leaving wisconsin survey (Milwaukee, Sussex, Johnson: real estate, public schools, income)

[PhilJohnson]

Josh,

Not sure yet. Somewhere with a green vibe that is cold and snowy. I love winter and snow Northern Minnesota and the UP is where I am looking right now. I won't know unless I live there for a while. I figure give each area a shot for a couple of weeks to a month and see what happens.

Phil

[Drover]

I can't possibly imagine what you expect to find different about northern Minnesota and especially the UP. Honestly, the UP is one of the most depressing places I've been in my life. And I used to live in Appalachia, so that's saying something. I have never been to a place where peoples' spirits seemed so universally deflated as the UP, like they're all tenuously waiting for the other foot to drop or something. It's practically like Mississippi with snow and Canadian accents up there. I could understand expecting to find something different if you were setting out for New England or Boulder or something... but the cultural difference between small-town Wisconsin, small-town Minnesota and small-town UP are so small that it seems weird for someone to expect some life-changing revelation by moving from one to another.

[PhilJohnson]

You may be right, I'll have to check it out in person.

[susancruzs]

My sister lives in the UP, she moved there from Illinois. We had a connection with the UP as my mom was from there. I've always liked to visit, my sister always talked about living there. I've always said that the UP is more "redneck" than some states south of the Mason-Dixon line.

Considering some of the things you've said about Wisconsin, you will find it in the UP 10 times over unless you are right in Marquette (maybe)! The UP is in a world of its own, I could never live there I can't look past the mind set, mentality and attitude of alot of the people.

This is a generalization but the UP is a law unto itself. I've been through some very small times where I felt I wouldn't stop to get gas, almost creepy. I have a cousin that wrote a letter to a paper and the letter scared me.

I haven't been in the northern half of Minnesota but I want to say you will find similarities to what you don't like about Wisconsin. You'll just have to check it out for yourself.

[ekg56]

Kate, I love that you back up what you say with facts. People tend to put a spin on things on what they think and so many times it isn't correct. So glad that when you let us know the real details. Hope your in our area soon so we can catch up!

[quote=KateDaum;5750423]Dolly,
If you are concerned about drinking and teens get out of IL. Looked at my husbands stats for relocating. Illinois had 155 teen fatalities in 2006 compared to 88 in WI. Tazewell Co, Illinois had 15 teens killed in car crashes in 1 year.
Any child killed is a tragedy.

[ekg56]

I love northern MN. When our kids were younger we would go to either Ely or Black Duck for a week. It was gorgeous. Reality, I could never live there but it was fun to visit.
The UP of MI is a world of its own. Again, great to visit. Love Lake Superior but not some place I would live. They get so much snow. We were there once and the snow was banked so high.
But I'm sure some people love it. Good luck!

[karfar]

Originally Posted by PhilJohnson

Can I ask, are you a drunken idiot? I didn't say everyone who attends these things are drunk. Most usually, but not everyone. I think your problem is that you viewed my post as a personal attack against your lifestyle. I guess if you fall into the previous mentioned category then yeah you have a legitimate reason to be offended.



I have family and friends that live in/near Milwaukee, they agree with my opinion. But they don't have the resources to move. There are good areas and neat things to see, but the trade off as I said earlier wasn't worth it. If you think it is good for you.



If you had taken the time to read my post you would have read the following:



Notice where I said that there are exceptions. And may I ask, have you ever lived in a small town (really small under 4000 people)? I have lived in towns ranging small to huge in different areas of the state. Have you ever lived anywhere else but Wisconsin? Believe it or not there are places that are different than Wisconsin, culture-wise and otherwise.



Backpedal? I still stand by my statements. I found out why you feel that I am wrong in my opinion as stated in your first reply.



So should I say that you have a chip on your shoulder against people who don't drink. Right away you cram words into my mouth (or is that characters into my post) about how I feel about people who drink. I initially posted on why I am leaving Wisconsin, that is what the original thread it about. It wasn't about why this state is so great and wonderful.

