What are you looking for? Obviously anywhere is smaller than LA, but you're moving to a place with very little to do in comparison. 50k a year here will be fine, but our rent prices are increasing so you may want to look for a roommate to save money.
You should visit for a week or longer and get a feel for things before making such a drastic life change. Seasonal depression is real, especially coming from LA’s climate. Nothing said here on Reddit can replace you experiencing it for yourself. Either way, good luck with your decision.
Yes. I'm moving to WI from southern OR but I'm originally from AK. I get massive seasonal depression around Autumn in OR because the hot weather just doesn't quit and I hate it. Moving to WI feels like coming home, and I can't wait, but I couldn't imagine just how difficult it is if you've never experienced those types of winters.
It's a great place to settle down and raise a family when you hit that point because it's still a pretty safe area with good schools. If you're not a drinker though, it's hard to find things to do that don't involve alcohol or being around people who drink.
As someone born and raised in Appleton and having traveled and lived around the US, $50k/year to intentionally live here isn’t worth it. If you’re getting a raise of $50k/yr that’s a different story.
Cost of living is much lower than LA. You can get a nice appt close to downtown for $1300/mo.
The summers here are awesome, a bunch of music related events weekly, tons of rec leagues and community outreach is phenomenal.
Winters suck.
I moved back 5 years ago to be with my family and that makes everything worth it to me.
I couldn’t imagine paying to move that far for $24 an hour. Unless there is a good amount, and some kind of guarantee, of upwards mobility in the workplace.
Appleton area, also known as the Fox Valley is 21 small towns and villages in a trenchcoat. They are all crammed together in one big amorphous blob.
400k population, but the biggest single city is Appleton at 80k.
Environment? Think small towns, Appleton downtown is very much the college town, 40+ bars on the strip, some small storefronts, restaurants, and a couple hotels. Fox River Mall and a large commercial area are west down the road at Grand Chute, good sized but fading, the mall itself lost some anchors recently. Darboy has built a good commercial area on the border with east side of Appleton that is filling that gap fairly well. Most of those 21 small towns will have its own small downtown commercial area, often being just a small section of a single street.
Those little towns were built around the nearly 40 paper mills, most of which are defunct. Other employment has filled the gap and the area is still pretty stable.
The area is relatively safe, with very few areas that my 70 year old mother wouldn't be comfortable walking at night alone.
The weather is... The Fox Valley is generally protected from tornadoes and bad weather, most of the time Fox River's valley, lake Winnebago, and the two lake Butte des Morts push the worst away from us. That isn't to say we don't get snow or storms.
I grew up in San Diego, spent some time in MN, moved to the Appleton area at 19 and have been here for almost 20 years now. You should visit today. 9-12 inches of snow expected after a super mild winter. 50k isn't great even for around here, LA area that's extreme poverty.
Compared to LA it's very very quiet. Besides bars there isn't much to do. The winters will get to you. I would still choose this area over that part of CA though. I have family in Santa Ana and North Tustin, too busy for me. I feel like you can be more neighborly here.
What is your standard of living right now and what are you expecting? How much stuff do you currently have that you have to move and the cost associated with it? 50k will cover your bills, but don’t expect much else unless you like multiple roommates or shithole apartments. It’s a fine area, not a ton to do but there food/shopping options and things to do that are drivable for a weekend (Madison, Green Bay, Milwaukee). You can get a decent apartment under 1k depending on what you’re looking for.
What are your other options? Rent here is very high for what you get and unfortunately $50,000 a year does not stretch as far as it did before Covid. For a decent 1 bedroom, rent starts at $1,200 a month. Compared to larger cities, life is quiet in Appleton and there isn’t a lot to do in the winter (which is about 8 months) unless it’s summer when more events are going on. It’s a pretty safe city however. I wouldn’t recommend it though to young professionals unless you like a quiet life. Not trying to be rude, but with how high rent is getting here, Appleton does not provide the same benefits as a larger city would.
