Lake Hallie is a village named after an oxbow lake in the area, which was originally used by the McCann brothers as a holding pond for the logs for their mill. The Mill changed owners and finally discontinued operations in the 1890's because logs became too hard to come by.
Lake Hallie is a picturesque village on the banks of the Chippewa River, which was only incorporated in 2003 from the Town of Hallie. This was done in an attempt to prevent further utility encroachment and annexation from the nearby cities of Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls. Lake Hallie is a very up and coming community, which has already experienced a lot of growth since its incorporation. Baseball and softball fans beware: locals are very active in these sports. The village hosts an annual 5-day tournament, Hallie Youth Days, which can be very addictive to go watch, so you'd better get the dates and rearrange social or family responsibilities or at least prepare your loved ones for the worst. With Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire just around the bend, the village is the perfect place to explore the stunning landscapes, fascinating culture, and interesting art this area has to offer.
Moving to Lake Hallie
Lake Hallie might be a relatively new area, but the real estate market is fairly settled and does its own thing. To find property rentals through an online apartments locator is easy enough, but as a prospective new resident, it is important to know what challenges you may face and to prepare accordingly.
Housing Options
A majority of homes in Lake Hallie are single, detached units, so you may have to look for a house rental. There are, however some smaller apartment complexes, as well as some townhouses, so it shouldn't be too hard to find a duplex for rent. With only 16 studio apartments in the area in 2012, your chances of securing one are very small, so you should rather focus on a 1 bedroom apartment if you want a cozy place. Two bedroom apartments are easier to find.
Rental Costs
Rent in Lake Hallie is not cheap, which is not surprising if you regard the village's convenient location and beautiful surroundings. You can expect to pay slightly more per unit than what is the norm for the rest of Wisconsin and even more than the national average.
Getting Your Way
According to census data, most units are already occupied by owners, leaving only 26 percent for tenants. You may face some stiff competition before calling the place of your dreams "home" and you may have to employ all the charm you can muster to convince the landlord you are a right fit for his property. Treat every viewing as a job interview: dress neatly and be on your best behavior. Prove your pure tenant pedigree by having all the needed documents ready in order to avoid any potential bumps in the application process. Above all, have written proof that you earn enough to afford the rent and be sure that you have the security deposit ready when required.
Lake Hallie Neighborhoods
Once you're in Lake Hallie, you'll learn that there are two distinct neighborhoods. Here's a breakdown of the both of them:
Hallie: This neighborhood consists mainly of small to medium sized family homes, with some small apartment blocks. There are also a couple of new developments, with a Walmart shopping center planned here. Houses are fairly new, built in the 1970s and later.
Village Center: As in the rest of Lake Hallie, you will mostly find houses in the village center, along with a couple of small apartment complexes. Golfers love this part of town, with the Lake Hallie Golf Course within easy reach. If you have never golfed before, this is your chance to start practicing your swing.
Living in Lake Hallie
Lake Hallie is a fisherman's paradise. With over 449 lakes in the county, there are plenty of fishing opportunities, among which some class one trout waters. Keep in mind that you need a state fishing license in order to fish here. Naturally, where there is water there are boats, kayaks, paddles, and swimming areas, so if the weather is fine, you won't be bored for a single moment. In Fall, you can get together with the locals at Chippewa Falls to have a good time at their annual Oktoberfest and come winter, riding the 35 ATV trails in the Chippewa County Forest is a must. The rest of the year there are a bunch of museums and breweries to explore. If you want to explore some culture, go watch a play at the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center or watch the calendar for events at the Heyde Center for the Arts. There is no public bus system in Lake Hallie, so rather than relying on your feet, having a vehicle with wheels is advantageous if you want to get anywhere. You will have easy access to four highways, allowing for a short commute to neighboring cities.