Should we move to Racine, Wisconsin? Any advice gratefully received! (Milwaukee: rentals, crime)

[jen77]

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can offer any advice...

My boyfriend has been offered a contract working in Racine, Wisconsin for 4 months intially (but potentially 2 years). We are an English couple (living near London), in our late twenties, without children and I have no idea whether we should move out there or not!
Can anyone tell me what Racine is like? Is there much to do there (I'm probably not into going out to bars much)? Is it expensive? What will the weather be like from May - September? I've read some stats that indicate that crime is bad there - is this the case?
Also, I'd probably wouldn't be able to get a visa if I was joining him so would be looking at either studying or doing voluntary work - does anyone know what the opportunities for this would be like out there?
I think this could be a great thing to do but I have no idea what we'd be letting ourselves in for! I'd really appreciate any information or advice that anyone can offer.
Thanks!

[mrkool]

Racine is the 2nd worst place in the state, if you ask me. The only worse place is the northside of Milwaukee.
What you see about the crime is correct. Bad The schools are terrible too, which may not concern you if you don't have children, but bad schools are usually an indication of overall problems in community. Look on the main citydata home page, search Wisconsin, then search Racine. Look at the racial demographics. That will give you a hint.
We live about 1/2 hour away from there. My spouse is from Bedfordshire.
If you come over, just do the 4 month thing. Racine is not one of the better cities your boyfriend could have been offered for your American experience. Good luck to you both in any case.

[GreggB]

I agree with mrkool's post. I lived in Wisconsin for nearly 50 years. Mostly Appleton and Milwaukee. Racine is not a pretty picture. Not too far from Milwaukee however, and there are some nice spots left there. So maybe you could look at that. Commute times would be under an hour in most cases.

[Drover]

Racine proper may suck as the others have noted, but the outlying areas tend to be just fine. You can live in a nice town and commute into Racine very easily by car.

[mlduri]

Racine is a fairly large industrial area and I also concur with mrkool

[Chelito23]

Well, if you move to Racine, I am sure there are plenty of community agencies in which you could help volunteer. Perhaps teaching English, Food Banks, community clean ups and the like. Racine has its fair share of problems, I am sure it could use some good-hearted volunteers.

It is not all doom and gloom though. Prices are affordable, there is a decent mall there, it is close to Milwaukee and Chicago, the major airports, nearby massive malls, Lake Michigan (inland sea practically), Madison, Lake Geneva etc. Racine itself is not anything special, but it is not a cesspool either. I think Racine's main draw are its prices and location. It will probably see a turnaround soon as others catch on to its affordability and location. Also, as Drover posted, the suburban areas of Racine and nearby towns are quite nice.

[jen77]

Hi,

Thanks all of you for your responses - I really appreciate the advice!

[GreggB]

Originally Posted by Drover

Racine proper may suck as the others have noted, but the outlying areas tend to be just fine. You can live in a nice town and commute into Racine very easily by car.

100% agreement to that!!

[seansamjoe]

People give Racine such a bad rap & it's just not that bad!

I moved to Racine (hubby had a job offer) in August 2006. People here have been just fantastic. We moved from SW Missouri. The day we got here, all of the neighbors on our new street came out & helped us unload the moving truck. Every single one of our neighbors. Husbands, wives, even some kids. It was wonderful. People have been very welcoming.
Yes there are bad neighborhoods...but don't all towns have bad areas?
Having lived in the suburbs of St Louis, MO for most of our lives we feel that Racine's bad area's are nothing in comparison.

You can easily drive around town & see where to & not to live.
If you're looking for a rental (we had a horrible time trying to find a house to rent...but ended up with a great one) Keep an eye on www.craigslist.org (go to Wisconsin, then Milwaukee) www.guylloyd.com also has rentals & Peggy at First Weber has many rentals.

Good Luck.

[EX-Racinian]

Once upon a time, Racine was a quaint little area, where one could get a good job, raise a family and live happy and comfortably...now it has become a slum of pay day loan stores and dollar stores..... the sign of a town in distress.. I would equate Racine's quality of life to Detroit....