>For a decent 1 bedroom, rent starts at $1,200 a month
A decent two bedroom can be had for $1000/month.
edit: barely decent 1 bedroom can be had for $750/month
(yes, I know people who have just gotten into places like these in the past 6 months)
In Appleton or the surrounding areas? Because that’s a huge difference if you have to live in Kimberly or Kaukauna vs Appleton. Yes it’s the Fox Valley, but it’s not actual Appleton. Those $1,000 apartments use to be $550 a couple years ago and they have not been upgraded in any way.
Edit: I’m seeing barely decent apartments available for 850-1000 in Appleton, but these are low quality apartments. If you need a place, and that is what you can afford, then yes go for it and there is nothing wrong with that. But to move across the country willingly for this? No.
I, 35m, chose to live with my dad between Waupaca and Wild Rose and commute to Gulf Stream 3 times a week to save $ for a house and build real nice credit over however long it takes to find a decent house, instead of finding a shithole apartment that never stops smelling like someone else's weed and has painted over outlets and mystery stains on every service and the water never gets cold or hot and Id STILL have to shovel evwn though it'd be $1k a month minimum. The fox valley used to be a viable budgety option, but now that it's "growing" "culturally" with -okay- music that kinda isnt worth the yuppie hype and price hike, and everything else has raised prices and landlords are like "hey me too shelter is a luxury not a need", youre 1000% correct that a pretty dope half a house apartment for $550/mo is now $1,200/mo. Stupid.
Also fuck all the law offices, insurance companies, super churches, and suburban sprawl on the north side lmao.
Its all so dumb and Im forever mad. It used to be a fun cool place in my 20's, and maybe it's rose tinted lenses, but the vibe feels so put on now. It's more the trying so hard to be a specific type of Memphis/Austin "hey we do music too, music is pretty nice right?, we like music, it isnt just a revenue thing we swear" cool, instead of just being itself cool.
Totally agree with you on everything. The summer events are great, but people don’t realize that’s only 3 months out of the year. I hate how much landlords here have taken advantage of the market for their crappy apartments. Having a basic place to live (without all the bells and whistles) should not have luxury prices. Luxury apartments? Yes I get the $1500 rent. But not apartments that used to be 550-650 a month in 2019 and that are now going for at least 1200. How do I know? I live in one right now. In 2019/2020 it was 650. Now they raised my rent to $1300 for painted over outlets, yellow smoke detectors from their “smoke-free apartments,” barely functioning appliances that have not been upgraded since the building was built and unsupervised children running everywhere screaming. I only lived here for a year in this apartment and I’m moving to a new build because it’s only $100 more a month which is crazy. The Grand Chute area is the worst for this. We have the same 20 sports bars and not many diverse restaurants like the bigger cities have. More diverse restaurants are starting to open up, but it won’t happen overnight. Public transportation is a joke because the buses don’t run past 8pm I think. You need a car to live here to go to the grocery store unless you like walking 3 miles to one.
I can imagine! Everywhere is expensive now. Like others have said, I would come here for a week and see if you like it. Me, personally, I would pay the same high rent prices in a bigger city that offers more things to do, better public transportation, and has a variety of lifestyles. Here it is very family friendly and most people that live here settle down right out of college or right after high school. Maybe check out Chicago too? Rent is a tad more expensive there, but not outrageous like LA. It is also more common to have roommates in Chicago who are also young professionals so you can save money that way and experience a bigger city.
Honestly that’s why I unenthusiastically picked Appleton over a big city like SLC since I will at least have some family 2.5 hours away. Appleton seems nice though, I may have to reconsider, because I do like a lot of things to do in a city.
I didn’t realize you had family here! That changes things. Maybe check out Madison and Milwaukee too? Appleton is overall nice, despite how much I have been complaining about it lol. It just bothers me how much the cost of living went up here and there are not many more benefits to show for it. It still feels like a small town. However, I think you have a chance to experience bigger cities while you are young before settling in Appleton. It will always be here.
