Trying to Decide what WI city (Milwaukee, Madison: low crime, how much, home)

[Dcolt]

I live in Buffalo, NY, and am thinking about relocating to Wisconsin. I've heard that Wisconsin cities are very diverse, and with a child on the way, the state seems like a good choice. I'm thinking about Sheboygan. What is the city like? Seems like it is boring? Is there a big-city mentality? I don't know much about it, and all the help would be appreciated.

[Dcolt]

Forgot to ask this...
Would my children be safe in school? People have said that Sheboygan highschools have many mini-gang problems... Would a minority(Latino, my child) be bullied into joining or rejected if he doesn't?

[Chelito23]

Overall I think Sheboygan is a run of the mill small midwestern city. It has a small but growing Hispanic and Asian community, maybe 10-15% of the population combined.

I think it is a very safe community. Crime is everwhere, in every place, but overall if you don't go looking for trouble you will be fine.

There may very well be minor gang problems in the High School, but where aren`t there gangs? They are prob. in check in Sheboygan.

Would your child be pressured to joing a gang based on being Latin? I don't think so, it would depend on your child's identity issues, interests, friends, grades etc.

Take a trip to Wisconsin to see which city you like the most. Many are very liveable and would offer quality education.

[Drover]

Gang problems in Sheboygan? That's pretty funny. Kinda reminds me of that episode of "That 70s Show" where Bob worries about "all the trash coming over from Sheboygan."

[mrkool]

Originally Posted by Dcolt

I live in Buffalo, NY, and am thinking about relocating to Wisconsin. I've heard that Wisconsin cities are very diverse,

Nope... most Wisconsin cities are not diverse at all. It is a 92% white state as I recall. The most diverse cities are Racine and Milwaukee, and these are high crime cities with bad public schools.
I personally like Sheboygan, and I doubt a "latino" child would have any problem there. And you are just 1 hour from Milwaukee if you need big city stuff.
Taxes are high here, but you are used to that if you're from New York state.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by mrkool

Nope... most Wisconsin cities are not diverse at all. It is a 92% white state as I recall. The most diverse cities are Racine and Milwaukee, and these are high crime cities with bad public schools.
I personally like Sheboygan, and I doubt a "latino" child would have any problem there. And you are just 1 hour from Milwaukee if you need big city stuff.
Taxes are high here, but you are used to that if you're from New York state.

Yeh, mrkool's right. Most Wisconsin cities are Casper-white. Milwaukee is the primary exception. Even Madison which fancies itself a shining example of diversity is about 85% white and it would be even whiter if it weren't for the minority students at UW. For what it's worth though, Latinos have so far been pretty successful integrating into the upper Midwest. They're starting to filter into Wisconsin right now, so now's a good time to get in on the ground floor.

And yes, the taxes in Wisconsin are a bite. But any New Yorker I've heard talk about taxes complains that they'd be just as well off figuring out how much their taxes are and then setting that amount of money on fire instead sending it to Albany, which first takes 30% off the top to line its own pockets, sends 60% of it to NYC where it promptly disappears into a black hole of patronage and waste, and then feeds the remaining 10% to a herd of goats. At least in Wisconsin your taxes actually get you something like good schools (in most areas; Milwaukee being an obvious exception), excellent recreational areas and a very well-maintained infrastructure.

[GreggB]

I would suggest La Crosse. It is mostly white, but the people there are friendly and very open minded. It is by far the most beautiful city in the state. Schools are good, lots of culture and civic activities. Growth is in check and home prices are reasonable. Much nicer community than Sheboygan, Appleton or Green Bay. Eau Claire is nice too.

[quadcities]

Originally Posted by Dcolt

Forgot to ask this...
Would my children be safe in school? People have said that Sheboygan highschools have many mini-gang problems... Would a minority(Latino, my child) be bullied into joining or rejected if he doesn't?

All towns have gangs, but I'm positive your child won't be bullied into one, no matter what his ethnicity. I laughed when I read that.

[olesea stirbu]

I am currently studying at UW in La Crosse and like it a lot. La Crosse is not a big city, it's just 50000 people, but people are really friendly here.

That's true that , like most town in Wisconsin, there is no much racial diversity in LA Crosse. However I tutored at an elementary school the first semester and there were kids of all races there, including hispanic. all kids seemed to be comfortable there, so I would just suggest you that you consider La Crosse as a place to live.

It's surrounded by bluffs - a good place to hike, sled and ski, it's by the river ,and generally it's a very peaceful town. I think you would like it, unless you are used to living in a big, crowded city.

[dtrelka]

Can't beat Sturgeon Bay. Low crime, beautiful area.