The laid-back community of Valley Fair sits a mile south of Downtown Appleton, where the Fox River itself separates locals from the bustle of College Avenue. Midcentury homes border community green spaces like the Riverview Gardens Urban Farm, while well-loved eats and brews are within a mile radius. “There are a lot of people who have held onto their homes for a long time in that neighborhood,” says Vanessa Cebulski, longtime Appleton native and Realtor with Century 21 Ace Realty. “When they do sell, it’s someone selling grandma’s home or Aunt Cindy’s home. They’re modest houses, they need updating, but they were cherished.” Proximity to the city’s vibrant downtown scene, paired with a quiet, humble community, have made Valley Fair a sought-after place to land.
Valley Fair diners spend afternoons on the Fox River eating seafood and salads at Pullman's.
Valley Fair residents head to Stone Arch Brewery for cocktails and a historic atmosphere.
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Midcentury homes on evolving residential streets
Valley Fair’s early to midcentury homes vary in style from ramblers to Cape Cods and Colonial Revivals. Their uniform, square backyards are often fenced in with above-ground pools, trampolines and patios for neighborhood gatherings. “Even though the neighborhood is a little older, and the homes may need some updates, they don’t usually sit for long,” Cebulski says. “Some people are raising their kids here, some people are downsizing, and others just want opportunities for walkability.” Homebuyers might find additions from over the years, like sheds or detached garages. Properties typically range in price from $200,000 to $400,000, though riverfront listings can easily reach $1 million. Modest gardens and sidewalks are uniform throughout, with a mix of young and mature trees denoting the neighborhood’s history and growth.
Homes in Valley Fair have an average value of $259,000.
Ranch homes in Valley Fair are an affordable option for new homebuyers.
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George’s 125-year-old Steinway grand piano
George’s Steak House is colloquially known to prepare the best steak and prime rib in Appleton. Open for more than 70 years on Memorial Drive, George’s is actually the only piano bar in the city. The restaurant’s 9-foot Steinway grand piano fills the barroom with lively sing-alongs, well over 125 years old and still kicking. Memorial Drive also hosts the nearest grocery store, Pick ‘n Save, less than a mile south. Heading into Downtown Appleton on Oneida Street, residents pass the Stone Arch Brewpub. Considered the first brewery in the county, Stone Arch has been open since 1858, serving sustainable American fare and microbrews amid ambient stone walls and a beer garden. Pullmans at Trolley Square is just a few blocks north. A large garden area marks the entryway, where patio dining yields scenic views of the Fox River and Oneida Skyline Bridge.
A Mile of Music on College Avenue
The Downtown Appleton Farm Market packs more than 100 vendors onto College Avenue every Saturday. Guests shop 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. Locals 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. City Park is 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. 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.
Attendees of Mile of Music can sign the Good Vibes van on College Ave.
Valley Fair residents head to downtown Appleton for nightlife activities.
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Parents have a say at Appleton East High School
Families in Valley Fair are zoned for the Appleton Area School District, where parents and guardians are highly engaged in academics and co-curricular activities. Stephen Foster Elementary Charter School enrolls K-6 and earns a B-minus on Niche, while James Madison Middle School earns a C-plus and enrolls seventh and eighth graders. Appleton East High School promotes communication between parents and faculty through the East Parent Association. With a B on Niche, the school additionally encourages parents of student-athletes to volunteer their time at sports events. Nearby private spiritual options include Riverview Lutheran School and Xavier High School. The former enrolls K-8 students, while the latter enrolls secondary grades and earns an A on Niche.
Appleton East High School received a B grade from Niche.
The student population of James Madison Middle is 622 and the school serves 7-8.
Stephen Foster Charter School in Appleton also offers summer school programs.
