Why Remote Workers Should Consider Moving to Appleton
For those who are searching for the right mix of city amenities and the great outdoors, Appleton WI, and the neighboring Fox Cities might have just what they’re looking for. In fact, Appleton was ranked #39 on Livability.com’s 2022 ranking of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in the US in 2022!
The disruption of the pandemic made many of us reconsider our lifestyle and working arrangements. While many have gone back to the office, the numbers of people working remotely have remained above pre-pandemic levels. Data from the US government and businesses shows that there is a trend of those in large cities moving to medium-sized and smaller metro areas.
For those who can work remotely, the Fox Cities region is a great place to live. Appleton is the largest of the 18 Fox Cities, which are located along the Fox River in northeast Wisconsin, about 90 minutes north of Milwaukee.
Appleton, with about 75,000 people, might be just the right mix for those who want easy access to both city amenities and the great outdoors. When you add in friendly neighbors, a blossoming food and arts scene, excellent employers, and a moderate cost of living, the Appleton area might be the perfect mix.
Here is the breakdown:
Let’s Talk Business — Is Appleton Affordable?
The overall cost of living in Appleton is 5.6% below the national average. That includes all the living expenses for everyone in the nation’s cities, suburbs, and the boonies.
To put Appleton’s cost of living into better context, let’s compare it to the cost of living in some US cities. According to Salary.com, Appleton is almost 92% cheaper than San Francisco, 86% cheaper than New York, and 56% cheaper than Boston. The main drivers for those savings are healthcare, transportation, and housing costs.
Housing is a large — or the largest — monthly expense for most of us. While housing costs in Appleton have gone up in the past couple of years just as they have virtually everywhere, they have not shot up nearly as much as in the major cities, especially havens for nomads such as Las Vegas, Boise, ID, and Austin TX.
Housing in Appleton and the Fox Cities is still very affordable. According to Livability.com, the median home price in Appleton is $243,989 and the median salary is $61,475. For comparison, consider the national statistics: According to the 2020 census, the national median salary for men is $61,417 and for women is $50,982, while the median home price is $428,700!
That is, Appleton’s median salary is comparable to the national median, while the median home price in Appleton is 43% less!
Can I Get a Job in the Appleton Area?
The Appleton area boasts an outstanding line-up of employers in a variety of industries. The largest local employers operate in the fields of medical care, paper products, equipment manufacturing, frozen food manufacturing, and insurance.
Although most people drive to work, the traffic is not bad at all. And because of the layout of the Fox Cities around a couple of major highways, you’re likely to have a very manageable commute. The average commute time for the area is only 18 minutes, way below the national average of 26 minutes.
What is There To Do in the Appleton Area?
- Eat, drink, and be merry!
Foodies rejoice! The local restaurant and bar scene is really coming into its own. There are tons of independent restaurants serving up innovative fare as well as established local favorites. And there are many outstanding local craft breweries in Appleton and other Fox Cities to keep the beer lovers happy.
2. Get outdoors!
- The Fox Cities area offers numerous hiking and biking trails. Maps are available from Appleton Parks and Recreation.
- Check out the Bulboz Nature Preserve, which offers over 8 miles for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
- In warmer weather, visit the nearby Butterfly Gardens of Wisconsin to enjoy the butterflies (of course), bees, turtles, frogs, and other native Wisconsin plants and animals. Walk through the enclosed building where the butterflies fly free and may interact with visitors.
- Enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the Fox River or Lake Winnebago in a kayak.
3. Go to a festival.
There are tons of music festivals, the largest being the 4-day Mile of Music each summer in downtown Appleton. There are also book festivals, food festivals, holiday festivals, and art festivals during the year.
4. Catch a show at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. Enjoy big-name
musical, dance, and comedy performances as well as touring Broadway shows.
5. Spend a day or a weekend at one of the nearby cities. Sometimes you want the cultural amenities or shopping that a big city offers. Or you just need a dose of hustle and bustle.
That is easy to arrange because Appleton is within striking range of several major cities:
- Milwaukee is only 90 minutes south
- Chicago is a 3-hour drive
- Minneapolis is a little over 4 hours west
If you are in an expensive, hectic city and are looking to get more bang for your buck and improve your quality of life, check out Appleton and the other Fox Cities. You may be very pleasantly surprised.