Possible Move from Oregon

[shedwyn]

Originally Posted by IndigoAmour

DON'T DO IT!
I moved here a year ago and I hate it. I miss the mountains, fresh seafood, and the climate.
The cost of living is much better in Wisconsin BUT it is not worth it considering what you lose in lifestyle.
BEWARE!!!!

Boy, howdy. You assume a lot in your post. You ever lived in Pendleton or Baker, Oregon? How do you know the original poster is from the Portland area or Eugene? Those are the only two true "liberal" bastions in the great state of Oregon.

I lived in Oregon for 30 years, grew up in a small town outside of Salem, lived in Salem, Eugene and Portland at one time or another and can tell you true - folks east of the mountains HATE Portland's monopoly on power. They were probably overjoyed to have Gordon Smith go to the Senate because he may be rich, but at least he was a rich FARMER from EAST of the mountains.

I, unfortunately, cannot help the original poster, but didn't want someone like you scaring her off. I love the Upper Midwest and would like to stay if I can. Sure, I miss the ocean, but the frikin' lake (Michigan) has waves and it's own current - freaky! Large enough to have an effect on the bloody weather! And, dude, trees? C'mon, what barren wasteland do you live in? There are trees all over the state of Wisconsin. And the parks are fabulous. Wisconsin really does a top notch job, I think , with their state parks.

Do you know what I realized since moving here? I hardly use my asthma inhaler! I think it is the lack of mold spores. I had a friend find a mushroom growing on his carpet in Portland. Another friend's walls were coated in mildew. I have not experienced any of that in Chicago. And lets talk about camping in Western Oregon - you get 3 maybe 4 months before you are camping in the soaking wet. Gross. I've never been as cold as I was spending Thanksgiving in Portland. A wet chill soaking into my bones. Brrrrr...

I would caution you to consider buying an all wheel drive vehicle (no SUV needed unless you really need the clearance and hauling capacity). Unless you actually DO come from East of the mountains or the mountains themselves, you are probably, like me, lacking in the driving in snow skills. New hints I learned - if you drive an automatic, shift into a lower gear to stop and start your car . It really helps!

Good luck!

[QwertyFarmer]

There is more to WI than meets the eye. I too am from the West Coast and love the ocean, mountains, and variety of people. Though I believe you need to scratch a little off the surface of WI to find the things that would most fulfill your life with the things you desire. I also agree with the earlier post that starting with a negative attitude will guarantee a negative experience. Good luck with your house and your future. Western WI by the way has lots of wonderful things to do during the winter and all through the year. Golden Eagles fly through my property daily, and I regularly see flocks of turkeys, herds of deer, foxes, and much more. Life is where you open yourself to it.

[Jenny B1982]

Having lived in Wisconsin all my life I feel I may be able to offer you some advice. Of all the places you could live in Wisconsin, Watertown is lowest on the list. As far as what is close to Watertown, there is not much, living in either Milwaukee or Madison, would be better if you are willing to commute. Commuting to either Milwaukee or Madison is possible, it will be about 45 minutes either way, and possibly longer in snowy weather. Maybe you should consider someplace in between Watertown and Milwaukee such as Oconomowoc, which is a mid-sized town and a little better than Watertown...all though mostly anything is better than Watertown. Oconomowoc has nice lakes and is close to the Kettle Moraine Forest Area. Madison is a more laid back town with plenty to offer, however I don't know what towns are decent between Madison and Watertown. Hopefully this helped... My fiancee and I are considering moving to Oregon due to our horticulture occupations, any suggestions or advice?

[Percheronluver]

I moved from Eugene to Yuba Wi population 99 it was a major culture shock took me a long time to adjust I went home to Eugene 2 years ago and wow I was shocked again I came back early I think as long as you give it a fair chance you will be ok depending on your lifestyle.......
LISTEN TO YOUR HEART ALWAYS!!!!!!!
Best of luck to you on your move.
I do miss the mounains and the coast (even though it isnt the cleanest)

[Milwaukee City]

why would you want to move here? the weather is horrible!!!

[bikingfirefly]

My son wants to move to Oregon, WI. Does anyone have information as to the best place to live. We need a two bedroom that allows two cats. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Also any information as to what apartments to avoid in Oregon, Wi. Thanks

[MSPLove]

Originally Posted by IndigoAmour

DON'T DO IT!
I moved here a year ago and I hate it. I miss the mountains, fresh seafood, and the climate.
The cost of living is much better in Wisconsin BUT it is not worth it considering what you lose in lifestyle.
It is VERY conservative here and there is NOTHING to do at all in the winter. Even in summer it lacks the festivals and variety of outdoor activity you are used to in the Pacific Northwest. I miss the ocean and the trees too. It is so flat here and sort of red neck.
I am selling my house in the Spring and getting the heck out of here. I just hope to God the market allows my house to sell so I'm not stuck here for another HORRIBLE winter. Today it is -11 degrees without the wind chill factored in and the snow is probably 2 feet deep out there and blowing like crazy. It is miserable. Not even gonna talk about driving here.

BEWARE!!!!

Well I disagree with your take on Wisconsin obviously, since I'm moving back there at the end of the year, but Washington State IS beautiful. Gotta agree with that fresh seafood. Nothing beats Pike Place Market in Seattle. And the original Starbucks right across the road!

[MSPLove]

Originally Posted by QwertyFarmer

There is more to WI than meets the eye. I too am from the West Coast and love the ocean, mountains, and variety of people. Though I believe you need to scratch a little off the surface of WI to find the things that would most fulfill your life with the things you desire. I also agree with the earlier post that starting with a negative attitude will guarantee a negative experience. Good luck with your house and your future. Western WI by the way has lots of wonderful things to do during the winter and all through the year. Golden Eagles fly through my property daily, and I regularly see flocks of turkeys, herds of deer, foxes, and much more. Life is where you open yourself to it.

I'm not for a second going to knock central and eastern Wisconsin, as I've never really experienced that part of my homestate, but I'm slowly gathering that maybe - just MAYBE - Western WI is "where it's at"...?
Luckily, that's where I'm already from!

Because I swear, some of these complaints about my homestate I just don't understand. I appreciate the varying opinion and input, but it's not what I personally relate to. I still really want to visit the LaCrosse area.

[cammie0812]

@ Shedwyn- I actually laughed out loud when I read the story of your friend with a mushroom growing on his carpet in Portland. Too funny!! I definitely believe it though. =)