Wausau, Wisconsin

Wausau's motto is, "Welcome Home," and with its thriving economy and low crime and unemployment, you'll be happy to make your home here. Wausau is one of six municipalities (the other five are Mosinee, Rib Mountain, Rothschild, Schofield, and Weston) that make up the Wausau Area, which is part of Marathon County, the largest county in Wisconsin.

Surrounded by beautiful countryside, it's not surprising that agriculture plays a large role in the local economy. In fact, this region is the nation's largest dairy producer, cheese being their specialty. There are also farms and orchards producing everything from potatoes to strawberries to Christmas trees. And if you're curious as to why some plots of land are covered by mesh, you may be surprised to learn that Central Wisconsin exports 95% of the United States' ginseng root: those mesh-covered plots are "shang" (or ginseng) gardens.

But beautiful countryside doesn't just support agricultural pursuits ... it also supports recreational pursuits, and some pretty heart-pumping ones at that! Some of the Midwest's best downhill skiing can be had at nearby Rib Mountain – one run is a mile long and has a 624-foot (190-meter) vertical drop! Or, if that's too tame for you, you could always ride the rapids of the east channel of the Wisconsin River, which, for those who prefer to get their thrills from watching others do crazy things, conveniently runs through downtown Wausau. In fact, these rapids are so challenging, they're known as "one of the nation's best slalom courses," and are a training site for the United States Canoe and Kayak Team.

All this, a well-developed arts community, and enough shopping for the most diehard shopoholic ... Welcome Home to Wausau indeed!

See our 4 Jobs in Wausau, Wisconsin