Tips for someone moving here from the South (Milwaukee, Augusta: transplants, unemployment rate)

[Mawoods]

We lived in Wi for 6 years and are native Georgians. If you go with an open mind, you will find wonderful people and a beautiful state with lots to do. It is MUCH colder there however. We experienced freezing temps already in September and the snow was too much for me. After 6 years and being a gardener I was ready to see flowers earlier than May or June. Be warned however, there is some prejudice against southerners. They assume all of us are rednecks and bigots - even though many of them had never been out of the state. Also there is much more diversity in the south. However, I wouldn't trade our time up there for anything. If you go looking for good people you will find them.Also TAXES are much higher We paid twice as much property taxes than we did in Atlanta - even Fulton County!

[Milwaukee City]

They assume all of us are rednecks and bigots - even though many of them had never been out of the state.

Cheap Shot.

Also there is much more diversity in the south.

Just b/c their is more black people doesn't mean the south is more diverse. I would argue that the North is way more ethnic and diverse than the south and remember Florida is no longer "the south".

[Mawoods]

Never said the North wasn't more diverse. AND it is true - there is more diversity in the South than in WI. Have you been here? I am NOT talking about just African-Americans!!! There are huge Asian groups, Latinos among many more. AND it is the truth - cheap shot or not I EXPERIENCED the prejudice against southerners. Strangers would assume that because I was from the south, they could make horrible remarks and I would approve. We also got alot of sarcastic remarks about our culture. Most had never been south and knew nothing except the stereotypical TV and movies. sorry but it WAS my experience and it holds water. NEVERTHELESS, we met alot of wonderful people who are lifelong friends and we loved the state and its beauty. PS. My daughter went to high school with kids that represented 35 different nations in addition to the USA. It was a public high school in Atlanta.

[gold*dust1]

Originally Posted by Milwaukee City

Cheap Shot.



Just b/c their is more black people doesn't mean the south is more diverse. I would argue that the North is way more ethnic and diverse than the south and remember Florida is no longer "the south".

Why is it a "cheap shot" if that's what they experienced? Are you denying many in WI haven't lived anywhere else? Atlanta is much more diverse than anywhere in WI

[Chelito23]

Let's not have this thread closed, I think this is just a minsunderstanding. I think the poster generalized and said "they assume" and kind of painted all Wisconsinites with the same brush which is why Milwaukee City said that wasn't fair. I doubt he was questioning the other poster's experiences, just the generalization. I also think it is a matter of perspective, since what may have been harmless jokes or innocent comments (that may have been ignorant) were interpreted differently by her. No harm done, let's just remember people are sharing their experiences and even if we disagree we can just share our own experiences as well.

I think overall the South is quite diverse, but then again Wisconsin can be as well in certain places, so it depends on where you live. I know Atlanta is a mecca for every kind of person, and so is Milwaukee and Chicago, so this is all relative, you both are right.

[ReddStealth]

Hi. I want to move to a colder climate and will love it. What I would like to know is is Madison WI a "fan" town? Fan like in science fiction conventions, horror cons etc. Even some Star Trek and PC PS3, Xbox360 gaming conventions? This is what I like to do the most for fun. I have lived too long in GA, but was raised in Chicago, lived in Brooklyn and NJ so the I will more than welcome the cold. I cannot drive because of my vision, so will have to relie on public trans. Also I am a senior citizen. Will need to know some good places to live on a budget, senior apt communities only please.

[Mawoods]

The city of MAdison has a good public transportation system as far as I know. It did when we were there just a couple of years ago. There are some apartments that are on public transportation and close to shopping, grocery store, etc. Can't remember the names but I am sure that there are organizations there that can help you.

[Chelito23]

Wow, many seniors leave because it is so expensive to live here, especially on a retirees budget. Very high taxes and very few senior citizens use the bus system, which does exist for what it's worth, but when you have issues like medical appointments or not feeling well, it can be very inconvenient.

There are many senior communities and complexes around, once again, many quite expensive.

I don't know that I would say Madison is a fan town for say sci-fi or video games, but then again I don't think of any city as being that way per se, I am sure there ARE people here though that share those interests.

Good luck in your move.

[MidwesternBookWorm]

Originally Posted by ReddStealth

Hi. I want to move to a colder climate and will love it. What I would like to know is is Madison WI a "fan" town? Fan like in science fiction conventions, horror cons etc. Even some Star Trek and PC PS3, Xbox360 gaming conventions?

There is a very lively and active fannish community in Madison, and there are at least three regular F/SF conventions here that I know of.

WisCon, the world's leading feminist science fiction convention, has been an annual tradition in Madison for over three decades. The website is here: WisCon - The World's Leading Feminist Science Fiction Convention

OddCon, a regional mainstream F/SF convention, is a decade old and going strong. You can check them out here: Odyssey Con 2010 Madison's General Interest Science Fiction Convention.

And the relative newcomer to the Madison convention scene is GeekKon, which started out as a UW-Madison event (much like WisCon did in the 70s, in fact) but is branching out this year and will be held at the Sheraton. You can check out their event here: Welcome to Geek.Kon!

There are also several F/SF reading and discussion groups that meet regularly in Madison.

As to your question about senior living facilities, there are a fair number in the area, though most are not what I would describe as budget-scale living. Public transport is available here, and depending on what the transit system is like where you live now, you'll either love or hate Madison's. It's not perfect by a long shot, but it's better than nothing.

Good luck to you, and I hope that you wind up living in a place that you love!

[Geechie North]

Originally Posted by Mawoods

We lived in Wi for 6 years and are native Georgians. If you go with an open mind, you will find wonderful people and a beautiful state with lots to do. It is MUCH colder there however. We experienced freezing temps already in September and the snow was too much for me. After 6 years and being a gardener I was ready to see flowers earlier than May or June. Be warned however, there is some prejudice against southerners. They assume all of us are rednecks and bigots - even though many of them had never been out of the state. Also there is much more diversity in the south. However, I wouldn't trade our time up there for anything. If you go looking for good people you will find them.Also TAXES are much higher We paid twice as much property taxes than we did in Atlanta - even Fulton County!

Being a native South Carolinian who has lived here for 1/4 century, I can attest there is some of what you say (re: "prejudice").


For example, the term, "Southern stupid." is heard more than once.

However, given the reality of the South, that is more accurate than prejudicial.

As for taxes, Ga (and SC) are very low tax states........... and also very low quality of life states.

Taxes (and Wisc ranks around 24th overall- when "fees" are included) are a causal factor in each case.

Yes, it does get cold here, and you won't see any kiwi, or fig trees.

But then that's a function of being at 45N vs 34N.