Wisconsin Residents In Poverty!!! (Milwaukee, Racine: apartment, evictions, house)

[Dea13]

I've lived in Wisconsin my entire life. I believe the taxes are too high. I'm really confused by the 'good schools' posts. I guess it depends where you are. Milwaukee and Racine county public schools IMO are not good schools. Test scores at some schools are good but not overall.

I love Wisconsin but it's not right to live with blinders on and ignore the issues the state has. Taxes are high. Many school districts need an overhaul. Air quality (at least in the non-attainment SE) needs to be improved. Alcoholism needs to be addressed. We have our problems just like every other state. Pretending problems don't exist doesn't make them go away. There is no utopia. Each person picks what they can live with or without. Compromise is part of life.

Don't like the politicians - then vote! Get involved instead of complaining. Don't leave things for the next guy to fix. That's my 2 cents worth.

Dea

[escapetacoma]

Originally Posted by Tom21222

I'm finding the property tax for a home in Ladysmith, Wi on 5 acres of land is equal to what we pay here in Baltimore county for an 1800 sq. ft home with a small lawn and a backyard 16x32 ft pool that takes up nearly our whole backyard.

Someone's talking sense here. We left a nice 1600ft^2 bungalow in Tacoma and moved to Waupun where we have a wonderful old Victorian. Taxes are about the same (the Tacoma place may be higher as the selling price was above the last assesment.) The house we're in now would have been well out of our price range back there (best guess from our realtor back there was between $750,000 and $850,000) and taxes would have been more than $11000/year.

From the general tenor of the posts on this thread it sounds like this may be a more Milwaukee type problem than a Wisconsin type problem.

[lioninaconcretejungle]

Originally Posted by JustT&Me

and they begin to explain, "Why should we go to work when we can make more staying home having babies!"

Sure.

[wanderlusting]

The U.S. Census Bureau did a study and found that 1 out of every 4 Wisconsin Residents is living below Poverty Level.

The U.S. Census Bureau also reported that literally half of Wisconsin population is in Poverty.

The US Census Bureau said that? If so, they're full of $#!+. First of all, they need to get their facts straight. Is it one out of four in poverty or literally half of the population? I don't deny we have very high taxes and a high cost of living. But to say that half of all WI residents are living in poverty just isn't true. By those stats, roughly every other person I meet should be poor. There may be certain areas of Milwaukee that have high poverty rates but it's not true even in the middle income suburbs, let alone the rural parts. There are people in WI living outside of their means, but that's not the same thing as living in poverty.

[Sandra717]

BigFamilyof6 says "And you can argue the high taxes are justified through our school systems but save it for someone who believes it. No offense but I have 2 out of 4 children in public school here in Wisconsin and next year another one is suppose to start. I have to say I had better schools in Littleton Colorado growing up. Needless to say the public schools are so great that my husband and I will begin homeschooling next year. So what does that tell you. We have Huge homeschooling groups all around us. Once again what does that tell you. So explain to me again if our public schools are really all that good why so many residents in Wisconsin choose to homeschool their children?"

All the above tells me is that you've decided to homeschool your children, joining the huge homeschooling groups around you. It's an opinion, nothing more. There are homeschooling groups everywhere, in every state so I'm not sure what that means really.

[#Littledog]

Originally Posted by JustT&Me

Let's offer a little courtesy here... I'm guessing that rwrobo might not know that typing with *all caps* is considered as yelling online. I don't know, but just a guess, esp. since it is their *very first post*! (Welcome to CD, Robo!)

Second... it *is* more difficult reading the post that way and makes it more difficult to recognize the punctuation.

I think if either rwrobo would like to retype it in regular font (not caps) or if ppl will try reading it again... you *will* find that rwrobo does have some good points to make and some very agreeable ones.

There *are* way too many handouts in SE WI. I had some customers once in the "inner city" area and upon delivering some product to them one day was handed at least two checks written by other individuals acting as their "sponsors." They were not "challenged" in any way (physically, mentally, etc.) and were simply sitting there - a group of about 5 women in their early 20s, all healthy, capable women. It was unusual to me the number of children with them at home that day, and I asked them if there was a school holiday. I was told that there wasn't, and that they were keeping them at home, "to cook them pizza!" (I kid you not.)

They must have read some surprised look on my face, and they begin to explain, "Why should we go to work when we can make more staying home having babies!" Furthermore, "There are always 'rich women' out there looking for some 'cause', and we don't mind being it!" (Laughter). All these women were well-dressed, had their hair obviously styled, and their nails ornately decorated.

I asked if the schools ever called on the kids, and they laughed again saying, "H*** yeah! But we just write them a note..." to which they all chimed in "Yeah - yeah - yeah -" and that "the school didn't care if they were there or not,..." then concluded... in summary, "... but we do! Who else is going to make us lunch?!" Then they repeated to their children, "You heard us! Now go make your Momma some pizza!"

I will never forget that day. And it both saddens and amazes me immensely that these young, obviously intelligent women had sold their lives so soon, so fast, and for so little. I have always wondered how any of their children have actually turned out, and if any of these women ever "wised up" long enough to realize all that they are *truly* missing in life... with no greater purpose than to stay home and make the most of what they had called, "easy money."

I am guessing that somewhere along the line... it wasn't "easy money" for *someone*, and perhaps someday they will have come to appreciate others in life and not take what they have been given ... for granted.

Enjoy your pension - rwrobo. Sounds like you *worked* for it. Congratulations.

