Appleton

It’s fitting that the neighborhood southwest of downtown Appleton has the word ‘park’ in its name. The Alicia Park neighborhood is conveniently located near the neighborhood’s namesake park, and Lutz and Pierce Parks. “We like to call it our trifecta of neighborhood parks,” says Ann-Marie Helmbrecht, a local Coldwell Banker Realtor who has lived in the neighborhood for 16 years. “People love that they live within walking distance of one, and maybe all three.” It’s not surprising that there are three parks in this neighborhood, as 24 neighborhood parks are within the city and four larger community parks. Living in Alicia Park also means you're close to the Fox River. From mid-June through mid-August, Pierce Park hosts a free concert at its pavilion every Tuesday night from 7 to 8 p.m. featuring music from the Appleton City Band. The concerts sometimes feature themes like music from Broadway or movies. The park also hosts an occasional Food Truck Rally, where several area trucks come out, and folks come and make a meal out of it. The park also has a frisbee golf course and a paved walking trail. It’s the home of the Summer Playground Fair in late July, with carnival games, food and entertainment. In the winter, when the temperature dips to single digits and snowfall accumulates an average of 70 inches per year, the pavilion is turned into an ice rink for spontaneous hockey games and skating dates. Lutz Park is along the Fox River and totals 3 acres. There are biking and walking trails, playground equipment and a boardwalk that leads to a small island in the middle of the river. The park also connects to the Appleton Yacht Club, offering access to the marina for members. Alicia Park has a picnic area, a walking trail and plenty of parking. The unique aspect of this park is that there’s a flower bed that spells out the name ‘Alice’ near the parking lot. Land was donated in 1910 to the city for the park under the stipulation that it be named after the deceased wife of a resident who was a prominent businessman and politician. If a house is priced correctly in this neighborhood, it won’t be on the market for long. “We don’t have much turnover at all,” Helmbrecht says. “In early July of 2024, only one house was on the market.” Cape Cod and ranch-style from the 1940s through the ‘60s are priced between $220,000 and $350,000. "Two-story Colonial, split-level houses are priced between $500,000 and $700,000", Helmbrecht says, while the northern part of the neighborhood near Pierce Park has some homes as old as a farmhouse from the late 1800s. These older homes are priced between $200,000 and $300,000. Some houses are on quarter-acre lots. Waterfront 1-acre lots are priced from $800,000 to $2 million. Prekindergarten through sixth-grade students can attend Jefferson Elementary School before attending Wilson Middle School. Both schools receive a C-plus grade on Niche. Appleton West High School gets a B rating on Niche. Within the school, there’s Renaissance School for the Arts, a half-day charter school that offers a challenging arts curriculum focusing on visual arts, music, drama and media arts. Xavier High School is a private Catholic-based school connected to St. Bernard Catholic Parish, part of the Xavier Catholic School system and receives an A from Niche for the elementary, middle, and high schools. School alums include former NFL running back Rocky Bleier and journalist Greta Van Susteren. Lawrence University is located in downtown Appleton and is a private liberal arts college with an enrollment of 1,500 and an 8-to-1 student-faculty ratio. Enjoy views of the Fox River through large windows while dining indoors or outdoors at Fratellos Riverfront Restaurant. The building, which used to be a hydroelectric power plant, was built in 1882 and was an early provider of electricity to area houses. A more casual eatery is Niko’s Gyros, which serves traditional Greek food on a pita with options of a Greek salad, a Greek twist to a hamburger, or a traditional hot dog. The retail options are northwest of the neighborhood where College Avenue and Interstate 41 intersect, near the Fox River Mall. Target is part of the mall, and grocery options like Walmart Supercenter and Woodman’s surround it. Also near the Fox River is the Hearthstone Historic House Museum, considered the birthplace of green energy. It was the first private residence powered by hydroelectricity from the plant across the street, now Fratellos. The house contains the original light switches. The museum is open for tours from Thursday through Sunday. Atlas Science Center is a museum focusing on Appleton's rich papermaking industry. The museum, originally called the The Paper Discovery Center, opened in 2005. Summer is an active time in downtown Appleton, with the weekly Downtown Appleton Farm Market running from June through mid-October every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Over 100 vendors sell produce, handcrafted items, meats and cheeses along College Avenue, the main road through downtown. Appleton’s annual Mile of Music takes place four days in early August, featuring over 200 up-and-coming artists performing free concerts along a mile stretch of College Avenue. Public transportation routes lead downtown, with Valley Transit stops in the neighborhood on Prospect Avenue and Memorial Drive.

