Thinking about relocating to Green Bay or Sturgeon Bay from Upstate, NY. Please Help! (Milwaukee: low crime, home)

[illwauk]

Originally Posted by lem

This guy must have had a bad exprience in GB. Conservative yes but BOWLING??? wtf is that, I live in GB and hate deer hunting as do most of my friends, actually I barely know anyone who goes deer hunting.From Jan. to July exclude Draft weekend you hardly hear **** about the packers unless it's free agency time or they sign someone.Poor fella fell off the beatin path and decided to rip a city he obiviously knows little about.

Sure, if you consider having lived in Green Bay for 4 years and still having relatives there "knowing little about" it. You've obviously been in Green Bay so long that you've grown numb to the Packers talk (which IS in fact a 12-month thing) and the fact that the male population dwindles considerably during hunting season.

Green Bay just starting to head in the right direction in the mid-90's to accomodate all the attention is was getting because of (what else) the Packers. But since then its let its downtown die with the exception of a small section of Washington Street (which isn't exactly "lively," it's simply dying slower). Port Plaza (or whatever it's called now) is a joke and pretty much everything that was there has since moved to Ashwaubenon just like all the other new development in the area. Not to mention that the city has managed to have urban sprawl issues equal to that of a Milwaukee or Detroit without being nearly as large.

Not to mention how any attempt at accomodating the new arrivals in Green Bay (such as Hispanics and Hmongs) is met with aprehension by the "old guard" who get extremely paranoid at the idea of Green Bay not being the "great place to raise kids" and constanty talk about "those people" taking over. Like that Salsa club that was on Washington Street for all of 6 months before it got shut down and replaced by a redneck country bar.

In short, Green Bay is way too conservative to be able to compete with the other Midwestern cities on its level like Des Moines and Omaha (neither of which are exactly known for liberalism themselves, but both seem like cultural oasis' when compared to Green Bay).

[lem]

Originally Posted by illwauk

Sure, if you consider having lived in Green Bay for 4 years and still having relatives there "knowing little about" it. You've obviously been in Green Bay so long that you've grown numb to the Packers talk (which IS in fact a 12-month thing) and the fact that the male population dwindles considerably during hunting season.

Green Bay just starting to head in the right direction in the mid-90's to accomodate all the attention is was getting because of (what else) the Packers. But since then its let its downtown die with the exception of a small section of Washington Street (which isn't exactly "lively," it's simply dying slower). Port Plaza (or whatever it's called now) is a joke and pretty much everything that was there has since moved to Ashwaubenon just like all the other new development in the area. Not to mention that the city has managed to have urban sprawl issues equal to that of a Milwaukee or Detroit without being nearly as large.

Not to mention how any attempt at accomodating the new arrivals in Green Bay (such as Hispanics and Hmongs) is met with aprehension by the "old guard" who get extremely paranoid at the idea of Green Bay not being the "great place to raise kids" and constanty talk about "those people" taking over. Like that Salsa club that was on Washington Street for all of 6 months before it got shut down and replaced by a redneck country bar.

In short, Green Bay is way too conservative to be able to compete with the other Midwestern cities on its level like Des Moines and Omaha (neither of which are exactly known for liberalism themselves, but both seem like cultural oasis' when compared to Green Bay).

This post is borderline trolling IMO, obiviously you throwing out personal thoughts regardless of knowing or finding out facts is a way for you to bash the city and seem like you know what you're talking about, I came up here in 2000 from Milwaukee and really enjoy the city,diversity THAT IS HERE.Urban Hope is a program in Green Bay designed to help minority buisness start and succeed in Green Bay. Sorry chops the old guard is dead and hasn't been around since Jadin was in office.BTW, there were 2 shooting and 3 stabbing at Choco's("the salsa bar" that played rap and country and owned by white buisnessmen).Green Bay might not have to happening bar and club scene but what do you expect from "a conservative" Midwestern city? Nice reference to "those people" Guy Zima remark, a mistake by one moron and you are now labeling us racist? LOL brilliant!!!

[illwauk]

From Milwaukee you say? Now I'm curious... did you actually live in the city or were you in the suburbs and just tell people you moved from Milwaukee.

BTW, the racism goes much further than Guy Zima. When I can tell people where I'm from and have them ask ridiculous things like "Is it true that Black people in Milwaukee shoot guns at cars from their porches?" with a straight face (yes, that really happened), it says a lot about the bubble Green Bay exists in.

