Kwik Trip’s 140-acre food production and distribution campus in La Crosse
Kwik Trip’s operations in La Crosse include two bakeries, a dairy, a kitchen that prepares pizza, burritos, grab-and-go meals and salads, and a warehouse and distribution area.
If you’re considering moving to Wisconsin, the state’s most populous cities may spring to mind as the best places to live. But don’t forget the smaller gems scattered throughout the state: La Crosse was recently named one of the 50 best places to live in the U.S. by financial website Money.
Located in western Wisconsin along the Mississippi River, the city offers plenty of outdoor recreational activities as well as a vibrant arts and culture scene, both of which were key factors in making the city’s place on the list.
The list, which Money has been compiling for more than 30 years, took a more holistic approach this year. In addition to weighing numerical factors such as affordability, quality of schools and health of the job market, the digital magazine also researched cities across the country to find places “with a tangible spirit nurtured and supported by engaged citizens and welcoming officials,” according to the magazine’s methodology.
La Crosse was the only Wisconsin city named in the top 50 this year, and Money didn’t pick a city from every state.
Here’s more about why La Crosse is a great place to live and which other cities made the list.
What makes La Crosse a great place to live?
According to Money, La Crosse is a great place to live because of its balanced offering of outdoor activities, nightlife and arts, as well as its strong local economy.
The city offers numerous hiking and biking trails, as well as boating and fishing on nearby rivers and lakes. In the winter, residents can enjoy the steepest slope in Wisconsin at Mt. La Crosse Ski Area.
La Crosse is also home to several museums and a particularly vibrant art gallery scene. Arts and culture are the focus of festivals throughout the year. The city’s IrishFest and Oktoberfest are taking place in the coming months.
For younger residents, La Crosse, home to three universities, consistently ranks as one of the most affordable college towns in the U.S. The large student population also makes for a lively nightlife, and there are over a dozen breweries and wineries in or near La Crosse.
Finally, La Crosse is significantly more affordable than larger cities in Wisconsin. The city enjoys a median home price of about $265,000, while median home prices in the Milwaukee area are over $400,000. And with Kwik Trip and Old Style Beer located in the city, La Crosse has a stable local job market with an unemployment rate of 2.2%.
Which other cities made it onto the list?
In addition to La Crosse, several other Midwestern cities made the list. Here are some of the best places to live in Wisconsin’s neighboring states:
- Detroit
- Ferndale, Michigan
- Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Prairie Crossing, Illinois
- Northfield, Minnesota
