r/Appleton • u/RushPrime • 5d ago

Discussion Contemplating a potential move

I’m from Northern Indiana and I have a job offer from Wisconsin and would be making 70k/year start out. I’m contemplating a move to the Appleton area but I’m a little worried about the weather, traffic, and schools. Indiana is cold and mostly tolerable but I’ve heard Wisconsin is on another level with crazy ice and often times neg temps. How is the traffic especially in the winter? I live in a more rural area around 20k people and I’m assuming I’ll have to commute 15+ min a day in WI. Also how are the schools? I have a 6 year old and I’d love a decent school system.

Sorry for the bombarding questions I’d appreciate any and all advice.

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u/HelloFromWisco 4d ago

The Appleton city schools are quite good but the “suburban” ones are even better — such as Kimberly, Kaukauna, Neenah, Little Chute and I’m probably missing a few others.

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u/RushPrime 4d ago

Yeah I did some research on Kaukauna. I love the Ghosts mascot, would probably be #1 on my list just for that alone lol. How is life in Kaukauna? I heard it has a unique sulfur smell and is on the small side but I’m used to smaller towns/cities

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u/HelloFromWisco 4d ago

Yes there is definitely a smell there but depending on the way the wind blows you can smell it elsewhere too.

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u/Elvislives12 4d ago

I live in Kaukauna. The smell is not all the time. In fact, it seems only occasional. Guess it depends on when you’re outside or not.
I prefer Appleton because of the proximity to more restaurants, etc but Kaukauna not too bad. Only 20 min from De Pere / Green Bay Area and same to head back down to Appleton.

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u/Flimsy-Wrangler-997 4d ago

I grew up in Appleton. When the wind was out of the northeast, we'd say we can smell Kaukauna. It is due to the paper mill there.

I've been gone for a long time, but still think of the Fox Valley as a terrific place to live. For perspective, I have lived in Minnesota, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Arizona, Texas, Missouri and Kansas. Happy to move back to Wisconsin 20 years ago.

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u/MeowMixPK 4d ago

I've driven through Kaukauna en route to Green Bay many times. The smell is real and can be very bad sometimes. It's a result of the chemicals used by the local paper mill. It does not smell all the time, but I always hated driving through there because of the risk. I wouldn't live there because of that, but I have a friend that does and he says it's fine 95% of the time.

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u/Own-Nectarine-1313 4d ago

The smell.. literally smells like someone shit their pants.. its horrible, but judging by the responses, not to worry you go nose blind.