Wisconsin vs. Colorado (Milwaukee, River Falls, Black River Falls: crime, homes, neighborhood)

[160500]

I just picked moving to Wisconsin over a move to Colorado. Am I nuts? Because my family thinks I am.

What are some reasons that a sane, balanced, unmedicated person would choose to live in Wisconsin over Colorado?

[raya22]

First of all, what are your reasons for picking WI over CO?

[jessysunshine]

I've never been to Colorado other than to the airport, but I grew up in Wisconsin the first ten years of my life, and all my family still lives there so I go back at least once every year. I love Wisconsin. It's green and moist, and I understand Colorado is brown and dry. That's the one difference I know of for sure. But as far as Wisconsin, I can tell you it is beautiful, full of country folk that take pride in their state, their environment, their homes, their work, and they love their families. There are all four seasons there, and they're very distinct, and I like that. There are so many outdoor activities all around the state...hunting, fishing, boating, skiing (water and snow), swimming, hiking, biking, IDPA, etc., etc., etc. People have that midwest hospitality and friendliness. They are known for fantastic schools at all levels. They make the best cheese! It's just a great place to live whether you're single, raising a family, or in your retirement years.

[FormerCaliforniaGirl]

Originally Posted by 160500

I just picked moving to Wisconsin over a move to Colorado. Am I nuts? Because my family thinks I am.

What are some reasons that a sane, balanced, unmedicated person would choose to live in Wisconsin over Colorado?

I've been to Colorado several times...traveled all over the state.

To me, the biggest (and most obvious) difference between Colorado and Wisconsin, at least topographically speaking, are the mountains. Colorado has the Rockies, and Wisconsin is very flat.

Another difference is the cultural and ethnic demographics. Colorado (like California) is inundated with illegal immigrants from Mexico and Central America, and it's changing the culture of many of the larger cities in Colorado. This might not bother some, but then again, it might.

And lastly, I don't think Colorado's winters are quite as long or severe as Wisconsin, but then this is an assumption on my part.

Hope that provides a little insight.

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by FormerCaliforniaGirl

I've been to Colorado several times...traveled all over the state.

To me, the biggest (and most obvious) difference between Colorado and Wisconsin, at least topographically speaking, are the mountains. Colorado has the Rockies, and Wisconsin is very flat.

Depends on where you go in Wisconsin. I grew up near Black River Falls on the edge of the Driftless Area and while they're not 14ers, the hills around that area are beautiful.

Originally Posted by FormerCaliforniaGirl

Another difference is the cultural and ethnic demographics. Colorado (like California) is inundated with illegal immigrants from Mexico and Central America, and it's changing the culture of many of the larger cities in Colorado. This might not bother some, but then again, it might.

Colorado's definitely very multi-cultural. There are ethnic pockets here and there but it's nothing like the concentration of Norwegians and other laplanders from the area of Wisconsin I grew up in.

Originally Posted by FormerCaliforniaGirl

And lastly, I don't think Colorado's winters are quite as long or severe as Wisconsin, but then this is an assumption on my part.

Yes and no. Again this depends on where you go in Colorado. We moved from BRF to Craig, Colorado, when I was 10. The winters in Craig can be downright brutal. There's usually a stretch every winter where the daytime highs will be well below zero and an overnight low of -25 to -30 is not unheard of.

Colorado's Front Range Urban Corridor, where most of the population lives, is actually a high desert. The predominant natural colors of the landscape are yellow and brown (especially from mid-summer to early spring). Contrast that with Wisconsin's lush green vegetation and thick old-growth forests. Colorado's mountains are striking and beautiful, but only the wealthy can afford to live in them.

If you get a hankering for mountains, drive about 10-12 hours west on I-90 and visit South Dakota's Black Hills.

[Milwaukee City]

Closer to Chicago, Better lakes, cheap cost of living, many nice size cities to chose from not just one main metro area.

[WilliamPacker]

When I lived in Wisconsin I would get depressed during the long and harsh winters.

Now that I live in Colorado, it is the exact opposite. The summers can be killers.

Both are great states with a lot of similarities and differences. There is hardly any water in CO. If that is important to you, Wisconsin is your state.

I think CO's leisure activities are generally more suited to younger people. Both have a lot of possibilities though. The illegal immigration thing is true for CO but not a big deal. Both states have crime in areas. There is strong Mexican culture in CO but other than that Wisconsin probably has more overall diversity. Both states are great imo.

[jjacobeclark]

I have lived in both states as well and I agree with pretty much everything I've read so far. Actually, I just moved back to Wisconsin in December from Denver. I way prefer Wisconsin to Colorado because its multifaceted, while I feel Colorado is one-dimensional. Unless you are majorly into extreme sports like skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, or rock climbing then Colorado isn't going to accept you.

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

Colorado's definitely very multi-cultural. There are ethnic pockets here and there but it's nothing like the concentration of Norwegians and other laplanders from the area of Wisconsin I grew up in.

The only ethnic group with an actual presence in Colorado is Mexicans and Chicanos. Denver has some decent sized immigrant populations (Moroccan, Ukrainian, Ethiopian), but nothing that constitutes an actual ethnic (Jewish, Greek, Mexican, Polish, Italian, Irish, Persian) neighborhood like you can find in Milwaukee.

Originally Posted by Milwaukee City

Closer to Chicago, Better lakes, cheap cost of living, many nice size cities to chose from not just one main metro area.

Not only is Wisconsin close to Chicago, but its closer to many other big cities like St. Louis, Minneapolis, and Indianapolis. Denver on the other hand, is extremely isolated from other big cities. It's 450 miles from Albuquerque, 530 miles from Salt Lake City, and 600 miles from Kansas City. The only significant bodies of water are man-made reservoirs filled with freezing cold water. If you want a decent job in Colorado, then you're stuck living in one of the cities along the Front Range Corridor.

Originally Posted by WilliamPacker

When I lived in Wisconsin I would get depressed during the long and harsh winters.

Now that I live in Colorado, it is the exact opposite. The summers can be killers.

I can remember many instances where temps stayed in the high 90's with no rain for weeks at a time during the summers in Colorado. The summer sun can be absolutely brutal, especially because Colorado lacks dense foliage to provide adequate shade.

Originally Posted by WilliamPacker

I think CO's leisure activities are generally more suited to younger people. Both have a lot of possibilities though. The illegal immigration thing is true for CO but not a big deal. Both states have crime in areas. There is strong Mexican culture in CO but other than that Wisconsin probably has more overall diversity. Both states are great imo.

Wisconsin is definitely more diverse than Colorado.

[susancruzs]

I think that is what surprised me most when I visited Colorado. It was summer, things were way more brown than I thought they would be and alot warmer, actually hot!

Great mountains, things to see, it was fun but I missed the green of the midwest!