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Harvesting community at Riverview Gardens Urban Farm
Situated on Seymour Street, Riverview Gardens Urban Farm is a 15-acre farmstead growing community produce. The organization offers opportunities for youth programming and volunteering, collaborating with the Appleton Area School District and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley. “It used to be an old golf course, which is why it’s so big and pretty,” Cebulski says. “It’s more of a community space than a private business space, which is cool because you don’t usually see that kind of thing. They even having mountain biking and walking trails.” For everyday recreation, Veteran’s Park is less than a mile from Valley Fair, with a playground and shaded walking path bordering the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bridge. Across the river, Alicia Park’s picnic groves and field space share a riverside walking path with Lutz Park. Home to the Appleton Yacht Club, Lutz Park’s gazebo accompanies a public kayak and canoe launch. Also interconnected is Pierce Park, immediately north. There, a paved pathway borders the playground, where kids gather with buckets of chalk on sunny afternoons.
Riverview Gardens Urban Farm in River Drive features15 acres of certified-organic farmland.
Valley Fair nature lovers plant flowers at the UWO Fox Cities Community Garden.
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A straight shot to Downtown Appleton
Downtown Appleton sits a mile north of Valley Fair. Residents can take Oneida Street across the Fox River to reach College Avenue or locate a Valley Transit bus stop along Memorial Drive or Calumet Street. More convenient are Oneida Street’s own bus stops and bike lanes. While public transportation is largely available for local travel, many residents rely on personal vehicles to reach nearby amenities and neighboring cities. Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital sits immediately east of the community, but Appleton International Airport remains about 7 miles west on Prospect Avenue. Green Bay commuters can expect a 32-mile trip north on Interstate 41, while Oshkosh is 19 miles south.
Valley Fair residents head to downtown Appleton for nightlife activities.
Valley Transit offers Valley Fair residents access to a network of bus routes.
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Making the most of one final year with UW Oshkosh Fox Cities
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh at Fox Cities is less than 3 miles south. Located on campus, the Barlow Planetarium was the first of its kind in Wisconsin, hosting star and laser shows open to the public several days a week. Similarly, the UWO Fox Cities Community Garden was started in 2006 by a group of students looking to build community. Locals are welcome to partake by renting a plot and planting their own produce or flowers. Residents are advised to take advantage of campus amenities before the university closes its doors in June 2025. Due to low enrollment, those currently in attendance will continue their studies at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Plans regarding the facilities left behind have not yet been announced as of 2024.
Valley Fair students can attend UW-Oshkosh at Fox Cities, which has a campus spanning 41 acres.
The mural at the Boys & Girls Club was painted by local Valley Fair students in 2023.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Reach out to
Ryan Paul,
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Parks in this Area
Pierce Park
Riverview Gardens
Lutz Park
Jefferson Park Boat Ramp
Transit
Airport
Appleton International
13 min drive
Bus
S Oneida & S Olde Oneida
Bus
S Memorial & W River
Bus
S Oneida & W Calumet
Bus
S Memorial & W Verbrick
Bus
S Oneida & W Foster
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Valley Fair
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Valley Fair, Appleton sell after 32 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Valley Fair, Appleton over the last 12 months is $225,410, down 6% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Rare find! .29 acres on the Fox River in Appleton, WI. Build your waterfront dream home with 79" of frontage in the secluded Hidden Acres neighborhood. Utilities available at street. Includes access to Existing dock.
Imagine living in this lavish Ranch home with 2 lower walk-out levels on the Fox River! Complete with large offices, recreation rooms, opulent kitchens, and a heated garage. The main bedroom has an ensuite bathroom with vaulted ceilings. Every room has a wealth of windows to allow for natural light and for you to enjoy an uninterrupted view of the river. This home has it all for you to host
Feel at home in this fully remodeled house located in a safe and quiet neighborhood. This property features a deck with a gas grill and a double-wide driveway with ample parking space. Enjoy the convenience of flexible self check-in and check-out.You will love this house with its brand new kitchen and all new beds. The space includes two smart TVs with streaming services and a video game
Feel at home in this charming house located in a safe and quiet neighborhood, just a short 3-minute drive or a 15-minute walk to downtown. Enjoy the convenience of a new fully equipped chef's kitchen, a deck with a new grill, and a backyard with a fire pit, all set against 72 acres of green space and trails. With brand new beds and ample parking, this home ensures a comfortable stay.You will
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ryan Paul,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,008
Median Age
41
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$54,202
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$63,096
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.7%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
32.3%
Advanced Degrees
7.8%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
63.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
31''
Average Winter Low Temperature
10°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
70''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
49/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
46/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
