Grew up in EC, but needed to get out
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12/26/2006
I grew up in EC and I have fond memories of the city. The city offers a beautiful bike trail system mainly along the rivers that spared me from childhood boredom. You can bike all through the city along inter-connected residential areas as numerous tunnels and bridges avoid conflict with major roads. All the shopping and services are spread out at the perimeter of the old city along Clairemont (U.S. 12) and Hastings (U.S. 53). Newer homes and business are steadily transforming the outskirts of the area. During a recent visit, I counted five Starbucks -- all on the southside.
Unlike most cities, there really are no slums or "bad" areas of town. Even the older, lower-cost areas are kept up and safe. Crime is minimal.
The local culture is dominated by the university and the city has given up trying to build a convention center as consultants have said Eau Claire is too close to Minneapolis. Water Street offers the college-age bar scene and downtown has it's share of bars. The Oakwood Mall area has lots of chain bar/grill places like Applebee's. I can't say the restaurants are that great like some larger cities, but the health inspections are very strict, so I know they're safe.
Right now I live in the Southeast and could not imagine living back in EC. I don't want to live in a place that's cold from September until May and the leaves are only on the trees for 4 or 5 months. Hunting and fishing are really not my thing and the city is too small to offer much activity for young adults.
Michael | Augusta, GA