Clowns, acrobats and strongmen once distinguished Delavan from other locations in the country. From 1847 to 1894, over 26 circus companies set up their winter quarters here. "The Greatest Show on Earth," P.T. Barnum Circus was also founded here in 1871. Today, the only reminders of that performance era are the 150 performers who are now buried in local cemeteries.
While the circuses were fun, this city has moved on to more permanent economic assets, such as industrial companies and shopping centers. The local Chamber of Commerce ensures that businesses in Delavan thrive while residents indulge their free time in parks, nature trails, a golf course and animal attractions. It's best to act quickly, before everyone else catches on to how great it is living in Delavan.
Moving to Delavan
Unless you like dealing with snow, avoid winter for your move. Summer is the obvious best season for a relocation, followed by spring and fall.
If you were offering a place for rent to someone, what's the first thing you'd look at? Money. That's the first thing landlords and management company evaluate when deciding if you'd be a good tenant. Most want at least two years of steady income from the same employer, although they'll make allowances if you've just found a new job in town.
They'll then want to know how good you are with paying the bills. They can tell by looking at your credit report, which is why you should take a look at it first. Spot any errors? Then contact the reporting merchant and credit bureau right away to get it corrected. That can take several weeks, so check out your finances several months before applying for an apartment.
Finally, landlords want to make sure you'll fit in with the rest of the community. Bring a note from your previous apartment manager telling everyone how nice you are. You can pretty much forget scoring a place if you haven't paid your previous rents, or had a reputation for being too loud at the wrong hours of the day. You may want to call in the services of a real-estate agent to see if she can find anyone willing to deal with your black marks.
Depending on whether your utilities are included in the rent, you may have to contact companies yourself to start service. Electricity is handled by Alliant Utilities/Wisconsin Power and Light Company. For water and trash, contact the city, although it licenses private companies to deal with your garbage.
Neighborhoods in Delavan
You'll find a nice selection of all kinds of rental housing in Delavan from all eras in each of the following neighborhoods. In addition, all have access to I-43.
Western: This neighborhood contains Turtle Creek as well as the western part of Comus Lake. And if you need to take a break from your everyday responsibilities, tee off at the 27-hole Delbrook Golf Course. Over a third of the residences here consist of apartment complexes and small apartment buildings, so finding a rental apt shouldn't be too difficult.
Whispering Pines: This neighborhood focuses on two-bedroom, one-bath apartments within its brick facades. All units have patios or balconies, radiant heating from the floor, and storage. Pick an upper story if you want vaulted ceilings. The management also welcomes pets and can get you a garage. It's the closest complex to the high school.
City Center: Covering the eastern half of the Comus Lake, this neighborhood puts many of its stores and restaurants on Walworth Avenue and East Geneva Street. Elizabeth's Cafe pleases everyone with its hearty and reasonably-priced breakfasts. Try the sausage and pork dishes at Los Agaves Restaurant. Pamper your pet with the goodies for sale at the family-owned Pet Pals.
Delavan Court Apartments: If you're looking for a one-bedroom apartment, this is the place to start your apartment search. They also have two-bedroom units. You're right across the street from Delavan Fest Park and can walk to many stores and restaurants. In addition, you're surrounded by trees and can take advantage of the on-site playground or laundry.
Delavan Lake: The lake and agricultural fields dominate this area, making it the least crowded of all the neighborhoods. You might get lucky and find a nice rental property on the shoreline. If not, Community Park offers water access through its beach and ramps for launching your boat. The Lake Lawn Airport can cater to your aviation needs.
Living in Delavan
Delavan has one major land connection to the rest of the country: Interstate 43, which heads northeast to Milwaukee and goes southwest to hit I-90 and its connections to Madison and Rockford. The nearest major airport is Chicago Rockford International.
You can spend a lot of your outdoor time at the city's many water features. Delavan Lake, in particular, allows swimming, sailing, water skiing and boating. You can also go fishing as long as you have a valid Wisconsin fishing license. Smaller waterways have different levels of activity, so it's best to ask around if signs aren't posted.
While Delavan has strip malls and shopping centers, you'll be charmed by the ambiance of the historic downtown. Get out of your car so you can walk the area around Main Street Manor and enjoy the wooden Victorian homes and the brick commercial structures. If you need to rest your feet, Phoenix, Terrace and Veterans Memorial Park are nearby. These are just three of the dozen or so parks that the city handles.
Andy's Park boasts lights and a sound system that surrounds its biking and skating features. Fest Park's baseball/softball field is lighted for night games and includes a scoreboard. During the winter, head for the Rudy Lange Sledding Hill and toboggan down a 335-foot sledding area. Veteran's has a swimming beach, ice-skating, baseball/softball field, skating and biking facility, and picnic areas.
Within driving distance, the Staller Estate Winery encourages visitors with complimentary wine tastings and picnic platters that are for sale. The Dancing Horses Theater includes a petting zoo and bird show to supplement its equine entertainment. It's part of the Lake Geneva Animal Gardens, with a Baby Animal Barn, Indian Village and Wildlife Exhibit featuring species native to Wisconsin.
