Thinking Wisconsin!!! (Milwaukee, Green Bay, Appleton: 2009, neighborhoods, private schools)

[ALMOST2L8]

Originally Posted by JDCATONSVILLE

My family and I moved to Merrill from Catonsville, MD. just about two years ago and we love it. I have a son and a daughter and they had no problem making friends and there is plenty of outdoor activities and sports to keep them active. I work just south of Merrill in Wausau and it only takes me about 20 minutes each way, which believe you me is a lot nicer then the 45 minute minimum drive that I had back in Maryland. Merrill is quite with low crime and congestion and has a really good school system. I hope eveything works out for you and your family and you find what your looking for.

Well God Bless you & your family, besides La Cross, Wasau was one of my main choices, but I want to be able to take my son to some college football games, and maybe catch the Bears/Packers game every year. I think the closest collegiate football team to Merrill is in Stevens point. But I love the proximity to Green Bay!!! If you don't mind me asking, why did you choose Wisconsin???

[jjacobeclark]

Originally Posted by ALMOST2L8

Well God Bless you & your family, besides La Cross, Wasau was one of my main choices, but I want to be able to take my son to some college football games, and maybe catch the Bears/Packers game every year. I think the closest collegiate football team to Merrill is in Stevens point. But I love the proximity to Green Bay!!! If you don't mind me asking, why did you choose Wisconsin???

Portage is only about 40 miles from Madison, so you could always go see the Badgers play at Camp Randall.

[JDCATONSVILLE]

Actually Wisconsin I would say kind of chose us. We were thinking of a couple other places when my wife stumbled across Wisconsin and what it had to offer. So she started doing some research and the more we learned about it the more we liked the idea of moving here. The company I worked for in Maryland also had some locations in Wisconsin as well so I started talking with them about transfering locations and they said they could us me in the Wausau location. And everything just fell into place with us selling our house and finding a new one, the move was really easy and natural, like it was meant to be. It definitly worked out as if this was part of the grand design and this was what was supposed to happen with my family and I, and we have enjoyed every minute of it. Now why we wanted to leave was some of the same things as you stated. We wanted to live in a smaller comunity that was family friendly with less crime and congestion. In general a better quality of life for my wife and kids.

[ALMOST2L8]

Originally Posted by JDCATONSVILLE

Actually Wisconsin I would say kind of chose us. We were thinking of a couple other places when my wife stumbled across Wisconsin and what it had to offer. So she started doing some research and the more we learned about it the more we liked the idea of moving here. The company I worked for in Maryland also had some locations in Wisconsin as well so I started talking with them about transfering locations and they said they could us me in the Wausau location. And everything just fell into place with us selling our house and finding a new one, the move was really easy and natural, like it was meant to be. It definitly worked out as if this was part of the grand design and this was what was supposed to happen with my family and I, and we have enjoyed every minute of it. Now why we wanted to leave was some of the same things as you stated. We wanted to live in a smaller comunity that was family friendly with less crime and congestion. In general a better quality of life for my wife and kids.

Well, Congrats my friend!! With God there is always a grand design. I just hope my family can one day be as happy, and as lucky as yours!! God Bless you!!!

[Annyz]

