Reasons why I miss Wisconsin in general and Madison

[ranger17]

Originally Posted by timberline742

See you tonight, Madison. Don't rain too much.

looks like Sunday may be the best/driest weather-wise, hope the rain backs off on the other days as there are so many things to do this weekend outdoors.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by ranger17

looks like Sunday may be the best/driest weather-wise, hope the rain backs off on the other days as there are so many things to do this weekend outdoors.

Well, I want to be able to take in the Farmer's Market on Saturday. I hope it holds off then.

I'm bring my ladyfriend and was going to do Taliesin too, and wanted to hike some, but thankfully we were looking to Sunday for that.

[ranger17]

Originally Posted by timberline742

Well, I want to be able to take in the Farmer's Market on Saturday. I hope it holds off then.

I'm bring my ladyfriend and was going to do Taliesin too, and wanted to hike some, but thankfully we were looking to Sunday for that.

note the Taste of Madison is this weekend; i cant remember from previous years if they still hold the market in its normal location but end it earlier, or if it's moved offsite for the day. May want to check that out ahead of time.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by ranger17

note the Taste of Madison is this weekend; i cant remember from previous years if they still hold the market in its normal location but end it earlier, or if it's moved offsite for the day. May want to check that out ahead of time.

I did note that. Thanks. It says it goes on as normal. The taste is after.

[LoisMae]

Well, I was happy to get all of this positive news about Madison. However, now I have to be specific and tell you a story that made me decide not to move there.

Quite a few years ago --perhaps ten -- I was on a flight from DFW to MSN and sat next to a gal , I would say in her early 30s. I am now 74, for whatever THAT is worth. She was on her way home for a short visit. I told her about my interest in retiring to Madison (having grown up in Horicon). I , too, liked the liberal atmosphere of the city -- for openers. I have lived in NYC and LA and one does get used to people who are open to new ideas (as one way of putting it).She asked me if I knew anyone in Madison, and told her NO. She then proceeded to tell me that it would be difficult to make friends as the people in Madison did not accept new people easily (or words to that affect). Now, I knew this was the way it was in Horicon, and perhaps a lot of other Wi towns, but this surprised me, and put me off of Madison completely.

Was she wrong? Should I consider Madison again? Because I have yet to find a place in Wi that I think I might feel comfortable in would like to move back to. It would besuch good news to learn that she was NOT right!! Any and all comments welcome!!

[Nicci6Squirrels]

I think she was wrong, LoisMae.
You get back what you put out. Maybe the woman on the plane was a stick-in-the-mud and people reacted to her negatively because of that?
Madison is pretty open-minded and friendly, in my opinion.

[ranger17]

Originally Posted by LoisMae

Well, I was happy to get all of this positive news about Madison. However, now I have to be specific and tell you a story that made me decide not to move there.

Quite a few years ago --perhaps ten -- I was on a flight from DFW to MSN and sat next to a gal , I would say in her early 30s. I am now 74, for whatever THAT is worth. She was on her way home for a short visit. I told her about my interest in retiring to Madison (having grown up in Horicon). I , too, liked the liberal atmosphere of the city -- for openers. I have lived in NYC and LA and one does get used to people who are open to new ideas (as one way of putting it).She asked me if I knew anyone in Madison, and told her NO. She then proceeded to tell me that it would be difficult to make friends as the people in Madison did not accept new people easily (or words to that affect). Now, I knew this was the way it was in Horicon, and perhaps a lot of other Wi towns, but this surprised me, and put me off of Madison completely.

Was she wrong? Should I consider Madison again? Because I have yet to find a place in Wi that I think I might feel comfortable in would like to move back to. It would besuch good news to learn that she was NOT right!! Any and all comments welcome!!

well LoisMae i have 2 cents in my pocket so here ya go.


My first 46 years of existence i was a WI resident. As an adult, if i noticed anything (both small town and Madison area) it was folks can be quite friendly but not all are always initially outgoing. We had great friends and neighbors and kept some very close friends for years here. And of course there were those we didnt care for or befriend. If i held the door open here at a store, some would say thanks and just as many would silently walk thru. On the street not everyone would say hi in passing.
The past 6 years w lived in SC (we knew 0 people there when we moved), where i'll admit i felt the locals there were more outgoing and friendly to me as a stranger. More may have stopped and carried on a conversation in a store line or on the street. Doesnt mean my neighbors and friends there were any stronger, just seemed like it at the start.
Now we just moved back to the Madison area, and where i'm staying right now i'm a stranger on the block. Some have been quite friendly and easy to converse with, others wont even look me in the eye or shout back a "i'm fine and how are you". To be honest, all i worry about is that i am friendly and respectful to anyone i meet and if a small portion become a friend then i've done well.

I would never base moving to a spot on what one plane buddy said about a city, nor would i base it on any of us CD posters lol; the best you can do is come for a visit and see how you feel after a few days out and about. Seriously i'd suggest that to anyone looking into any new region. Go in with a smile on your face, and leave any predetermined attitude in the hotel. I've seen others walk around with a scowl permanently on their face, nothing but complaints that "this was so much better back home" and then they wonder why they arent making friends.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by LoisMae

Well, I was happy to get all of this positive news about Madison. However, now I have to be specific and tell you a story that made me decide not to move there.

Quite a few years ago --perhaps ten -- I was on a flight from DFW to MSN and sat next to a gal , I would say in her early 30s. I am now 74, for whatever THAT is worth. She was on her way home for a short visit. I told her about my interest in retiring to Madison (having grown up in Horicon). I , too, liked the liberal atmosphere of the city -- for openers. I have lived in NYC and LA and one does get used to people who are open to new ideas (as one way of putting it).She asked me if I knew anyone in Madison, and told her NO. She then proceeded to tell me that it would be difficult to make friends as the people in Madison did not accept new people easily (or words to that affect). Now, I knew this was the way it was in Horicon, and perhaps a lot of other Wi towns, but this surprised me, and put me off of Madison completely.

Was she wrong? Should I consider Madison again? Because I have yet to find a place in Wi that I think I might feel comfortable in would like to move back to. It would besuch good news to learn that she was NOT right!! Any and all comments welcome!!

Completely wrong, IMO.

[Chelito23]

If you have had that experience in small town WI, I don't think your experience in MSN would be much different, since it is basically made up of people from small towns all over the state.

It is easy to fit in in MSN if you fit the mold. Come for a visit and see for yourself....MSN isn't very diverse...so if you are an "outsider" regarding beliefs, attitudes, personality style....you will probably have more difficulty. It is certainly worth a shot and seeing for yourself instead of dismissing the city based on a random opinión....