does anyone out there love wi? (Milwaukee, West Allis: for sale, live in, garden)

[ImaloneJill]

My brother and sister-in-law were dealers at the Empress Casino for 10 years, decided to go to Vegas and get jobs in 2001. The economy has seen it's share of ups and downs, and it was exaggerated even more there. When it was booming, they begged my husband and I to move down there. I am a nurse and my husband is a carpenter so it would have been easy to get jobs. Actually, my sister in law had an "in" to get my husband a job building sets for Vegas shows. Well, it was tempting, it was exciting. But when all was said and done, I would miss my "green" also.
Best thing about Vegas is that you are about a 3 hour drive from California, mountains, ocean, big redwoods.

I love the midwest and the people here.
Jill

[weightyghost]

We moved to SE Wisconsin 5 months ago. A few things we've learned:
1) Taxes are absurd compared to what you get for them
2) The weather is awful, and colder than you can imagine
3) Some of the worse allergens & molds in the US (per us & the new Doc)
4) Housing is costly for what you get
5) People tend to be less than friendly
6) Obesity seems common...maybe the weather and lack of activities
7) Non-smokers seem to be the minority
8) Speed in your car = ticket...busted for drunk driving = 4-5 warnings
9) Observation...more liberal than conservative

We have lived in TN and PA. All states have their pros & cons, but WI will hopefully be a short stay for us. Not awful, but certainly not accommodating or enticing enough to make a long-term home.

[Milwaukee City]

5) People tend to be less than friendly
6) Obesity seems common...maybe the weather and lack of activities
7) Non-smokers seem to be the minority

I don't know what circles you are hanging out in but my view would be the complete opposite of these. Agree on the rest of your points though.

) Speed in your car = ticket...busted for drunk driving = 4-5 warnings

Well you can thank our liberal judges and Gov Jim Doyle and now he is releasing a bunch of repeat drunk drivers and multiple felons. Just wait until one of the hundreds of people he is letting out kills someone!

[MSPLove]

Originally Posted by dreamhunter65

I was born and raised in Wisconsin. I did move to South Carolina (Myrtle Beach) and came back in less than 6 months. Sure they have the ocean but we have tree's, rolling hills, green fields, more wildlife and 4 seasons. Like said earlier we got our first good snows just last few weeks which has been rare for a while.(feet on ground not minor inches) People are way more friendly up here also. One thing you will notice when there is work to be done it gets done and relax when have time.Another good point of Wisconsin is when there is trouble like a tornado or such everyone gets together to help neighbors, whole towns and surrounding towns all pitch in. No matter where you go someone is going to say bad about it, you got to follow your own instincts on this. I know I am satisfied with life in the Northwoods of Wisconsin and am proud to call it home!

That almost brought a tear to my eye.
I was born in Ladysmith (because Radisson doesn't have a hospital). There's a special quality about the Northwoods. That whole span of little towns. Blue collar, friendly, and I love it. (But not hickish... at least in most cases. lol)

[MSPLove]

Originally Posted by MKEGal

Autumn lasts 4 short weeks.

I've lived in northcentral Montana for years and I would kill for a whole month of Autumn.

The leaves here barely turn. They just turn kind of brownish and die. No abundance of beautiful lush color for any length of time. Seriously. I've experienced Autumns here since 1994, and I don't think I've ever seen a real Autumn here. (blah)

[MSPLove]

Originally Posted by jessysunshine

Same here, agatehunter. I have lived in Wisconsin, Washington State, Mississippi, Oregon, California, and Idaho, and I have also travelled all over this wonderful country, and I have always cherished Wisconsin in my heart. I love, love, love Wisconsin, and I can't wait to get back there, too. There's no other place like it.

I love both Washington and the northern part of Idaho. I really have enjoyed my few visits to Seattle, especially. I'm currently in Montana, making my way back to the Badger State later this year. I've never been to the southern part of Idaho, but the northern part, around Sandpoint and Coeur d' Alene is gorgeous. My only issue with Idaho is that it is ultra-conservative. This is the state where McCain won by over 70%. Not quite for me... definitely not my mindset.

[ImaloneJill]

Isn't it funny what people consider "friendly"?
I think if you were brought up in the South, there is a different kind of friendly than in the Midwest, and on the West Coast, etc.

[strawflower]

Originally Posted by Tunky

I loved living in WI. Of course it wasn't perfect, but it was a great 20 years and I miss WI. It was a great place to raise my kids.

Unless your address in WI is something like "Waupun Correctional Institution", you don't have to stay if you don't like it.

Every single place has pros and cons. There are things I miss about MI, CA, Germany, WI and even Memphis believe it or not (although, not much). Typically if a person is completely miserable somewhere, it points more to the person than the place.

Great post! Reps coming your way. If there's not a single thing you like about Wisconsin, you need to keep looking. It's obviously just you! Wisconsin isn't a perfect state by any means, but if you put yourself out there, youll find some very good things here.

[dlk33]

Move elsewhere, then decide how much you love Wisconsin or not. Many people think the grass is always greener somewhere else,(well it might be in the winter) until they have to mow it. Having lived here for the last 25 years (born & raised in Florida) I started doing research on relocating elsewhere for retirement. Wherever elsewhere was, it had to offer more of what we were looking for then here. That's a big thing, what you're looking for, because what makes one person happy may not another. What one person likes, another dislikes. After making a decison that perhaps Greenville South Carolina was our most close to perfect place, meeting our needs & desires we changed our mind. This may seem like a dumb final reason to stay, but Wisconsin came through with health insurance I couldn't have afforded it on my own. Option 1 was move to SC, save a lot on property tax, have warmer winters & be without health insurance, or stay here & pay lots of property tax, hibernate for seven months, but have health insurance. One trip to the hospital could make up for the property tax savings, so next best things is to move out of Madison to Appleton, where the homes cost less & the living does to. To deal with long cold winters, we'll just try to take a winter vacation to a warmer climate, maybe try to view winter in a more positive way, try something like snowshoeing. Wisconsin offers so many positive things that I believe aren't appreciated until you no longer have those things. It could be a lot worse!

[Leaving123]

I have lived in different parts of the country and have always returned to Wisconsin.It has so many services that other states do not have.Our taxes may be higher but you only get what you pay for !!