Life in Northern Wisconsin

[Milwaukee City]

Originally Posted by Ron Burgundy

Have you? The only part of La Crosse that qualifies as "run down" is the area containing beautiful older properties that slumlords gutted for college housing all in the name of profit.

Yeah I go up there a lot my family has a vacation home across the river on the MN side. I just didn't like the feel or look of the town however I do enjoy Pizza Doctors.

[Geechie North]

Originally Posted by jwhalun08

So, there are absolutely zero communities in northern Wisconsin that capture the cultural and ideological spirit of cities like Madison, Milwaukee, and La Crosse. Is that what you're saying? (I'm only asking/confirming just to make sure I understand). If you could elaborate a bit, it'd be very helpful; I find it hard to believe that every city in northern Wisconsin is so homogeneous.

By the way, what makes you think that "we are in the starting phase of the second Great Depression"? Most of the people who are screwed today are those who mindlessly overextended themselves (i.e. basically bought stuff--lots of stuff--on loans). Of course, there's something to be said about the ever-dwindling blue collar job opportunities, but for the most part it comes down to greed and stupidity. I wish there were more blue collar jobs available in this country (I once had plans of becoming a carpenter or handyman), but our big businesses and government are content to ship those jobs overseas. And of the stuff we do make in this country, a significant portion of it is crap.

Second question first:

Banks have failed; Unemployment (true rate) is approx 19%.

Plus real wages (80% of Americans only source of funds) are 30% off 1973 highs.

US goods are high quality- no matter what CNBC says- suggest you read the "Politics Section", Auto Industry Thread" for that info.

First question:

Parts of the ideology of Madcity is captured in diverse places around here- Minocqua, Fish Creek, come to mind.

But the rudeness inherent in a larger city is not.

That was my point.

[todd00]

op, you did say northern wisconsin, right? i think you would be better off conducting your own research on this topic. read some of the online newspapers from places in the area, contact the chamber of commerce, city officials, or someone at a local college about cultural things offered throughout the year. read some of the other threads of pple asking about what life is like in the northland. if i were you, id be wanting a job before i moved anywhere, rather than moving someplace then hoping some opportunity might open up. of course, travelling and exploring are always fun if one has the funds to do so. you might find eau claire nice and to your liking, as its a college town. wausau seems to be a progressive smaller town, from the things ive read. i have heard marquette, michigan does try to accent cultural activities. but again, its a small college town, with alot of snow. you strike me as someone that wants all the cultural activities of a large city in a small town, thats why pple live in the burbs. you may find europe more to your liking in some ways, i know i did, but they are not without their own problems such as crime, tax and crooked politicians. sounds familiar huh?

ive been looking at places in wisconsin and northern michigan also, i find it very beautiful country. i am also not a hunter, and have to weigh how much that being so much of a "sport" in the area will bother me. that is another aspect of life in the northern tier you may want to consider.

one last thing, you know the old saying you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. that one is still true. if you are seeking down to earth advice, ask in a way that is simple, concise and courteous. despite the fact that there are many educated pple on this forum, folks seem to be most impressed with genuine down to earth posts. something for you to ponder. good luck.

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by jwhalun08

I'd love to read your explanation as to why I remind you of "The Unabomber."

It was the utopian undertones of your long-winded original introduction, coupled with the subsequent request for a remote locale such as Ashland. I was halfway expecting to read a question about what it would cost to build a one room cabin on a remote parcel of land, so that you could write angrily about the ills of western society, without having to participate in it.

Originally Posted by jwhalun08

Don't you worry your pretty little head.

I shan't.

[Wellstone]

Originally Posted by jwhalun08

So, there are absolutely zero communities in northern Wisconsin that capture the cultural and ideological spirit of cities like Madison, Milwaukee, and La Crosse. Is that what you're saying? (I'm only asking/confirming just to make sure I understand).

yes that is mostly true. northern wisconsin is right wing, northeast wisconsin is far right wing. it is not for everyone. i know people like it as a vacation spot but that's far different from living it every day and forcing your kids to live there.

the schools suck and people do not want to pay for anything. that's never going to change. i know people who have gone there thinking it would be better but in the end they needed to get out.

the closest thing to progressive you would find is stevens point and that's not northern wisconsin. maybe you could say superior is progressive but it's also a dump. neighboring duluth would qualify but that's in minnesota.

[TAB1452]

wausau is relatively progressive...and I guess northern wisconsin could include cities such as Eau Claire, Menominee and Hudson...I actually think any of those 3 cities are a great place to live as well...Hudson would be nice as I was just there this past weekend and love what it had to offer...plus its so close to the northwoods yet Minneapolis is across the river basically...

[ImaloneJill]

Life is much more pleasant and less of a hellhole when you don't take yourself too seriously.
Seriously.

[mpls_ec77]

Ok, We'll finally going to say something. I don't Associate Eau Claire with Northern Wisconsin.. It's west central/western. But having grown up in Minneapolis and San Diego and having stints of living in stevens point and appleton... northern wisconsin is a culture shock if your coming from someplace rather diverse. Last night I went to RENT here at the State Theatre, which was put on by a childrens theatre but college kids were the actors. The 2 couples sitting next to me were in town for the weekend from Steven's Point and Green Bay and both were amazed at how progressive and liberal Eau Claire is.
Outside of Madison and Milwaukee I would have to agree that Eau Claire is prolly the 3rd most liberal place in the state. Extremely progressive and liberal as far as lgbt issues as well. There are hunters and fish fry peole in milwaukee and waukesha or madison as well as da northland. Anyways I hope to move back to California but in the mean time I have no problem being in Eau Claire and going back to minneapolis often. There's nothing wrong with northern wisconsin



"patience is a companion of wisdom" Saint Augustine