A topic I’ve been really interested in for awhile is why people move here. Everyone seems to have their theories. I’ve had a renewed interest in it lately because it’s being talked about a lot, and I’m starting to question a lot of the assumptions and narratives around it.
Eventually, I want to put out a survey, but first I want to gather some insights to later add to the survey. So, if you’ve moved to Wausau (or moved back) tell me why!
My wife's job became almost entirely remote during the pandemic with occasional travel to Madison needed. At the same time my oldest was soon to become a high school student, and we wanted to stay in our church body's school system but the nearest high school in Madison required an almost 3 hour daily commute. So we started searching for new places to live within a couple hours of Madison.
In the end we picked Wausau for a few reasons. The favorite high school option for the oldest kids was the small school option of Northland Lutheran in Kronenwetter. My wife and I liked the lower home prices and the older homes in Wausau, the many outdoor activities throughout the area, and being a little closer to both sides of the family. Finally, taking a walk through the Wausau area starting from Leigh Yawkey, going downtown and having pizza, and then walking the Riverwalk and enjoying the playground helped solidify the move for the kids.
Lack of traffic, less expensive than most places, amazing amount of culture for a small city, yet close enough to bigger cities when I need a big city fix
I came to Wausau in 2007 for a job. I was hired to lead public relations and communications for Ministry Health Care and relocated from the Chicago suburbs. At first it was challenging having moved from a much larger and urban environment but as I made friends and got to know the community I found it very welcoming and friendly. When I moved away 10 years later to go to Milwaukee it was not an easy decision.
We moved to Wausau in 1983 as part of a transfer with Wausau Insurance. When we travel to visit relatives we always appreciate coming back to less congested Wausau with less crime and less hassles in working with people.
My family lives here and I needed more support while going through some health challenges. I never thought I'd come back to my hometown, but it's a much nicer place to live now than I remember from the '90s.
All very interesting comments so far. Hearing a lot more traditional stories around why people move here (job, family, etc). Keep em coming! I'm really interested in hearing people's responses.
I first moved to Wausau in 2013, left in 2018, and moved back in 2021. My move to central WI from Milwaukee was for love, but once in central WI, our move to Wausau was cemented when I drive down Third Street. The beauty, quaintness, and vibrancy of the downtown felt like home. There were times, watching people ice skate or play catch on the 400 Block, that felt like living in a Norman Rockwell painting. My job soon connected me with amazing, inspiring people: small business owners, community leaders, and folks who generally wanted to see the community do well. The people are what made me love it here, but there are tons of other perks as well, some included in other responses. I always say Wausau has big city amenities with a small town feel. We've got everything Milwaukee and Madison do (a baseball team, farmers market, concert series, theater, museums, great food options, etc.) but everything is less expensive and more accessible. AND we get the benefit of having all those within minutes of a state park as well as plenty of other options to be in the woods or near water.
I moved cities twice in the time I was gone and while it came close, I never felt quite the comradery and commitment of the people I met and became friends with here. A new job opportunity brought me back to what I'd termed my "adopted hometown" in August 2021. I'm about to start a remote position and so grateful I get to stay here.
My wife's job became almost entirely remote during the pandemic with occasional travel to Madison needed. At the same time my oldest was soon to become a high school student, and we wanted to stay in our church body's school system but the nearest high school in Madison required an almost 3 hour daily commute. So we started searching for new places to live within a couple hours of Madison.
In the end we picked Wausau for a few reasons. The favorite high school option for the oldest kids was the small school option of Northland Lutheran in Kronenwetter. My wife and I liked the lower home prices and the older homes in Wausau, the many outdoor activities throughout the area, and being a little closer to both sides of the family. Finally, taking a walk through the Wausau area starting from Leigh Yawkey, going downtown and having pizza, and then walking the Riverwalk and enjoying the playground helped solidify the move for the kids.
Lack of traffic, less expensive than most places, amazing amount of culture for a small city, yet close enough to bigger cities when I need a big city fix
Spouse's job opportunity
We moved to Wausau long ago because I was offered a job here--and we have never had a reason to leave because we love it here!!!!
I came to Wausau in 2007 for a job. I was hired to lead public relations and communications for Ministry Health Care and relocated from the Chicago suburbs. At first it was challenging having moved from a much larger and urban environment but as I made friends and got to know the community I found it very welcoming and friendly. When I moved away 10 years later to go to Milwaukee it was not an easy decision.
Moved here for our first jobs.
We moved to Wausau in 1983 as part of a transfer with Wausau Insurance. When we travel to visit relatives we always appreciate coming back to less congested Wausau with less crime and less hassles in working with people.
I came from the northern part of Wisconsin in the middle 90's to attend school at NTC.
My family lives here and I needed more support while going through some health challenges. I never thought I'd come back to my hometown, but it's a much nicer place to live now than I remember from the '90s.
Spouse's family here.
All very interesting comments so far. Hearing a lot more traditional stories around why people move here (job, family, etc). Keep em coming! I'm really interested in hearing people's responses.
I first moved to Wausau in 2013, left in 2018, and moved back in 2021. My move to central WI from Milwaukee was for love, but once in central WI, our move to Wausau was cemented when I drive down Third Street. The beauty, quaintness, and vibrancy of the downtown felt like home. There were times, watching people ice skate or play catch on the 400 Block, that felt like living in a Norman Rockwell painting. My job soon connected me with amazing, inspiring people: small business owners, community leaders, and folks who generally wanted to see the community do well. The people are what made me love it here, but there are tons of other perks as well, some included in other responses. I always say Wausau has big city amenities with a small town feel. We've got everything Milwaukee and Madison do (a baseball team, farmers market, concert series, theater, museums, great food options, etc.) but everything is less expensive and more accessible. AND we get the benefit of having all those within minutes of a state park as well as plenty of other options to be in the woods or near water.
I moved cities twice in the time I was gone and while it came close, I never felt quite the comradery and commitment of the people I met and became friends with here. A new job opportunity brought me back to what I'd termed my "adopted hometown" in August 2021. I'm about to start a remote position and so grateful I get to stay here.