Moving to WI | ISO Eclectic Neighborhood | Insane Commute? (Milwaukee, Madison: sex offender, buy)

[ranger17]

i too would have suggested a place like Oshkosh over West Bend. I have family still in the WB area, they have no complaints but no major praises either. Just where they live.
On the flip side, Oshkosh has a UW system campus and while the OP may not be in the college age group having the school there may bring in some more options for shops, cafe's, etc like they are looking for.

I wouldnt be too concerned with fitting in, while those from WI may not be as outward-friendly to newbies as perhaps some in the south are (no knocks to my WI peeps as i lived there 45 yrs, just an opinion) we still found it easy to make friends in the areas we lived in WI and maintain those friendships to this day.

My recommendation to anyone making a major move, for what it's worth: while the internet can be useful to gather some facts and opinions, nothing like spending at minimum a few days in the new location to get a feel for it's pros and cons. Take a few days and use FDL as a base, then take little day trips through the area to see what you like, get a feel for travel, etc.
I would have not moved to SC without doing the same, it cant prevent all issues but sure can help you avoid most that pop up.

[CO2WI]

Thank you all for the excellent replies.

My wife and I have successfully relocated to Neenah, WI, giving me a 35 mile commute each way. Thus far, there hasn't been an issue, even with the notably "extreme weather" we've been having lately (from native Wisconsin colleagues, not my words). We've been here for a few weeks (myself, a month) and our moving van finally comes tomorrow! Hooray!

While excited to be in our first single-family home, we are completely shocked and appalled that Fox Valley doesn't allow dogs in parks! Not even on a leash! While I can understand a law to discourage people for not picking up after their dogs, to disallow dogs in parks altogether is the most extreme of punishments! How did this happen?!?! I must say, this is the only place in the world thus far that I've encountered a place so restrictive in parks... Such a shame.

Other than the glaring issue above, we're adjusting rather well to our new surroundings. Looking forward to the summer festivals, boating, hiking and exploring yet to come.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by CO2WI

Thank you all for the excellent replies.

My wife and I have successfully relocated to Neenah, WI, giving me a 35 mile commute each way. Thus far, there hasn't been an issue, even with the notably "extreme weather" we've been having lately (from native Wisconsin colleagues, not my words). We've been here for a few weeks (myself, a month) and our moving van finally comes tomorrow! Hooray!

While excited to be in our first single-family home, we are completely shocked and appalled that Fox Valley doesn't allow dogs in parks! Not even on a leash! While I can understand a law to discourage people for not picking up after their dogs, to disallow dogs in parks altogether is the most extreme of punishments! How did this happen?!?! I must say, this is the only place in the world thus far that I've encountered a place so restrictive in parks... Such a shame.

Other than the glaring issue above, we're adjusting rather well to our new surroundings. Looking forward to the summer festivals, boating, hiking and exploring yet to come.

Almost every place I've lived don't allow dogs in parks. They have dog parks. Not sure if the Fox Valley does. It happened because people didn't pick up after their dogs and bites have created liability issues (mostly the former).

[jzeig104]

Dog Parks in Neenah, WI - Scout.me

[Empidonax]

Just in case you (or anyone else with a similar question) need to consider the Milwaukee area again, you may want to take a look at Cedarburg. The commute to FDL is still relatively long, but Cedarburg is in the north section of the Milwaukee metro and so is a bit closer. Downtown Cedarburg is very walkable with restaurants, cafes, etc.

[crazyme4878]

The state parks allow dogs--I would take our dog for hikes all the time in the SP surrounding Appleton.

[TrueTimbers]

Originally Posted by CO2WI

Thank you all for the excellent replies.

My wife and I have successfully relocated to Neenah, WI, giving me a 35 mile commute each way. Thus far, there hasn't been an issue, even with the notably "extreme weather" we've been having lately (from native Wisconsin colleagues, not my words). We've been here for a few weeks (myself, a month) and our moving van finally comes tomorrow! Hooray!

While excited to be in our first single-family home, we are completely shocked and appalled that Fox Valley doesn't allow dogs in parks! Not even on a leash! While I can understand a law to discourage people for not picking up after their dogs, to disallow dogs in parks altogether is the most extreme of punishments! How did this happen?!?! I must say, this is the only place in the world thus far that I've encountered a place so restrictive in parks... Such a shame.

Other than the glaring issue above, we're adjusting rather well to our new surroundings. Looking forward to the summer festivals, boating, hiking and exploring yet to come.

Good choice..Neenah!
It is the first place that came to mind when I read your original post.

Tosa to FDL would not be worth the commute.. Ugg!

Ahh.. Looking forward to summer?... Mosquito and black fly season!... After that you will look forward winter...

[Drover]

You can spray for bugs. You can't spray for cold and snow.

[CO2WI]

After spending three years in Fox Valley WI, we had enough. My wife and I actively searched for work for over a year before we finally got positions "back west". Our reason for leaving was simply this - culture shock. Being world travelers and having both lived internationally, we've been pretty good at connecting with diverse and foreign cultures in our past; we had no idea we would be such black sheep in our own country. We strongly considered moving from Neenah and enduring the commute from Tosa or Madison, just so we could be around "our people", but we decided that is just too much of a commitment when we ultimately wanted to be "west".

While we got along well with our neighbors, we found it impossible to break into the social scene. Considering we are not heavy drinkers, we just didn't jive with the alcoholic culture of Fox Valley. Nor are we Catholic, hunters, or ice fishermen. We considered boating and kayaking, but we were appalled by the lack of cleanliness of the local rivers and lakes (we understand, they are working rivers). Politically, we are independent but lean left; again, not the norm. Our only social outlet was our co-workers who were good, genuine people.

That said, we made the best of it and have fond memories and made a few good friends. Here is a list of what else we loved about living in WI:

• Cost of living
• Fall - such beautiful leaves.
• Madison/Milwaukee/Chicago
• Door County - especially Rock Island
• 4th of July
• Bloody Mary's
• Ruby Coffee Roasters

While living in WI, we discovered many surprising things:

• There are 132 billboards between Neenah and Fond du Lac (each way). Many have conflicting messages (Religious Message, Porn Store Advertising, Hillary will take your guns, etc...).
• There is a jewelry store where you can buy your girl an engagement ring and get a free gun.
• Wisconsin has the 5th most registered sex offenders out of all states in the union.
• "Shining for Deer" is a thing.
• You will get laughed at for mowing your lawn with an electric lawn mower.

If you're considering moving to Fox Valley from more liberal parts of the country, you will likely experience the same culture shock we did. If you do, we wish you the best of luck connecting to this truly unique part of the world, and that your experience is much better than we endured.

PS - we're now happily settled and thriving near Seattle, WA in the great PNW.

[timberline742]

Interesting update. FYI, shining for deer is a thing pretty much everywhere at least with white tail deer. Not sure if its big with mulies.


But yeah, I would never recommend WI (outside of Madison) for people that don't drink, or like outdoor sports.