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My fiance and I currently live in NJ. He is a commerical diver / underwater welder. He can do any kind of marine related work and welding.
I work for the state and shouldn't have a problem finding a job with the state or with a good company doing financial related work.
We are in the process of saving as much as possible because we want to move somewhere sometime next spring to start our lives over.
We visited Idaho a few months ago and absolutely loved it, but I think my fiance would have a hard time finding work... so we thought, hey - why not Wisconsin? Plus the housing in Wisconsin is so much cheaper and nicer than what we were finding in Idaho. Our price range would max out at $300k
He loves hunting and we both enjoy fishing. Our ideal property would be about 30-45 minutes away from the city, but private enough to own atleast 15-30 acres. We love the heavily wooded areas and the log cabin style homes that are far away from neighbors but within a decent distance from the grocery store, shopping, gas stations, etc.
Where would be a good place to relocate to? We have no idea where to start but would like some feedback. We are hoping to take a trip out there in March/April to see what it's like.
I think it would be a great change for us in every single way possible. We are being suffocated by high taxes and cannot afford a nice house with property here. We just need a change. We have no kids but would like to start a family within the next 2-3 years so eventually - the school system would be important.
Please suggest any areas that would be of our interest.
The career options will probably dictate what you are going to find. If the marine industry is the driver here I would suggest you look at locations near the industry in proximity to Lake Michigan or Lake Superior. Manitowoc has marine industry, as does Superior/Duluth. Additional options may be heavy industry in Oshkosh (Oshkosh Truck was hiring last year) and Milwaukee (I think it is P&H mining equipment, and Bucyrus Erie). For state employment you can look at Wisconsin Job Center online, wisc dot jobs (official state site), or government jobs dot com for listings that may be helpful.
Having grown up in Northern WI and then spent most of my adult life in the Southern part of the state, I would be happy to share anything I can to be of assitance. Also managed a transportation company for the entire state and have experience with the economics of most of it. Based on your price range, I may make a suggestion that you purchase a home near a place where you find employment and save a little money for a recreational property "up North" for the fun and fishing. Jobs in the hunting/fishing areas that pay well enough to support a family or careers with the state are likely going to be near the population centers and not as close to the fun stuff.
There is a lot of rural area outside of Milwaukee and Madison that may not support the wage rates you are familiar with in NJ. Our neighbors moved to WI from NJ a few years ago and settled in Jefferson County between Madison and Milwaukee and have been very happy. They have a family getaway in the Minocqua area, Oneida County, in Northern WI where the extended family shares recreational fun time.
This all hinges on what you consider "the city." Is only Milwaukee big enough? Madison? Can GB/Appleton be part of the discussion? Eau Claire? Wausau?
Changes the responses quite a bit, considering a reasonable "15-20 acres" that close to Milwaukee may be a tall order, whereas Madison might be easier and the rest far more likely.
Like Rynldsbr mentioned, there are a couple different ways you can go with this... You can live in a major city (Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay), have a good shot at living close to work while having a secondary residence up north... Or you could have just one rural property and travel into the city for work.
Definitely some pros and cons with each one.
My parents balanced a home in Milwaukee and a cabin in Crivitz for over 20 years... As a kid, it was awesome having that area to go up to on weekends. If you like hunting, fishing, lakes and woods, it doesn't get much better than Marinette County.
If your budget is 300k, you could probably split it 200/100 ... End up with a real nice city home and a cozy place up north. However, you will have two places to maintain and pay bills on.
If you were to put it all in a country home with land, you would be able to get yourself one heck of a place with that kind of money. Obviously places on water are considerably more expensive. IMO, I don't think cabins on water are worth the high cost because there are lakes and flowages ALL OVER... But 20-some acres, wooded with a nice home for 300k is definitely doable.
Taxes in the country are a lot cheaper than in the city, thus you would be able to stretch your money further in the country than you would in the city.
However, to move here, you must forget about the Jets, Giants and Meadowlands and celebrate Lambeau and Aaron Rodgers as your new homies.
Due to the job needs, you will likely need to look for a location close to one of the Great lakes! Your property taxes will vary on a $300K home but don't be surprised to pay $6000. per year or more in property tax. Also expect to pay 6.75% WI tax on your income.
Would anyone happen to know of any marine/carpenter/docbuilder unions out there?!!
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