Should we move to Racine, Wisconsin? Any advice gratefully received!

[nidex]

Originally Posted by seansamjoe

The day we got here, all of the neighbors on our new street came out & helped us unload the moving truck. Every single one of our neighbors. Husbands, wives, even some kids. It was wonderful. People have been very welcoming

They came to help you unload the moving truck because they were shoving stuff in their pockets and walking off with things when you were unpacking/unloading inside.

[Baybie Alyssa]

Where are the safe areas of Mount Pleasant?

[NoJiveMan]

Originally Posted by Baybie Alyssa

Where are the safe areas of Mount Pleasant?

East of Sheridan Road (state route 32) from KR north to Durand and Braun Road north to Durand, between Green Bay Road going East to Ohio Street.

[fightforlove]

Originally Posted by jen77

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can offer any advice...

My boyfriend has been offered a contract working in Racine, Wisconsin for 4 months intially (but potentially 2 years). We are an English couple (living near London), in our late twenties, without children and I have no idea whether we should move out there or not!
Can anyone tell me what Racine is like? Is there much to do there (I'm probably not into going out to bars much)? Is it expensive? What will the weather be like from May - September? I've read some stats that indicate that crime is bad there - is this the case?
Also, I'd probably wouldn't be able to get a visa if I was joining him so would be looking at either studying or doing voluntary work - does anyone know what the opportunities for this would be like out there?
I think this could be a great thing to do but I have no idea what we'd be letting ourselves in for! I'd really appreciate any information or advice that anyone can offer.
Thanks!

Hey Jen,

Don't get too discouraged by the negative posts about Racine. Racine is a city that's sort of in transition: it is true that Racine has it's problems with crime/gangs and an old, stagnant economy, but this city does have an odd charm what with it's combination of history, architechture and a re-vamped, quirky downtown area. The New York Times printed an article a few years ago about how Racine was the #1 city in the industrial midwest that was re-inventing itself for a new era.

Some positive things about Racine to consider:

-Racine is a coastal industrial/manufacturing city just 30 minutes down the road from Milwaukee and 1.5 hours up from Chicago. So, if you still hate Ray-town, you've got excellent accessibility to some much bigger, more happening cities.

-The beaches/lakefront is really nice, and there is a harbor with bridges and piers; a good place for boating, fishing or just hanging out.

-Downtown has been re-vamped with some good restaurants/bars. Like Milwaukee, it is developing a bit of a quirky/artsy vibe. Some of the downtown cafes have interesting themes and there's some decent ethnic restaurants down there too now.

-the westside has a nice little shopping mall and several other stores, restaurants, amenities, etc.

-traffic is not an issue and the COL is pretty low.

-the people are friendly, laid-back and genuine and pretty curious/welcoming to transplants. You won't find too many surly yuppies, hipsters or intrusive nut-cases around here. As a whole, Racine is politically and socially moderate relative to the rest of the country.

For a 4 month contract, I think you and your hubby would do just fine in Racine. I grew up in Ray-town and I just moved back (albeit temporarily) to the area after spending some years away, and I'm enjoying re-discovering it. It's not the best or most glamorous place in the USA, but it's a decent city with it's own unique flavor and has fast access to Chicago, Lake Michigan and the rural midwest.

[Baybie Alyssa]

I'm coming to the suburban areas from New Jersey and Mt. Pleasant/ Caledonia have a lot in common with suburban NJ population density-wise, shopping wise, housing subdivisions everywhere: Gas is higher, but benefit : Cost of Living is MUCH Lower.

[Someone That Knows]

Racine is only terrible for the ratchet & hoodrats (male/female ) because it's so small everyone screwing each other & spreading disease plus having kids knowing they can't take care of a child. Most have 3 to 7 seven kids all different father's. Racine fine it's just the ppl who's living there! I love my city but 75% of the ppl including the justice system is so ****ed up & unruly

[Ragnar]

I visited Racine a couple of weeks ago to go to North Beach. Parking was completely inadequate for the crowds, but the beach was pretty nice and clean. Fun party vibe to it.

I was surprised at how dumpy most of the houses looked just a block or two from the water. I haven't seen that type of thing very much in most other coastal towns I've visited. Usually the neighborhoods by the water are very nice.

Overall I wasn't impressed with Racine and am glad I don't live there. If I had to choose, I'd pick Kenosha over Racine easily, and Kenosha isn't all that awesome.