relocating to WI - never been there

[aussiegal]

We lived in WI for 7 years and absolutely loved it. Our children did so well in school and we lived in a small rural town. The winters are fierce but that's to be expected and enjoyed. We did. It's all in your perspective. Jump right into the Wisconsin lifestyle (snow sports). My husband and son were into ice fishing or just fishing in general, and our son was into snowboarding. He found a small hill on a seldom-used country road near our home and snow boarded down that. And we were given an old snowmobile and we all had so much fun with it. Our girls spent lots of time building snow forts and just messing around in the snow. Our two daughters even now go snowboarding with their brother when he's home. When we had friends over, they brought their snowmobiles and the kids had so much fun. Find stuff your family can do together and you will love it. We also found the people in town to be very friendly. It's amazing how quickly you can get to know people. All the best if the move goes through.

[regrets]

I live in a small town of about 2500, small school, good ole boys club. I would not recommend a town this size to anyone. From my own experience, I found a small town can be challenging on a persons morals and integrity. We are not from here but have lived here for 19 years and we will always be outsiders. There are older couples who have lived here 30 years and feel the same way. You have to have parents and grandparents that were born and raised here. I see things here that are clearly wrong and questionable on the legal side and it is either condoned or people are afraid to say anything for fear of children being picked on by adults in school or in sports. Very strange and that is where I get my name Regrets from, from raising my children in a town that favors "their own". Our school board mostly grew up here also so what may be accepted behavior from one student may not be from another depending on who you are. I think in a larger town or city at least your children will be treated more equally. Just a thought. Good luck to you.

[KateDaum]

When we built our home it was for retirement in 15 years. But we fell so in love with the community and schools that we moved here way earlier then we thought.
I moved in November with my younger 2 and my son is playing hockey and my daughter is on the JV for basketball. I joined the book club and I asked people who have been here 10 years or less what the secret is. Some our like us and have lived all over the US and they said it can be difficult but you keep trying. One has been here 5 years and is completing her 2nd year on the town council. One started her own business and is doing great.
My husband and oldest daughter are still in NH. They will be here full time in the middle of January. My daughter wanted to finish her semester there. But she is excited to have the chance to complete her senior year here. She has many friends since we were here a lot in the summer and at Christmas for the past few years.
By the way, they are getting hammered with snow. We have had only about 8 inches here. The storms go south instead of north. I've heard Milwaukee has more snow then we do. They were originally going to fly in next Saturday but with the snow, again south of here they changed their plans to Friday. They didn't want to chance Milwaukee cancelling flights.
I am glad they will be here by Sunday. We are invited to a chili dump. Since we have been here we have been asked to participate in something every week end. We love it!

[Hntr]

Iola is a nice friendly town, it probably around 1000, haven't look at the pop. sign lately. Homes and taxes are reasonable.

We live out in the country a few miles east of Point. Some shopping we do in Point, some in Waupaca and occassionally we drive the forty plus miles to Appleton, so we are not very far from anything.
Try living outside the city limits. There are some nice quiet subdivisions.

[Hntr]

The school district for Iola is Iola/Scandinavia if you want to check into it. http://www.iola.k12.wi.us/

http://www.wistravel.com/cities_in_w...ola_wisconsin/

[kindy]

We visited Monday and loved it -- we are thinking of the town Amherst -- it was a great town and everyone is so friendly

[ekg56]

Amherst is a nice town. I like the Tomorrow River. There was a movie, Our Vines Have Tender Grapes, with Margaret O'Brien that was based on the Norweigan farmers in that area. I cry everytime I watch that movie. Good luck with your move.

[Enelra32]

Originally Posted by CheeseheadGB920

Be ready for very chilly winters! I have lived in WI my entire life and have enjoyed it thus far. The people are fairly nice and overall most schools are above US average. Summers and falls are amazing.

That's for sure! If you haven't been here yet... you should really come visit after the holidays, when/if the snow stops long enough to do so, so that you can see the REAL Wisconsin winter wonderland! LOL Im just south/west of Stevens Point and we have about 16-18 in. of snow as of yesterday. It is beautiful, but very dangerous and scary if you don't know how to deal with it and/or drive in it.

Wish you guys the best on your move though!

[kindy]

We were up there last week and are from Iowa so we are use to the snow -- LOL I don't go alot of places in the winter cause I hate driving anyways LOL We live in North central Iowa so it was about even in snow fall (according to the internet when you compare the 2)