Colony Oaks enjoys the luxury of being located just south of the banks of the Fox River. Here, many houses come with waterfront docks for boats and kayaks ready for a day on the water. Yet, water access isn't limited to those with riverfront property as surrounding recreational areas allow residents a bit farther away to get out on the water. Coupling this with access to shopping, dining, festivals, and a market, all within 4 miles or less of the neighborhood, gives Colony Oaks a relaxed, small-town feel with convenience and entertainment not too far away. Moreover, it is a place where neighbors seek community with one another through planned events and spontaneous block parties. Of living in Colony Oaks, longtime resident and Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Barb Merry says, "When I first moved here, I didn’t like small towns, but I’ve done a complete 180 after living in Colony Oaks. It really feels like a small community, and after 30 years of living here, my husband and I have never thought about moving.”<br><br>Rows of homes line Colony Oaks, buffered from the residential streets by mature oak and pine trees that also shade front yards. Homes in the center of the neighborhood feature modest backyards large enough for a pool or patio, while private docks housing boats and kayaks also break off from homes sitting along the waterfront on its northern end. Front yards share space with basketball hoops in driveways and colorful landscaping that accents pathways to front doors. Built during the mid-to-late 20th century, homes here are mostly bi-level and ranch-style, with a handful of contemporary-style houses of the time. Home prices start around $200,000 and reach up to $450,000 for a waterfront property. However, recently renovated and custom homes situated along the river can sell for just short of $1 million.<br><br>Students in prekindergarten through sixth grade can attend Johnston Elementary School before heading to James Madison Middle School, both of which maintain a C-plus rating on Niche. Appleton East High School, which receives a B-rating, serves high school students. The high school is home to The Courier, a student-led online newspaper, and the district’s Tesla Engineering Charter School, which facilitates smaller class sizes and scholarships offered to those in the program.<br><br>Backyard docks make relaxing by the river convenient for those living along the Fox’s shores. However, those situated farther back have plenty of ways to get on the water, including the public launch at Sunset Park, a mile east of the neighborhood. “Last year, my son and I joined the parks and recreation department and 250 other kayakers for a day on the river, moving from one lock to the next,” Merry shares. “People really enjoy putting the boat out, but you can see jet skis, people water skiing and fishing as well.” The neighborhood’s namesake park along East Edgemere Drive is within walking distance of most homes and offers the traditional playground and covered pavilion experience. As part of the city’s Playground Program, children can join in on summer programming at the park, including outdoor games, field trips and more.<br><br>Downtown Appleton, a 4-mile drive east, hosts dozens of events throughout the year, from the annual Mile of Music festival in August to the Downtown Appleton Farmers Market, which runs from June to October. However, residents of Colony Oaks also enjoy throwing their own smaller gatherings, including shutting down residential streets to have occasional block parties and mid-week neighbor catchups. “At least once a week, those living in cul-de-sacs will pull out lawn chairs into their front yards to have a drink with fellow neighbors.”<br><br>After cold Wisconsin winters, the patio at Cinder’s Charcoal Grill on South Kensington Drive, less than a mile south, is a welcome reprieve. The restaurant has been serving up burgers, ribs and other grilled favorites for 30 years. Chefo’s Pancake House on West Kimberly Avenue is a breakfast spot with a cozy cabin-style feel. For shopping, residents make the 2-mile trip along Marcella Street to Festival Foods. Larger retailers like Kohl’s, Walmart Supercenter and Marshalls are located in a commerce area less than a mile farther south on East Camulet Street.<br><br>State Route 441 borders the community to the west, allowing 30-mile drives into Green Bay after hopping onto Interstate 41. Meanwhile, flights head out of Appleton International Airport 8 miles east along East College Avenue. The same avenue carries students to Lawrence University’s campus 2 miles east. ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton is a 3-mile drive north on East Newberry Street for those seeking medical attention.

