Life in Northern Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Madison: job market, best schools, income)

[jwhalun08]

Though we haven't had the pleasure of even stepping foot in Wisconsin, from everything we've seen (and we've seen a lot), La Crosse and Madison are the two cities in which myself and my girlfriend are most interested in settling down. For our careers (myself a future high school English teacher and my girlfriend a future School Psychologist), though, we've come to the rude awakening that the job prospects in these areas aren't that strong--in fact, the opportunities basically seem nonexistent. Perhaps this will change as more Boomers start to retire, but it's not very realistic to expect an opening will magically manifest.

Milwaukee seems nice, if not downright beautiful, but we're not so keen on the uber-urban (yes, that's a technical term) atmosphere and the high population density--mostly because these qualities inevitably bring a lot of crime. And we're certainly not interested in living in one of MKE's suburban hellholes.

What we are looking for (isn't everyone?) is a happy medium between urban and pastoral paradise. That definitely sums up La Crosse and Madison to a tee, but again, there's the weighty issue of there being limited opportunities available.

Simply put, what cities, towns, or areas best suit our desires while also being logistically viable? Green Bay, Sheyboygan, Bayfield, and Ashland come to mind, but this is merely from an outsider's perspective--I'm sure I'm oversimplifying the options (or at least I hope!).

Any insight you all can offer would be very much appreciated!

[Milwaukee City]

And we're certainly not interested in living in one of MKE's suburban hellholes.

WTF? none of Milwaukee's suburbs are even close to a hellhole, the 3 counties to the north and west are in top 100 of most wealthiest counties in the nation. It's where the highest income people live are downtown and in the suburbs along with the states best schools.

So I don't know if you're joking around with sarcasm or what but they are not even close to hellholes and Milwaukee is no longer on the list of 25 most dangerous cities anymore FYI.

[Milwaukee City]

I actually think you would find your happy medium in Waukesha county aka Lake Country or Washington or Ozaukee county. Just look at some of the Milwaukee photos http://www.city-data.com/forum/milwa...to-thread.html

[jwhalun08]

Originally Posted by Milwaukee City

WTF? none of Milwaukee's suburbs are even close to a hellhole, the 3 counties to the north and west are in top 100 of most wealthiest counties in the nation. It's where the highest income people live are downtown and in the suburbs along with the states best schools.

So I don't know if you're joking around with sarcasm or what but they are not even close to hellholes and Milwaukee is no longer on the list of 25 most dangerous cities anymore FYI.

Any suburb is a hellhole in our eyes--sorry if I gave you the impression that I was singling out Milwaukee. I didn't mean "hellhole" in the concrete sense; on the contrary, I meant it as a figurative, abstract critique.

[Milwaukee City]

Originally Posted by jwhalun08

Any suburb is a hellhole in our eyes--sorry if I gave you the impression that I was singling out Milwaukee. I didn't mean "hellhole" in the concrete sense; on the contrary, I meant it as a figurative, abstract critique.

Ah I should've known. Have you been to LaCrosse I wouldn't call it a nice town more run down for a small town.

So you're not looking for a suburb but a smaller town, their many suburbs that were cities before they were suburbs and many of them have a small town feel with lush trees, nice lawns and quiet streets. Then their are your suburbs that are all cul de sacs and no downtown. If you want the job market of the Milwaukee area or madison you might have to settle on one of these small town suburbs that don't feel like a suburb at all.
IE Wauwatosa, Greendale, Pewaukee, Cedarburg, Grafton.

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by jwhalun08

Any suburb is a hellhole in our eyes--sorry if I gave you the impression that I was singling out Milwaukee. I didn't mean "hellhole" in the concrete sense; on the contrary, I meant it as a figurative, abstract critique.

you have insulted a tremendous amount of very nice suburban dwellers. Probably not as hip as you, but still cool people .

[hankejp]

I'm still trying to figure out the title.

[Milwaukee City]

Athens OH and Ctown are much of a storybook themselves.

[susancruzs]

Though we haven't had the pleasure of even stepping foot in Wisconsin, from everything we've seen (and we've seen a lot),

I'm trying to figure out how you see a great deal of Wisconsin without ever setting foot in the state and are able to draw conclusions??

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by jwhalun08

Though we haven't had the pleasure of even stepping foot in Wisconsin...

...Any insight you all can offer would be very much appreciated!

After expressing your dislike in the United States, you've settled on a future here, I see. I don't know if it's going to be for you.

Originally Posted by jwhalun08

Culture (given its proximity to Europe), progressive, noble government (universal healthcare, no guns, a wealth of mass transit options--true heroes of the public), and a forward-thinking consciousness are three of the fundamental maxims that set the UK in stark opposition to the US.

Originally Posted by jwhalun08

England and Scotland were two exceedingly attractive options that only seemed more and more like a sort of fantastical destiny with each passing day. Between those two countries (or the United Kingdom (adding Wales and Northern Ireland), more broadly speaking), the United States truly has little to offer in comparison.

Your ramblings are bizarre, because you like certain things, yet are exploring areas that have attributes you do not like. You don't like guns, but do like universal health care, public transportation, culture, and progressive, "noble" government.

I STRONGLY suggest that you spend a period of time in Northern Wisconsin before even CONSIDERING a move. You would be moving into everything you don't like. It's not progressive, there is no public transportation, no universal health care, and there are guns. Lots of guns.

Originally Posted by jwhalun08

...with the rather (/unfortunately) esoteric knowledge regarding the potentially apocalyptic future that awaits the Western world as it runs out of the cheap energy that fuels our comfortable lifestyles...

You say you're like Kurt Vonnegut. Yet for some reason, I keep thinking "Ted Kaczynski".

Given your distaste for America and desire for all things UK, I think you'd better figure out what you want, check it out well, then decide if it's really for you, and decide if you really want to be immersed in it, day after day, month after month, year after year. You could be making an awful mistake. Take it from me, you don't have enough time on this planet. Make the best of it.