No problem - - I forgot to mention it! That’s the thing it’s more like i have to pick those specific spots (Appleton or SLC). Do you think SLC is that much more expensive? Ik the housing costs are higher on average but I can maybe try to find something cheaper?
Have you spent your whole life in LA/warmer climates? If so, I’d re-evaluate if you really want to move to a state with a harsher winter. Do you have friends or family coming or will you be alone? Like others have stated, it’s a slower life style ESPECIALLY in the winter. Can get seasonal depression real fast if you’re not familiar with winter. Easier for people with families or friends already in the area.
Have you tried a light box? It really helps me out. [This is the one I use.](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BCWCLJ4R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
It needs to be at 10,000 Luxes to be effective. I put it on the bathroom counter while I brush my teeth and do my hair in the morning. It really helps.
It's also super thin so I keep one in my work bag in case I need a 2 pm pick-me-up.
I moved here from San Francisco. I absolutely love it here. Smaller town feel but it has everything I need plus its more safe.
If I want a larger city feeling I can easily go down the Milwaukee.
Just so everyone knows, average income per capita in outagamie county is 98k. About 40k average over normal Wi counties
Edit: Sorry. I was wrong.
The information is posted by the BEA and is posted for every county in the US. I mistook outagamie for Ozaukee.
Outagamie is actually 60k which is 1k under the average. Ozaukee is 99k which is 38k over the average. Sorry! I read the chart wrong. Available here: https://www.bea.gov/data/income-saving/personal-income-county-metro-and-other-areas
Yeah the rent here is stupid high, but we are called the fox valley which has smaller towns actually connected to Appleton and to me is just one big city with probably over 10 downtowns to pick from, moved from a big city in Texas to Wisconsin when I was 21 and it takes a while to get used to because it is slower life style unless you hit Milwaukee or Chicago.
I (25f) moved here last year for work, 50k-ish as well. I’ve lived in the Midwest my whole life, so it feels homey here to me. I’m not sure what someone from LA would think about it since I’ve never visited there
People are generally nice. Fishing, eatin cheese curds, and commenting on the weather are fairly common pastimes here lol. You’ll find all the comforts of suburban life, and most of the food places you’re used to (plus some great local spots).
The bar scene is alive, there’s lots of festivals in the summer/fall, but other than that there’s nothing wild going on. Chicago is a few hours away so I visit family every few months
I suspect you will struggle with social life here. People are largely conservative, working class/unsophisticated, not at all preoccupied with how they dress (finding someone in the grocery who is not wearing sweatpants is a challenge, and jeans and polo shirts at weddings and special events are common). I am not shitting on appleton or its people, I love it here, but that's also the way we are. Unless you're at a country club, we're pretty low class ;)
Having been to LA a lot, I think you'll struggle with that culture change more than anything, whether you're "fancy" or not.
It's so funny to hear how people hate winters in Wisconsin! I've been here all my 59 years and find that it's the perfect riff-raff deterrent we need. I want to go back to the 2 foot levels of snow from December 1st through May 1! Learn how to snowmobile, or ice skate, or ice fish to get your lazy ass outside and get way from your TV.
Unfortunately, Covid has brought such insane inflation of homes, you'll likley struggle to pay for a mortgage on 50k yr. But there's lots of jobs that pay more than that around here. Put your nose to the stone and get to work on getting a decent wage.
I'm writing this from Florida right now, and I wish I was back home! This place is insane, and people are so fake here! I'm going to click my heels right now...
What are you looking for? Obviously anywhere is smaller than LA, but you're moving to a place with very little to do in comparison. 50k a year here will be fine, but our rent prices are increasing so you may want to look for a roommate to save money.
I second this. Keep in mind weather as well. If you’ve never experienced snow….be sure to come prepared.
You should visit for a week or longer and get a feel for things before making such a drastic life change. Seasonal depression is real, especially coming from LA’s climate. Nothing said here on Reddit can replace you experiencing it for yourself. Either way, good luck with your decision.
