Altoona is one terminal end of the famous Union Pacific Railroad.
Altoona is a city in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, with a population of 6,789. It's located just east of the town of Eau Claire. It was the smallest city in the United States when it was founded back in 1887. The city has grown quite a bit since then, that's for sure. Now it is a bastion of natural beauty combined with a small commercial area for residents and easy access to nearby attractions, shopping, fine dining, and more. The cost of living here is below the national median and there are many rental houses available in addition to homes for rent and sale.
Moving to Altoona
If you're thinking about doing an apartment search in Altoona, you're likely to have a pretty easy hunt -- even during Wisconsin's game-hunting season. About one third of apartments here are homes for rent and there is quite a high vacancy rate in this area. Whether you're looking for luxury apartments, one bedroom apartments, or single-family homes, there's a good chance you'll be able to find what you're looking for at a really great price. The first thing you'll have to do is figure out what kind of apartment you're looking for. Availability will differ depending on whether you need a studio apartment, one-bedroom apartment for rent, or a place with four bedrooms, so the sooner you figure it out, the sooner you can get started with your hunt. It's a good idea to look for apartments here in the warmer months. That's when Realtors will have more active listings because more residents will be transitioning between jobs and homes.
What you'll need
When you're ready to get on your way to Altoona, remember to leave yourself around four to six weeks to look for a place. Chances are you'll find something before then, but it never hurts to be the early bird. Start setting up appointments to view apartments and make sure to show up looking sharp. You want to impress your prospective landlord -- they'll be more likely to accept you as a tenant if you look like you're taking your search seriously. You might also want to bring along your lease documents in case you decide to apply for an apartment. This includes a copy of your ID, bank statements, pay stubs, letter of employment, references and other things that landlords in this area might require. They'll also want to run a credit check on you to make sure you're in good standing, so double check your credit first to see if there are any flubs you might have to explain.
Neighborhoods
Altoona covers about five square miles on the map. Not impressed? You should see how many people they fit in such a small space! This means that the area has a pretty rural feel to it and that you'll definitely feel like you have space between you and your neighbors. It also means that there are a few distinct areas of town worth mentioning.
North Altoona: The north side of town is the most rural. I-53 runs right through it and it is situated against the beautiful Altoona Lake, so if you're lucky you can find a house with an envy-inducing lake view! It's mostly homes for rent up here with a few restaurants, like Jumbo House, on the opposite side of the lake.
S. Hasting Way: This is where I-53 and Highway 12 intersect and is the real commercial hub of the area. There are both rental apartments and medium-sized houses over here and great restaurants like Draganetti's Ristorante and Azul Tequila.
Central Altoona: Right in the center of the city is where you'll find the densest residential population. There's a grid around the school district that is filled with studio apartments, townhouses, and duplexes for rent, and you'll have a good chance of finding vacancies in this area.
Living in Altoona
Life in Altoona is relaxing and serene. Located right on the picturesque Altoona Lake, it makes for a beautiful place to go fishing, camping or boating even if you don't consider yourself an outdoors aficionado. It is also situated right on I-53 and Highway 12, which make for easy access to the surrounding areas, such as Eau Claire and, a little further, Minneapolis. Altoona Park is located right on the water and makes for a lovely little escape into nature. There are a number of restaurants and pubs along the western and southern edges of town, such as Pete's Restaurant and Spirits and the Milwaukee Burger Company -- yum! If you're in the mood for a movie, you can head west to Eau Claire or a few miles south to Micon Cinemas to catch a new release. Wisconsin is a northern state, which means that you can count on having pretty mild summers and cold, snowy winters. This is great for some people who love four seasons but others might have to take a little time getting used to the ice and snow! Though in a pretty lakeside setting like this, it feels more like a fairy tale than the grueling cold you can experience in a city setting! All in all, it's a lovely town with a warm community and wonderful ease of life.
