Eau Claire WI?

I have an interview with a firm in Eau Claire WI but I know very little about that part of the state. I currently live in Duluth MN and was hoping people here could fill me in a bit about the Eau Claire area, specifically:

1. Any indoor gyms?
2. Hows the city for cost of living?
3. What do you think of the area?
4. Any hiking / backpcking in the area?
5. How's the social scene (aka stuff to do other than boozin')

I appreciate any help you guys and gals can give!

Oooo, thanks Chris!

Except for all that climbing on the North Shore of Minnesota the best climbing in Minnesota is in Wisconsin. ;)

I just accepted a position in EC. Big change for me coming from Chicago maybe less so for you.

Indoor gyms I found are both at college campuses, UWEC and UW Stout. Cheap memberships but maybe not the best.

A quick craiglist search of apartments should reveal a bit about cost of living. For me anyway, everything looks dirt cheap and if I keep my current budget for housing, food, and fun I should be living like a rock star. Again, probably less dramatic for you coming from Duluth.

I don't really have any comments on the other items since I've never been. On paper it looks like a nice place to live and it's unlikely I'll have my car stolen up there so that's a big plus.

Anyway. If the job works out look me up. I should be up there at the end of month unhappily segueing back into a real job.

Cheers.
Jason

there is some good running trails not much for "hiking" like your use to. Climbing there are the gyms above but with in a 1-2 hr you have alot of climbing check out Willow =)
sublets apartments are going to be the cheapest from dropouts check em out in a week or two on craigslist

Pick up a VolumeOne in any local coffee or sandwich shop and check out what the Chippewa Valley has to offer. The climbing gyms on the UWEC and UW Stout campuses aren't world class gyms by any measure but there are a great place to meet some local climbers and relax at the end of the day. I recommend staying away from student rentals if you can afford it because the landlords in those areas tend to be terrible. That being said, I rented through EDJ Rentals and would recommend them. Pad Thai is some of the best Thai food I've had outside of Thailand. It's a great little town and within a couple of hours of some great climbing in many directions.

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone!

After interviewing I have decided that I would not want to work for this particular company for a variety of reasons.

I appreciate all of the information about Eau Claire and the surrounding area.

Again, thank you.

1. Any indoor gyms?
As stated, UWEC and STOUT. I work at the gym at Stout, and I love it for what it is. Wish we had more overhung and some bouldering, but the membership is cheap and the hours are decent (except summer). Another thing to keep in mind is from Eau Claire you're looking at pretty short drives to Necedah, Devil's Lake, Red Wing, and Willow for good outdoor.

2. Hows the city for cost of living?
I live in the nicest apartment in Menomonie for $900/mo 2br. You can rent duplexes out of town that are practically brand new for that same price.

3. What do you think of the area?
I love it here. There is a great community of climbers, sustainable minded people, and such. I enjoy the geography a lot, but I wish there were more very close climbing. Still can't complain when it's a 45 minute drive to Willow. I also am an avid mountain biker, and there's an excellent club out of Eau Claire that is extremely active.

4. Any hiking / backpcking in the area?
There's a lot of private farms around the area, so backpacking isn't something I get into much here locally. I am a fairly frequent backpacker though, and I find myself satisfied here. I enjoy day hikes at parks, and for my multi-day trips I usually prefer to go somewhere different anyway.

5. How's the social scene (aka stuff to do other than boozin')
In Menomonie it's mostly boozin' among the students, but Eau Claire has more options. Most of what I do here is already mentioned. Between road riding, mountain biking, climbing at the gym, kayaking local rivers/lakes, skiing, snowshoeing, etc...there's not much time left! I don't spend as much time in Eau Claire, so someone else would be a good source on that.

Good Luck with your interview.

I lived in Eau Claire for several years and love the area. If you get connected with the right crew and enjoy ice climbing add this to your list of winter sports. You will have great options for the following

Mountain Biking
Trail Running
XC skiing
climbing (indoor and outdoor)
ice climbing
Hook up with the Hobnailers for more intel

Cost of living is low, there are coffee shops around every corner, and the university keeps the town from feeling grown up

Back Packing options unlimited with the Porcupine Mountains, Chemaquon National forest, and other state parks.