Secondly I state why I feel the way I do and suddenly you label me as someone with a "****ty attitude" to borrow your words. I don't want help or pity, and if I did I wouldn't ask for it on a web forum. So your point of me attacking and asking for help is invalid. Attacking, yeah I can see that. But asking for help, nope.

Also as far as moving, if you paid any sort of attention I stated earlier that I have either visited or lived in different parts of the state. That is how I came to my conclusion about this state. I have sold my property, waiting to get laid off of my job, and will be starting anew in a different state.

Also a victim is someone who sits around and does nothing to change their circumstances. I don't think of myself as one. I can either adjust (which I won't) or go somewhere else were the social norms are more compatible with my beliefs and lifestyle.



Chip on my shoulder? I guess you could could get that from my post. Really, I don't go around all day with a thundercloud over my head saying woe is me. I am a pretty happy go lucky guy for the most part. As far as not believing why I feel the way I do, well tough luck. If it makes you feel better to think that I am making this stuff up then go right on believing it.

Your right about this not being a perfect world, but it is a big one and there are many other places to live besides here. I gave Wisconsin an honest try, and for me it just ain't gonna work. I am sorry if I offended people who are snobby rednecks, drunks, druggies, or idiots.

Ha, you're too funny. No, I'm not a drunken idiot, sorry to burst your bubble. You go have fun in the UP, I'm sure you'll be welcomed w/open arms

[JoshB]

Phil, I don't want to shoot down your idea of the U.P. but as others said it is very depressing. Beautiful but not many jobs, entertainment. culture etc.

Susan I can relate to you on the gas station deal. I was up the Porcupine Mountains in Silver City last month and there gas station was closed so I drove to White Pine, well the town scared the living H*ll outa me. Some guys about my age roll up in a truck an s-10 to be exact. All wearing there flannel etc. Kinda give me a dirty look. I was glad to get outa there. Whew. Sorry to get off topic here.

Any ways as Drover said you won't notice much differnce in WI, MI, MN. I would check out New Hampshire or Washington.

Good luck man.

[PhilJohnson]

Originally Posted by karfar

Ha, you're too funny. No, I'm not a drunken idiot, sorry to burst your bubble. You go have fun in the UP, I'm sure you'll be welcomed w/open arms

I merely asked if you were one simply because you got so up in arms over the words drunken idiot. Never said you were one, so my bubble (whatever that means) hasn't been burst.

I find it ironic how you go on defending drinking while that is the same thing I am trying to get away from. Obviously you love to drink, and by extension that would color your opinion of Wisconsin. My opinion is colored by the negatives of drinking I have dealt with personally. And yes, I don't care for drinking but that doesn't mean I don't care for the people doing it. Also remember, I never called you anything negative, not a lair, drunk, or an idiot.

And that is where I'll leave it, you drink so Wisconsin is a good fit. I hope you enjoy your life here and be a little more understanding next time someone doesn't enjoy the same things you do.

[PhilJohnson]

Originally Posted by JoshB

Phil, I don't want to shoot down your idea of the U.P. but as others said it is very depressing. Beautiful but not many jobs, entertainment. culture etc.

Susan I can relate to you on the gas station deal. I was up the Porcupine Mountains in Silver City last month and there gas station was closed so I drove to White Pine, well the town scared the living H*ll outa me. Some guys about my age roll up in a truck an s-10 to be exact. All wearing there flannel etc. Kinda give me a dirty look. I was glad to get outa there. Whew. Sorry to get off topic here.

Any ways as Drover said you won't notice much differnce in WI, MI, MN. I would check out New Hampshire or Washington.

Good luck man.

I was out in Oregon last year for a month near Portland. There were definitely more people into what I like to do. Unfortunately land was very high priced. But maybe with the housing crash things have changed. I'll be out there again this winter to visit my Aunt.