Every year I get a wave of messages that start the same way: “We’re thinking about relocating to the Chippewa Valley… where do we even start?” 💕
So friend, if that’s you, consider this your starting point. Here’s exactly how to relocate to the Chippewa Valley from out of state, from a local REALTOR® who helps families do this all the time (and who has moved across Wisconsin a few times herself!).
Where Are People Moving Here From?
Most of my relocation clients are coming from out of state, and a lot of them are coming from places like Florida, Arizona, and California. 🌴➡️❄️
Here’s what surprises me most: many of them are moving to Wisconsin to RETIRE. That’s usually the opposite of what we see! Most retirees around here head south for warmer weather. But more and more people are choosing the Chippewa Valley for its pace of life, its community, and its cost of living. Families coming from California or Montana especially tell me the lower cost of living was a big part of their decision.
Curious how the numbers compare to where you live now? Here’s my full cost of living guide for Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls.
I’ve Been the New Family in Town Too
I’ll be honest, I don’t just help people relocate. I’ve done it myself a few times!
I grew up in Hayward, then went to college at St. Norbert College in De Pere, partly because I had lots of extended family in the Green Bay area. My husband moved to Green Bay to be with me, we got married there, and we bought our first house there too.
Then my social work career needed a next step that I just wasn’t finding in Green Bay, so I took a job in Waukesha County. We sold that first house and moved to Mukwonago, where we lived for just over two years and had our first baby.
And that’s when it hit us. We were more than five hours away from my parents, who were our support system. Our oldest was sick a LOT as a little guy, and I was constantly getting pulled out of work to pick him up from daycare. We quickly realized we needed to be closer to our people.
I was actually offered a job back in Hayward, but I turned it down, hoping to land my dream job with the VA in Chippewa Falls. Thank goodness I got it! So we sold our Mukwonago home and moved to Chippewa Falls, closer to family and with a career I loved.
That was just under 10 years ago. Now our kids are in school, we have a community we love, and we have no plans to leave. (I’m also not naive about the “forever home” myth. If my kids someday move away and start families in other states, I wouldn’t be opposed to following them! 😂)
So when I say I understand what you’re going through, I really mean it. Moving is a LOT, especially when you’re doing it from far away.
Step 1: Get Clear on Your “Why”
Before you start scrolling listings, get really clear on why you’re moving and what you need your new life to look like. Is it being closer to family? A lower cost of living? A slower pace? More land? A specific job?
Our own move taught me how much that “why” matters. Your why will shape everything from which town you choose to how big your house needs to be.
Step 2: Decide Where in the Chippewa Valley Fits You
Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire are close enough that most people end up spending time in both, but they each have their own personality. Neither one is “better.” It really comes down to what kind of daily life you’re picturing. Here’s my full breakdown of living in Eau Claire vs. Chippewa Falls.
Then think about town vs. country. A walkable neighborhood is a completely different lifestyle than a home with acreage 20 minutes outside of town, and both have real tradeoffs. Get honest about how much drive time you actually want in your day.
Step 3: Run the Real Numbers
Coming from a bigger or more expensive area, the Chippewa Valley often feels refreshingly affordable. But “affordable” still means something specific here, so run actual numbers instead of guessing.
Talk with a local lender early to get pre-approved and understand what your budget really looks like in Wisconsin, including property taxes and homeowners insurance. Those can be very different from what you’re used to!
Step 4: Shop for Homes From a Distance (Yes, It Works!)
This is where I come in. I do LOTS of virtual appointments with clients who can’t be here in person. I’ll walk through homes on video, and then I take extra videos and photos afterward so you can go back and look again.
And here’s my promise: I always try to be as thorough as possible and point out every red flag I see. Most of them aren’t major dealbreakers, but I want you to see the “worst” of a property, the things you might not catch through a FaceTime video. One honest heads up: live video showings can be tricky sometimes, because cell reception isn’t always great at every house, especially once we head down into the basement. 😅
I’ve even helped two families buy completely sight unseen. They didn’t see their new home in person until they had their keys and already owned it! Talk about nerve wracking!! But with the right process and a lot of honest communication, it absolutely can be done.
And as I get to know what you’re looking for, I can often walk into a house and know right away whether you’ll love it or not. When that happens, I’ll tell you upfront, so we don’t waste your time.
The Questions That Are Hard to Answer From 1,000 Miles Away
Some of the toughest questions I get from out-of-state buyers are the ones that are totally personal.
“Is the traffic loud?” For me, maybe yes! But for someone who lives right off a main road in Phoenix, probably not. 😂 I’ve actually driven down the highway during our “rush hour” and recorded it so a buyer could see what our “heavy” traffic really looks like.
“Does it smell?” I’m extra sensitive to smells, so just because something bothers me doesn’t mean it will bother you. That’s why I always share exactly what I’m hearing, seeing, and smelling, and let you decide what matters to you.
Step 5: Do Your School Homework (If It Applies to You)
If you’re moving with kids, research schools before you fall in love with a house. School district boundaries don’t always match city lines, so always check the specific address! My guide to researching schools before you move walks you through exactly how to do it.
And if you homeschool, or you’re moving without school-age kids, you’re in good company. A lot of my relocation clients are in that boat too!
Step 6: Build Your Local Team Early
Relocating from out of state means building a whole support system before you even get here: a REALTOR®, a lender, inspectors, maybe a mover, and eventually a new doctor, dentist, or vet.
I keep a local vendor guide of people I’ve used myself or that past clients and friends have personally recommended to me. If I don’t have the resource you need, I can usually find it through my network. And if anyone ever has a bad experience with a vendor on my list, I take them off. I always want to hear real recommendations and real experiences, good and bad. The families who relocate the smoothest are almost always the ones who had their team in place early.
Step 7: Finding Your People After You Move
Here’s something I see a lot: families either find their community quickly here, or they feel like they can’t find it at all. And honestly, it usually comes down to how you spend your free time, and how involved your kids are in activities.
As an introvert, I know how hard it can be to find your people. I’m not someone who just walks up to a stranger and starts a conversation! Most of my friendships came through my kids, whether that was getting to know their friends’ parents or chatting with other parents at sporting events week after week.
But I also had to be intentional. At one point I was really craving connection and struggling to find it, so I started my own book club. It’s become one of my favorite parts of every month! 📚 So my advice: say yes to the invites, show up to the events, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, start it yourself. Chances are, someone else is looking for the same thing.
Need some ideas for getting out and meeting people? My Chippewa Valley fall activities guide is a great place to start.
Let’s Make Your Move Easier 💕
Helping families relocate to the Chippewa Valley from out of state is one of my favorite parts of what I do, whether you’re buying on a tight timeline, touring virtually, or buying sight unseen. I’ll be your eyes and ears here, connect you with trusted local pros, and walk you through every step so it feels a whole lot less overwhelming.
Thinking about Chippewa Falls? Grab my free Chippewa Falls Local Guide for a deeper look at the area. Still in the early research phase? My guide on what families should know before moving to Eau Claire or Chippewa Falls covers the big picture.
And whenever you’re ready to talk specifics, let’s chat. Don’t worry, we will find the right one!
Chat soon, friend! 🏡