And *no* thumbs down to either of the previous posters... my aim was only to provide a positive perspective in support of the opinions posted by rwrobo even though the font was somewhat "Western Union" like. So, we all give each other a little leeway... and the next time rwrobo submits a post, maybe s/he will remember to unlock the caps key on their keyboard.

There are a lot of people living in the city of Milwaukee who live on the government dole who have no intention of getting out. It is a vicious cycle. How will their children ever learn the importance of working to make a living?

My friend works for a high end locally-owned shoe store. He said that the company donates shoes to third world countries but last year they decided to help local families instead. My friend went to a shelter with his high quality $100 and $200 leather shoes to give away. There were swarms of women with kids/babies in tow, all wearing designer clothes, the women all on cell phones, wearing their bling (these people lived in homeless shelters, mind you). The women were disappointed that the shoes were not a particular style, saying "this is all you got?! I'm not wearing that!" and proceeded to call other friends on their cell phones saying, "don't bother coming-they ain't giving away anything good"! My friend was so disgusted with the lack of respect and appreciation for their attempts at a kind deed. Needless to say, next year they will be donating to the third world countries instead.

[Mathguy]

The original post in this thread was a piece of junk.

Hubby makes 3x as much but they struggle to pay the extra few thousand a year in property taxes?

The poverty level statistics came without a link and basically were poorly worded....1/4 below poverty level and 1/2 in poverty? Say what?

Troll or extreme hyperbole in either event I say "meh".

[Enelra32]

Originally Posted by AVG2319

I don't usually post but i feel compelled to. I grew up in Wisconsin and spent most of life hoping to get out of that state, but after living in 3 other states i do appreciate things i took for granted in WI. When choosing a place to live taxes should not be the only consideration. As far as poverty many states have tons of people living in poverty. We live in CO right now they said on the news that 70% of the kids here are on the free lunch program. Poverty is everywhere. By all means if you are not happy somewhere you should do something about it. And not bashing anyone, but I don't know where in CO you can get a home for $105,000. CO is not cheap to live in either -try closer in the mid 200 range for a house and not a fancy one. At least if you want to live near Denver or Springs. Taxes here over $2000 a year. And although I doubt i will move back to WI. too humid, and too many bugs for me. i do see the difference in living where you pay cheaper taxes as opposed to a higher tax rate. There is a difference in ,schools,state festivals,museums,libraries,roads,decent paying jobs,and overall quality of life etc
So if considering WI to live investigate more. To some extent where you live and how happy you are is what you make of it.
Colorado has mountains, Dry Sunny weather and little bugs. But it is not that green compared to WI, doesn't have the same feel to it. I love Colorado, but WI will always be home to me.
Anyway that is my two cents. Hope this helps if someone is considering moving. Taxes,weather,people,etc is all relative to who is the one experiencing it. Always visit (if possible during different seasons) a place you are going to move to before doing so. Each person's perception is different from the next.

Same here! I grew up as an Army Brat and 4 years of my childhood were in CO. I loved it there and even went back for my honeymoon, but WI is where my family is and I just love the 4 seasons. I also love the scenery here compared to most other states I've lived/been in, including, CO, MD, TX, MO, IL, MN, IN, TN, AL, PA, GA, etc...

Even with the high taxes and recent floods, WI is where my heart is, always has been, and always will be.

[katrisha]

Originally Posted by Bigfamilyof6

DaBears: We have made the decision to move out where you are. We were actually thinking about South Carolina though. It is so much more affordable where you live and none of the winters! I am excited

mrkool: Can I just say "OH, MY GOSH!" I feel for you those property taxes are terrible! Kinda funny we are both from Colorado too. There are certain things I do like about Wisconsin but I have to tell you I cannot wait to get out of here. I do not even know how the Senior Citizens survive. Ya know?

Sillygal: Name a city and I could probably tell you about it. I lived in Colorado my whole life and we moved around alot. Prices on houses are getting expensive out there but it depends on where you go. Taxes are still okay though. Honestly, I do not know who told you the winters in Wisconsin are similar to Colorado but they are so wrong. That is one of the reasons I want to leave here. You do get snow in Colorado and there are some bad snow storms but what is cool is it does not have the bitter cold like here the kids can actually go outside and play in the snow almost all winter without freezing to death. And usually the snow melts with in 48-72 hours unless it is a big snow storm. You will like it colorado I can guarantee you that. But I will help in anyway I can.

Atlanta: This is just my opinion and you can take it or leave it it is up to you. But I would not suggest moving to Wisconsin unless you are rich and love to be stuck in your house for months at a time.

Sorry guys, but I am someone that trys to see the big picture and If I know that we cannot retire here comfortably then we will not stay. No sense in going broke when you do not have to.

I am one of those senior citizens, and survival is very meager...I am handicapped to top this off and my husband is also not very well...we don't often know how to make ends meet, however, we are not well enough to find someplace else to live...our income is just social security,,,not much to live on but that is life, I guess....signed, katrisha

[BarbJS]

There is good and bad in every state. You just need to be really honest with what it is that is important to you and go from there. We have our 4 seasons. Personally I don't much like winter but the rest of the time is okay so I stay put. There is no ideal or perfect place. Ideally I would winter in a southern state and stay in WI from April to November but have not yet found the right southern state for our family. Due to health issues we need to have access to good medical care in a climate that is dry and fairy warm. As far as taxes, some states have sales tax others don't. Some tax retirement (SSI) some don't. Make sure to do a good search before you jump (AARP has a good, honest and neutral listing/comparison chart). And people are portable, if you do move and find out (after giving it a real good try) that you don't like it then move. Not convenient, not cheap but if you want it bad enough you can find the right place for you