If your thinking about moving to WI

[susancruzs]

Have you read through the site (done a search) on Applton or Green Bay, there should be tons of info as it is debated on a regular basis :-)! Do read with a grain of salt as some people are perpetually negative, have not ventured out much but know they hate where they live! Door County has gotten quite a bit of talk and the general thought is tough in terms of employment.

You'll find a love/hate relationship going on here on most places and things in general! The Wisconsin forum is civil and pretty much people agree/disagree in a constructive manner. All you have to do is check out posts on some of the other states and they get brutal regularly!

I'm new to Wisconsin, lived in NE Illinois (10 mis. from state line) all my life and just had enough of Illinois. I researched and here I am, very happy I made the move. I wasn't looking for employment though, which make a difference.

Good luck with your search/decision!

[susancruzs]

OK, 2009 picnic in the center of the state????

[crazyme4878]

Washburn and Ashland on Lake Superior are very liberal (well, there's a mix, but it definitely leans to the liberal side), and are cheap to live in. However, the job possibilities are limited and if you don't love the outdoor activities you will be bored.

I know you asked for the eastern side, but I love the northern side, so I thought I would put in my two cents! If you lived in Appleton more than ten years ago, you won't regconize it at all! It has sprawled and grown a lot. I haven't looked into Door County for eight years or so, but at that time I got the impression that it was expensive--although Oregon expensive and Wisconsin expensive may be two different things. Plus you will have the same trouble as Ashland in the job scenerio, unless you are close enough to Green Bay to communte. Overall, the eastern side tends to be more conservative. Maybe Manitowoc would be a good fit?

What do you consider expensive? What kind of jobs to you need?

[LeaveWI]

Hi crazyme! Seeing your posts reminded me off all that is awesome about Wi- the Ashland-Washburn-Bayfield area. I used to go up 1-2 x a year to visit. summer/Fall in that area is about as close to paradise as I'll ever see The only things that stopped me from moving there were the long dark winters and not too hot job market. Good to know it's liberal too I'm just curious to know in what ways. I admit I didn;t pay attention to those things when visited

[Drover]

Originally Posted by shnizzo

Hi
I just found this forum, and I am considering a move to Wisconsin, but don't know the places to do the research. I lived in Appleton, LOTS of years ago! I presently live in a city in Oregon that is very expensive, doesn't have much to do, is hard to find a job in and just does not feel like home. I would like to get personal opinions (glad I found this page) but also find other sources. I am hoping to live in a less expensive place, I love the Great Lakes (used to live in Upstate NY as well) and have pretty liberal views, so a totally conservative town would be difficult. What about the small towns along the lake or Door County? And more views on the Green Bay/Appleton comparison. Thanks.

I can say this: someone with liberal views who doesn't want to live in a conservative town has pretty much no business living in the Fox Valley region -- that includes both Appleton and Green Bay. Liberal + Great Lake = Milwaukee area. That's the only area in Wisconsin where you'll find both. But beware there are also conservative areas along the lakefront in the Milwaukee area too. If you can stand being inland further, Madison sounds like your place. The only drawback is that Madison is expensive for being a mid-sized city in the middle of the cornfields, but at least you'll never lack for things to do. And on those rare occasions when you need a little more excitement than Madison can offer, both Milwaukee and Chicago are within easy day-trip distance.

[shnizzo]

Thanks for all the info! I think that expensive in Wisconsin isn't as high as Oregon-expensive--- but having looked over Madison housing prices a few years ago, it was beyond my means. So I have to look elsewhere. And I am looking for a smaller town within reach of a larger area, maybe. Some liberal people around is a need, not a want, and so is affordability. I have worked at lower-end jobs, not careers, so I am not very fussy---just need to be able to find something. And surrounding beauty is a definite need, I know that's not hard to find in Wisconsin. This search is exciting, and I really appreciate the input. Hudson and the Superior towns sound intriguing and I will keep my mind open.

[shannonM]

Originally Posted by susancruzs

OK, 2009 picnic in the center of the state????

I'm there. that's when i'll be getting to WI june of 09

[crazyme4878]

Originally Posted by LeaveWI

Hi crazyme! Seeing your posts reminded me off all that is awesome about Wi- the Ashland-Washburn-Bayfield area. I used to go up 1-2 x a year to visit. summer/Fall in that area is about as close to paradise as I'll ever see The only things that stopped me from moving there were the long dark winters and not too hot job market. Good to know it's liberal too I'm just curious to know in what ways. I admit I didn;t pay attention to those things when visited

Well, you have two main factions. There are the original "locals" who tend to be the blue-collared Democrats. Then you have residents who are alumni or faculty of Northand College. It is a "environmental liberal arts college." This group tends to be very liberal, both socially and environmentally. There is a Waldorf school just southwest of Ashland, and at least one CSA, I believe. There are a number of strawbale houses and off-grid houses, although these aren't advertised. The coop is going strong, I believe. The students tend to be more radical, as young adults will be. There is some tension in Ashland between the two groups, although nothing too serious.

The job market does sucks. But winter is fun! Too many things to do to list!