Fond du Lac (Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay: sex offender, low crime, high school)

[Fenderchick13]

I would like to say that you are a hypocrite.proud wisonsinite made a comment about MN residents. Then you asked to not judge MN on your actions. That is what are you doing with Fond du Lac. You are judging the whole city by the people you incountered. There are thousands of people in this city, and not all of them are like. Of course your going to have your mean people, where dont you? But also i would like to point out that my parents and i are not native of FDL, nor are my neighbors. And we all get treated nicely. It is unfortunate that you met people who turned you away. And about the drinking.........maybe people like to unwind after a hard days work. Maybe their job is rough and they dont just get to sit in a nice little office, but work in a factory, or do construction. Sorry that our town isnt filled with people that think that they are too good to drink beer, and people that have their heads too far up their butts, im sorry if this sounds rude, but you make it sound as if they are low, and benethe you.

[BacktoNE]

I have to agree with original poster about not only FDL but the entire area. We've lived here 6 months and can't wait to get the heck out of here next year. It's true, the only social activity is drinking and smoking, and lets not forget the all important hunting.

If you are not native to WI, you are not welcome here. There is no getting around it.

Perhaps IHateFDL would like to share a moving van with us next Spring when we escape? We'd be happy for some friendly company.

[Oaklander]

Fond du Lac isn't a bad little town, but it is a little town, a very small Midwestern city and doesn't offer much in the way of culture or intellectual stimulation. What do you expect?

[jrisjs]

I understand where you are coming from. Hanging out and SOMETIMES DRINKING, whether it's just with friends or as a family, IS done around here. But you know what? SO is eating brats,fishing, going to ball games, hanging out at Lakeside Park & going to the library. Have you ever heard of HOBB'S WOODS? It's an incredible place. We go there whenever the feeling arises. I'll hand it to you - other towns DO have more kid activities. We travel from time to time to Appleton for different things. But,,,,,we look at traveling to get there as an exciting event. Ever drive 45 min's to go to a Timber Rattler game? We aren't even big baseball fans, but going there sure is fun.
We've accepted the fact that EVERYTHING isn't "right here". If it was, FDL would be much bigger. We've accepted the fact that sometimes you go TO the event if it's not IN your backyard.
We've lived in many other towns as well as states, too. There have been places I wasn't willing to give a chance to because my heart wasn't totally into the move- and there have been places I openly embraced because I was ready for the new adventure. I think life is how you look at it.
You sound very intelligent and you obviously know the problem that is plagueing FDL Cty's water. Why don't you get involved for those of us who aren't? You may be able to make a change. I'd like you on my side if you'd be willing to try. But if you're just going to focus on problems that most of us are aware of,,,,then it's not very productive.
As far as where you live. This is not adding up. I live in NFDL and MY taxes are not as high as yours. You may want to recheck some things.
Now,,,,,before you insult anyone else,,,,you may want to clarify the type of drinking going on in the driveways of your neighbors. We have 4 children, go to church and have respectible jobs. We are good neighbors, constant school volunteers, helpful and very open to meeting new people. We also light up our firepit in the driveway and have drinks sometimes while our kids run around and play. And if you were walking by our house on nights that we do this, we'd invite you over for a drink, a soda or some cool-aid. No one is becoming morally corrupted and as a matter of fact, our children are welcome out there with us. You have constantly mentioned drinking and I wonder if there are other issues that need to be addressed.
There are lots of bars here. If you plan on moving, you may not want to pick a place where drinking and socializing is so common. I know I wouldn't move to LA simply because,from the sounds of it,,,,I wouldn't be happy in that kind of lifestyle. I wouldn't move to the city of Detroit because I enjoy small-city life a little too much. So,,,,if I moved there, I bet I'd be miserable.
I really hope the best for you. It's terrible living in a place you don't like or feel welcome in.
Good luck.

[Minnie]

I stumbled on this thread tonight and was stunned. I grew up in FDL, and my appreciation for it has grown since moving away. Many of the complaints of other posts have merit, but as many others have noted, these complaints are true of most places. Having also lived in the Milwaukee area and three other states, I too have experienced the feeling that I don't fit in because I'm not a native. Some places are harder that others, but I also must acknowledge that my ability to fit in usually had more to do with what I was doing rather than how others treated me. Is there drinking in FDL? Do lives revolve around the Packers? ABSOLUTETY. I don't mean to be flip, but there never is a shortage of opportunities to socialize in FDL. We get together with friends to celebrate victories, and we get together with friends to commiserate our losses. It's easy to strike up conversations with strangers about Brett's injuries, or to invite the new neighbors over to watch the game. It's the common denominator that connects us all. I still love that Packers, and always will. (I've met many other former WI residents in many states, and none have ever lost their loyalty.) I'm looking forward to being in FDL for Thanksgiving.

[Minnie]

Last week I met a woman whose mother fell in love with FDL while on vacation several years ago. She had lived in OH her entire life, but decided to leave it all behind and move to FDL. She's been there four years and loves it. Her kids, still in OH, visit whenever they can. Her daughter told me how beautiful she find FDL.