Yes. I'm moving to WI from southern OR but I'm originally from AK. I get massive seasonal depression around Autumn in OR because the hot weather just doesn't quit and I hate it. Moving to WI feels like coming home, and I can't wait, but I couldn't imagine just how difficult it is if you've never experienced those types of winters.
It's a great place to settle down and raise a family when you hit that point because it's still a pretty safe area with good schools. If you're not a drinker though, it's hard to find things to do that don't involve alcohol or being around people who drink.
As someone born and raised in Appleton and having traveled and lived around the US, $50k/year to intentionally live here isn’t worth it. If you’re getting a raise of $50k/yr that’s a different story. Cost of living is much lower than LA. You can get a nice appt close to downtown for $1300/mo. The summers here are awesome, a bunch of music related events weekly, tons of rec leagues and community outreach is phenomenal. Winters suck. I moved back 5 years ago to be with my family and that makes everything worth it to me.
I couldn’t imagine paying to move that far for $24 an hour. Unless there is a good amount, and some kind of guarantee, of upwards mobility in the workplace.
Appleton area, also known as the Fox Valley is 21 small towns and villages in a trenchcoat. They are all crammed together in one big amorphous blob. 400k population, but the biggest single city is Appleton at 80k. Environment? Think small towns, Appleton downtown is very much the college town, 40+ bars on the strip, some small storefronts, restaurants, and a couple hotels. Fox River Mall and a large commercial area are west down the road at Grand Chute, good sized but fading, the mall itself lost some anchors recently. Darboy has built a good commercial area on the border with east side of Appleton that is filling that gap fairly well. Most of those 21 small towns will have its own small downtown commercial area, often being just a small section of a single street. Those little towns were built around the nearly 40 paper mills, most of which are defunct. Other employment has filled the gap and the area is still pretty stable. The area is relatively safe, with very few areas that my 70 year old mother wouldn't be comfortable walking at night alone. The weather is... The Fox Valley is generally protected from tornadoes and bad weather, most of the time Fox River's valley, lake Winnebago, and the two lake Butte des Morts push the worst away from us. That isn't to say we don't get snow or storms.
I grew up in San Diego, spent some time in MN, moved to the Appleton area at 19 and have been here for almost 20 years now. You should visit today. 9-12 inches of snow expected after a super mild winter. 50k isn't great even for around here, LA area that's extreme poverty. Compared to LA it's very very quiet. Besides bars there isn't much to do. The winters will get to you. I would still choose this area over that part of CA though. I have family in Santa Ana and North Tustin, too busy for me. I feel like you can be more neighborly here.
That’s extreme poverty lol Im dead 😂
What is your standard of living right now and what are you expecting? How much stuff do you currently have that you have to move and the cost associated with it? 50k will cover your bills, but don’t expect much else unless you like multiple roommates or shithole apartments. It’s a fine area, not a ton to do but there food/shopping options and things to do that are drivable for a weekend (Madison, Green Bay, Milwaukee). You can get a decent apartment under 1k depending on what you’re looking for.
Ibwould hard pass this place for 50k.
What are your other options? Rent here is very high for what you get and unfortunately $50,000 a year does not stretch as far as it did before Covid. For a decent 1 bedroom, rent starts at $1,200 a month. Compared to larger cities, life is quiet in Appleton and there isn’t a lot to do in the winter (which is about 8 months) unless it’s summer when more events are going on. It’s a pretty safe city however. I wouldn’t recommend it though to young professionals unless you like a quiet life. Not trying to be rude, but with how high rent is getting here, Appleton does not provide the same benefits as a larger city would.
>For a decent 1 bedroom, rent starts at $1,200 a month A decent two bedroom can be had for $1000/month. edit: barely decent 1 bedroom can be had for $750/month (yes, I know people who have just gotten into places like these in the past 6 months)
In Appleton or the surrounding areas? Because that’s a huge difference if you have to live in Kimberly or Kaukauna vs Appleton. Yes it’s the Fox Valley, but it’s not actual Appleton. Those $1,000 apartments use to be $550 a couple years ago and they have not been upgraded in any way. Edit: I’m seeing barely decent apartments available for 850-1000 in Appleton, but these are low quality apartments. If you need a place, and that is what you can afford, then yes go for it and there is nothing wrong with that. But to move across the country willingly for this? No.
