Wake up, Wisconsin! (Madison, Kenosha, Marshfield: home, live, shop)

[bettyboopster]

I ended up here because of family, then we found a job. But the job market is so bad, my husband got laid off due to "downsizing," so the only place he could find a job was out of state--in Chicago, so we moved as far south in this state as we could without living across the border, just because it's more affordable, not for any other reason. As soon as we can transfer somewhere else, we will.

[bettyboopster]

It's funny, people always say that, "then why are you here?" People end up places and it's not so easy to just say, "let's go here or there." It would be nice. Kenny Chesney is a millionaire, and he made the decision to just up and move to some tropical island in the Bahamas. He can do that. The average person cannot. I'd love to live in a tropical place, by the way! Wisconsin is the opposite of that.

[razzy]

I dont live in Wisconsin, but I can think of quite a few places that would be more boring. Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, the Dakotas, West Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, etc.

I suspect that no matter where you lived at that you would be bored. If not, where do you see yourself living at where you would not be bored, and what would you do in that place?

[bettyboopster]

Nope, not bored wherever I've lived. I've lived in three other places, and visited many others, and they were all more interesting than Wisconsin.

Yeah, what about Minnessota, Michigan, Iowa, and Idaho. Those all seem pretty boring too.

I have to say, I've never lived in those places you've mentioned. I have stayed in Oklahoma City for a week, and I agree, it's probably boring too--the people are friendlier and the weather is warmer, but I didn't stay long enough to know what there is to do there on a weekly basis.

[razzy]

In Oklahoma City, people spend most of their time running from tornadoes. Thats gotta be the most tornado-prone city in the country.

Other than that, they like to follow college sports in Oklahoma. There are some lakes and scenic areas in the eastern part, but the rest of the state is boring flat plains and oil wells.

[nickjohnsonfromwi]

Originally Posted by monkey20

at least you have Malls here , you should go and live from where i am from where to area only has two clothes shops so everyone wears the same, there is no theme parks,waterparks and no where to really take the kids except the park , and you usually can not go as its always raining, wisconsin is much more exciting!!!!

the waterpark capital of the world- Wisconsin Dells!
that place is incredible.
bettyboopster, maybe you should go on a vacation there?
its probably two hours from kenosha, very family friendly, and theres always something to do, even in the winter. they have indoor waterparks and you can also go skiing or anything else outside too.



you should also try visiting more of the state before you call it boring. visit the apostle islands in lake superior, where you can kayak or canoe by or under the huge islands.


or maybe take a nice weekend trip up to door county, which is knows as "the cape cod of the midwest." there are wineries and very nice bed & breakfast's up there too.


or to the western part of the state, where huge rock cliffs drop into the mississippi river. there are also tons of apple orchards in this part of the state. the landscape also has many, many hills and valleys, and it is gorgeous during the springtime.


or you could also spend a day in milwaukee or madison. madison has been nationally recognized for its activities and shopping downtown, and there's always something to do or see. wisconsin's capitol building is in madison, and most say it is one of the most beautiful capitols.


i highly recommend vacationing or visiting these areas, because they will probably change your views about wisconsin.



(by the way... TAKE A TRIP DOWN TO CHICAGO IF YOU'RE BORED!! kenosha has a metra station, the only one in wisconsin!! or if you dont want to drive/take the train, go to the beach or something in kenosha! i know that area has some incredible beaches... especially north beach in racine. i know kenosha isnt that exciting, mainly because most people commute to the chicago area or milwaukee area, but that doesnt mean you can generalize the whole state into being "boring". -most areas are far from .)

[bettyboopster]

nickjohnsonfromwi, I appreciate your helpful tips, but to be honest, I've been to the Dells--once--it's not something one can do any old weekend. Everything there is extremely expensive, and it's just waterpark after waterpark. I walked that strip downtown with the cute shops, and then I was done. Went to the Ho Chunk casino, but the waterpark resorts are endless, and that's great for a family with kids where there is nothing else to do and when you've saved up alot of money, but going to the beach, like you mentioned, is a better suggestion since that's obviously more affordable and can be done more often. I went to the beaches in Kenosha, and the water was usually too cold to get into. I guess I'm used to living on the coast and I miss the ocean--the Kenosha beaches just don't compare with the Atlantic Ocean. But I realize not every places is on the coast. As far as the metra, there's nobody more familiar to that station than we are. In fact, my husband takes it every single day. And the nearest mall is the mall in Racine which is small and only one story--there's not even a food court!!!! We usually go to Illinois for shopping too.

[bettyboopster]

And I don't know why anybody says that the schools are great. Let me tell you a little story. My younger sister went to a Wisconsin high school a couple of years ago. Her English, I repeat, English teacher asked her to "borrow" her book to another student. I was talking to a loan officer, I repeat, a Loan officer, recently, who told me she could "borrow" me the money--a loan officer!!

[Adream]

I used to live in Madison, and my relatives are in Appleton - born & raised. They are always busy! Either with outdoor activities, church activities, family, friends, travel - we have the best time when we visit there. Appleton is a fantastic town, with some of the friendliest people I have ever met.

No matter what state you could be in, there are going to be areas that are pretty quiet, and other areas that have more going on. I guess that's normal.

Bettyboopster, maybe you could get a couple of friends together and take a day trip, or join an active church, or talk to neighbors about ideas they may have.

I admit that the beer and brats are a big thing in WI. One of my cousins moved to California (which she LOVES) because she needed a change from the focus on the bars and she had enough of the snow!

As far as the Dells, I have been telling my DH that we have got to take another trip out to WI so he can see the beautiful Dells! Nickjohnsonfromwi - thanks for posting that great picture!

[LML]

Well Betty, a whole lot of people have spent a whole lot of time making suggestions and telling you all the reasons that we enjoy Wisconsin. Your response has pretty well been that; 1. It is boring because you went to a park and no one was there. 2. It doesn't have ocean frontage. 3. People are poorly educated because you found a couple of examples of poor grammar usage...and we KNOW such mistakes are not found ANYWHERE else in the world. 3. You walked down the street in the Dells and, without ever exploring the beautiful scenic surrounding area, you decided it was all about water parks. I suspect that you are truly enjoying your pity party and simply are not going to be convinced that there are thousands of people living in Wisconsin who are not bored. I wonder what would happen if you took the focus off of your complaints and put it on finding things to make you happy. I have a feeling we will never know.