UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.
| liv score 655 How We Calculate Our Data |
|
|---|---|
| Civics | 49 |
| Demographics | 34 |
| Economy | 55 |
| Education | 61 |
| Health | 66 |
| Housing | 54 |
| Infrastructure | 39 |
#38. Appleton, WI
Appleton is a centrally located city that’s part of the larger Paper Valley region and close to Green Bay, giving locals access to a ton of restaurants, shops, parks and entertainment opportunities. One of the safest communities in the state, Appleton is a great place for young families and has done a lot to appeal to seniors, as well. Housing prices and the cost of living are low and the town continues to offer great career opportunities in a number of industries.
Top Industries and Employers: With its location along the Fox River, Appleton was an important part of the early lumber industry in the state and there are still many paper product companies here. Additionally, Appleton is home to ThedaCare Health Systems, Thrivent Financial and Miller Electric.
Best Coffee Shop: Tempest Coffee Collective has unique and delicious house-made syrups, vegan pastries and a seasonal menu of both food and coffee.
Best Local Beer/Brewery: McFleshman’s Brewing Company
Must-Have Meal: Short Rib Benedict or Grilled Cheese with bacon and tomato at SAP.
Best Co-Working Space: Appleton Coworking is a nonprofit, member-driven group that exists for and is run by the community.
Best Meetup Spot (When Meeting Up Is a Thing Again): Appleton Beer Factory has a big, industrial tap room right in the middle of downtown with live music, a huge TV and a great menu.
Creative Hub: Sharpen your writing skills at The Mill, a community of novice and accomplished writers that offers writing classes, contests and more.
Favorite Weekend Activity: Browsing the booths at the Downtown Appleton Farmers Market
Free Way to Have Fun: Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve or the Fox Trot Trail offer great opportunities to get outside and learn more about the area in totally different ways.
Local Dream Job: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers manager. The Class A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, this team often gets major leaguers on rehab assignments. Goose Gossage, Pete Vukovich, Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz are among the players who were on earlier iterations of the minor league team that eventually became the Timber Rattlers.
Read More:
10 Reasons to Move to Wisconsin
The 20 Greatest Things About Living in the Midwest
The Best Places to Live in Wisconsin
– Nicole Haase