attitudes toward transplants to Wisconsin

[Nu2pomona]

Originally Posted by summerray

I just came home from a trip to 'piggly wiggly', not a single person said hello, , made eye contact, smiled, greeted, heck I had the manager just toss my hamburger buns between two 2 liters .

Are you in the Sheboygan area by any chance? We lived there for over 45 years and moved south to Missouri in late 2007. If I've guessed correctly, I may be able to help.

[summerray]

Originally Posted by Nu2pomona

Are you in the Sheboygan area by any chance? We lived there for over 45 years and moved south to Missouri in late 2007. If I've guessed correctly, I may be able to help.

Awe, Thank you. I am not near Sheboygan though. I am in the Richfield Germantown area. How is MO treating you? We used to live outside of St.Louis.

[ptsychy]

I hate to say it, but I think it depends on the town. I've lived in several towns in Wisconsin over the years. First, I'll mention Baraboo. I felt like the people here were very warm. Newcomers were welcomed in the church I attended (Presbyterian) and it was easy to get involved. Not too bad at work either, but there were quite a few transplants there. Several years ago I moved to a neighborhood in Milwaukee that was a mix. Again I felt really welcomed. It is the kind of neighborhood where folks are outside puttering in their yards or walking their dogs. in good weather, ...easy to say hi and get things started.
In between I was in Cazenovia and Reedsburg and it was totally different. Not the good feelings I felt in the other places and I'm not sure why.
Both Baraboo and Milwaukee had lots of active stuff for kids....scouts, 4H, sports activities. Also lots of stuff for adults....softball in the summer, festivals to get involved in (it's fun to be part of the organizing groups)

[Mpla]

I also am a transplant, it is very difficult to fit in, this is my experience ONLY, I am a minority and I have not been able to make "real" friends in this small town I live in, hate it! A year ago I was so fed up I went to work in Milwaukee and what do you know, within 6 months I had a huge circle of friends and I love them! I think it is where in Wisconsin you are, and sorry to say most conservative small towns are not friendly to outsiders, but especially minorities.