Retirement Planning (Milwaukee, Whitefish Bay, Cedarburg: fit in, theater, living)

[Middleoftheroad5]

We are looking to retire from the sticks in SD where we are surrounded by cornfields. There is nothing to do in our small town and everyone knows everyone else’s business. I have lived in the upper Midwest my whole life, so winter weather doesn’t bother me. I grew up in MN and had a summer place in WI. We’re currently looking at Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Rochester, MN; and various Milwaukee suburbs.

Hubby and I are well-educated conservatives. I don’t like Trump or Biden. I dislike abortion. I dislike guns. I believe Covid is very real. I don’t know where I fit in politically? I just want a clean, peaceful area where people will say hello, but we won’t be shoving unwanted politics in each other’s faces. Maybe I am looking for something purple? Basically, I want:

-Access to medical sub specialists
-Under an hour to a decent airport
-Trees. I don’t hunt or tent camp, but I am happy with an extensive city park system or nearby state parks where I can crunch through some fall leaves. I’m a walker.
-a symphony and theater
-a grocery store that isn’t Walmart
-We will be selling two properties, so we will have a decent budget. A mansion on the lake is out, though.
-Hubby wants to garden.

Are there any suburbs that might be a reasonable fit? Am I dreaming?

[snerk]

You might look into Cedarburg, Belgium, and Port Washington, which are charming towns. I don't know that they're considered "suburbs" of Milwaukee, per se, but they're a fairly close drive.

Whitefish Bay might have some of what you're looking for, as well.

[katharsis]

Originally Posted by Middleoftheroad5

We are looking to retire from the sticks in SD where we are surrounded by cornfields. There is nothing to do in our small town and everyone knows everyone else’s business. I have lived in the upper Midwest my whole life, so winter weather doesn’t bother me. I grew up in MN and had a summer place in WI. We’re currently looking at Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Rochester, MN; and various Milwaukee suburbs.

Hubby and I are well-educated conservatives. I don’t like Trump or Biden. I dislike abortion. I dislike guns. I believe Covid is very real. I don’t know where I fit in politically? I just want a clean, peaceful area where people will say hello, but we won’t be shoving unwanted politics in each other’s faces. Maybe I am looking for something purple? Basically, I want:

-Access to medical sub specialists
-Under an hour to a decent airport
-Trees. I don’t hunt or tent camp, but I am happy with an extensive city park system or nearby state parks where I can crunch through some fall leaves. I’m a walker.
-a symphony and theater
-a grocery store that isn’t Walmart
-We will be selling two properties, so we will have a decent budget. A mansion on the lake is out, though.
-Hubby wants to garden.

Are there any suburbs that might be a reasonable fit? Am I dreaming?

I think you might have to compromise somewhat. As far as I know, all the towns/cities in Wisconsin that are close to a decent airport and have the attributes of a big city such as sub-specialists, a symphony and a theater, etc. are VERY liberal.

However, that being said, as introverted moderate conservatives who love nature, we have found our personal retirement heaven in northern Door County because of the beauty of the area and its numerous parks (Peninsula Park is outstanding), although it is VERY slow from November through May with little to do, it is very lively in the other months, with many summer concerts and summer theater and there are dozens of art galleries and about eight wineries. The grocery stores north of Sturgeon Bay (which is the dividing line between north and south in the opinion of most residents) are mostly of the mom-and-pop variety, although there is one Piggly Wiggly and there is one excellent independent market that is fairly large and quite upscale with an extensive wine selection with many selections over $100. (Btw, there are no fast food chain restaurants north of Sturgeon Bay.) Politically, the northern half of Door County is very liberal and well-educated (in my town, 26% have graduate degrees), while the southern half is Trump country and the residents are not as well educated, generally speaking. Finally, Door County does have decent medical care, although I don't know of any sub-specialists here. The only real dissatisfaction I have with Door County is that there is no 24-hour emergency veterinary care clinic for most people, although someone did tell me that her vet gave her his personal number to call -- but most residents do complain about that.

I do want to emphasize, however, that if you are conservative, extroverted and need an active social life, you will probably not be happy here. It is only because my husband and I do not need or want a lot of socialization with others, that we are so content. Btw, we are friendly with ALL our neighbors, but my husband and I have learned to keep our political opinions to ourselves.

OF COURSE, much of the above is my experience after living here full-time for four years. Others might have different opinions. In any case, I wish you good luck in your search!

[Middleoftheroad5]

Thank you for the helpful responses. We aren’t into bars and parties. Our type of social is more like having one couple or family over for dinner or meeting up with a good friend for coffee and lunch. I think that’s the reason we’re looking for things like a symphony, etc. It gives us something to do that isn’t wild and crazy. I do enjoy the Door County scenery.