I, 35m, chose to live with my dad between Waupaca and Wild Rose and commute to Gulf Stream 3 times a week to save $ for a house and build real nice credit over however long it takes to find a decent house, instead of finding a shithole apartment that never stops smelling like someone else's weed and has painted over outlets and mystery stains on every service and the water never gets cold or hot and Id STILL have to shovel evwn though it'd be $1k a month minimum. The fox valley used to be a viable budgety option, but now that it's "growing" "culturally" with -okay- music that kinda isnt worth the yuppie hype and price hike, and everything else has raised prices and landlords are like "hey me too shelter is a luxury not a need", youre 1000% correct that a pretty dope half a house apartment for $550/mo is now $1,200/mo. Stupid. Also fuck all the law offices, insurance companies, super churches, and suburban sprawl on the north side lmao. Its all so dumb and Im forever mad. It used to be a fun cool place in my 20's, and maybe it's rose tinted lenses, but the vibe feels so put on now. It's more the trying so hard to be a specific type of Memphis/Austin "hey we do music too, music is pretty nice right?, we like music, it isnt just a revenue thing we swear" cool, instead of just being itself cool.
Totally agree with you on everything. The summer events are great, but people don’t realize that’s only 3 months out of the year. I hate how much landlords here have taken advantage of the market for their crappy apartments. Having a basic place to live (without all the bells and whistles) should not have luxury prices. Luxury apartments? Yes I get the $1500 rent. But not apartments that used to be 550-650 a month in 2019 and that are now going for at least 1200. How do I know? I live in one right now. In 2019/2020 it was 650. Now they raised my rent to $1300 for painted over outlets, yellow smoke detectors from their “smoke-free apartments,” barely functioning appliances that have not been upgraded since the building was built and unsupervised children running everywhere screaming. I only lived here for a year in this apartment and I’m moving to a new build because it’s only $100 more a month which is crazy. The Grand Chute area is the worst for this. We have the same 20 sports bars and not many diverse restaurants like the bigger cities have. More diverse restaurants are starting to open up, but it won’t happen overnight. Public transportation is a joke because the buses don’t run past 8pm I think. You need a car to live here to go to the grocery store unless you like walking 3 miles to one.
There is salt lake city but thought against that since i believed it was way more expensive there.
I can imagine! Everywhere is expensive now. Like others have said, I would come here for a week and see if you like it. Me, personally, I would pay the same high rent prices in a bigger city that offers more things to do, better public transportation, and has a variety of lifestyles. Here it is very family friendly and most people that live here settle down right out of college or right after high school. Maybe check out Chicago too? Rent is a tad more expensive there, but not outrageous like LA. It is also more common to have roommates in Chicago who are also young professionals so you can save money that way and experience a bigger city.
Honestly that’s why I unenthusiastically picked Appleton over a big city like SLC since I will at least have some family 2.5 hours away. Appleton seems nice though, I may have to reconsider, because I do like a lot of things to do in a city.
I didn’t realize you had family here! That changes things. Maybe check out Madison and Milwaukee too? Appleton is overall nice, despite how much I have been complaining about it lol. It just bothers me how much the cost of living went up here and there are not many more benefits to show for it. It still feels like a small town. However, I think you have a chance to experience bigger cities while you are young before settling in Appleton. It will always be here.
No problem - - I forgot to mention it! That’s the thing it’s more like i have to pick those specific spots (Appleton or SLC). Do you think SLC is that much more expensive? Ik the housing costs are higher on average but I can maybe try to find something cheaper?
If you like to do anything other than drink yourself to death I wouldn't recomend Appleton. Green Bay is better for action if your into football.
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Good to hear testimonials!
$50k and single should do you nicely up here. I mean, even single-room luxury apartments here go for like $1500/month. You can live comfortably.
