does anyone out there love wi? (Appleton, La Crosse: apartment, house, buy)

[shannonM]

all i hear is people moaning and groaning about the negatives of wisconsin i'm just wondering.......is there anyone out there that loves wi? i am living in california and want to move to your beautiful state lord willing but it would be nice to hear some positives!! thanks

[GreggB]

If you can tolerate the brutal winters, the high taxes, and the people (who by the most part are reserved and conservative), Wisconsin might work for you. As I have said in other posts, La Crosse is a very nice city. In my opinion the best in the state. Friendliest people, beautiful location, tons of recreational opportunities, and just a few hours drive to major cities. In my humble opinion, I think a lot comes down to the weather issue. After most of my life here, the winters finally "Got To Me". There is NO denying the fact that Wisconsin has 6 COLD months out of the year. December, January, February and even March can be Extrememly cold. DON'T let anyone kid you on that one. Today is March 4th and I see that the predicted low temp for my ex-hometown of Appleton is O degrees. Friend--Wisconsin has a lot to offer, to a lot of different kind of people. However, if you are not into outdoor winter activities and don't like COLD weather, you are going experience what is called "Cabin Fever". It means being "Holed" up in your house or apartment for half the year or more. To some people that can really become a physlological issue in a negative way. In Seattle folks use "Sun Lamps" to compensate for all the cloudy days they have there. In Wisconsin ya just sit in your house and listen to the furnace constantly run for 6 months. I, for one, never intend on spending another winter there. Good Luck!!

[ggaetti]

I don't care for the cold weather, but other than that I like it. The positives of Wisconsin prevent me from moving away despite the cold weather. Taxes may be higher than most BUT we get a lot for our tax dollars. Anytime I come home from places I have visited - Texas, Hawaii, Paris, Mexico, Washington State, San Francisco, Phoenix, Florida, Boston, New York, South Carolina, etc. I am very happy to see Wisconsin...like "absence make the heart grow fonder".
Give it a try!
My son is moving to the Los Angeles area next week......it will be interesting to see how long it takes before he craves Wisconsin!

[Drover]

I like beer. I like brats. I like cheese. I like Friday Night fish fry at the local supper club. I like motorboating, sailing and swimming in pristine lakes. I like cold winters (though I do wish they were shorter). I love the fall colors. I like hiking and biking through the woods. I like the hospitality shown to tourists. I like the care and attention shown to the state's parks, recreation areas and general infrastructure. I don't like pickup trucks or hunting, which is about the only thing that puts me at odds with the Wisconsin culture. I hope to move to Wisconsin within the next 10 years, or perhaps buy a cabin up there.

[GreggB]

You state that "You get a lot for your tax dollars". Really?? Are you at all familiar with road conditions in the Fox Valley area and Appleton in particular. Other than the Cold winters, the Tax and Spend foolishly mentality in that state was the other factor that led me to leave after 50 years. Property taxes are way out of line in Wisconsin. Lived in Appleton for 30 plus years and saw first hand how city government can squander away millions and millions of taxpayers dollars. And Yes, i'm sure it happens in a lot of other places. I can tell you this, my home here in Las Vegas is valued at nearly 3 times what my Wisconsin home was. And my taxes--About 36% less. And as of yet, still have'nt bent a rim on my car due to a one foot deep pothole. Wisconsin is a nice place-just got to be aware of freezing to death or being taxed to death there. Me--I hope to "Go" naturallly.

[carmac]

Originally Posted by shannonM

all i hear is people moaning and groaning about the negatives of wisconsin i'm just wondering.......is there anyone out there that loves wi? i am living in california and want to move to your beautiful state lord willing but it would be nice to hear some positives!! thanks

You'll love Wisconsin I'm sure...I also want to move there. I've visited many times in both winter and summer, and have decided to retire there and leave the state I'm currently in to "those who think there is no other place on earth like it".

[LML]

I love Wisconsin. I was born and raised here....my family has been in Wisconsin since my great-great-grandfather was sent to survey the territory that became Wisconsin...he actually gave the first 4th of July address here. I have lived other places and have traveled the world. But I always come back to Wisconsin. In my opinion, it has everything it takes to make me happy. Natural beauty. Wide variety of things to do. Friendly people. Wonderful education system. I still enjoy visiting other parts of the country and the world but Wisconsin will always be my home.

[sunflower53072]

After two years I am starting to like it a bit more. It is beautiful. The people are different than anywhere else I've lived. Friendly at a surface level. I think the longer I stay, the more accepted I will become. I do have several Wisconsin born friends now. There are definately worse places to live. I love to garden and beautiful scenery, so for that is I am happy here.

[ekg56]

We moved here 20 years ago from Chicago and love it. The winters aren't that bad. In fact today was the 1st time in 6 years we had enough snow to break out the snowshoes. It was great. Last year, in January we never went below 0. Taxes are lower then what my Mom pays in Chicago. We have a bigger lot and home.
We find the people very friendly and helpful. I remember when we 1st moved in the neighbor brought us fresh picked raspberries, flowers for our garden, fresh produce etc.
My husband travels quite a bit and does love friendliness of the people of WI.
Hey DROVER, come on up we have plenty of room!

[KateDaum]

I guess because we are moving from the East we find the taxes are not that bad. In fact I was checking and the east if a lot worse then the Midwest. The stats I was looking at was for '04 and here are the rankings, 1. NJ, 2. CT, 3. NH (not suprised), 4. NY, 5. RI, 6. MAINE, 7. MASS, 8. VT, 9. IL, 10, WYOMING, and then WI is 11th. This list is for the state and local property taxes. So you can see why us temporary east coasters don't flinch at your property taxes. Our home in Bayfield is on the water and about the same size as our home in NH and our taxes are more then $2000 less then in NH. We have a friend in Maine who also has a house in Bayfield and his are more then $2800 less in WI then in Maine.
As far as cold goes, here in NH we don't see our neighbors from Nov-April. They do come out to shovel but otherwise they hibernate. We love winter and ski, hike, etc. I can't wait to make the northwoods are permanent home. You won't hear me complain about winter or taxes after living out east!