Thinking of moving from California to Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Madison: house, construction)

[adam76]

Good point EnjoyEP -- Last month we had a TON of rain, more than we've had in a long time. My basement stayed dry, I don't think the sump pump even turned on. Good water proofing is critical for the basement. One of our neighbors sprung a leak however. Before buying any house absolutely get the basement inspected. Water doesn't care how expensive your house was....

I used to live in a townhouse in Mequon and I would drive past a couple of synagogues on the way to work. I don't know about the other areas.

I think you will find what you are looking for in Wisconsin, and if you keep yourself busy the winter won't be so bad. One thing you didn't mention is traffic. Here a 30 minute delay on the freeway is an epic traffic jam! I've been camped out on the 405 before... sure it was 75 and sunny in December but that didn't really make it any more fun

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by momandwifefromcali

By the way... Any idea if there is Jewish people in those areas we talked about?

I would say Mequon has a pretty good-sized Jewish population. I am sure there is a Jewish population in the Falls and G-Town too (although I am not certain). Mequon likely the most %-wise. I would think your lowest percentages would be WBend and even moreso Jackson, although people are friendly in all of these communities...

Originally Posted by momandwifefromcali

Really? how? Is it really bad?

If lots of water is allowed to get into cracks in a basement, it freezes (expands) and thaws (retracts) causing cracks. Then, depending upon other pressures too, the walls can actually start to buckle or curve a bit.

My parents once had this happen in their basement (they should have had it inspected before they purchased the house)...and it is a rather costly, labor-intensive process to fix.

Again, this isn't necessarily a huge widespread problem - most folks have basements with no problems. It is just important like Adam stated to likely have the basement inspected before you purchase the home, have your realtor (assuming he/she is very experienced) check it around for possible water damage/problems/history.

[momandwifefromcali]

I used to live in a townhouse in Mequon and I would drive past a couple of synagogues on the way to work. I don't know about the other areas.

That is good to know, I am not religious by any means but since we really don't know anybody in those towns a synagogue can help us to make friends. We love being around people and having them over, so the sudden of knowing nobody can be difficult for a while.

I think you will find what you are looking for in Wisconsin, and if you keep yourself busy the winter won't be so bad. One thing you didn't mention is traffic. Here a 30 minute delay on the freeway is an epic traffic jam! I've been camped out on the 405 before... sure it was 75 and sunny in December but that didn't really make it any more fun

You are funny, traffic is the story of my life...lol But in the last two years we are not part of it anymore and we will sure try to keep it that way no matter where we go. That is one of the reasons why I am looking for a town that has everything I need in it. My husband will be working from home most of the time anyways. But yes, you're right, traffic is never a picnic...

[momandwifefromcali]

I would say Mequon has a pretty good-sized Jewish population. I am sure there is a Jewish population in the Falls and G-Town too (although I am not certain). Mequon likely the most %-wise. I would think your lowest percentages would be WBend and even moreso Jackson, although people are friendly in all of these communities...

After much deliberation... we are down to Germantown and the falls! (your two favorites EnjoyEP ) The confusion is decreasing! yes! Of course we are open to hear about other cities, and maybe make a change, but I am happy we are down to two!
For some reason I prefer Germantown since I hear (correct me if I am wrong) that it has a great school system and also when I look at houses at remax.com some of them are newer (which I love). At the Falls, they have great houses too but they seem to be much older. Those two cities that look great! My husband though does prefer the Falls.

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by momandwifefromcali

After much deliberation... we are down to Germantown and the falls! (your two favorites EnjoyEP ) The confusion is decreasing! yes! Of course we are open to hear about other cities, and maybe make a change, but I am happy we are down to two!
For some reason I prefer Germantown since I hear (correct me if I am wrong) that it has a great school system and also when I look at houses at remax.com some of them are newer (which I love).

Well, Money Magainze would agree with you - this year's Best Of Cities issue - that Germantown is a nice place to live, ranking it the 30th best in the US. You can see the info here:

Best Places to Live: Top 100 - Germantown, Wis. (30) - Money Magazine

I would say that you are likely right that there would be more newer construction options in Germantown than in the Falls.

Originally Posted by momandwifefromcali

At the Falls, they have great houses too but they seem to be much older. Those two cities that look great! My husband though does prefer the Falls.

I think either way you'd go, you'd be fine. Truthfully, G-Town and the Falls are so near each other, you could go visit the other quite easily!

I prefer the Falls, just because it feels just a bit more like its own little town, rather than the more rural feel I get in Germantown, however, some people pick Germantown for exactly that reason (and G-Town is nowhere near as rural as Jackson, West Bend, etc.) Many people like the more open nature that G-Town has though.

Either way I am sure you guys will be happy with your choice. Just visit during the winter first!

[momandwifefromcali]

Either way I am sure you guys will be happy with your choice. Just visit during the winter first!

Thank you EnjoyEP ! We hope we will be able to visit in the winter.

[adam76]

I might be overgeneralizing a bit, but given the same priced house property taxes might be cheaper in Washington County (Germantown) as opposed to Waukesha County (Meno Falls). Anyways they are right next to each other so it will probably come down to specific house and maybe school district.

[nm82063]

I use to live in Mosinee Wisconsin. Mosinee is a small town and is very family orientated. The crime rate is extremely low, but once again the population of Mosinee is small. I will attach a little bit of information about it. If you want to go to the malls from Mosinee, it is about 20 minutes away (Wausau, WI) which I now live, since my children are on there own.
Mosinee
Population (year 2000): 4,063. Estimated population in July 2006: 4,078 (+0.4% change)

Males: 1,979 (48.7%)Females: 2,084 (51.3%)
Marathon County
Median resident age: 35.1 yearsWisconsin median age: 36.0 years
Zip codes: 54455.

Estimated median household income in 2005: $50,900 (it was $46,109 in 2000)

Mosinee $50,900Wisconsin: $47,105

Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $110,500 (it was $87,700 in 2000)

Mosinee $110,500Wisconsin: $152,600

[momandwifefromcali]

taxes might be cheaper in Washington County (Germantown) as opposed to Waukesha County (Meno Falls). Anyways they are right next to each other so it will probably come down to specific house and maybe school district

Adam, hi!
Looking at houses I noticed that someof them the taxes per year would be about $7k - $8k. Where we live they can easily come up to $12k if not more.

Ugh! I can't wait to move!

[escapetacoma]

[quote=momandwifefromcali;1494391]Adam, hi!
Looking at houses I noticed that someof them the taxes per year would be about $7k - $8k. Where we live they can easily come up to $12k if not more.

It's good to see someone looking at the total taxes instead of just the tax rate. I hear a lot of bad things about property taxes in Wisconsin - and the rates are pretty steep. What people tend to forget is that property values in Wisconsin are MUCH lower than in many other parts of the country so the actual taxes owed are likely to be substantially less than they would be for a comparable property elsewhere. And when you consider how much/little of a mortgage payment is the taxes you see that the cost of housing - the bottom line - is a lot more affordable than in many other parts of the country.

Of course there are still less expensive places to live, and places with lower bottom line housing costs, but Wisconsin is still pretty good.