15 Things To Know Before Moving To Wisconsin From A Local

Considering moving to Wisconsin? There are some helpful things to know before making the move.

There are a lot of great things about living in Wisconsin. It has beautiful scenery that consists of 800 miles of shoreline on the Great Lakes, rolling hills, and forests covering almost half of the state.

People from Wisconsin, called “Wisconsinites” are known for their friendliness and good sense of community. There’s a rich farm-to-table scene that brings mouthwatering locally sourced food products to restaurants and houses all over the state.

Interest has peaked in moving to Wisconsin in recent years for these reasons, and because of the affordable housing. But, is living in Wisconsin all it’s cracked up to be?
I’m here to tell you all the insider tips you need to know about Wisconsin before moving here.

I have lived in Wisconsin for 7 years. Before that, I lived in Michigan. Having first-hand experience moving to Wisconsin from out of state, I’ve learned many things from personal experience and am happy to share them with you to help you be fully informed. Knowing the pros and cons about living in Wisconsin will help your move to Wisconsin go smoothly.

So, let’s chat about moving to Wisconsin!

Things To Know Before Moving To Wisconsin

If you’re serious about moving to Wisconsin, these are the things you need to keep in mind

Wisconsin is Rich with Culture

Not too many people think of ‘culture’ when they think of Wisconsin, but Wisconsin has more culture than you might think. Wisconsin has pride in its Native American roots, a rich history of German and Scandinavian settlement, as well as lots of diversity in the two largest cities.

The two most culturally diverse cities are Milwaukee and Madison, with people from ethnicities from all over the world.

There are a ton of cultural festivals happening state-wide throughout the year.
Germanfest in Wisconsin is one of the largest German Festivals in the country. In addition, there’s an Indian Summer Festival, Asian Moon Festival, Festa Italiana, Mexican Fiesta, and so many more.

Wisconsin is Known for Sausages, Fish Fries and Dairy

If you’re a meat and cheese person, then you’ll be in heaven in Wisconsin. Its Germanic and Scandinavian settlement has influenced old-world cheese and sausage to become a staple throughout the state.

Monroe, a small town 2 hours west of Milwaukee, is known as the Cheese Capital of the U.S.A., and the Swiss Capital Cheese of the World, because of its dairy production. Wisconsin is also known for its old-world German sausages, called bratwurst.

In addition, “The Friday Fish Fry” is considered to be a regular part of the Wisconsin diet. It stems from meat initially being banned on Fridays, but since there were so many lakes in Wisconsin, people ate fish fry on Fridays instead. The tradition continues to this day in households, restaurants and churches throughout the state.

Vegan or vegetarian? Don’t worry. While you may feel a little left out of the fish, sausage and cheese scene, you’ll be happy to know that Milwaukee and Madison have become a lot more veggie-friendly in recent years.

Wisconsin is Considered a ‘Purple State’

Since the year 2000, Wisconsin has been swinging between voting for the Democrats and Republicans. Donald Trump won the Wisconsin vote in 2016, but in 2021, it was Joe Biden.

Despite swaying between being a red and blue state, Wisconsin is generally considered an accepting and safe place for people of a multitude of backgrounds and sexual orientations.

Wisconsin was the first state to ban discrimination against sexual orientation in 1982, and same-sex marriages have been legal since 2014. Read more about Wisonsin’s equality profile here.

There are No ‘Large’ Cities

You won’t find large cities with millions of residents in Wisconsin. To live in Wisconsin, you have to be comfortable living in a small town, or a small city. Wisconsin as a state is geographically large but is sparsely populated.

Milwaukee is the largest city in the state and has a population of 569,000 as of 2021. The other major city is Madison, which is half the size of Milwaukee. Most other cities throughout the state have less than 7,000 people.

Wisconsin is best for those who enjoy the small-town lifestyle and are okay not living in a large metropolitan area.

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Pros and Cons of Living in Wisconsin

There are a lot of interesting things about living in Wisconsin, but it’s important to nail down both the pros and cons. As a local, I can give you the insider scoop about the good and bad about living here. Knowing the upsides as well as downsides helps you make an informed decision about whether Wisconsin is right for you.

Pros of Living in Wisconsin

1. Wisconsin has a great sense of community

Maybe it’s because our cities and towns are kept on the smaller side, but Wisconsin communities are often tight-knit with many organizations and events that you can get involved with to meet others and form connections.

We Wisconsinites are known for our friendliness, and often wave or say hello as we pass on the street. Many of us are willing to help out a stranger who needs directions or has any questions.

You can get involved in churches, volunteering, cultural organizations, festivals and amateur sports leagues. There are county fairs and rodeos, farmers markets, and neighbourhood co-ops.

Pro Tip: Like any community, you will get out of it what you put into it. If you move to Wisconsin, consider volunteering or getting involved in a community organization so you can become acquainted and form connections with others.

2. It’s a great place to spend time outdoors

If you’re an outdoor person, then you will love Wisconsin. With 46% of the state being covered in forest, a long shoreline of beaches on the Great Lakes, endless rolling hills and dozens of waterfalls, you will never get bored of enjoying the scenic beauty around the state.