Also in my experience, it's EXTREMELY hard to find someone who grew up in Green Bay (i.e. went to grade school/high school there, etc.) who actually likes it. That's extremely ironic considering I hear about people moving to Green Bay because "it's a great place to raise kids," yet their kids seem to have nothing positive to say about it.

And please stop calling Green Bay diverse until the POC population in the city actually grows larger than the POC population in its prison (and the 40-or-so who suit up on Sundays for Green Bay's only redeeming quality).

[Yac]

Try and keep emotions out of the discussion, this will only end up in tears :P

[yo vanilla]

"My family in Madison has mixed opinions and I am torn.
My niece, who is in her late 30’s, said that GB is a blue collar, beer drinking, brat eating, Packer crazed, industrial city with no class. "

thats about the size of it. the crime rate is significantly higher than similar cities in the area such as oshkosh and appleton (appleton's crime rate has been rated as the lowest or nearly lowest of a metro area in the usa for a decase now). not too sound too negative, but GB is old, dirty, close minded, blue collar, the shopping and restaraunts are mediocre, i just dont have anything nice to say about it. i would never live there.

i recommend appleton as an alternative, i like it here. but if you like being near the great lakes you might look also into sheboygan.

[yo vanilla]

Originally Posted by NYGRRL

Don't know much about LaCrosse but I have friends in Appleton and have been there to visit. Nice, but I found it to be like Henrietta - very developed, sprawly and the traffic was murder. Plus, it was very flat and not a cow to be found anywhere! But the economy seems to be humming and the crime rate is very low.

i'm guessing you must have been on wisconsin ave or college, down on the west side. those are pretty much the only streets with heavy traffic in the city that aren't directly near the mall. otherwise traffic is pretty light IMO.

[NicePolishBoy]

Originally Posted by WeLuvItHere

Hey Bonnie-NYGRRL! I'm also an ex-Rochesterian! Went to U of R, moved to Wisconsin about 11 years ago. Now I'm in LaCrosse looking to move to Oshkosh/Appleton area.

Still a diehard Bills fan. Beating the Pack this season was especially satisfying.

I have considered moving back to WNY recently but like you said the economy there is dog awful! I've had multiple recruiters looking for me and no one could find a job with decent pay! So I guess we're staying in Wisconsin for good. Man I wish I could get season tickets to the Ralph though.

As for Wisconsin living, taxes are much lower here and is a great place to raise a family - if that's what you need. The more metro areas are more progressive and liberal - perfect for a WNYer. But when you get out to the rural parts of the state, you'll find life to be about 20 years backwards and very conservative. So like you, we're staying in the "bigger" cities. Not Rochester 1.5 million big, but 60K population is a decent size in Wisconsin.

Let me know if you need anything else!

Having grown up in one of those small towns outside Rochester and living in Oshkosh for seven years, I agree with most of this comment.

I, too, hope to move back to WNY someday. I think the Sturgeon Bay/Door County is much nicer that the Fond du Lac-Green Bay corridor.

Wisconsin is a lot different north of Madison and Milwaukee. Very conservative. Sometimes no Democrats run in local elections.

I have found excellent health care, and honest home and car repairmen.

In this area there is a hostility towards outsiders, but that is probably better in Door County because of the tourism industry.

Around here people don't have a strong sense of property lines--much different than in WNY.

Little diversity at all. Don't expect to find the Italian and Greek influences here like in Rochester. It will be a big drop in culture, especially because of the distance to the bigger cities. People will often think Rochester is a suburb of NYC.

People are very hard-working, but not really go-getters like in WNY.

Low violent crimes of murder and robbery, but many news of the weird sort of crimes.

[mopaper]

I've been here for 13 years from Chicago and the Inner City and its the same anywhere that people over emphasize certain things. Journalists and newspapers have to make money you know.

Things have changed since I moved here. There has been a population explosion. Its very diverse and that makes it good. I don't think there is any real way to help anyone make a decision to literally pack up and move to another place. Its a personal adventure to travel and a pretty big deal to settle somewhere new. Some see it one way and others see it another way.

The economy is changing and growing because the city is growing. I came here with no interest in sports or winter outdoor recreation. Being from Chicago cold weather has no thrill---none. Nonetheless Wisconsin loves the great outdoors. Green Bay is no exception. I've traveled to various areas in Wisconsin and there is where their treasure is. It is absolutely beautiful as you travel anywhere in Wisconsin.