College Avenue breathes life into Downtown Appleton, where foodies gather at locally-owned haunts, and everyone else follows suit for the strip’s annual festivities. “It feels like a small community, but it has big city amenities,” says Vanessa Cebulski, a resident and Realtor with CENTURY 21 Ace Realty. “Aside from the affordability, you can actually get to know people really well here while still having access to places like the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center.” Thanks to the arts-focused Lawrence University next door, residents of Downtown Appleton are offered an array of vibrant festivals and even music-themed restaurants. Pockets of historic homes are within walking distance of all the action, as well as community parks hosting their own lively events just north of the Fox River. Foodies unite on College Avenue, where restaurants abound, and weekend sidewalk traffic is marginally manageable. When the owners of the Appleton Beer Factory refurbished the Schreiter Auto building in 2013, they repurposed materials found onsite to craft the entire bar, along with extra tables and windows. Today, the rustic brewery is a hot spot for beery bloody marys and American fare, though most Appleton residents would agree that Home Burger Bar is a go-to for greasy cheeseburgers. Blues music and colorful murals curate the ambiance at The Cozzy Corner, a soul food joint well-loved for BBQ plates and fried chicken. Farther east, Bowl Ninety-One was named for the year the owner arrived in the United States. The Asian eatery is known for its family recipes and authentic ingredients. Boutiques, music shops and vintage finds fill in the gaps, and those traveling far enough west will find an ALDI. But Interstate 41 is where big box stores like Sam’s Club neighbor Target, Home Depot and Woodman’s Market. Single-family homes and duplexes are situated in walkable pockets surrounding the hub of Downtown Appleton. “Our oldest homes are in the heart of the city,” Cebulski says. “Everything started in that area and grew outward. If you look at a map of the highways, you’ll see it.” Victorian and Queen Anne homes dating back to the late 19th century line residential streets, where prices vary between $150,000 and $500,000. No two builds are quite identical, their historic attributes ranging from high-pitched roofs to rounded, cottage-style doors. Shared qualities are only found in the tangling ivy out front and detached garages out back, while each manicured lawn is met with a sidewalk heading downtown. Homebuyers should note that the greenery is a façade when it comes to quiet hours. The swaying of leaves on mature trees is usually paired with some street noise. On College Avenue, summer smells like baked goods in the morning and spilled beer in the evening. Every Saturday at dawn, The Downtown Appleton Farm Market packs more than 100 vendors onto the thoroughfare’s already bustling sidewalks, selling everything from locally-grown produce to handcrafted items, fried food, coffee and pastries. Running June through October, the market overlaps with Appleton’s annual Mile of Music, which takes place the first week of August. Guests can grab a croissant in the morning and return in the evening for free access to 40 unique venues hosting 200 up-and-coming musicians. “We’re in our eleventh year now, and it’s still extremely popular,” Cebulski says. “The nightlife for adults is great, but the daytime is way more family-friendly. I bring my kids every year for the little drum classes that Lawrence University hosts.” When summer ends, Octoberfest begins. Held in September, the drinking festivities kick off with a ceremonial toast to the Spaten keg beer tapping at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. “It’s a textbook adult drinking situation,” Cebulski jokes. Parents rejoice that the YMCA of the Fox Cities provides ample opportunities for youth recreation. Along with a pool and fitness center, the Y’s youth programs center around art, music and even environmental studies. Preschool and daycare pair with a summer camp for working guardians. Shaded walking paths are strolled at City Park, which offers a playground and a scenic central fountain. Over the holidays, a towering Christmas tree twinkles at the park’s heart, where guests gathered for the annual Fox Cities Butterfly Festival just a few months prior. City Park is also home to Appleton’s “Art in the Park,” a two-day festival inviting 200 artists to show their work beside local food vendors and a lineup of live musicians. Jones Park shares a similar reputation, as guests flock with lawn chairs for the annual summer concert series. Beyond live music, the park features a lighted basketball court and walkway, as well as an ice skating and hockey rink in the wintertime. The Fox River is accessible at Lutz Park’s boat and kayak launches. The shoreline and bridge are ideal for fishing and sightseeing. Valley Transit provides Downtown Appleton with walkable bus stops on virtually every corner. The Valley Transit Station itself is located on Oneida Street, blocks away from many homes. Bike lanes are additionally provided on Franklin Street and Appleton Street. The closest emergency room is located