Moving To Wisconsin Bluff Country (Baraboo, Vernon: home, job market, school)

[countrymanl67]

Well, after looking at land for the past 8 months I have decided that SW Wisconsin has the best plots in bluff country for me. I currently reside in the Twin Cities metro of Minnesota. I have had the same job as a landscaper here for 6 years now so i'll be starting a clean slate when I move. I would like to know what my best options are in terms of employment and which counties have the best economic well being right now. I like Vernon and Crawford counties. However, i'd like your input on which areas have a good job market and what industry is in the greatest need for new workers. I'll go to tech school for whatever that industry is. I'd hate to go to tech school and then move only to find there is no demand for the trade I have mastered.

The reasons I am leaving the Twin Cities are both personal and financial. Mainly financial. Income as a landscaper is poor and with the cost of living in this area as high as it is i'd be living with my parents until I was 48. I'm 24 now. I only make $16K a year even as a supervisor. I'd need to be making at least $50K to get a starter home in this area. That and all the sour memories from my childhood here make me want to just start a new chapter in my life somewhere else. I'm a country boy at heart too, and dislike the city.

[JoshB]

I realize you like Vernon and Crawford counties but both are economically backwards in my eyes. I would check out areas like Baraboo, Spring Green, Prairie du Chien, Sauk City. etc.

Sauk County, Richland county would probably be your to best bets.

[suecen]

Josh - What happened to your 'Appalachian' caption? LOL

[susancruzs]

Hmmm, I wonder about that, too!!!

[JoshB]

Funny Susan. lol I'm still footloose. I just wanted to change my caption.lol

[suecen]

Josh - Did you check out the WV site - they've have finally posted the photo thread - not a lot on there at this point but in time.........I'm looking forward to it.

[JoshB]

Will have to check it out!

[countrymanl67]

Thanks Josh for being honest. By "backwards" do you mean the economic situation is declining more than in other parts of the state? Or do you you mean that jobs are few and far between and have have low pay to begin with? Anyone else who wants to chime in on this topic please do.

Thanks,

Brandon

[JoshB]

Brandon,
I do mean the economic situation. There is not much industrial or commercial employers making it tough for many to call either county home. While Crawford County is punctuated with magnificent natural beauty—the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers run along its western and southern border respectively, along with hills, cliffs and bluffs, glens, gulleys, rivers and ravines it may be rich in beauty but there are no jobs. It is said to be the poorest county in Wisconsin, I think?

I would look at towns like Viroqua, Prairie du Chien etc.

[wigirl920]

I don't know if this will answer your question or not countryman, but here is a listing of per capita income in WI for 2001. 2001 Per Capita Personal Income WI and US

Vernon Co ranked 2nd from the bottom, while Crawford Co ranked 16th from the bottom (this is out of 72 counties). I have no idea what factors go into determining the overall economic situation but this would be at least one part of it.