leaving wisconsin survey (Milwaukee, Madison, Kenosha: insurance, new home, school district)

[ekg56]

One of our employees is moving to Myrtle Beach in March. Her brother lives there and she went for a visit and fell in love with the area. She is 19, so having a job isn't that important to her. She will find something once she is there.

[sdeweese]

The winter cold irritation I can understand...only by looking at the news and df numbers as I've only been there April thru October. But every August for the past 20 years I have been in the Tomahawk/Rhinelander area and consider it a marvelous change to the boring weather that I live in on the West Coast-I can't think of a better place to be in the summer regardless the limited humidity. There will come a time when I attempt to live in the Northwoods full time...and may fail...but I know that the April to October period in Wisconsin will become a mainstay for my wife and me.

[ranger17]

you mentioned a beautiful time to drive thru the northwoods--fall at peak color times. Summer can be quite enjoyable as well; especially if you dont find yourself on one of the overcrowded lake areas ( of course that can happen at any nice lake in the country ). The winters can and will be harsh at times. If you take up the outdoor activities to take advantage of that area, then you will enjoy living there. I'd suggest a visit there in winter; try some cross country skiing, take a ride on a snowmobile, etc. And see ( if even for that short while ) what you both think after spending time in the cold in the white stuff. But some time in a little snow and temps above zero can be very tolerable. It's the extremes that one needs to be prepared for. If you have walked outside in a 40+ below windchill, or tryed to clear a driveway when the drifts are to your waist and the snow is howling--then you will understand the 'hardiness' of those who chose to live there.
Guess we're wimping out, as it's those extremes that became too much for us....As with the others, good luck!

[davit]

Originally Posted by ranger17

If you have walked outside in a 40+ below windchill, or tryed to clear a driveway when the drifts are to your waist and the snow is howling--

I should steal this for my signature line

[ranger17]

^^ it's all yours!

i've talked to a lot of people around the country who have not experienced snow ( real snow ). It's like they think it's all a beautiful post card. That's usually the first couple inches that just covers the ground and is still clean and white.
But watch what happens when ma nature is ticked, and drops those same couple inches per hour and doesn't let up..... and the winter newbies with their brand new snowblower find out that those 25mph winds from the north will re-direct their futile snow throwing efforts right back onto their driveway....

[susancruzs]

Ranger17 good luck to you on your move! I can see what you are saying, I totally understand! This winter is on my nerves and I can see in the future where I might go away for a few weeks in January just for a break!

When I was wanting to get out of NE Illinois, I came north to be closer to my sister in the UP and still reasonably close to my other sister in Iowa. Because I'm by myself, I did not want to be hours and hours from my family (newphews and niece are in the midwest, too).

I'm always telling people on this forum, visit in winter for more than a day or two, research, research! I'm sorry but if people haven't lived through a winter, they just don't get it. I've seen areas west of me that get snow but they've already had high 30's and 40's, what is up with that? We've seen very few 30's and 40 since November!!!

[davit]

Originally Posted by ranger17

^^ it's all yours!

i've talked to a lot of people around the country who have not experienced snow ( real snow ). It's like they think it's all a beautiful post card. That's usually the first couple inches that just covers the ground and is still clean and white.
But watch what happens when ma nature is ticked, and drops those same couple inches per hour and doesn't let up..... and the winter newbies with their brand new snowblower find out that those 25mph winds from the north will re-direct their futile snow throwing efforts right back onto their driveway....

Here's a pretty picture of my 'snow blower'; the reason everything looks so purty is the clouds finally lifted and it's -10 degrees

[ranger17]

the above post brought to you by the wonderful folks at
"Wisconsin winter, how bad can it be??"

[susancruzs]

I could use one of those or a snowblower, don't have one yet!

[neocon4jesus]

I love Wisconsin, recent transplant from Southern California. I do agree that there are a lot of fat, redneck, poorly dressed, and drunks in Wisconsin. BUT, compared to So Cal, that's not too bad considering in beautiful Southern California you have wonderful beaches that you can't swim in due to the pollution. Lots of gangs and gangbangers, not to mention all the lowlifes with their 3,000 watt sound systems playing rap and shaking your windows. And of course there is the traffic, lots of fun to suck in smog and taking 2 hours to go to work. And of course the house prices. I bought my house in Wisconsin for $150K. The same house in SO Cal was $450K. And the people. Sure, some people in so cal are smarter and better looking. Down side is that there are more snobs that will look down at you if you are not making $100k. And lastly the weather. Sure, it's cold in WI, but they invented something called 4 wheel drive and heated seats. Even down jackets, lol. So cal has the same weather every day and in the summer, it is HOtter than hell.
All in all, I prefer WI over CA. The only real negative thing about WI is the lack of diversity. In CA, you have lot's of mexicans and can learn a 2nd language everytime you go shopping.