[proud wisconsinite]

Originally Posted by newbie810

I just had to jump in here. My family moved to FDL in June of this year from another state. I was and still am absolutely astounded at how friendly everyone is! Whether it's in a store, a restaurant, passersby in town, everywhere I go, everyone is so nice. I've not met a single person who was rude, had a chip on their shoulder, or that even came across as more of a private person. Everyone has been talkative and welcoming. (this is coming from a person who's traveled to 27 states, lived in three of them, and 11 foreign countries, and at this moment still has out-of-state plates on the car!)
The school district here is fabulous compared to others I've known. They offer much more to students than in alot of areas, with the arts, more phys. ed classes (our country surely needs that). The communication between the teachers/school and parents is wonderful. The technology training for the students is excellent, and I'm thrilled to see Apple computers in the school. I can't say enough good about the schools.
The town is overall very clean and safe and quiet. I find it to be much like a n older farming/small town feel here. The fall festival downtown was fabulous! My children had so much fun. I'm a folk musician, and I know there is plenty going on for music in town as well (and of course Oshkosh and Appleton are close enough to enjoy what they offer as well.)
I'm sorry there are people who have not had the experience we've had, here in FDL. We were transferred for work, it wasn't a situation that I wanted or planned to leave my homestate by any means, but I'm very pleased that we are here.
I'm not saying it's the perfect city. I've done my fair share of research on the water situation and I'm still not happy about that. The taxes are much higher than where I'm from, but luckily not has high as other places in WI. I am missing certain stores, I have to run up and down highway 41 to Oshkosh and Appleton for the stores I need (Sam's Club, Hobby Lobby, Big Lots.) There are no donut shops here. For us that's culture shock!
I think FDL is fairly central to alot of very nice parts of the state. Sheboygan was beautiful, with Lake Michigan. The WI Dells are close, heck even Chicago is close. And Milwaukee and Madison offer much big-city culture without having to drive too far.
For preschool moms, I've just discovered the local MOPS meeting (mops.org) and the women there were so wonderful. I'm sure I'll meet a lot of really nice friends in the near future there.
I will admit, I didn't just jump in and buy a house in FDL, I looked at all the surrounding cities and villages and looked at what they had to offer, taxes, schooling, how far the commute would be for my husband...and overall, we chose to buy a home here. I've not regreted it.
In this day and age, it would be difficult to move anywhere and automatically overnight click and magically have loads of friends and hobbies, etc. It does take some work on the newcomer's part. I can't say I have many friends yet but it takes time! I've spent more time in the house unpacking than out and about, other than shopping. And no, there may be a zillion bars here (all over WI I'm told) I haven't been to any of them.
I'll say what I've always said: Life is what you make it. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% your reaction to it. Look in the right spot, you'll find happiness. There are ways to make friends and be involved wherever you live. If you have no idea where to start, call a church or visit one. I know everyone's experience is different, but such an extreme negative reaction is disappointing to read. The best of luck to everyone who's posted about this.

You're so right, life is what you make it and your reaction to things that happen to you in life. Thank you for your post.

[proud wisconsinite]

Originally Posted by jrisjs

We've accepted the fact that EVERYTHING isn't "right here". If it was, FDL would be much bigger. We've accepted the fact that sometimes you go TO the event if it's not IN your backyard.
But if you're just going to focus on problems that most of us are aware of,,,,then it's not very productive.
Now,,,,,before you insult anyone else,,,,you may want to clarify the type of drinking going on in the driveways of your neighbors.
No one is becoming morally corrupted and as a matter of fact, our children are welcome out there with us.

I agree with all of your points. If Fond du Lac had more going on here, it would be much bigger, then there would be more problems with crime, etc. And you're right about the type of drinking going on, we too enjoy having another couple over, letting the kids play in the back yard and enjoying a drink together, but we don't get loud or rowdy and drunk off our butts. I agree that ihatefondy is jusst focusing on problems most people are aware and lots of things that are common in any city. Thanks for your post.

[gravesgirl]

Proud Wisconsinite & Fondefender:

I agree with you. ihatefonddulac obviously hasn't learned to adjust yet. Maybe it's just the city's way of say that we don't want HER here? I've only lived in the city for 7 years (but have lived within 15 miles my entire life) and I've NEVER gotten "harrassed" for being an outsider. I drive a modest car and live in a modest home and my neighbors have always been super nice. I do know that we WILL NOT tollerate people with "attitudes" no matter where you're from. FdL residents are genuinely nice people however I will not look highly upon anyone acting snooty, snobbish, stuck-up, pretentious, patronizing, or condescending. Perhaps this is her?

It may also surprise ihatefonddulac but not everyone in this city drinks. I don't and my husband doesn't...but that doesn't mean we don't have fun. It just doesn't involve alcohol. And lady, if you can't live on $60,000+ a year here, you obviously need to go back to Budgeting 101. You will find the cost of living in FdL is lower than the metro areas both north and south of us.

[proud wisconsinite]

gravesgirl...thank you, you're SO right! I also do not tolerate snobbiness which is exactly whate ihatefondy exudes. I too have a modest home, car, etc. and I too live quite happily on an income of about half of what she is saying she scrapes by on. Clearly, it's a personal problem...no offense intended.