About Eau Claire
Eau Claire’s affordable housing and high standards of living make it a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family among other things.
Eau Claire, Wisconsin is northwestern Wisconsin's center of business, industry, healthcare and education. The city is located at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers and approximately 90 miles east of Minneapolis/St.Paul. Eau Claire has a diverse and expanding economic base in manufacturing, health care, information technologies, and retail trade.
Real estate in Eau Claire is stable compared to higher growth areas such as the Twin Cities. The Twin Cities and the surrounding suburbs saw great appreciation in home values in the nineties and early 2000s, but was hit hard by the recent recession. Comparatively, Eau Claire home prices have not dropped as much because they probably were not very overpriced in the first place.
Eau Claire residents enjoy an ideal combination of urban and rural life.
Rural vs. Urban: Why Decide When You Can Have Both?
I’m always fascinated to hear how people ended up
living in Eau Claire. Some believe it is a big city, some believe it is
miles from anywhere. I have come to the conclusion that Eau Claire
really does have a split personality, and which side you see depends on
your own point of view.
For example, some Eau Claire residents
relocate here from small towns all over Northwestern Wisconsin because
there are more economic opportunities here yet they can still be close
to their roots.
Others relocate to Eau Claire from larger
metropolitan areas because they are tired of the crime, congestion, and
dirtiness of larger cities.
Eau Claire: The Urban Center
Big city attributes of
Eau Claire include:
- Population of about 65,000 and an MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area)
- Retail center of Northwestern Wisconsin at Oakwood Mall
- The world headquarters of Menards home improvement stores and Presto Industries
- 2 excellent hospitals – Luther Midelfort and Sacred Heart
- University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and Chippewa Valley Technical College
- Excellent city services such as fire, library, police, schools and public works.
- About 90 miles from Minneapolis/St Paul, for those who want the real urban experience
Eau Claire: The Rural Retreat
Eau
Claire’s rural personality is showcased by:
- Very affordable housing: A recent study listed Eau Claire as having the most affordable real estate in the state of Wisconsin.
- Low cost of living: The same study listed Eau Claire as having the 10th lowest overall cost of living in the entire United States.
- Low crime: Eau Claire’s crime rate per city-data.com is always well below the national average. Eau Claire has 1.5 police officers per 1000 residents; half the national average for cities.
- Short commute times: According to US census data, Eau Claire residents’ average commute time is 16 minutes compared to 25 minutes nationally.
- There are many small boutique stores in the Downtown and Water Street areas.
- You can be “out of town” in just a few minutes. Cool stuff surrounds Eau Claire. Take a drive 15 minutes South on Hwy 93 to take in a hilltop panoramic view from the wayside. Go 6 miles west on CTY E to Elk Creek Lake. 6300-acre Lake Wissota is about 20 minutes to the North. Go further North to get to the Blue Hills and hundreds of smaller lakes. Drive 10 miles East of Eau Claire on Hwy Q to get to the rumbling Big Falls and the Eau Claire County Forest.
- Many parks within the city make it feel like you are out of town when you are not. For example, Putnam Park is a 200-acre wildlife preserve located within city limits that is known to have bald eagle nests. Archery Park has a rugged, narrow walking trail that weaves over bluffs along the Eau Claire river.
A Masterpiece Of Design And Architectural Detail, This...
- Price:
- $1,900,000
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 7
- Baths:
- 3½
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 846661
- Provider:
-
A Masterpiece Of Design And Architectural Detail, This 10,000 Sq Ft Log Home Is The Epitome Of Luxury....
Beautiful 25 Room Home/park Like Setting/high Quality...
- Price:
- $1,375,000
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 3½
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 841607
- Provider:
-
Beautiful 25 Room Home/park Like Setting/high Quality Finishing Throughout/beautiful Landscaping And...
Enjoy The Stunning 10 Mile Views To The South & West...
- Price:
- $995,000
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 4
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 847764
- Provider:
-
Enjoy The Stunning 10 Mile Views To The South & West From Almost Every Room In This Custom Built Signature...
Stunning Views Highlight This Custom Home & Apple Orchard...
- Price:
- $898,000
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 3
- Baths:
- 2½
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 820959
- Provider:
-
Stunning Views Highlight This Custom Home & Apple Orchard With Walk-out Ll, Vaulted Ceilings, Hrdwd Floors,...
Gorgeous Steen Construction Built 2003 Parade Home...
- Price:
- $839,900
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 3½
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 844499
- Provider:
-
Gorgeous Steen Construction Built 2003 Parade Home In Princeton Valley. Beautiful Cherry Kitchen Cabinets,...
One Of A Kind Home Located On 9 Wooded Acres In The...
