History buffs will find the oldest standing concrete building in the entire United States in Milton, Wisconsin. It's a National Historic Landmark and an officially recognized station on the Underground Railroad that helped freed and escaped slaves flee from persecution in the South.
What was referred to by early European settlers as Prairie du Lac, or Prairie of Lakes, was a mix of forest, grasslands, and (of course) lakes before major European settlement and widespread farming
History buffs will find the oldest standing concrete building in the entire United States in Milton, Wisconsin. It's a National Historic Landmark and an officially recognized station on the Underground Railroad that helped freed and escaped slaves flee from persecution in the South.
What was referred to by early European settlers as Prairie du Lac, or Prairie of Lakes, was a mix of forest, grasslands, and (of course) lakes before major European settlement and widespread farming. These days, it's still a region with a lot of color and open space. Farm fields, areas where forests still stand, and small towns now share the landscape with the lakes. Milton is perhaps the ideal of that small-town personification in this part of the Upper Midwest. A small but historic downtown is nestled next to a very well-preserved former college campus. The areas extending outward weren't built in a rush -- they took time, and things like beautiful parks were included in the growth plan. Just over 5,500 people now call Milton home and enjoy the simple pleasures of the community.
The first thing you should be aware of if you are coming from a larger city is that while many things are the same, some are quite different. The pace might not be what you would expect and things might not happen as quickly as you are used to. Now we aren't saying it's Mayberry, but definitely isn't the big city. Many small towns -- especially those in farm country -- have seen long-term trends toward higher vacancy rates in rentals over the past several years. In Milton, the reverse is true. The percentage of available units runs lower here, meaning you have to be on your game to land the best deal on your new pad.
Use Effective Search Techniques
Begin your apartment locator tasks with a list of all the properties available that have the amenities you want in your new home. Begin searching as soon as you know you will be moving, so that you have enough time to be thorough. Once you have matched a place with what you are willing to pay, go for it. Just be prepared to provide a credit check and residence history. Have enough cash on hand to cover first month's rent and a deposit.
Milton may be a small town, but the community is located near two freeways, so you can be in larger areas right quick. Interstate 90, on the east side, is the direct route to Madison. On the west is Highway 26. The current town is a result of the merger of two former villages, which makes for two business districts. Each of the small downtown areas is surrounded by residential spaces that contain a fairly broad mix of places to rent in Milton. Check out the various sections of town to find your perfect fit.
Historic Downtown Milton: The older downtown surrounds the college campus and would be a good place to find a one-bedroom apartment for rent. Central Park and Schilberg Park are both centrally located and within walking distance of a good part of the housing areas.
Milton Junction: Over in the west part of town is Tails and Trails Dog Park, where Fido can get out and run a bit. While it's full of primarily older, single-family homes with established landscaping, residences styled as city apartments can be found.
Southeast: Here you will find a couple of apartment complexes as well and single-family homes to the south of the college and old downtown zone. There is also some newer construction extending into the farmland toward the south.
A lot of towns and cities are named after a founder. That's not the case here -- Joseph Goodrich founded Milton, and helped get the community named after poet John Milton because a settler described the home he left to move here as paradise lost, but changed his mind when he got here. The poem Paradise Lost became the inspiration for the town name. While the definition of "paradise" varies by individual preferences, Milton is a nice example of what a small town can be. Near to outdoor recreation and with a good local economy, it's easy to not miss the big city. Winters can be harsh in these parts, while the summer air is usually warm and fairly humid.
