Early 30's Couple for The Dells/Mauston/Tomah/Portage??

[BrianGC]

Thank you all for the responses! It sounds like Baraboo is the top choice, followed by Dells/Lake Delton. We're weighing the pros and cons of the situation. We're not really into actually living in small towns, but we may make exception for those that have lots to do locally.

It's a shame to hear about the racism, but it's a part of life everywhere in varying amounts, unfortunately. It definitely hasn't bothered us much in the south, but down here even in small towns, people are still very friendly.

A "feeler" trip will definitely be in order if things move forward with the position.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by BrianGC

Thank you all for the responses! It sounds like Baraboo is the top choice, followed by Dells/Lake Delton. We're weighing the pros and cons of the situation. We're not really into actually living in small towns, but we may make exception for those that have lots to do locally.

It's a shame to hear about the racism, but it's a part of life everywhere in varying amounts, unfortunately. It definitely hasn't bothered us much in the south, but down here even in small towns, people are still very friendly.

A "feeler" trip will definitely be in order if things move forward with the position.

With your destination being Mauston, there isn't going to be much avoiding small towns. Or well, I guess your definition of small. Baraboo is bigger than Mauston, or Tomah, or wherever from a population basis.


It's still super small though.

[ranger17]

There will be a change in lifestyle going from any city down to living in a smaller community; Baraboo as an example has a population of only 12k people. But it still has a lot of tourists flowing thru, Devils Lake park nearby gets roughly 3 million visitors a year. I'd have to assume a fair # of those flow thru Baraboo on a daily basis lol so while residents may not change, the people one can interact with while out and about will vary. And those tourists come from all over the areas, and include people of all races.

[damba]

Originally Posted by ranger17

There will be a change in lifestyle going from any city down to living in a smaller community; Baraboo as an example has a population of only 12k people. But it still has a lot of tourists flowing thru, Devils Lake park nearby gets roughly 3 million visitors a year. I'd have to assume a fair # of those flow thru Baraboo on a daily basis lol so while residents may not change, the people one can interact with while out and about will vary. And those tourists come from all over the areas, and include people of all races.

You just oversold the reality unfortunately. The Chicago folks tend to hit the Dells waterparks and not devils lake so much.

[guidoLaMoto]

Originally Posted by BrianGC

. We're not really into actually living in small towns, but we may make exception for those that have lots to do locally....

It's a shame to hear about the racism, but it's a part of life everywhere in varying amounts, unfortunately.
.

Everything is relative. As an ex-Chicagoan, Ithink Madison is just a hick village. None of the places mentioned here have "a lot to do." You'll find a couple honky-tonks in each town and maybe a more up-scale restaurant every here and there, but you'll be hard pressed to find something like a Studio 54.


WI reminds me vaguely of Europe: smaller population centers with an emphasis on outdoor activities and quaint (ie- hokey) festivals.


In regards attitudes on race, the average here is probably the same as elsewhere, but with a smaller swing in extremes. Americans of African ancestry are unusual enough (Reedsburg is <1%) in the small towns that you'll probably be treated more with curiosity than contempt. You've probably already found out at his point in your life that it's a lot easier for others to forget you're black if you can forget you're black.


In regards logisitics: you commute to work 5 days a week. How often do you go out clubbing? I'd find a place to live closer to work and do the more occasional driving for recreation.


Check out this PBS TV show that gives good treatment to various WI communities to give you an idea about the flavor of the various small towns. https://www.pbs.org/show/around-corner-john-mcgivern/


It's only for a couple years. Heck, how bad can it be? Good luck and have fun with it.

[damba]

Originally Posted by guidoLaMoto

Everything is relative. As an ex-Chicagoan, Ithink Madison is just a hick village. None of the places mentioned here have "a lot to do." You'll find a couple honky-tonks in each town and maybe a more up-scale restaurant every here and there, but you'll be hard pressed to find something like a Studio 54.


WI reminds me vaguely of Europe: smaller population centers with an emphasis on outdoor activities and quaint (ie- hokey) festivals.


In regards attitudes on race, the average here is probably the same as elsewhere, but with a smaller swing in extremes. Americans of African ancestry are unusual enough (Reedsburg is <1%) in the small towns that you'll probably be treated more with curiosity than contempt. You've probably already found out at his point in your life that it's a lot easier for others to forget you're black if you can forget you're black.


In regards logisitics: you commute to work 5 days a week. How often do you go out clubbing? I'd find a place to live closer to work and do the more occasional driving for recreation.


Check out this PBS TV show that gives good treatment to various WI communities to give you an idea about the flavor of the various small towns. https://www.pbs.org/show/around-corner-john-mcgivern/


It's only for a couple years. Heck, how bad can it be? Good luck and have fun with it.

ROTFL

How does such a ‘cosmopolitan’ person from Chicago tolerate life in the driftless area if Madison is a hick town?
<heavy sarcasm>