- Price:
- $799,880
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 6
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 837087
- Provider:
-
One Of A Kind Home Located On 9 Wooded Acres In The City. Remodeled Kitchen, First Floor Laundry, Three...
Beautiful South Side Post & Beam Home On 2.1 Acres....
- Price:
- $749,900
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 6
- Baths:
- 5½
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 845163
- Provider:
-
Beautiful South Side Post & Beam Home On 2.1 Acres. Gourmet Kitchen W/ Island, Stainless Double Ovens,...
Fabulous Third Ward Dream Home With Lanon-stone Exterior,...
- Price:
- $675,000
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 3½
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 808752
- Provider:
-
Fabulous Third Ward Dream Home With Lanon-stone Exterior, Set On A Gorgeous .64 Acre Lot On Little Niagra...
An Incredible 1.98 Waterfront City Lot Envelops This...
- Price:
- $589,900
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 3
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 845934
- Provider:
-
An Incredible 1.98 Waterfront City Lot Envelops This Elegant 3400+ S.f. Home Featuring Captivating Views,170...
Beautiful Custom Built By Steen Construction. Open...
- Price:
- $543,900
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 3½
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 848948
- Provider:
-
Beautiful Custom Built By Steen Construction. Open Concept Provides A Great-room W/stone Wood Burning...
Remarkable '09 Custom Designed Steel-sided Walk-out...
- Price:
- $479,900
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 3
- Baths:
- 2½
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 841650
- Provider:
-
Remarkable '09 Custom Designed Steel-sided Walk-out Home W/matching 24x38 Pole Shed. 1st Fl La, Huge...
A Chef's Kitchen: Double Oven, Jenair Range Top, 2...
- Price:
- $474,900
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 6
- Baths:
- 4½
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 837275
- Provider:
-
A Chef's Kitchen: Double Oven, Jenair Range Top, 2 Dishwashers & Granite Counter Tops! Fireplace In...
One Of A Kind Walk Out Ranch Custom Built With Family...
- Price:
- $474,900
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 3½
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 838706
- Provider:
-
One Of A Kind Walk Out Ranch Custom Built With Family In Mind. Unique Open Concept With Grand Tower...
One Of The Finest Homes On The Chippewa River. Over...
- Price:
- $464,900
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 3
- Baths:
- 2½
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 834569
- Provider:
-
One Of The Finest Homes On The Chippewa River. Over 2500 Quality Finished Square Feet. Too Many Features...
Home Is Owner's Residence & Included With The "flower...
- Price:
- $440,000
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 3
- Baths:
- 1
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 832481
- Provider:
-
Home Is Owner's Residence & Included With The "flower Farm". See Commercial Listing # 832251, 19.2 Acres...
Carl Brunkow Custom Built Home. New Roof & Carpet...
- Price:
- $424,900
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 3
- Baths:
- 3½
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 848873
- Provider:
-
Carl Brunkow Custom Built Home. New Roof & Carpet Throught In 2011. Nestled Back In The Woods Surrounded...
Master Suite W/whirlpool & Walk-in Shower- 2 Zone Heat,...
- Price:
- $419,900
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 3
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 846667
- Provider:
-
Master Suite W/whirlpool & Walk-in Shower- 2 Zone Heat, Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Floors, Ceramic Tile-cherry...
Very Impressive, High Quality, Spacious Remodeled Home...
- Price:
- $405,000
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 4
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 846957
- Provider:
-
Very Impressive, High Quality, Spacious Remodeled Home W/private Wooded Backyard On 950' Of Lowes Crk....
Private Wooded Lot On Cul-de-sac! Awesome Vinyl Shake...
- Price:
- $398,500
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 3½
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 844975
- Provider:
-
Private Wooded Lot On Cul-de-sac! Awesome Vinyl Shake Siding With Stone Accent. Beautiful Hardwood Floors,...
Immaculate 2 Story Home With Brick Front, Open Foyer,...
- Price:
- $395,900
- City:
- Eau Claire
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 4
- Type:
- Residential
- MLS® #:
- 847320
- Provider:
-
Immaculate 2 Story Home With Brick Front, Open Foyer, Spacious Kitchen And Dining Area With Hardwood...
The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of the NW WI MLS. Real Estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Discount Realty Works are marked with the NW WI MLS icon. Information provided by seller, listing broker and other parties may not have been verified. Some properties which appear for sale on this web site may subsequently have sold and may no longer be available.
Copyright 2012 Realtors® Association of Northwestern Wisconsin. All rights reserved.
The information provided is for the consumer·s personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties that the consumer may be interested in purchasing.
Data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS.
IDX data last updated at: 2012-02-08 12:45:01