Hey....we were from CRAPVILLE, IL too until we made the move here 15 years ago! Our crapville was the Chicago western suburbs, so we are VERY familiar with those areas as well as the cities and outlying northern suburbs. (Hated it...would never move back there in a million years. And we grew up there.)
We chose to live in Black River Falls. Great area..can't say enough good things about the people in general and the laid back lifestyle. BRF is right on Interstate 94, so you have access to rapid travel if needed. It is 1/2 hour from Tomah, 1/2 hour from Sparta, 1 hour from Eau Claire and 1 hour from LaCrosse. So we have a very centralized location.
Hatfield is about 20 minutes from BRF and is a hot vacation spot for those who enjoy camping. They have ATV trails there, a large flea market several times during summer, a couple of restaurant/bars and a camping area where you can stay with horses. The lake has designated swimming areas, boating and fishing. (Growing up, my family camped in Hatfield every single year for our vacation...I am now in my early 50's!)
As for schools, if you have children, I can't give you any info since ours are grown and live away from the area. (They never went to school here)
As for work, there isn't much and you would probably have to travel either to LaCrosse or Eau Claire which is a common commute for a lot of folks here. The Ho-Chunk Nation has a large office building for their business' and tribal programs. They also have the Casino, Hotel and Convenience store located on the outskirts of town.
There are always activities that you can participate in for free or very little entrance fee. County fairs are abundant, strawberry festivals, cranberry festivals, corn boils, chicken boils, farm breakfasts, tractor pulls, demo derbys, gymkhana events and on and on. There is always something to do! And then there are the ski hills, biking and hiking trails, horseback riding trails, ATV trails just to mention a few physical activities. And garage sales, home and farm auctions are plentiful. You can save a lot of money and have a lot of fun at the same time!
We live in the country just outside of BRF and the roads are maintained pretty well since we are on a school bus route. This is just one of many things to consider if you will be living outside the city limits anywhere. Rural electricity is a bit higher than in town and property taxes in general are high, so be careful what you buy! We have a Kwik Trip and a super Wal-Mart in town that are open 24/7....with the exception of the bars the remainder of business' usually close down by 5pm. Another thing to keep in mind when moving!
Well, I am rambling about Black River Falls and I know you are focusing more on LaCrosse. I have only been there a few times, but I think if you choose a home on the outskirts you would probably be very happy there. The city has a lot to offer and plenty to keep a family busy.
I would suggest you take a weeks vacation in this area and do some traveling throughout LaCrosse and the surrounding areas. Get a feel for the people, the city and nearby towns. I seriously doubt that after a short visit you won't be totally sold on the idea of moving to this area of WI. After living in Illinois HELL for so many years of my life, moving here was a change that I have never ONCE regretted. Even in the worst winters, which I hate by the way, you can't complain when you look out your window at the scenery!
Well, best of luck to you and your family. If you want to PM me, I would be more than happy to help you in any way possible.

[machstr]

I cannot believe no one mentioned Green Bay to you! The Green Bay Packers, beautiful river and Bay of Green Bay, wonderful community, low crime rate, low housing costs and great people. What more would you want? Door county beaches only 40 minutes away, Bay Beach Amusement park right in the city on the Bay. Wild Life Sanctuary for the kids and adults as well. Its an awesome town

[ALMOST2L8]

Originally Posted by machstr

I cannot believe no one mentioned Green Bay to you! The Green Bay Packers, beautiful river and Bay of Green Bay, wonderful community, low crime rate, low housing costs and great people. What more would you want? Door county beaches only 40 minutes away, Bay Beach Amusement park right in the city on the Bay. Wild Life Sanctuary for the kids and adults as well. Its an awesome town

I though about Green Bay, but I'm a huge Bears fan as is my son. So yea, that may not be a good fit. I would at least like him to be able to make friends!! LOL Thanks!!!

[crazyme4878]

Originally Posted by ALMOST2L8

I though about Green Bay, but I'm a huge Bears fan as is my son. So yea, that may not be a good fit. I would at least like him to be able to make friends!! LOL Thanks!!!

Well, he is going to run into that problem almost anywhere in Wisconsin!

[jjacobeclark]

Originally Posted by machstr

I cannot believe no one mentioned Green Bay to you! The Green Bay Packers, beautiful river and Bay of Green Bay, wonderful community, low crime rate, low housing costs and great people. What more would you want? Door county beaches only 40 minutes away, Bay Beach Amusement park right in the city on the Bay. Wild Life Sanctuary for the kids and adults as well. Its an awesome town

The reason nobody recommended Green Bay to the OP is the same reason nobody recommended Racine, Beloit, and Janesville... because they're all armpits. Compared to Appleton and the Fox Cities, Green Bay is one giant ghetto, and this is coming from somebody who lives in Milwaukee. Ashwaubenon and DePere are the only nice areas around Green Bay, otherwise it's a total crap hole. The proximity to Door County, the casino, and the Packers are Green Bay's only saving graces.

[Milwaukee City]

I would put Oshkosh and FDL in the same crap boat for small towns. Although Janesville is has some really nice parts along with Beloit but overall thumbs down.