in Eau Claire for 6 years. It is a nice mix of white collar professionals, blue collar workers, and college students. Real estate is a good value for the money. The majority of people are firendly and crime rate is low. Very little violent crime. Eau Claire has great parks and recreational facilities and areas such as Carson Park, Lakes Altoona and Wissota and Hobbs Ice Arena. It's dog-friendly. The city is laid out better than a lot with convenient shopping, great thrift stores, several movie theatres and a mall. Nearby Fall Creek has the Beaver Creek Nature Reserve and Augusta has an old millm antique stores and the Woodshed, an Amish furniture store. Downtown Eau Claire has the farmer's market in the summer months and the Ski Sprites ski shows. The University of Wisconsin is in Eau Claire with various cultural events and activities, and Eau Claire has two hospitals from which to choose, as well as the Marshfiled Clinic. Luther Hospital is part of the Mayo Health
Read More