Sheboygan is a picturesque town of 49,288 people that is situated on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Sheboygan River. It is located fifty miles north of Milwaukee and 64 miles south of Green Bay, which allows LGBT residents easy access to the gay- friendly and gay-run bars and attractions in these two larger metropolitan areas. Sheboygan is very gay-friendly but not quite large enough to support the kind of gay organizations and events found in nearby Milwaukee and Green Bay. However it does have a couple of gay bars right in the downtown area including The Blue Lite, Clark’s Who’re Haus and M.F.C.
The city, founded in 1846, has a German heritage that reflects in the businesses and the architecture. Just a fun fact- it is known for its bratwurst and World Bratwurst Eating Championship. This small city also plays host to the annual Dairy land Surf Classic, which is the largest lake surfing competition in the world.
It is best to have a car if you live here as it has a bit of a suburban-style layout however it does have excellent commuter transit that also takes you to nearby Kohler and Sheboygan Falls. Sheboygan Falls is a particularly pretty place of nearly 8,000 people that is located at the meeting of the Mullet and Onion Rivers. It is more of a tourist destination than the much busier and larger Sheboygan.
Despite the fact that Sheboygan does have a remote, suburban feel it has expanded bike lanes and dedicated biking and walk paths. A favorite of cyclists is the lakefront path that runs for several miles along the north side of the river.
There is also a bit of culture in Sheboygan. It is home to the Sheboygan County Historical Museum, the Above & Beyond Children’s Museum, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts.
Many gays are locating here from Green Bay and Milwaukee to take advantage of the quieter lifestyle, lack of crime and proximity to big parks like the Fischer Creek Conservation Are and the Kewaskum Maple-Oak Natural Area. Many pleasant little villages including the Village of Cedar Grove, Howard’s Grove and Oostburg also surround the city.
The area is very popular so you will need to keep your eye out for a property for sale. The average listing price for homes for sale here was $136,304 in August 2013. There are also bargains to be had as there are also 237 homes in various stages of foreclosure as well.
Like many cities the gay scene is located in the downtown historic area, but there is no designated gay” area. To find out the best places to live it is a good idea to consult with a Sheboygan gay realtor to find the situation that is best for you. You can also find out more about this city that has the motto “So much, so close!” at www.sheboygan.org.
