Anyone leave Milwaukee and come back? Or recently move here? (Kenosha: to live in, law)

[gypsyjudy]

Originally Posted by MortonR

Good luck! Please report back and let us know what your observations are as far as "going back".

I lived in Sheboygan and later in Port Washington in the late 80s/early 90s and would return in a heartbeat to Port. We lived it there, truly a "small town" feel, everyone was great, local businesses were great and the cultural and ethnic stuff in Milwaukee was just a short drive away.

I know it wouldn't be the same, but I would still return in a heartbeat if I could find a way (I've been in Florida since then.)

Of all the places I've lived over my lifetime, which are a few, I've always said that Wisconsin had the best quality of life. I can't quantify this, but it was just better than anyplace I've ever lived. And that encompasses parts of the Midwest, New England, Florida and California, so I think I've had a broad enough range of experience to make a comparison.

RM

Completely agree with your last paragraph! I've lived in Tennessee, Nebraska, Missouri, Texas, North Carolina, Michigan, and Wisconsin (I think that's it). Wisconsin is near and dear to my heart, and I think it has a quality of life far superior to any place I have been. I am in NC right now and really hate it! I am looking forward to moving back someday. I would love to go back to Madison, but it looks like it will have to be Milwaukee for my husband's job. Frankly, I look forward to seeing some snow again! I really miss the 4 seasons!

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by gypsyjudy

Completely agree with your last paragraph! I've lived in Tennessee, Nebraska, Missouri, Texas, North Carolina, Michigan, and Wisconsin (I think that's it). Wisconsin is near and dear to my heart, and I think it has a quality of life far superior to any place I have been. I am in NC right now and really hate it! I am looking forward to moving back someday. I would love to go back to Madison, but it looks like it will have to be Milwaukee for my husband's job. Frankly, I look forward to seeing some snow again! I really miss the 4 seasons!

I can't say I hated anywhere I lived, other than maybe San Francisco, but of all the places I have lived, WI has, so far, been the best all-around.

RM

[Teacher Terry]

I enjoy visiting friends in Wisconsin and the northern part of the state is beautiful. I don’t miss the cold, humidity and bugs. We live in Reno and it’s perfect.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by Teacher Terry

I enjoy visiting friends in Wisconsin and the northern part of the state is beautiful. I don’t miss the cold, humidity and bugs. We live in Reno and it’s perfect.

Yeah, with all the drugs, alcoholism and unemployment, it's a great place. I noticed the FBI stats ranked it the 3rd highest for crime in the state, and it's one of the most expensive cities in the state for housing prices, too.

Don't get me wrong, I love Reno and have visited it many times. The proximity to the Sierras and Lake Tahoe are wonderful, but few can afford to live there, and the casinos continue to bring a lot of related issues into the area that are less than ideal. Reno is a run down Vegas, and that's not being fair to Vegas. There always seemed to be a thread of depression that runs through everything.

I would take Wisconsin over Reno any day. You know what they say - "The sun never shines in Reno!"

RM

[Dapper Zoom]

Originally Posted by HereToDate

Has anyone here moved away from Milwaukee and then returned? Or simply moved away? Or recently moved to Milwaukee?

What brought you back/to Milwaukee? What did you expect when you moved vs what was reality?

Just curious about how people compare Milwaukee to other places they have lived.

I grew up in Milwaukee, left for San Francisco, returned to Milwaukee, and returned to San Francisco. I've been here in SF for 20 years and love it, but may someday return to Milwaukee or move somewhere else.

There really isn't much to compare between San Francisco and Milwaukee. They're such different places. The culture is different, the weather is very different. I guess it depends on what you're looking for. I prefer the SF weather and the location of SF for quick getaways. I can go to the ocean easier than most people in Milwaukee can get to the lakefront. I see incredible views every day without even trying. For example, the bus I am taking might go over a hill and give a glimpse of the bay with Alcatraz, some ships and some sailboats in the distance.

I also definitely prefer the weather in San Francisco. There are so many great restaurants, bookstores, shops and bars in San Francisco, but I think this paradoxically turns out to be somewhat of a disadvantage. People here take these places for granted, whereas in Milwaukee they are appreciated and treasured and a community evolves around them. Think of Nomad Pub on Brady street, for example. We have a lot of place like that in SF, with more beers and whatnot, but at the same time they're not really the same. Also here the people are not as friendly and they're not as invested in making SF a great place. Many of the residents here don't really consider themselves San Franciscans, but as temporary passers through just taking advantage of the city for what they can get out of it. I'm like that myself and I've been here 20 years. Milwaukee seems to have a different attitude on these things and more community if you take a bit of trouble to find it.

Milwaukee also has the off the radar thing going for it. You can discover a hole in the wall tavern that is really special and just the perfect secret place to take your friends. Everything in SF has five thousand Yelp reviews and is having to compete with other places to get the foot traffic to pay rent. It may sound nice at first to have a bar with a gazillion craft beers on tap, but when every place is like that, it takes the magic away.