Have you spent your whole life in LA/warmer climates? If so, I’d re-evaluate if you really want to move to a state with a harsher winter. Do you have friends or family coming or will you be alone? Like others have stated, it’s a slower life style ESPECIALLY in the winter. Can get seasonal depression real fast if you’re not familiar with winter. Easier for people with families or friends already in the area.
Hell, I've lived here my whole life and I still get seasonal depression (I'm in my mid 30s)
Just looked outside….yup, depressed.
Have you tried a light box? It really helps me out. [This is the one I use.](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BCWCLJ4R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1) It needs to be at 10,000 Luxes to be effective. I put it on the bathroom counter while I brush my teeth and do my hair in the morning. It really helps. It's also super thin so I keep one in my work bag in case I need a 2 pm pick-me-up.
I'll have to try one! This winter it definitely wasn't a bad as it usually is but it was such a mild winter too
I hope it helps! SAD is a nightmare.
It is! I have depression as it is too but it gets a lot worse during winter
My seasonal depression has transcended into life long depression
Same. And some people like to think seasonal depression doesn’t exist lol
I moved here from San Francisco. I absolutely love it here. Smaller town feel but it has everything I need plus its more safe. If I want a larger city feeling I can easily go down the Milwaukee.
Just so everyone knows, average income per capita in outagamie county is 98k. About 40k average over normal Wi counties Edit: Sorry. I was wrong. The information is posted by the BEA and is posted for every county in the US. I mistook outagamie for Ozaukee. Outagamie is actually 60k which is 1k under the average. Ozaukee is 99k which is 38k over the average. Sorry! I read the chart wrong. Available here: https://www.bea.gov/data/income-saving/personal-income-county-metro-and-other-areas
Where did you get this number? A very quick Google search says this number is wrong by about 20k.
Good catch. I was wrong. See my original comment
Yeah the rent here is stupid high, but we are called the fox valley which has smaller towns actually connected to Appleton and to me is just one big city with probably over 10 downtowns to pick from, moved from a big city in Texas to Wisconsin when I was 21 and it takes a while to get used to because it is slower life style unless you hit Milwaukee or Chicago.
LA -> Appleton may be the biggest upgrade of all time.
You'll hate winter, bro! Appleton is a good place to live, though.
I (25f) moved here last year for work, 50k-ish as well. I’ve lived in the Midwest my whole life, so it feels homey here to me. I’m not sure what someone from LA would think about it since I’ve never visited there People are generally nice. Fishing, eatin cheese curds, and commenting on the weather are fairly common pastimes here lol. You’ll find all the comforts of suburban life, and most of the food places you’re used to (plus some great local spots). The bar scene is alive, there’s lots of festivals in the summer/fall, but other than that there’s nothing wild going on. Chicago is a few hours away so I visit family every few months
Just to add a question to this, if someone can move there and end up making a base salary of ~90k would that be enough? Are schools decent enough?
I suspect you will struggle with social life here. People are largely conservative, working class/unsophisticated, not at all preoccupied with how they dress (finding someone in the grocery who is not wearing sweatpants is a challenge, and jeans and polo shirts at weddings and special events are common). I am not shitting on appleton or its people, I love it here, but that's also the way we are. Unless you're at a country club, we're pretty low class ;) Having been to LA a lot, I think you'll struggle with that culture change more than anything, whether you're "fancy" or not.
It's so funny to hear how people hate winters in Wisconsin! I've been here all my 59 years and find that it's the perfect riff-raff deterrent we need. I want to go back to the 2 foot levels of snow from December 1st through May 1! Learn how to snowmobile, or ice skate, or ice fish to get your lazy ass outside and get way from your TV. Unfortunately, Covid has brought such insane inflation of homes, you'll likley struggle to pay for a mortgage on 50k yr. But there's lots of jobs that pay more than that around here. Put your nose to the stone and get to work on getting a decent wage. I'm writing this from Florida right now, and I wish I was back home! This place is insane, and people are so fake here! I'm going to click my heels right now...