by Kudra 10 Replies latest jw friends
Hi
Is anyone here from Wisconsin?
My hubbs is waiting to find out about a job position there... so we may be packing up to go to SW Wisconsin this summer...!
Tell me you thoughts, good and bad abouut this area- culture, weather, geography, topography???
Thanks!!
If we do end up there it would be cool to do a meet-up sometime. :)
-K
Madison's a great city. That's where I'm living now. Other than Madison and Milwaukee, it's mostly rural, especially as you go farther up north. The winter can be brutal at times, though last year's was far worse IMO. The state in general is very culturally diverse, especially in the Madison area.
Wisconsin is a beautiful state, althought the winter weather can be pretty brutal.
I used to work on world class yachts and there are 2 of the best yacht manufacturers in the world in Sturgeon Bay (Door County). Some of my clients had yachts built at Palmer-Johnson, so I used to travel back and forth from Florida to work on the boats.
While I was there I used to go out and explore the local area and also got to go fishing with some of the ship wrights I got to know.
Potawatamee (sp?) State Park is in Door County and there is an outcrop of the Niagara Escarpment that is pretty impressive. Sturgeon Bay was settled predominantly by Belgians so in July they have a big Belgian celebration, complete with fish boils (yum...some of the best food I've ever had), parades, fireworks, etc.
If you get a chance to check out Door County you'll definitely have a great time.
I have heard many good things about Door Co.
...I'm keeping an open mind -I am a Mexican Californian so my tolerance for cold weather is ...low.
Belgian Fish Boil?? Hm.
Hey Keyser!
I too know about Wisconsin, and it is a Great Place (just depends on where you are planning on moving)
If you come to WI you must try brats & beer, Friday Fish Fry, hot ham & rolls on Sundays, Summerfest at the lakefront (Milwaukee), all the other cultural festivals at the lakefront, Harley has it's big parties in Milwaukee if you are into bikes, Madison is it's own thing, some call it The People's Republic of Madison. Our State Capitol (no, Green Bay is not the Capitol) is pretty liberal and we are a tax hell at the moment with more to come. Is your husband willing to become a Packer Fan? Packer games are THE entertainment during the season from Sunday to Sunday for many including radio & news.
The weather can be a challenge for those who have not experienced -20 degrees. Not many like that but a few throughout the winter. The past couple years we had lots of snow! Fall is absolutely gorgeous and our weather guys include a fall color report in the weather. Spring is outstanding, though that could be because of the long winters, fishing along the Mississippi is supposed to be pretty good. Many state & county parks. We have lots of lakes to fish & boat in as well. Have you ever gone ice fishing? Door County was already mentioned but that is another place for fish boils and famous Door County Cherries and anything you can make out of them.
SE WI seems to have been settled mainly by Germans, Polish, some French. There is a great Bastille Days in Milwaukee. The cultural festivals at the lakefront include Germanfest, Irishfest, Indian Summer (the Potowatami's have a casino in Milw), African American, Greek Fest, there was a middle eastern one but I think it got canceled last year, not sure if the Chinese one is still going either. New ones pop up though, private funding keeps some going.
mm! thanks for all of this info!
My hubby is originally from WI so this job possibility is a potential dream come true for him... and yes he is a huge Packers fan!
I am from CA, so it could be a rather large culture shock for me... weatherr, everything...
The town the job is in is La Crosse. It sounds nice- right on the Mississippi, college town, lots of open space- the bluffs, wetlands, etc.
Therre sure arer a lot of festivals- fun :)
The only thing I am worried about is the cold and no sun! I was fine in Colorado when I lived there, as immediately after a big snow-dump, there would be bright blue skies. In WI, is it sunny and cold or overcast and cold? DOes the sun come out after a snowstorm?
thanks
-K
About the tax-hell thing, Carla- I hear that WI has the best schools in the nation as a result of the high property taxes- is that true?
k
Just a word of caution from the geologist. If you are living near the Mississippi River, make your choice of where to live with a topographic map in hand. Remember 1993???
Even a few extra feet of elevation can mean the difference between getting wiped out and just wiping your feet.
Hah! yes, Alpaca- no 100-yr floodplain real estate for me!
Though, there is a neat apartment building that is in an old brewery and has neat lofts that overlook the river... floor to ceiling windows... mmm!
k