at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center, less than 2 miles north on Meade Street. Appleton International Airport is 6 miles west via College Avenue. The airport is not accessible by bus, so many opt for ridesharing or overnight parking. Green Bay commuters can expect a 30-mile trip north on Interstate 41, while Oshkosh is 20 miles south. Students are zoned for the Appleton Area School District, where two elementary schools serve the greater downtown area. Dunlap Elementary earns a B-minus on Niche, while Jefferson Elementary earns a C-plus. Both primary schools feed into Wilson Middle, which also earns a C-plus. Locally known as just “Wilson,” the school provides an array of intramural sports to supplement the school’s established leagues. Alternatively, St. Paul Lutheran School is a private K-8 institution for those seeking spiritual options in the area. Appleton West High School earns a B on Niche, home of the Appleton West Terrors. The high school has a full winter and spring sports roster alongside an athletic boosters club that raises funds for the program. Students who are more artistically inclined can expect theater productions in the fall and spring with Appleton West Theatre. Downtown Appleton is packed with arts-focused attractions, a unique quality appreciated by residents. “It’s lively all year round,” Cebulski says. “There’s been a lot of investment and money put into downtown, so we have stuff that we shouldn’t have for the size of our city. Places like the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center aren’t usually in small areas like ours.” The $45 million Fox Cities Performing Arts Center was entirely funded by local residents and businesses, now a hub for Off-Broadway performances and black-box theater presentations. Meanwhile, the Trout Museum of Art hosts summer camps, workshops and even an artist-in-residence program. In 2025, the museum will open a brand new, state-of-the-art facility closer to Lawrence University. A liberal arts college and conservatory of music, Lawrence is home to about 1,500 students living in residence halls and apartment-style units. Fox Commons is a brand-new student housing option opening in Fall 2024, right on College Avenue. Homebuyers can note that the university requires on-campus living, meaning students rarely dwell in residential neighborhoods.

The community of Erb Park sits less than 2 miles north of Downtown Appleton, where residential streets yield to walkable schools and a sprawling park. Proximity to annual festivals and arts-focused attractions only contributes to the neighborhood’s desirability, along with newer homes compared to nearby communities. “From a standpoint of family living, I have two young kids, and the amount of stuff that we’re able to do here that’s either low cost or no cost is incredible,” says Vanessa Cebulski, a resident and Realtor with CENTURY 21 Ace Realty. “On top of that, the schools in our area are well-funded and well-supported because the community invests in them.” From locally-owned eateries to city-wide events, residents of Erb Park can enjoy downtown amenities with the benefit of a suburban lifestyle. Erb Park is largely comprised of midcentury homes, juxtaposing the late 1800s builds found throughout Downtown Appleton. Traditional architecture is common among raised ranch-style homes and bungalows lining gridded residential streets. “While I personally love the older ‘character’ homes, a lot of people don’t want to deal with an older property that could potentially come with issues,” Cebulski says. “Erb Park is highly desirable for that. Some people simply want something newer.” Ranging in price from $100,000 to around $400,000, these homes do share one thing in common with their historic neighbors: a lack of attached garage space. Though some residents have constructed their own detached garages over the years, most park on paved driveways or on the street out front. Fortunately, wide road verges mean lawns and sidewalks are kept separate from the residential streets they occupy. Though Erb Park is set apart from Appleton’s downtown hub, long-standing haunts are hardly out of reach. Simple Simon Bakery has sat on Wisconsin Avenue since 1967, supplying donuts, bread and buns made from scratch each morning. To the west, Whisk & Arrow Sugar Studio has only occupied Richmond Street for a few years. But the family-owned business hosts a monthly summer farmer’s market to accompany their wide selection of baked goods and custom buttercream cakes. Locals can stop by Basil Café for authentic Asian cuisine like pho and Lao Sukiyaki, or Little Diner Xpress for classic greasy spoon fare. Open since 1964, the diner won three Golden Fork Awards as recently as 2023, including best overall restaurant. On the same stretch, ALDI is down the road from The Free Market and CVS for quick errands, while Northland Avenue provides Festival Foods. Every Saturday at dawn, The Downtown Appleton Farm Market packs more than 100 vendors onto College Avenue’s already bustling sidewalks, selling everything from locally-grown produce to handcrafted items, fried food, coffee and pastries. Running June through October, the market overlaps with Appleton’s annual Mile of Music, which takes place the first