I love Wisconsin, at least I think I do... (Milwaukee: new home, theater)

[brentington]

I have visited La Cross and Lake Geneva and surrounding areas. I have flown into Milwaukee airport more than once. I loved the time I spent driving around Wisconsin. The scenery is beautiful. I love the slower pace of life (compared to where I have lived and where I live now). Also, and my experience there is pretty limited, I loved how nice and unassuming everyone seemed there. When I stopped to ask directions, locals seemed very eager to help me find my way (even if they didn't have a clue themselves, lol).
My family and I are looking to move from where we are now and are thinking that somewhere in Wisconsin might be nice. I know the winters are harsh, but I'm no weather wimp having been through both extreme winters and extreme summers. Weather is not the most important factor in my decision on where to raise my family. If it was, I would stay here in Santa Barbara, CA.

[M TYPE X]

Santa Barbara is hectic living?

[MidwesternBookWorm]

I love Wisconsin, too, and I'm glad we settled here eight years ago, but if you're contemplating a cross-country move, I'd really recommend that you do some on-the-ground research as well as online. It's not an inexpensive or trivial proposition to uproot a family and move them halfway across the country, and it's prudent to take a bit more time to be sure that it's something that you want to do.

We made one major move that we regretted for the whole time we lived there (18 years) and a second one that has been enormously successful. The biggest difference between the two was in our research and preparation beforehand.

One of the things that I'd suggest would be making several visits of at least a week in duration at various times of the year to the area you're considering. Yes, that's kind of expensive, but it's less than you'll spend on the move, and if it turns out that the place isn't quite what you expected, better to figure that out BEFORE you move than after.

On each of your visits, spend time in the local shops and stores, the local restaurants, and public places like the libraries, museums and civic centers. Read the newspapers, including the classified ads (wages can vary enormously from one region to another) and talk to some of the locals about politics. It can be an unsettling experience for a conservative to find themselves living in a radically liberal region, and equally disconcerting for a liberal to learn that their new home is a hotbed of conservatism. Scan through the radio dial to see if you can find the type of music and/or news that you prefer. Contact the local arts community (music, theater, variety, etc) and find out what they'll be performing over the next year. If you are a religious person, attend services in at least one or two houses of worship that are aligned with your beliefs, and talk to both the worshippers and the pastor or rabbi or imam to get a feel for the place.

You don't mention whether or not you have school-age kids. If you do, that adds a whole other dimension to the research that you'll need to do. Some can be done online, since most school districts these days have websites, and you can check out specific schools to get a feel for them, but there's no substitution for visiting in person. If your kids are elementary-school age, try to manage one visit with them and one without them; if they're highschool-age, a single visit should suffice. Call ahead and ask if a counselor or assistant principal can meet with you. See if you can meet a couple of teachers, and maybe a coach if your kids are interested in sports. Ask for a tour, and check out the library. If your kids are into any of the fine arts, see if you can attend a performance of whichever ensemble would interest them (band, orchestra, choir, drama, etc).

A forum like this one is a great starting point in the process, but don't rely solely on it for your decision. Good luck!

[Havasu]

I moved away from Santa Barbara 5 years ago i only miss the ocean.The city has changed over the years for the worse in my eyes.I lived just 20 minutes from Lake Geneva to me thats just as pretty as SB.Now im back in Ca this time in Northern Ca.
So i say move out of SB to wisconsin you will love it and yes its cold but the first fews are pretty neat to see the 4 seasons.

[brentington]

Thanks, Bookworm. We have made cross country moves before, so we have some idea of the expense and work involved. We moved from San Diego (when I got out of the Navy) to Dallas, Texas (where I did most of my growing up.) and from Dallas, a few years later back to San Diego. Going back, we had no jobs lined up and no place to stay lined up. We just sort of winged it. We got through because we are adaptable, hardworking, and frugal.
And as I stated earlier, I have been to Wisconsin a couple of times already, both with my kids (yes, I have some) and without. We have family and friends out there, already as my wife was born and raised outside of Chicago (Libertyville).
And yes, Santa Barbara is hectic compared to Wisconsin. Especially when half of LA comes up every weekend, and you have to work your butt off to make rent.
Thanks again for all the input. I appreciate everyone's helpfulness. (One of the things I love about the Midwest)

[115db]

I fell in love with the southern parts my first visit. Just south of Madison. Will never forget walking down the street around and on the college, and the ice cream shop there was as awesome as I was told. Albany, Janesville, Evansville, Stoughton, to name a few of the pretty places. But my 2nd time there which was a couple of days shorter than my 1st visit, verified it wasnt imaginary, that it really is pretty there and would be on my list of top 5 places I would live.

[tet tea]

Do some more research just to make sure!

I might be biased, but Wisconsin is a beautiful place with lots to do year round!

[why_so_much_racism]

that is so cool youre considering wisconsin. i was raised, and still currently live in Madison. I know that economically, even teh most expensive city in wisconsin, which is indeed madison, is less than half the cost of living in a big california city. Life here, is not too hectic, but not living out in the country either, thats what i like. ( of course a few miles outside the city and you got those farms and the cows and stuff loloololol. ) One thing about politics as someone mentioned - if you havent noticed already, I can tell youwith 99% percent certainty, that most of Wisconsin follows this general rule. If youre in Madison or Milwaukee, expect a very liberal climate. if youre out anywhere else in the state, expect to see soon the huge banners celebrating the republican candidate of 2008. the large cities turn the state blue every election year though.

[brentington]

Originally Posted by why_so_much_racism

that is so cool youre considering wisconsin. i was raised, and still currently live in Madison. I know that economically, even teh most expensive city in wisconsin, which is indeed madison, is less than half the cost of living in a big california city. Life here, is not too hectic, but not living out in the country either, thats what i like. ( of course a few miles outside the city and you got those farms and the cows and stuff loloololol. ) One thing about politics as someone mentioned - if you havent noticed already, I can tell youwith 99% percent certainty, that most of Wisconsin follows this general rule. If youre in Madison or Milwaukee, expect a very liberal climate. if youre out anywhere else in the state, expect to see soon the huge banners celebrating the republican candidate of 2008. the large cities turn the state blue every election year though.

Thanks. We're thinking maybe La Cross, or Madison, maybe even outside of Milwaukee. My wife and I tend to lean towards a Libertarian point of view. But, we can be tolerant of other peoples political/religious/other beliefs, as long as they are not trying to force their veiws on us. Live and let live.