Moving to Appleton from California (Madison, Rochester: high school, college, taxes)

[MediaDoggie]

HEY SO CAL,
Of course we don't need to know your political persuasion, but considering there are more liberals in So Cal than Wi., and Ca. is thought of as more progressive, you are coming to an area that is considered the birthplace of the Republican party and don't forget the John Birch Society and Sen Joseph McCarthy. If you are not familiar with these terms I suggest you go to Wikipedia or just start searching.
Flamers-not saying anything here necessarily positive or negative or trying to stereotype, these are just facts about the area. Someone coming from a lifetime in So Cal may be a bit shocked at the differences.

[Badger]

Originally Posted by MediaDoggie

HEY SO CAL,
Of course we don't need to know your political persuasion, but considering there are more liberals in So Cal than Wi., and Ca. is thought of as more progressive, you are coming to an area that is considered the birthplace of the Republican party and don't forget the John Birch Society and Sen Joseph McCarthy. If you are not familiar with these terms I suggest you go to Wikipedia or just start searching.
Flamers-not saying anything here necessarily positive or negative or trying to stereotype, these are just facts about the area. Someone coming from a lifetime in So Cal may be a bit shocked at the differences.

this deserves a response on so many levels. First of all, not everybody in SOCal is a liberal, if the OP comes from San Diego or the OC there's a good chance they are conservative.

The birthplace of the republican party was in Ripon, (not that close to Appleton) but it doesn't matter as this was a long time ago when the Republican party was much different, I mean, Abe Lincoln was a republican -- would he be one today? Heck no. And when people think of Wisconsin they surley don't think of conservatism. WI has a reputation for being "blue" due to it's past voting record in Presidential elections and history of blue collar , manufacturing-based economy. Milwaukee has had what, 4 SOCIALIST mayors?

I will give you credit for acknowledging that WI is more conservative than many people broadly think. In fact the Appleton area along with the whole Fox Valley is one of the most conservative areas of the state so if the OP is a republican they'd feel right at home. I lived in A-town for 6 years and I've never seen so many Jesus fish on the backs of cars as I did up there. And despite all the posturing on other threads about how great Appleton is and how open minded they are - like the one thread about the Afr. American thinking of moving there - it's very close-minded and racist. I've seen it for 6 years to think any differnt. Too bad he got poor advice from all the homers.

McCarthy, well he was just one wackjob that could've come from anywhere. He did what many politicians do, exploit peoples fear for personal gain. That's all, nothing more.

[shannonM]

I am from SO CAL and i am far from being a liberal!!!! also, Orange county is THE most conservative county in the state. so, badger is right. not all californians are liberal. it may seem that way because the LA times is biased and they seem to hire only liberal writers and so they have their agenda. but if you read the orange county register you will notice that there are still people in ca who have values and believe in right and wrong. i did notice however when i lived in WI there were alot of democrats however they seemed to have the democrats of old thinking. the democrats of today want to give everything away. and raise taxes constantly. at least that's what's happening in CA

[iceminx]

BIG culture shock, I agree. There is only one Macy's in the state if you care at all about fashion and it's in Milwaukee. I've been to Appleton once or twice and I have to say that I WAS BORED OUT OF MY MIND. very small "downtown" area, generic malls. It's a very small town type place. I hate Milwaukee, but going to Appleton makes me less hostile about living here. ^_^

[geekduo]

Originally Posted by iceminx

BIG culture shock, I agree. There is only one Macy's in the state if you care at all about fashion and it's in Milwaukee. I've been to Appleton once or twice and I have to say that I WAS BORED OUT OF MY MIND. very small "downtown" area, generic malls. It's a very small town type place. I hate Milwaukee, but going to Appleton makes me less hostile about living here. ^_^

There's the thing. Many of us that live in small towns just don't care much about fashion or the latest trends and fads. Nor do we care about "keeping up with the Johnsons" or whoever. We enjoy getting together with family and friends. Those get-togethers usually center around a sporting event or holiday. In the summer it's grilling out, in the winter it's potlucks with everyone bringing their favorite recipe. Most of us also love getting in the great outdoors. Especially in northern Wisconsin. Camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, 4-wheeling, snowmobiling, you name it we do it. That's our culture. Come on up and join us. You might just come to enjoy it.

[SoCalLove]

WOW Sorry I have been MIA- I've been packing and getting ready for the big move. Alot of you made some very good points- and I agree with ShannonM completely about life in southern California. And no, not everyone here is a liberal- my husband is a Marine and while Im sure there are SOME tree hugging Marines around, we're not one of them lol. I look forward to an more neighborly way of life, and so far Appleton sounds great. Much more relaxed then here. I have tried getting as much info as possible off the internet but I figure the best info you can get is straight from the people who live there! Thanks to everyone who responded

[yo vanilla]

Originally Posted by iceminx

BIG culture shock, I agree. There is only one Macy's in the state if you care at all about fashion and it's in Milwaukee. I've been to Appleton once or twice and I have to say that I WAS BORED OUT OF MY MIND. very small "downtown" area, generic malls. It's a very small town type place. I hate Milwaukee, but going to Appleton makes me less hostile about living here. ^_^

WHAT? There's a Macy's in the Appleton mall, lol. Been there for a few years. And there's one in Madison too, for all that matters.

Some of us in small cities do have a bit of vanity, and I'll include myself in that circle jerk. I certainly don't mean to be a snob, but we could all use a bit more vanity at times. Y'know, make an effort now and again. It's your first form of communication with the outside world, after all.

Appleton's mall, as far as malls go, is nothing to scoff at in this regard. There aren't any big, expensive, exclusive labels of course, but for as little as you buy those, well that's what Chicago is for lol. But it's big enough to draw everyone from Green Bay, and has plenty of what I like to call "premium mall wear" brands, heh.

[yo vanilla]

Wait a second, my posts were deleted for personal attacks? wha?

[geekduo]

I didn't mean that we don't like to look good when we go out of the house. It's just that looking good doesn't have to involve some high fashion expensive store, at least in my book. I can usually find something that I like in stores like Kohl's or JcPenny's, even Shopko occassionally.
Most of us do "clean up real good." LOL
And no, that doesn't mean that I look down on those who do like Macy's or other high-end department stores. Just that I don't feel the need to join them there. Life would be boring if we were all the same.

[yo vanilla]

Hey, just saying. I wouldn't expect everyone to get all dressed up for the farmer's market, but I would like to see people polish up more at least when they go out to dinner. Even for work would be nice, if that's too much to ask (where I work, it is apparently). But that's become an America thing; it's not so much a WI thing.