Over the past few years, Appleton, WI has been steadily growing and quickly becoming a major hub for people looking to move to the Fox Valley. Appleton has been a great choice for young people because of its amazing nightlife and Shopping Mall here.
Choosing the right neighborhood is a big decision, especially if you are looking to buy a home or rent an apartment in Appleton. This may bring up the question, “Where should I live in Appleton?” When you finish reading this guide, you will have a better understanding, of which Appleton neighborhood best suits your needs.
If you think Appleton might be the ideal place for you, keep reading to explore its neighborhoods, lifestyle, and everything that makes it stand out from all the other cities. Something worth mentioning is that the official name for these neighborhoods is the Fox Cities with Appleton being the main city. Each neighborhood is technically a small city, since these cities are so small, we will refer to them as neighborhoods throughout this guide.
- Downtown Appleton – Best Neighborhood for Young Professionals and Families
- Kimberly – Small Town Feel & Close to Everything
- Fox Crossing – The Only Neighborhood that Still Has that Old-Timey, Small-Town Feel
- Neenah – A Vibrant Community With A 15-Minute Walk From Pretty Much Anywhere.
- Little Chute – A Gem in the Fox Valley.
- Greenville – Charming Small Town Vibe Next to the Airport
- Kaukauna – Proud Working-Class Small-City
Downtown Appleton | Best Neighborhood for Young Professionals and Families
- Known for: Vibrant nightlife, a shopper’s paradise, and a young professional hotspot
- Population: 74,719
- Area of Appleton: Center
- Average rent: $1,284
- Median home price: $279,000
Downtown Appleton has become very popular among young people as well as families. It has a great mix of dining and entertainment. This area has great dining options like Fratellos Riverfront Restaurant where you can dine with a view. The main street is called W College Ave, this is where you can catch a show, for example, at Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, or just a few blocks down, enjoy traditional soul food at The Cozzy Corner. What makes Downtown Appleton so unique is how walkable it is!
Downtown Appleton has great restaurants, entertainment, and shopping. People come from all over to shop at the Fox River Mall because of the huge variety of stores. It’s no wonder why Downtown Appleton has become the go-to spot for young people and families.
Top amenities in Appleton
- Fox River Mall –
- Fox Cities Performing Arts Center –
- Fratellos Riverfront Restaurant –
- The Cozzy Corner –
View this post on Instagram
Kimberly | Small Town Feel & Close to Everything
- Population: 7,626
- Area of Appleton: Northeast
- Average rent: $1,463
- Median home price: $295,000
Kimberly is a smaller town and only a 10-minute drive from Downtown Appleton where you can find great dining and entertainment. It’s best known for having a great school district and has a lot of newer and larger homes that give it more of a suburban feel. Also, Kimberly has a very low crime rate, some of the lowest in the entire Fox Valley so you and your family will always feel safe.
Top Amenities
- Richeson School of Art & Gallery
- Tanners Grill and Bar
- Timber Tap Taproom & Brewery (Timber Tap Taproom & Brewery
- Skate City
View this post on Instagram
Fox Crossing | The Only Neighborhood that Still Has that Old-Timey, Small-Town Feel
- Population: 18,947
- Area of Appleton: Southwest
- Average rent: $1,225
- Median home price: $345,000
Fox Crossing is one huge neighborhood with a lot of open space, which helps it keep that old-time, small-town feel while the rest of the communities keep growing.
Top Amenities
- Stone Arch Brewpub
- Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
- Mill City Public House
- Fox River Brewery and Restaurant
View this post on Instagram
Neenah | A Vibrant Community With A 15-Minute Walk From Pretty Much Anywhere.
- Population: 27,453
- Area of Appleton: Southwest
- Average rent: $930
- Median home price: $319,950
Neenah has countless wonderful places to eat and shop, particularly in the downtown area Neenah has one of the best downtowns in the Fox Valley area. People in Neenah have the reputation of being super friendly, you will feel right at home.
Top Amenities
View this post on Instagram
Little Chute | A Gem In The Fox Valley.
- Population: 12,178
- Area of Appleton: Northeast
- Average rent: $956
- Median home price: $334,900
A less industrial village that has nearly transitioned to residential and parks. It is a nice cozy balance without excessive bouge. Direct access to downtown Appleton, surrounded by all the other Fox Valley boroughs, its a great place to live.
Top Amenities
View this post on Instagram
Greenville | Charming Small Town Vibe Next To The Airport
- Population: 12,964
- Area of Appleton: Northwest
- Average rent: $1,152
- Median home price: $433,000
Laid-back but hardworking town, Greenville has the spirit and also the typical small-town vibe charm that will win your heart. A rural/suburban area where locals feel safe as the crime rate is low and the people are friendly. You are not disconnected from the outside world since the Appleton International Airport is located in Greenville.
Top Amenities
View this post on Instagram
Kaukauna | Proud Working-Class Small City
- Population: 17,493
- Area of Appleton: Northeast
- Average rent: $971
- Median home price: $315,445
Known as the Electric City, centered between Appleton and Green Bay. Living in Kaukauna means enjoying affordable housing, excellent schools and many recreational opportunities, making it a wonderful place to live it also has the lowest utility rates in the state. The only downside to living in Kaukauna is the strong smell from the factories.
Top Amenities
- Wisconsin International Raceway
- 1000 Islands Environmental Center
- Patty & Pablo’s
- Landreman’s Family Restaurant
View this post on Instagram
Best Neighborhoods in Appleton Map.