I have been in south central KY for 25 years since escaping from NY.
Spent the last year in Appleton WI and like the area.
I am thinking about the above areas as well as southwest WI
I like WI people and outdoor opportunities.
Appleton is sort of on the fringe for me as the X is there.
What say you WI folks? Point me in the right direction.
PM me or post here. A big move is a commitment.

Have lived in the Eau Claire Area since 1990 (about 15 miles SE of EC on a small farm). Nice area !
Previously lived 30 minutes from Stevens Point for five years, nice area as well.
Appleton is part of The Fox Valley (Fox River). A bit too crowded for me.

fishing , hunting , hiking , camping , what is your fancy ?

I am a Mississippi and WI river fan , no possible way to explore it all , so there is always something new to find

are you looking for a place to take up residence or just good places to visit?

Just about anyplace in Wisconsin is nice as long as you stay away from the southeast corner (Milwaukee area) and Madison.

I like canoeing, trapping muskrats & beaver, hiking…
I would be buying a residence. Plan to live there April to December then run south to avoid winter weather.
Close enough to Minneapolis/St Paul airport and the Mayo Clinic if my health takes a turn south.
I am retired and early sixties. My kids are self supporting and a plane ride away for visits.
A muskrat marsh would be nice. Closer to town with waterfront would be more practical as I age.

Look at the stretch from Trempealeau to Alma on the big river.

Took many fishing vacations to Alma. My parents were doing that before I was born a couple times a year, and for many years afterwards. My wife and I have gone there several times. It's a very nice area. Friendly people, and great views. There would be some great rat trapping in the backwaters there I'd think. There was a bar in a small town just north of Alma called Shorty's, had the best seafood platter I ever ate. Closed down over 20 years ago now though.

Point would be my choice.

Alma would be a nice choice. So would Fountain City. Good fishing if you know what you're doing. I'd stay well north of La Crosse. And if you like hiking there's Perot State Park near Trempealeau. And all just a short putt from the twin cities or Rochester if things get rough.

I grew up on Brice Prairie back in the 60s. Knew most every slough from there up to Trempealeau. Folks were different back then, respective of each other for the most part. You could find a way back pothole and duck hunt all day without idiots sky busting nearby. Same went for fishing.

That is no longer the case especially near the La Crosse area. Probably most places now.

But if you look hard enough you'll find those out of the way places where the sparkle boat crowd doesn't venture into.

I suggest taking a few trips to that stretch along the Mississippi and see if it talks to you. There are places that will sing you a backwater's lullaby.

All good comments. Suggest a road trip up here, drive around a bit and check out a few of the areas you're interested in.

I grew up in northwestern Jackson County This area is rolling, with ridges and a few smaller streams, but not a good place for trapping lots of muskrats. Going over along the Mississippi and in the area of the bottoms of the Chip, Black and Trempeleau rivers would though. If you are looking for places with lots of public land, few tourists and low population the north central part of WI from the WI river to the Chippewa River would be a good place.
If you are looking or needing good paying work and benefits then staying closer to the WI river may suit you as you can have good moderate priced housing, good work and not far from a lot of outdoor land and opportunity.

Bryce