Evan P. best-worst Aug 8, 2025

What surprised you most about Appleton?

Hey everyone, Been living here since 2007. Crime rate is something to consider -Appleton sits at 275.6 per 100K. Poverty rate is 5.5%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $957 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Am I overthinking this? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.

16 upvotes

2 Replies

Austin P. Aug 25, 2025

My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..

33 upvotes

Chloe Torres Aug 13, 2025

Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.

I've been here 2 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into running, this place is average.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Would recommend to anyone considering it..

16 upvotes