week of August. Guests can grab a croissant in the morning and return in the evening for free access to 40 unique venues hosting 200 up-and-coming musicians. When summer ends, Octoberfest begins. Held in September, the drinking festivities kick off with a ceremonial toast to the Spaten keg beer tapping at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. An afternoon packed with craft brews and German delicacies follows suit. Students are zoned for the Appleton Area School District, beginning at the walkable Franklin Elementary, which earns a B-minus on Niche. Kaleidoscope Academy is a public middle school less than a mile south of Franklin. Originally Roosevelt Junior High, the school merged with the academy after a decline in enrollment. Today, Kaleidoscope earns a C-plus on Niche and enrolls around 500 students annually. North High School earns an A-minus, offering dynamic athletic and arts programs. The school partners with Appleton Family Ice Center to provide an established hockey league, while the onsite pool allows for a swimming league as well. Meanwhile, the theater department has won awards at the Wisconsin High School Theatre Festival for 26 years in a row. Erb Park rests at the heart of its titular neighborhood within a few blocks of most homes. In 2016, the green space was entirely reconstructed and now includes two outdoor swimming pools, various ball courts and even an ice-skating rink. Over the holidays, a towering Christmas tree twinkles at the heart of City Park, where guests gathered for the annual Fox Cities Butterfly Festival just a few months prior. The park is also home to Appleton’s “Art in the Park,” a two-day festival inviting 200 artists to showcase their work beside local food vendors and a lineup of live musicians. The Fox River is accessible at Telulah Park’s kayak launch, but many opt to bring their lawn chairs to the shoreline of Peabody Park for a sunset view of the water. Downtown Appleton is less than 2 miles south of Erb Park. Valley Transit bus stops are offered throughout the neighborhood, while Drew Street’s bike lane provides a straight shot south to College Avenue. The closest emergency room is located at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center, less than a mile east on Meade Street. Though bus stops and schools may be walkable, homebuyers will find that personal vehicles are required for further travel. Appleton International Airport is 8 miles west via Northland Avenue. The airport is not accessible by bus, so many opt for ridesharing or overnight parking. Green Bay commuters can expect a 29-mile trip north on Interstate 41, while Oshkosh is situated 23 miles south. Downtown Appleton is packed with arts-focused attractions, a unique quality appreciated by residents. The $45 million Fox Cities Performing Arts Center was entirely funded by local residents and businesses, now a hub for Off-Broadway performances and black-box theater presentations. Meanwhile, the Trout Museum of Art hosts summer camps, workshops and even an artist-in-residence program. In 2025, the museum will open a brand new, state-of-the-art facility closer to Lawrence University. A liberal arts college and conservatory of music, Lawrence is home to about 1,500 students living in residence halls and apartment-style units. Homebuyers can note that the university requires on-campus living, meaning students rarely dwell in residential neighborhoods.

From group clean-ups at Arbutus Park to walking tours and wine nights, Appleton’s Historic Central Neighborhood is more than its collection of vintage homes. Cycling groups pass Zion Lutheran Church's towering steeple on the sidewalks below. Many spend their evenings at the neighborhood book club or perusing the vintage shops and locally-owned eateries on College Avenue. As one of Appleton’s oldest neighborhoods, the community notably has a few fixer-uppers. The paved driveways might have tufts of grass between the cracks. But many are mere blocks from outreach initiatives and nonprofits like Loaves & Fishes of the Fox Valley. “From the older generations to the younger, this area is all about helping everyone thrive,” says Vanessa Cebulski, an Appleton local and Realtor with Century 21. “There’s a stark contrast between the level of support in this community compared to the rest of the U.S. Those are values that a Midwesterner really cares about.” Appleton’s Historic Central Neighborhood is brimming with the city’s oldest homes, largely constructed between the mid-19th to early 20th centuries. Most flaunt traditional architecture, while others include cottage-style features like steep-pitched roofs and rounded entryways. Annual walking tours give viewers a glimpse into the neighborhood’s bygone era, despite modern additions like detached garages with paved driveways. Wine nights, group walks and bike rides are hosted by the neighborhood association, along with Porchfest. The August celebration invites guests to leisurely stroll as local bands perform on the front porches and modest lawns of various homes. Priced between $100,000 and $330,000, these older properties often need some extra care before they’re move-in ready. The 140-year-old Zion Lutheran Church spans an entire block from Commercial to