Located in north-central Wisconsin, Antigo is home of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association, and Joe Piskula, who plays for the Los Angeles Kings, learned his hockey talents in this small city.
Antigo, pronounced with a soft "T," holds on to the state's manufacturing and lumber industry heritage
Located in north-central Wisconsin, Antigo is home of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association, and Joe Piskula, who plays for the Los Angeles Kings, learned his hockey talents in this small city.
Antigo, pronounced with a soft "T," holds on to the state's manufacturing and lumber industry heritage. However, this doesn't mean that people in Antigo don't know how to have fun. In fact, the opposite is true. Like many small cities in the state, sports draw a crowd, and you'll find that hockey is a more important sport in Antigo than it is for most Wisconsinites, who dedicate their sports fanaticism to the Green Bay Packers.
First and foremost, you'll want to move during spring, summer or fall. If you're crazy enough to try to move during Wisconsin's winters, you'll often find that most landlords prohibit this for legal reasons. You might have to plan your move to Antigo more than you would if you were looking for a house to rent in warmer climates. However, what you're sacrificing will more than be made up for when it comes to local color.
Secondly, many of the homes in Antigo are older. This is great if you want to buy a house and aren't afraid of a little sweat equity. However, renters are well-advised to start their search for two-bedroom apartments or other types of places to live in well in advance. This enables you to locate newer and remodeled homes and apartments for rent that provide the best value for your money. During Wisconsin's long winters, a house that isn't properly weatherized or property rentals with poor window and door seals can suck your money away.
What you see is what you get in this small city in Wisconsin without neighborhoods -- and what you'll see is a town that's close to any number of lakes. If you can get your hands on property rentals near the Faust or Skinner Dams, you'll be sitting pretty. If you don't mind a short hike into town, consider moving closer to Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Not only will you be able to enjoy the great outdoors in the park, but you'll have plenty of privacy and solitude, too. The location means that you'll find plenty of options with rustic decor and design. You might even find yourself living it up in a log cabin in Antigo!
There are no two ways about it: Antigo brings you closer to nature. If you want to live in the middle of a big city and enjoy the sound of traffic as you fall asleep, this small city isn't the place for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy hiking, camping, swimming in nature's pools and a sunset or sunrise across the water, Antigo is a good place to plant your flag. If you're so bold, you might even strip down to your swimsuit in the dead of winter and partake in the annual Polar Plunge in nearby Wausau's Man Made Lake.
One thing that Antigo does lack is major shopping. You'll have to hop on Highway 52 South and head to Wausau, which is 35 miles to the south, if you want to visit outlets like T. J. Maxx or a downtown mall. However, you're sure to find plenty of antique shopping and side-of-the-road gift shops that offer homemade and vintage wares. You won't have to go far if you're interested in fresh, locally grown food, though. Antigo has its own farmers' market every Saturday morning, and it even continues into winter. There, you'll find homemade jelly, cheese, maple syrup and seasonable vegetables, such as pumpkins and squash, to sate your appetite.
