Wisconsin Ranked as 11th Best State to Live (appliances, houses)

[CoffeeSurf]

Originally Posted by AnthonyJ34

I was thinking the same thing. Too often these threads devolve into a tit-for-tat, my X is superior to your Y or some variation of that.

The human desire to not only compete but to one-up someone else runs strong and often makes for some very comical yet immature ramblings.

This is what always baffles me. I'm not sure why some people feel the need to bash other states for no substantive reason.

I think many in expensive areas like California or New York want people to know they are living in the "most desirable areas of the country", and if you don't bite/acknowledge, they feel the need to bring down other places.

I also think people who may have had a bad experience in ___ state tend to lump the entire state in with their experience instead of realizing the actual state had nothing to do with anything. There's crappy situations/areas/problems in EVERY state.

But I'm just one of those weirdos who believes every state has it's cool aspects/offerings, and loves visiting different places as often as I can. Have had some great times in some unexpected places/areas.

[mlb]

Spent the first 22 years of my life in Madison. GREAT place to grow up. Love those memories and cherish them - but Madison and Wisconsin have changed.. NOT for the better

Next 15 years in California..... 8 in San Francisco and 7 in Los Angeles where I met my husband. We left because we couldn't afford a home. Moved to Utah and bought our first house at $90K.

Fast forward and it's time for retirement - 28 years later. Will sell our house easily - probably to a Californian.

And where will we go? Just outside the commutable distance to the Bay Area in Monterey County. Semi-rural. NO SNOW. Family nearby - a sister from Wisconsin and her son and his family in Santa Cruz and Los Altos. LOTS of friends still - throughout the state.

I love both Wisconsin and California. But I cannot convince my LA husband to brave a Wisconsin winter. I don't think I would survive either.

We will visit Wisconsin because there's still family there as is my heart - but it's a long way from the way it was 40+ years ago.

Oh - and for cheese? Monterey Jack with jalopeno peppers......

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by mlb

Spent the first 22 years of my life in Madison. GREAT place to grow up. Love those memories and cherish them - but Madison and Wisconsin have changed.. NOT for the better

Next 15 years in California..... 8 in San Francisco and 7 in Los Angeles where I met my husband. We left because we couldn't afford a home. Moved to Utah and bought our first house at $90K.

Fast forward and it's time for retirement - 28 years later. Will sell our house easily - probably to a Californian.

And where will we go? Just outside the commutable distance to the Bay Area in Monterey County. Semi-rural. NO SNOW. Family nearby - a sister from Wisconsin and her son and his family in Santa Cruz and Los Altos. LOTS of friends still - throughout the state.

I love both Wisconsin and California. But I cannot convince my LA husband to brave a Wisconsin winter. I don't think I would survive either.

We will visit Wisconsin because there's still family there as is my heart - but it's a long way from the way it was 40+ years ago.

Oh - and for cheese? Monterey Jack with jalopeno peppers......

Northern Wisconsin is going for one of the snowiest April months of record right now. Woodruff, WI in Vilas County in the Northwoods had a snow depth of 20 inches yesterday morning prior to the large winter storm they are receiving now- another 16-20 inches of snowfall. It will likely melt some next week, but snow will likely linger in deep woods areas until portions of May this year for sure.

[mlb]

We have snow well into June - but that's up ontop of the local mountains.

Spring wildflower walks up there not until July while it's really summer here in the foothills and flats.

I just cannot go backwards. I feel for my family and friends in Wisconsin. It's snowed this bad in April before (1973)..... it just sucks.

[ipkl07]

Originally Posted by DKM

He said Monterey, not San Francisco. Its like saying Madison sucks because Milwaukee...

There are 2 cities here with bad traffic but 20 million of us don't live in those awful places and find life far better than living in a cold fly over state.

Is Wisconsin even a fly over state? Most the air traffic between East and West Coasts goes into Iowa, into Illinois, or Missouri into Illinois. Not sure Wisconsin can even be called a fly over state. lol

[Milwaukee City]

https://www.flightradar24.com/43.32,-88.03/7

If you follow planes you'll see we are very much a flyover state. Virtually all Chicago international flights come through Wisconsin.

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by mlb

Spent the first 22 years of my life in Madison. GREAT place to grow up. Love those memories and cherish them - but Madison and Wisconsin have changed.. NOT for the better

Is there anyplace in the USA that has changed for the better? I am looking for that place and I think it does not exist.

[brrabbit]

Originally Posted by capoeira

Is there anyplace in the USA that has changed for the better? I am looking for that place and I think it does not exist.

I think, in general, life is getting better and better. Both in materialistic terms, as well as in mental terms. I think, you won't argue that part that "materialistically" we live better as a society. Progress in medicine, in home appliances, and so on - made sure that at first we did not struggle for survival, then that we don't devote half of our time just doing chores, now - most of us have too much of a free time to enjoy our life.
Just read some old fairy tales, how people would sell their children, or so on just because they had no food to feed them. Those tales are just 100-200 years old.


But also in terms of mentally getting better... When your survival is nearly guaranteed, your life no longer depends on cooperation with the pack. You can have your own views, even express them more openly with less concern for repercussions. Just look at what environment USA had in 40s and 50s and 60s towards anyone who is not in the mainstream. It was OK to publicly deny their rights, bully them, etc. Now it is not. Women (that is 50% of our society btw, so any advancement of their well-being is a big deal for the whole humanity) are free to pursuit their goals, and not confined to their houses tending to the family chores. With development of communications (radio at first, internet nowadays), our world is learning new ideas, and information flows much more openly without borders.


I think we're in a better place now, than even 20 years ago. That's my opinion, your opinion can be different.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by capoeira

Is there anyplace in the USA that has changed for the better? I am looking for that place and I think it does not exist.

Yes, many places. Many large cities specifically. They're cleaner, the crime is far reduced from 30-40 years ago, they're safer, they're is more and better culture, food supplies/nutrition, and entertainment options, and often better employment.

[cfbs2691]

Originally Posted by CoffeeSurf

This is what always baffles me. I'm not sure why some people feel the need to bash other states for no substantive reason.

I think many in expensive areas like California or New York want people to know they are living in the "most desirable areas of the country", and if you don't bite/acknowledge, they feel the need to bring down other places.

I also think people who may have had a bad experience in ___ state tend to lump the entire state in with their experience instead of realizing the actual state had nothing to do with anything. There's crappy situations/areas/problems in EVERY state.

But I'm just one of those weirdos who believes every state has it's cool aspects/offerings, and loves visiting different places as often as I can. Have had some great times in some unexpected places/areas.

Fantastic post!