Winnebago Street. Its towering, Gothic-inspired steeple overlooks the whole of Appleton’s Historic Central Neighborhood. The campus is partly occupied by Appleton Bilingual School, but surrounding community members are eager to see how the rest of the building will be revamped in the coming years. Though no plans have been made just yet, some hope to see it transform into affordable housing. Similarly, St. Thérèse Catholic Parish was first established in 1923. Several additions have been constructed over the decades, some as recently as 2020. The campus is home to Saint Teresa School, as well as Loaves & Fishes of the Fox Valley, a nondenominational food assistance program. “Our community is well supported as far as basic needs, especially supporting the homeless and feeding people,” Cebulski says. “I’ve never seen another city that invests so heavily in all the nonprofits locally.” Simple Simon Bakery has been on Wisconsin Avenue since 1967, supplying donuts, bread and buns made from scratch each morning. The Free Market neighbors CVS to the west, while Rascals Bar & Grill sits to the east. Previously a neighborhood watering hole and prohibition-era soda shop, 702 E Wisconsin Avenue's wood-panel walls are now adorned with pride flags of every kind, while the original stained glass windows flaunt patterns of rainbow butterflies. The back patio even features an outdoor bar. College Avenue is the heart of Appleton, where locally-owned eateries abound. The owners of the Appleton Beer Factory refurbished the Schreiter Auto building in 2013, repurposing materials found onsite to craft the entire bar. Today, the rustic brewery is a hot spot for American fare. Blues music and colorful murals curate the ambiance at The Cozzy Corner, a soul food joint well-loved for BBQ plates and fried chicken. Between the two are a variety of boutiques and shops, selling everything from candies to records to vintage finds. The first week of August ushers in Appleton’s Mile of Music, spanning the length of College Avenue. Guests have free access to 40 unique venues hosting 200 up-and-coming musicians. “It’s extremely popular because the nightlife for adults is great,” Cebulski says. “They even partner with Lawrence University to provide music lessons and things for kids in the daytime.” The Downtown Appleton Farm Market overlaps, taking place each Saturday morning from June through October. College Avenue features an array of venues and museums, too. The $45 million Fox Cities Performing Arts Center was entirely funded by local residents and businesses, now a hub for Off-Broadway and black-box theater performances. Meanwhile, the Trout Museum of Art hosts summer camps, workshops and even an artist-in-residence program. In 2025, the museum will open a brand new, state-of-the-art facility closer to Lawrence University. Over the holidays, the towering pine tree at City Park is decorated with twinkling lights celebrating the season. Beneath the glow, visitors gather where the Fox Cities Butterfly Festival was held just a few months prior. The festival’s symbolic butterfly release adorns the scenic central fountain and playground with colorful winged insects, “helping families fly” as the event’s profits are donated to children’s service projects. The park is also home to Art in the Park, a two-day festival inviting 200 artists to showcase their work beside local vendors and a lineup of musicians. In 2016, Erb Park was entirely reconstructed, now including two outdoor swimming pools, various ball courts and even an ice-skating rink less than a mile north of the community. Back home, Arbutus Park is best visited in the morning or afternoon, set with a playground and walking path. Students are zoned for the Appleton Area School District, beginning at Columbus Elementary. Located at the intersection of Commercial and Oneida Streets, the school is walkable from many residences. Appleton Bilingual School operates within Zion Lutheran Church’s campus, a public charter elementary school providing English and Spanish programs. Kaleidoscope Academy is a public middle school less than a mile north. Originally Roosevelt Junior High, the school merged with the academy after a decline in enrollment. Today, Kaleidoscope enrolls around 500 students annually. All three institutions earn a C-plus on Niche. Appleton North High School earns an A-minus, offering dynamic athletic and arts programs. The school partners with Appleton Family Ice Center to provide an established hockey league, while the Wisconsin High School Theatre Festival has honored North High’s theater department for 26 years in a row. Bike lanes and Valley Transit bus stops line Oneida and Drew Street, taking riders less than a mile south into Downtown Appleton. Though bus stops and schools may be walkable, homebuyers will find that personal vehicles are required for further travel. The nearest emergency room is located at Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital, an additional mile south across the Fox River. Appleton International Airport is inaccessible by bus, so many opt to rideshare or drive the 6-mile commute west on College Avenue. Green Bay commuters can expect a 30-mile trip north on Interstate 41, while Oshkosh is about 20 miles south.