There is an overall increase in crime here and problems with gangs is on the increase. That's what happens when you become a city. you really can't have it both ways. But Green Bay is trying to keep both alive--the small town atmosphere and growing into a city.

Economically it is still dependent on the Packers and in that sense it is a tourist town. People come here from all over the world for the packer season.
But that is changing too as new blood moves here who don't have any connection to the Packer tradition. We desire more to do than wait on Packer season and buy out the liquor stores.

Businesses have emerged and there is a lot of help to start businesses in the area. That's a plus. A lot of opportunities and support for women when it comes to starting a business.

Jobs are more available according to levels of education. Good computer skills can find jobs in a number of places. There is a "who you know" that is very strong here. Factory or Industrial work is still the number one provider of jobs, then the health field from top to bottom. That is one area that is expanding I think more than any other. You are in your 40's and I think it is an ideal place for the 40's crowd. If you're over 50 its pretty hard to find a good job. Once you are employed its pretty hard to lose it.

Wages are not really that good. The cost of living is not keeping up with increases in housing whether you own or buy. But there is a lot of good housing-- rental and to buy, maybe more than this area can possibly fill right now. The rentals are pretty decent and being one who does not like bugs or rodents, I give the city a thumbs up in that area. Utilities are not extravagant. Its still affordable. You come from a large city, the rent here is very little in comparison and there are more amenities.

One of the things I had to get use to was not seeing much pedestrian traffic during the day and not having a wide variety of places to shop. Laundromats are scarce. But a few have cropped in just the past few years. City people look at that as a staple. Here they do not. Many apartments have laundry facilities or hook ups.

Downtown right now has almost nothing. Banks, Attorneys, courthouse, insurance companies, dentists, doctors and the like is pretty much it. People are constantly asking why there are no places to shop downtown and few places to eat. As far as stores to just stop in and get something on the go like you can in Chicago or New York there are no places like that downtown. Its weird.

Downtown is in the midst of re-development and things are changing a bit. Honestly-- there are more people downtown filling the bars and parking places on weekends than you see during the work week. Wisconsin has a history of breweries. It was founded by Germans and Irishmen--so take a clue.

Public transportation like mass transit is still kind of behind the times. No buses at all on Sunday. Service shuts down after 5:45 p.m. on Saturday. Last bus during the week leaves out at 9:45 p.m. Thats it until the next morning. They run by the half hour during the week and hourly on Saturday. I would not recommend moving here if you do not drive.

Malls are where most people shop. There are antique shops, Second hand stores and such. There are many specialty shops that sell beautiful things of all sorts, you just have to find them. Lots of places to dine outside of the downtown area. I always put in a plug for my new favorite which is FetaZ, a Mediterranean bistro with great food especially the Gyros!

Coming from a place like New York, Green Bay overall will seem like moving to Mayberry. Its pretty clean and there is still a family value here. I've been here 13 years and life here is a matter of opinion just as it is anywhere. Its still a place with a lot of friendly, helpful people. Well I've written a book here. Hope it helps.

Oh one more thing. there are a lot of churches here. I'm not Catholic and that is pretty strong here. But there are other churches for worship if you need one.

[mytongueisred]

hello, I doubt you'll return this...but thought I'd try. I recently posted about whether to live in green bay or sturgeon bay due to work (coast guard). I am 31 single and am moving from DC (the city) and was wondering where is a good place in GB to live where I could experience as best as possible the young crowd, active, fun, nightlife. any help greatly appreciated.

[MediaDoggie]

Fly into Green Bay just after business hours and on a weekend. The airport is mostly closed up. It's hard to get a rental car if you don't have a reservation. If you do have a reservation the agency may be closed and someone else will have to take you to your car which is parked in a nearby area.
Taxis: There is no cab stand with lines of cabs waiting. There may be one taxi and they actually took other fares with me to fill the cab. There is little dining or lodging in the airport area. One Radisson hotel across the road with a casino. I'm not expecting things to be the same as a major metropolitan area, but it's like flying to Northern Wi in a rural area.
If you have to change planes and are laid over it will be so boring and you won't even find a newspaper box. (Do a search in YouTube for a video some guys made about being stuck at the Green Bay airport on a Sunday, it backs up everything I just mentioned.)