Want to move to Door County (Green Bay, Monroe: relocate, property taxes, vacation)

[wintergrl]

Hello everyone! I am looking for advise on moving to WI.
My husband and I were recently transferred to Fl. from MI. and as soon as I am done with school we would love to move back north God willing. I was born and raised in MI. and I loved home but when a large pharmaceutical co. started cutting jobs and basically destroyed the econmy of our town we had to move and we miss it so bad. We miss the Fall and Winters.
I actually fell in love with the Door County area ( Gills Rock, Fish Creek, and such) through a book that I read and am now reading to my husband, along with other information I gatherd via the internet. I even have the Door County web site saved to my computer. I hear people say all the time how "The Smokey Mountians are God's country" and the Smokeys are beautiful but they haven't seen anything till the see what little I have seen of Door County. To me it's one of God's most increadible creations and I hear the fishing is fabulouse and that when it snow's IT Really Snows! We want so vey much to move there but I need facts. Like, what are the jobs prospects for RN's like? Is there good health care near by? Are the people friendly? My spouse is a Army brat and is Asian/German decent would his nationality be an issue in such a small community? I personally have had enough of rude, mean and inconsiderate people and believe me Florida is full of them. We are good people who are just looking to live in a peaceful enviroment with some good old fashion morals and values and enjoy what beauty God has created.It seems like WI may have what we long for. To live in Door County is our dream but these questions could use some answers. If anyone could give some advise I/we appreciate it. Please try to give facts and not just opinions. Thanks

[DaBears]

Originally Posted by wintergrl

I personally have had enough of rude, mean and inconsiderate people and believe me Florida is full of them.

Wi has them too (a tad more than florida)...lived in both....

[bd14]

I grew up in Door County, 19 years. then 9 Years in Tampa Bay and now 14 in East Tennessee "The Smokey Mountians are God's country".

"I personally have had enough of rude, mean and inconsiderate people and believe me Florida is full of them"

Kinda hate to burst your bubble, but out of the 3, the people in Clearwater were by far the best. Tennessee second and Wisc last, and that comes from a Door County native.

Door County does have the best weather of the 3, they also have the highest property taxes and a state income tax.

I still get up to see friends and family about once a year, but living there is unthinkable.

[nyminute]

I am a native NY'er living in Indiana and plan to relocate to Door by 2011 when I re-tire (yes, re-tire) and start a small business. The attraction to Door is the thin population in the communities, and the absence of commercialized living. Frankly I can do fine with out the big box merchandise and the over development of the landscape. I hope the political leaders hold the line on growth. Being a avid boater Door offers it all, and while winter can be long, it is a good time to do the indoorsy things by the fire.

[mom2thebluedogs]

Hi Wintrgrl! Ever been to Door County?

I'm a Wisconsin native. My husband and I have been living in the Door full-time for nearly five years and really love it. We had been vacationing here for years before we made the leap to FT residency. As a starter, it may be worth it for you to visit in both winter and summer before you make the leap - each season will give you a taste of what to expect. Winter is really quiet and not much is open in Northern Door. Summer is chaotic and the county is filled with summer residents and tourists - both a blessing and a curse.

From the perspective of a "local" (moved here from somewhere else and live here year-round) as opposed to the "native" (born in or spent their childhood in the county) that posted earlier, I've found this place to be great.

It really depends on who you are, what you want to get involved with, and your personal perspective on life. Many (not all) DC natives (people born here) have a different view of things than a local. They didn't usually have a choice to be here, but as a local, we *made* the choice to live here. I also think that things have been slowly changing since bd14 left 23 years ago.

There're also differences in people and perspectives among the Northern Door, Sturgeon Bay, and the Southern Door areas. Racial diversity in the county is low. It's still pretty much a Caucasian area, but that's changing ever so slowly.

As an RN, you shouldn't have a problem finding a job. If you're friendly and don't try to push your perspectives on people, it's not a problem.

Although I know you posted this in April, I'm happy to help answer your questions. Email me off-line.

Good luck!

[Wi_Girl]

I grew up about an hour south of Door County so I cant speak for jobs and stuff but I can say it was by far one of our most favorite places to visit every year. Summer was always so great up there. I've never met rude people up there but I never lived up there either. Wi does have rude but where I live in VA, WI doesnt hold a candle to the rude people here.

My husband is from VA and we got married in Wi and honeymooned in DC. He was very impressed with it. We went horseback riding, rode mopeds through some state parks, and just had a great time without having to spend thousands of dollars. We are going to visit next summer and going to DC again because I know my daughter will love it, and she will be 3.

Good luck if/when you move to DC. I hope to be back in WI too in the near future!

[ttauber]

Hey
I live in Door County and have lived in it my whole life. I lived in Fish Creek for 12 years, Ellison Bay for a year, and Sturgeon Bay for four years. It is of course beautiful but there is so much people dont know about it. Summer is awesome. There are many tourists and it is very busy and fun. There are a lot of restaurants to choose from and a lot to do. Festivals are happening all the time and you can always find something to do. The winter is very different. If you are thinking about living anywhere else then Strugeon Bay you need to realize how different it will be. If you live up north further (Fish Creek, Egg Harbor, Baileys Harbor) everything is closed. You have to drive to Sturgeon Bay for a lot of things. There is only one small grocery store open in the middle of the countie (main street market) and one near the northern tip (Piggly Wiggly). If you want a real grocery store you have to go to Sturgeon Bay. There are also very very few restaurants open in the northern countie. Winter still comes with stuff to do but not as much. I highly recomend Door County but consider carefully where you want to live. It makes a large difference. I recomand Sister Bay or further south on the tip otherwise you get to far from civilazation in the winter. hope this helped!

[alknaebe]

Hey, Wintergirl, wondering if you moved to door county and if you have been able to find a job.

[Nancy Akerly]

Dear Wintergirl,
I am a long time resident of Sister Bay/Liberty Grove. Do you still need info?
NancyLynn

[gido80]

I was born in Wisconsin and have been here forever. I live in Monroe county. Almost every year my family and I go to Door County. Everything is so beautiful.
As for Fish Creek, Sister Bay and Washington Island, I would never want to live there only because of the tourism. The main street are lined with cars, people walking down the middle of the road and more tourist shops you would ever want to see.
If I would move anywhere in that direction it would be Sturgeon Bay. It is a slightly bigger town with more things to do as a family.
Or, getting just outside of Door County about 18-20 miles from Sturgeon Bay is Algoma. This is another beatiful, quaint town on Lake Michigan mabye a half an hour to forty-five minutes from Green Bay.