Huntley Houses provides residents with a walkable neighborhood for morning strolls to Huntley Elementary School and the array of activities directly north at Appleton Memorial Park. Though quiet, residents can find a sense of community in neighbors looking for more than just a wave from across the street. “People are very friendly here, and sometimes more friendly than some would like,” shares Debbie Seidel, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, who has 27 years of experience selling in the area. “Neighbors will stop on their walks and talk, even if they don’t know you yet.” Alongside are the bustling events held in downtown Appleton, 2 miles southwest, to keep locals busy throughout the year. The neighborhood’s residential streets are wide enough for residents to take the pup on an afternoon walk. They are also home to ample crosswalks, children-at-play signs and streetlights, making it safe for little ones to bounce from one friend's house to the next. In front yards are trees with narrow but tall trunks and higher canopies, allowing for views of homes without sacrificing shade in the summer. These homes come in various architectural styles, primarily ranch-style homes, along with split-level and bi-level styles, built throughout the 20th century. Most sit atop plots averaging 0.25 acres and range in price from $107,000 to $380,000 for a home sitting on a 0.5-acre lot. Huntley Elementary School, which teaches grades prekindergarten through 6th and maintains a B-plus rating on Niche, sits at the center of the neighborhood. Many students make the short stroll to and from school and do so along designated walking maps, which the city provides. Older students take the bus to Appleton North High School, which holds an A-minus grade. The high school is home to an established theater department, which received its 22nd straight Critic’s Choice Award at the Wisconsin High School Theater Festival in 2020. Also nearby is the St. Francis Xavier Catholic School System, offering private teaching for pre-K through 12th grade. Appleton Memorial Park is on the other side of East Northland Avenue, directly north, making trips to the expansive park convenient. The park sees plenty of action between skating at the indoor rink at Appleton Family Ice Center, the blooms of Scheig Center & Gardens, and catching weekend A-League games atop its diamonds. “It’s one of the favorites in the whole valley,” Seidel says. “my grandson likes to go rock hunting there, plus they’ve got ponds and host egg hunts at Easter.” Meanwhile, Building for Kids, located downtown on West College Avenue, offers an array of exhibits for little ones to learn while playing about, including a 10-foot human heart slide and Move IT, which focuses on physics and engineering. Locally owned restaurants line East Wisconsin Avenue, including Urban Modern Kitchen. The eatery offers a warm atmosphere to enjoy its signature bowls, which provide eclectic flavors from various cuisines. Sitting a half-mile east is the frequented Mark’s East Side, a German restaurant praised by locals for its all-you-can-eat Friday fish fries and casual feel. For retail therapy, residents head to the boutiques of downtown, which include Hoot & Company and Olive & Rose Boutique and many more, or peruse big-name retailers at Fox River Mall, a 6-mile drive along West Northland Avenue. A Pick ‘n Save sits along North Ballard Road, along the community’s northeastern border for groceries. Though small, Appleton hosts many events comparable to those of a larger city. “I think we like to party here, and summer is only so long to squeeze everything in,” Seidel says. Among many, she mentions Mile of Music, a 4-day August festival, as a staple of the area. The event welcomes 200 artists to crowds gathered at main stages and participating bars along the one-mile stretch. Meanwhile, City Park on East Franklin Street hosts the annual Art at the Park, a 3-day celebration of local and regional art from hundreds of vendors selling goods from jewelry to paintings and sculptures. Those commuting into downtown Green Bay can reach the city’s center in a 29-mile trip via I-41, less than a mile north of the neighborhood. Meanwhile, a 9-mile drive along West Northland Avenue leads to Appleton International Airport. Lawrence University is closer to home on East College Avenue, a 2-mile drive south, as is ThedaCare Regional Medical Center, which is in the community along North Meade Street. There are also 10 Valley Transit bus stops throughout the community, which carry passengers as far south as the city of Neenah and east to Kaukauna. As mentioned, ThedaCare Regional Medical Center sits within the community. As it is home to an emergency room, those living nearby are susceptible to occasional noise from emergency vehicles heading to and from the hospital. Those living along East Randall Avenue are also prone to the background noise of trains periodically passing on the track parallel to the street.