Plus the 49ers suck.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by Dapper Zoom

I grew up in Milwaukee, left for San Francisco, returned to Milwaukee, and returned to San Francisco. I've been here in SF for 20 years and love it, but may someday return to Milwaukee or move somewhere else.

There really isn't much to compare between San Francisco and Milwaukee. They're such different places. The culture is different, the weather is very different. I guess it depends on what you're looking for. I prefer the SF weather and the location of SF for quick getaways. I can go to the ocean easier than most people in Milwaukee can get to the lakefront. I see incredible views every day without even trying. For example, the bus I am taking might go over a hill and give a glimpse of the bay with Alcatraz, some ships and some sailboats in the distance.

I also definitely prefer the weather in San Francisco. There are so many great restaurants, bookstores, shops and bars in San Francisco, but I think this paradoxically turns out to be somewhat of a disadvantage. People here take these places for granted, whereas in Milwaukee they are appreciated and treasured and a community evolves around them. Think of Nomad Pub on Brady street, for example. We have a lot of place like that in SF, with more beers and whatnot, but at the same time they're not really the same. Also here the people are not as friendly and they're not as invested in making SF a great place. Many of the residents here don't really consider themselves San Franciscans, but as temporary passers through just taking advantage of the city for what they can get out of it. I'm like that myself and I've been here 20 years. Milwaukee seems to have a different attitude on these things and more community if you take a bit of trouble to find it.

Milwaukee also has the off the radar thing going for it. You can discover a hole in the wall tavern that is really special and just the perfect secret place to take your friends. Everything in SF has five thousand Yelp reviews and is having to compete with other places to get the foot traffic to pay rent. It may sound nice at first to have a bar with a gazillion craft beers on tap, but when every place is like that, it takes the magic away.

Plus the 49ers suck.

I lived in SFO (San Bruno and later Montara) and loved it, but never really felt "anchored" there for much of the reasons you state. Yes, the things you can do and see in the area are amazing and I never wanted for things to do or places to see, but I also never felt invested in the place.

I worked in SSFO and always enjoyed watching the "roller shade" of fog as it went up the hills in the morning as the sun came up and then right back down as the sun moved into the west. It is a beautiful place, for sure.

That as in the late 90s, and I'm sure it's not gotten any better. On top of all that the average person could never expect to own a home there, either....

RM

[ccjarider]

Originally Posted by MortonR

Yeah, with all the drugs, alcoholism and unemployment, it's a great place. I noticed the FBI stats ranked it the 3rd highest for crime in the state, and it's one of the most expensive cities in the state for housing prices, too.

Don't get me wrong, I love Reno and have visited it many times. The proximity to the Sierras and Lake Tahoe are wonderful, but few can afford to live there, and the casinos continue to bring a lot of related issues into the area that are less than ideal. Reno is a run down Vegas, and that's not being fair to Vegas. There always seemed to be a thread of depression that runs through everything.

I would take Wisconsin over Reno any day. You know what they say - "The sun never shines in Reno!"

RM

You know what else they say about the Upper Midwest? - "Minus 20 keeps out the riff raff"

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by ccjarider

You know what else they say about the Upper Midwest? - "Minus 20 keeps out the riff raff"

That it does. You don't find people wanting to relocate from the rest of the country to say, Wausau.

(Nothing against Wausau, just using it as an example for climate purposes.)

RM

[that'slife]

Ultimately Home is Where the Heart is. We moved to NC to try living for working until retirement years. We have a child whom we thought would attend college in NC. Finally after 3 years we couldn't take the heat and missed our family. We moved back to Wisconsin and have not regretted it at all. We all love the 4 distinct seasons. We ski , snowshoe, kayak, bike ride, golf . Our family and long term friends are nearby. We take road trips and explore other area of Wisconsin. I wish each and everyone of you the peace and happiness of living near those who mean the most to you! Finally the time spent with loved ones is priceless!

[gypsyjudy]

Originally Posted by that'slife

Ultimately Home is Where the Heart is. We moved to NC to try living for working until retirement years. We have a child whom we thought would attend college in NC. Finally after 3 years we couldn't take the heat and missed our family. We moved back to Wisconsin and have not regretted it at all. We all love the 4 distinct seasons. We ski , snowshoe, kayak, bike ride, golf . Our family and long term friends are nearby. We take road trips and explore other area of Wisconsin. I wish each and everyone of you the peace and happiness of living near those who mean the most to you! Finally the time spent with loved ones is priceless!

This is my family, almost exactly! We have been in Charlotte for 3 years and HATE it - truly! Our son is attending UNCC and is planning on going to graduate school at UW. Everyone hates the humidity as well as pretty much everything else here. So, we are planning an exodus in a few years and cannot wait to get back to 4 seasons and actually being able to enjoy the outdoors in the summer (instead of being shut in because of the heat and humidity). Oh, and SNOW.......Can't wait to see some! We don't have family in WI but do have friends. You ARE my inspiration! Great to hear from someone similarly situated! Best of luck to you!