Be careful if you go into the woods in Rhinelander. According to folklore, a green and white creature known as the Hodag stalks the city's woods. There's even a statue of him outside Rhinelander's Chamber of Commerce.
At first glance, Rhinelander might not seem like much, but it's actually one of the top vacation destinations in all of Wisconsin. While this does mean that you might have to share your city with the odd tourist or ten, it follows that you're living in a city nice enough for people to want to go on holiday there, so you come out on top in the end. Living in Rhinelander does mean that you'll have to learn to love very cold winters, but it's a small price to pay for living in such a stunning location.
Moving to Rhinelander
Whether you're moving from all the way across the country or simply from the next town over, relocating to a new home can be a real pain. If you get frustrated while you search for apartments in Rhinelander, remember that it will all pay off in the end, once you've moved into your great new rental home.
How Long Will It Take?
Hunting for housing can be long and arduous, but don't give up! It shouldn't take you too long to find rental housing in Rhinelander, so keep looking and you'll soon spot that perfect place. The percentage of homes for rent in the city is higher than both the state and the national average, which means that there should be more rental properties on the market. However, you should take into account that a good chunk of these properties might be reserved for holiday rentals. A good rule of thumb is to allow yourself about four to six weeks to look for your new home. You might need even longer if you have some very specific requirements, but you should ask yourself if you really need that second gatehouse.
Will You Need Anything Else?
What you'll need before you can move in will depend on your landlord. Some property owners are content with your word and a firm handshake, whereas others will require more substantial proof that you're good for the rent. It's best to be prepared, so have ready some photo ID, proof of income, your credit history, your rental history and any relevant references.
What Will It Cost?
It's tough to say exactly how much it will cost to move into your new home. Of course, size and property type plays a big factor, so it goes without saying that you'll be much further out-of-pocket if you want to rent a ten-bedroom mansion house than you will be if you're looking for a studio apartment for rent. Usually, you'll have to pay a full month's rent right off the bat, along with a sizeable security deposit. The latter will be refunded when you move out, just as long as you leave the place in as good a condition as it was when you moved in.
Rhinelander Neighborhoods
Rhinelander covers a little over 8.5 square miles. While it's not exactly on par with New York City, size-wise, it isn't a tiny town, so you will find a good deal of difference between neighborhoods. It's a good idea to do your research before picking where to live. It could mean the difference between seeing wide open expanses and not much else or seeing an alley full of dumpsters out of your bedroom window.
Woodboro: This is one of the pricier neighborhoods in the city. It's far out from the city, but has some beautiful surroundings, including several lakes, the largest of which is Crescent Lake. Most of the properties are houses, but you'll see some apartment complexes, as well.
Malvern: Properties in this neighborhood are a mixture of medium-sized and small houses, as well as some mobile homes. The north end of the neighborhood isn't too far from civilization, but some houses are quite rurally located. Living in this area, you'll be close to Almon County Park.
Roosevelt: Located just adjacent to the city center, this neighborhood is convenient for pedestrians and isn't far from the main shops and restaurants. Located on the Wisconsin River, this area is set around Hodag Park and West Side Park. You'll notice some small apartment buildings and some houses in the area.
Living in Rhinelander
If you love the great outdoors, you'll never get bored in Rhinelander. However, those who prefer the glorious indoors will still find a few things to entertain themselves with.
Fun and Games
There's fun to be had for people of all ages in Rhinelander. Bowling fans can head over to the Rhinelander Bowling Center, also known as Hodag Lanes, to knock down a few pins. You'll also find some arcade games there, if you want to while away a few more hours. Get yourself to the Eagle Falls Adventure Golf and Laser Tag for, well, adventure golf and laser tag. You certainly couldn't accuse them of being misleading!
Food and Drink
Food lovers rejoice! There's plenty in the way of culinary delights in the city. Joe's Pasty Shop serves authentic pasties and is perhaps the best-loved eatery in town. Other highlights include Casa Real Mexican Restaurant and the White Stag Inn. However, you might also be interested in picking up some awesome local produce from Hodag Farmers' Market, which runs every Saturday between June and October or taking a tour of the Three Lakes Winery.
Outdoor Pursuits
There's no dearth of things to do outdoors when you live in Rhinelander. In fact, that's what brings the majority of visitors to the area (well, it's certainly not that giant hodag statue, anyway!). The area is known for its lakes and rivers, so it's the ideal place to go boating, canoeing or kayaking. The Willow Flowage is great if you want to see what real wilderness looks like. There are some great trails for mountain biking. If you're up for a long ride, try the 18-mile Bearskin State Trail, or if you're only going out for a quick jaunt, the 1.5-mile Rhinelander Community Ski Trails might be a better option. The Holmboe Nature Preserve is the perfect place for a nature hike, or you could go to the Cassian County Two-Way Trail for 15 miles of trails, heading through forests and past lakes. During the colder months, this is also a great area for winter sports. Snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are both popular options.
Festivals and Events
You'll find a number of events happening in Rhinelander all through the year. Perhaps the biggest in the area is the Hodag Country Festival, which brings you a weekend of live country music. Yay? If you're not a country music fan, you might prefer the Oneida County Fair, where you'll find a carnival, live music, lots of food vendors and more. You could also check out the ever-popular Potato Fest, which hits downtown Rhinelander in August, or look out for various Oktoberfest celebrations.