Shiocton, WI

Life in Shiocton revolves around the water, with the Wolf and Shioc rivers meeting right in the village. It is a quiet, friendly community that comes alive each spring during the walleye run and sturgeon spawn. Neighbors and visitors gather along the riverbanks every April to catch the action and watch massive lake sturgeon surface near the shore, making it one of the area's favorite seasonal traditions.

ATTRRoyalbroil / CC BY-SA 3.0

Outdoor recreation is a major draw year-round. The Newton Blackmour State Trail cuts directly through town, offering miles of scenic paths for walking, biking, and winter snowmobiling. You get the slow pace and open space of small-town Wisconsin, while still living within an easy 30-minute drive of bigger job centers and shopping in Appleton and Green Bay.