The Cedars Lock and Dam Historic District, a landmark on the National Register of Historic Places list, has been a vital piece of Little Chute's history because it has helped link the Great Lakes to the mighty Mississippi River. What's awesome is that this piece of engineering still works. It is a part of the Fox River lock system -- one of two remaining manual ones in operation in America.
A quintessential Fox River Valley town, Little Chute, like the Fox River, is at the heart of northeast Wisconsin
The Cedars Lock and Dam Historic District, a landmark on the National Register of Historic Places list, has been a vital piece of Little Chute's history because it has helped link the Great Lakes to the mighty Mississippi River. What's awesome is that this piece of engineering still works. It is a part of the Fox River lock system -- one of two remaining manual ones in operation in America.
A quintessential Fox River Valley town, Little Chute, like the Fox River, is at the heart of northeast Wisconsin. Technically a village, Little Chute boasts the highest population (10,449) of any such village within Outagamie County. Yet, that's not what makes the village cool. Cheese and the Green Bay Packers do. Okay, there's more to Little Chute than its close access to Appleton and Green Bay. Its proximity to Lake Michigan and Lake Winnebago, great parks and small-town charm with big-city amenities minus the 24-hour lifestyle do! And yes, it's the cheese. Tons and tons of cheese, even the kind that stinks!
Relocating to Little Chute
The village of Little Chute flows at its own speed when it comes to housing. If you are planning to make a splash here, you have to know which way to jump first. Note: the Fox River runs north. Have a seat at Seth's Coffee and Bake Shop, order a shot of espresso and a cinnamon roll, and get to work. It's time for you to claim a home for rent in the land of Little Chute.
A Healthy Mix of Renters and Owners
With any village, there is -- as a renter -- always a fear that rental properties don't exist in large numbers. Well, in Little Chute, that's just not the case. Rental apartments in complexes near Highway 41 are a dream if you don't want to worry about lawn care and don't want the risk of owning a home. Rental houses in subdivisions throughout town offer a nice residential lifestyle without the pressure of ownership, as well. When you browse through available listings, you will discover a good mix of for sale and for rent listings. If you plan to become a Little Chute resident for a significant portion of time, understand that purchasing a property could be your best bet, as homes have been rising in value.
A Decent Mix of Housing Types
There is nothing little about the variety of housing available in Little Chute. Detached one-unit houses make up a large portion of homes here. While houses certainly are the preferred type of housing, the selection of other units is wide enough to satisfy any need. It's also not very taxing to locate duplexes for rent in Little Chute. Mobile homes are available, too. It's just a shame there isn't a cheese house to live inside. Then again, you can always buy a bunch of cheese and build one. Imagine that! Then when you move out, you can just eat the house. Okay, that's a little off topic, but you get it. Little Chute has enough housing variety to please you.
Affordable Utilities
Little Chute residents like to brag about great utility rates, and you should be happy about this, especially when you consider that winters are so cold you can see your own breath cursing you for being outside. Yeah, you are going to need to turn on the heat or wear a huge sweater. Thus, it's nice to know that Little Chute boasts some of the best utility deals in Wisconsin. What's even better is that some places, like Elm Grove Apartments, offer tenants all-bills-paid deals on apartments for rent. Soak up that sweetness. Take a bite of that block of cheese. It certainly tastes unbelievable now.
Avoiding Issues
Little Chute has a long history, and with that history comes older houses. 26.5% of the village's units were constructed before the 1960's. Before you agree to rent an older property, ask if Theodore J. van de Broek resided there (he lived here in the 1800's and played a big role in the village's growth). All jokes aside, you should look through the whole home for any problems. Do the electrical sockets work? Does the water heater run well? Are there any rats eating cheese? Make sure you have the answer you want to these sorts of questions before taking a look at the lease agreement.
Allotting Enough Time
More time is always better than less. If you can, give yourself one month to find a place from start to finish. However, like anywhere, you could nab a place within a few days. The best time to look is from April through August as that's when the market is the most active. Snowy winters make anywhere from December through February a pain to move. Generally speaking, though, Little Chute has availabilities throughout the year and does not suffer from overcrowding at all. Perhaps that's why parks fill the town!
Signing and Initializing
Once you've discovered a home you are just dying to move into, you have to arrange signing day. You are going to have to provide some personal info along with residence history and proof of income. Landlords typically run credit checks. One month's rent plus the deposit needs to be handed over as well.
Little Chute Neighborhoods
While many folks in Appleton would have you believe Little Chute is just a neighborhood of their city, this is only slightly true. The village is very much a part of the Fox River Valley, but it is absolutely its own place. And they have the cheese to prove it. Anyway, the 5.52 square miles of the city offer something different and special in every pocket. Make sure you find the right pocket for you.
Village Center: A happening area of town, with Fox River, Doyle Park and Heesakker Park beautifying this area. Eateries like Village Limits and Hollander's Pub and Grill flavor up the neighborhood. There are numerous bus stops along Main Street, too.
Freedom Road / Florida Avenue: This neighborhood is in the central section of the village, with Main Event Steakhouse and Legion Park acting as two main highlights in this area.
Highway 41: In this neighborhood in the north part of Little Chute, access to Highway 41 means getting to Green Bay is simple. The 5th Quarter Sports Bar and Restaurant is a great spot to watch the game. Tom's Drive-In is a wonderful spot to chow down. You will also find a wide array of housing here.
Living in Little Chute
Scattered bus lines make travel around the Fox River Valley region manageable, but a car is the quickest and most used form of transportation. With ample green space and road space, biking and walking within the city are also utilized for exercise and transit. When folks aren't coming, going or getting in shape, they are enjoying what Little Chute has to offer. The Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival jacks up the entire town each June as artists make cheese sculptures, eaters sample strange cheeses, and onlookers watch the madness unfold. Yet the town is more than just cheese. The Little Chute Windmill both honors the area's rich history and shows that the village is breaking new ground. Spots like Village Lanes, The Flying Dutchman and Down the Hill also indicate entertainment is taken very seriously here. Seriously, no matter where you live, you will be within a short distance of eateries and bars. Once you've enjoyed all the town has to offer, get out and explore what the region showcases. Attending a Green Bay Packers' game, shopping in Appleton and hiking at the Brillion State Wildlife Area are all common excursions for Little Chute residents. Once you've completed all the activities you've set out to do, go back to the one thing that makes everything tick here: cheese!
