Waupun, WI

4 Apartments for Rent

Waupun has the singular distinction of having more outdoor sculptures per capita than any other city in America, thanks to a concerted effort to place them all over town. Take that, New York and Chicago. These creative works bear names like End of the Trail, Dawn of Day, Recording Angel and Pioneers.

Waupun is a community in south-central Wisconsin. Thanks to the four-lane expressway running along the eastern edge of town, getting to Fond du Lac to the northeast or Madison to the southwest is really simple. The Ojibwe word waubun means "dawn of day." Waupun can credit its eventual moniker to a spelling error blamed on an anonymous state employee. Yes, it was supposed to have been called Waubun. Sounds like a 19th century hairstyle. If names like "Dawn of Day" and "End of Trail" sound a little contradictory, this does not seem to concern the citizenry. The well-confined residents of the Waupun Correctional Institution also do not appear to concern the townsfolk much either. It's interesting to note that Waupun's population of 11,340 (2010 U.S. Census data) has a significantly higher percentage of male residents. However, before anyone gets too excited about the male-female ratio, consider that the all-male population at the correctional facility here accounts for much of the imbalance, and the social life of that group of guys is rather limited.

Moving to Waupun

The cost of living here is about 10 percent lower than the national average, and moving costs should be pretty manageable as well. Waupun is well situated at the intersection of a freeway, U.S. 151, and state highways 49 and 26, so getting your stuff here is pretty simple.

When to Look

In general, property managers and landlords around here love spring, summer and fall. Winter, not so much. As a result, fewer leases start or end during the winter months. If you must move during those snowiest of months, get busy at least 4-6 weeks ahead of time. Otherwise, a two- to 4-week head start should be sufficient. Of course, if there's an empty unit just sitting there, you might hear something like, "So, when do you want to move in?"

Good Stuff to Bring Along

If you want to make the application experience go smoothly (and who doesn't?), have a copy of your credit report, recent pay stubs and rental history along with you. Some landlords and property managers will request a modest fee to process your application, check credit and perform a background check. This is more typical in complexes, but those renting upper and lower duplexes may sometimes be just as thorough.

Neighborhoods Of Waupun

In general, Waupun is laid out west-to-east along state highway 49, and many rentals are located within just blocks of this main artery that bisects the community.

East Waupun: Many apartment homes are located on the east side of town, just minutes from the 151 freeway. In this area of Waupun, you'll find townhouses for rent. You can also find a condo for rent near the freeway on the east side.

West Waupun: There are more condo rentals to check out on the west end of the community. If you are looking for a one or two bedroom apartment for rent, there'll be options in this area too.

City Center: If the idea of having all utilities paid appeals to you, you may want to explore some of the the uppers and lowers located in various bungalows near the center of Waupun. Some renters like the idea of having the heat included in the rent around here, given the cold snaps that can be a part of a Wisconsin winter. If a studio apartment sounds appealing, consider looking close to the businesses downtown. There will even be an occasional rental available directly above shops and businesses situated in historic downtown buildings.

Living In Waupun

Take Refuge Here

Waupun is located just to the northwest of the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. You don't have to be a "birder" to appreciate all the cranes, egrets and even an occasional nesting bald eagle to be discovered here. In the fall, thousands of migrating Canadian Geese take a break from their long journey by hanging out in the marsh.

The park rangers will not be impressed if you try to fish here, so all of you avid anglers can head to Fox Lake instead. Just a 10-minute drive or so to the southwest, Fox Lake is home to some nice-sized Smallmouth Bass, Walleyes and various species of panfish.

Clean Up Your Act

Waupun residents apparently take real pride in their community here. For example, the city council decided to professionally power wash a whole stretch of buildings along Main Street. When you check out the hospitable bars and quaint restaurants in the downtown area, enjoy those clean facades as you walk in.

Show Your Sweet Tooth A Little Love

A visit to the End of the Trail Candy Shoppe, located on Main Street on the east side, may be the end of the trail for your diet. This is the perfect destination for your favorite flavor in a waffle cone or an old-time malt. The shop is known for its hand-made chocolates, caramel apples, flavored popcorn and nuts. Promise -- the turtles here will be far tastier than those hanging out in the Horicon Marsh.