Wisconsin, how's your economy doing? (Milwaukee, Madison: crime rates, new home, unemployment)

[mackinac81]

Hello Wisonsinites!

I live across the lake in Michigan, where our economy isn't doing so hot, including....

1. 8.5% unemployment
2. bad leadership at the state level
3. 400,000 jobs lost in the past 7 years
4. a HUGE exodus of people, especially young people. (myself included, pretty soon)

I was just wondering how my fellow midwesterners across the lake were doing. Is it similarly bad over there, or are you doing okay? Are you losing a lot of people too?

Mackinac

[B.H81]

I give you my story as I can't speak for everyone else. I"m separating from the military and Wisconsin is my home of record. I posted my resume online 60 days prior to separation like we were taught and started pounding the pavement for jobs and networking 6 months ago. In that time period I got 2 calls and neither employer wanted to do interviews until I was back in Milwaukee. I got several calls from Chicago and Minneapolis for jobs and a few companies that did interviews over the phone and even flew me from Milwaukee to the Midwest for 2n/3rd interviews. So to make a long story short. The economy in my opinion sucks balls. If Companies right next door can do all of that for me, it tells me I'm employable. But I'm not good enough for Wisconsin. You would think your home state would take care of you.

[Megan1967]

It's not you. Wisconsin is hurting. Just look at Janesville. Thousands of jobs will be gone - poof! - when GM closes. Those people, including execs who didn't get transfers or who just plain don't want to move, are scrambling to get any local jobs available. Plus, most of the jobs in Wisconsin are in the central to southern part of the state. Half the state is a no man's land in terms of employment. Both Milwaukee and Madison are cranking out tons of grads who don't want to move either. This is a bad state to be looking for a job in right now.

[B.H81]

Originally Posted by Megan1967

It's not you. Wisconsin is hurting. Just look at Janesville. Thousands of jobs will be gone - poof! - when GM closes. Those people, including execs who didn't get transfers or who just plain don't want to move, are scrambling to get any local jobs available. Plus, most of the jobs in Wisconsin are in the central to southern part of the state. Half the state is a no man's land in terms of employment. Both Milwaukee and Madison are cranking out tons of grads who don't want to move either. This is a bad state to be looking for a job in right now.

Yeah that's why I took a job in Minneapolis, I'm in the process of looking for work for my brother now for when he finishes up his auto degree, I don't even want him sticking around there. I'm planning on making Minneapolis the new home for my fam.

[radraja]

Milwaukee has extremely high poverty and few jobs, and the rest of the state isn't doing great either.

[berries]

were toast folks

[gallon]

Originally Posted by berries

were toast folks

would you say we're in a jam?

[radraja]

WI is toast. And WI is in a jam. Both statements seems pretty accurate.

Apparently Texas is the only state that's currently immune to the crappy economy. I saw a news special on it a couple weeks ago. While everyone else is suffering, they're raking it in big time.

[yo vanilla]

My company's stock is in the crapper, and there's been one or two rumors of layoffs again. My wife's company is talking about moving a department to PA.

[#Littledog]

I don't think Wisconsin's as bad as Michigan (my whole family lives in the Detroit area) but it's not great, either. Some people are worried that with Milwaukee's increasing crime rates, it will become like another Detroit. My husband and I are considering a move to the Southeast. I hate to sound pessimistic, but I don't think the grass is greener on the other side of the lake.