Would like some info on Wisconsin (Mountain: house prices, employment, buying)

[danissa2408]

My wife and I and our 2 kids, are wanting to move to Norway, MI and would be close to the wisconsin border and was wondering how good the economy is. we know the us economy is bad but michigan is worst then most states and we had an idea to just drive to wisconsin for work, but wondered how the wisconsin economy was. please help

[Drover]

There's nothing about crossing a state line that makes a local economy magically improve. The economy of the general region along the WI/MI border is heavily dependent on tourism, and the tourist dollars tend to be concentrated in a few specific areas. The population of that general area is declining because jobs are scarce. At the same time the cost of living in certain spots around the border area is rising because city folk are buying up property to use as vacation/second homes. The nearest significant population center (and "significant" is relative up there) and thus employment center is Iron Mountain. The unemployment rate in Iron Mountain is 11.5%. All I can add is "good luck."

[susancruzs]

It is an economically depressed area and has been for years even before the latest economic trends. I'm curious as to why you would choose that area, it is tough in northern Wisconsin and the U.P., very tough. House prices might look great but having a job to support a move is major.

Weather is an issue, too if you haven't lived in the upper midwest, snow on the ground from November to easily May 1st, and spring snow middle of May, too. Summers are very short. I checked your zip and far south Indiana doesn't have winters like upper Michigan. I'm 180 miles from my sister in the U.P. and even my weather isn't like hers.

I've visited the area where you are several times, farm country, not much going on there probably job wise or with the economy but moving with a family to an area that has more issues would be tricky.

Sorry to be on the negative, when I usually try to be positive and supportive but right now I'd say stay where you are but if you really want to do this, research, research, do your homework and best of luck.