There are countless hiking trails, and other outdoor activities such as canoeing,
kayaking and fishing.

A bonus is that you experience all four seasons in Wisconsin – being able to see the terrain from the colorful autumns, to white winters and then spring and summer means that it never gets boring. There’s always something new to experience in the great outdoors.

3. Wisconsin has great farm-to-table food, and some diverse options as well

In Wisconsin, you have a huge selection of food products that are produced by local farms. Good quality cheese and sausages are produced in the state, which you can buy in grocery stores or order in restaurants.

In addition, there are also over 70 farmers markets throughout the state where you can buy local fresh produce.

Don’t worry though, you’re not limited to cheese and sausages. Milwaukee and Madison have been becoming more diverse and have more options that didn’t exist previously, such as Indian, Chinese, Mexican and vegan restaurants.

4. Wisconsin (still) has affordable housing

Most aspects of the cost of living are cheaper in Wisconsin than they are elsewhere. The general cost of living is 2% lower than the national average. Taxes also sit around 5%, which is one of the lowest in the country.

Compared to other regions in the U.S., the housing market in Wisconsin is a lot more affordable. Even in Milwaukee, which is the largest city, you can still find a home for less than $200,000.

Therefore, Wisconsin might be a good place to move to for someone hoping to invest in their first home, and enjoy an overall lower cost of living.

5. Wisconsin provides good quality education

Wisconsin is divided into 421 different school districts, and each child is entitled to attend one of the publicly funded schools within the district that they live in.

According to a study done by WalletHub, Wisconsin has the 4th best school system in the U.S. This study based its rankings on was based on safety, funding, class sizes and performance.

In addition to grade school, there are over 80 post-secondary institutions in
Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the best in the state and is considered to be “a public Ivy school”, which means that it provides an education comparable to an Ivy League university.

Cons of Living in Wisconsin

1. Wisconsin is one of the most racially segregated states

Although Wisconsin tends to be left-leaning and a generally accepting place, the state still has a long way to go in terms of racial equality.

While Milwaukee is a very ethnically diverse city, with more than 1⁄3 of the population being African American, it has been ranked the 5th most segregated city in America according to the 2020 census and ranked one of the worst places in the United States for African Americans to live.

While there is no easy fix to this, there are efforts to make Wisconsin a more equal and safe place for all. Read more about the fight for racial equality in Wisconsin here.

2. The winters in Wisconsin can be very harsh

This might be good news for those who enjoy winter and colder weather, but it can be a shock to those who don’t.

Wisconsin winters are cold and snowy, reaching average lows of 20 F (-13 C). The “wind chill factor” which consists of strong winds blowing off the lakes, often makes it feel much colder than that.

In addition to the cold, be prepared for heavy snowfall. Central and Northeast Wisconsin receive an average of 40-50 inches of snowfall, while the Vilas Country can receive up to 100-125 inches.

You will need snow tires and a good shovel or snow blower in Wisconsin, as well as plenty of warm winter clothing.

3. Wisconsin has a high rate of alcoholism

You could blame it on the beer culture, or the long winters, but Wisconsin’s alcoholism rate is higher than the national average. I believe that there are people in our state with an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.

According to a survey that was done, Wisconsin was named “the drunkest nation in America,” and ranks # 3 in the U.S. for adult alcohol consumption. When people drink in Wisconsin, they tend to have more drinks on average than other parts of the country.

Emergency room visits due to alcohol-related injuries have also been on the rise in Wisconsin over the past decade.

4. The warmer months bring a lot of outdoor allergens

Those with seasonal allergies might have a hard time during the spring and summer in Wisconsin.

April through June is tree pollen season, and it is compounded by grass pollen that occurs in May and June. This is followed by ragweed pollen from August through to October.

People sensitive to these allergens can experience itchy throats, watery eyes,
respiratory difficulties and other annoying symptoms.

With some type of allergen being in the air almost every month between April and October, we can’t catch a break from them. It was reported on the news that Wisconsin’s allergy seasons have been worse than ever in the past decade and may worsen further with climate change.

5. The summers are humid, with lots of pesky insects

The warmth of spring and summer brings more than just allergens. Once the winters melt away, mosquito and tick season starts to ramp back up again state-wide.

Ticks are found throughout many grassy and wooded areas all over Wisconsin, and you will need to be cautious when hiking or spending time outdoors. Lyme disease is native to Wisconsin, and in 2022, there were over 5,000 diagnosed cases of it in the state.

If you have pets, you will need to check them daily for ticks, as they bite animals well. I recommend that you enjoy the warm months in Wisconsin by hiking, kayaking and other activities – but just be cautious by wearing bug repellant and checking for ticks.

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What is Wisconsin Known for?

Wisconsin is known for its cheese, and is called “America’s Dairyland.” It is also known for beer and sausages and lots of farmland which produces these products in high quality.

Wisconsin is also known for its scenic beauty, which includes waterfalls, sea caves, 16 million acres of old-growth forest, and a long shoreline on Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.

Is Wisconsin Expensive?

Wisconsin is not considered to be expensive when compared to elsewhere in the United States. Currently, it is cheaper to live in Wisconsin than in many other states. So if you’re a young family or living solo, then you might pleased to see your wages go further in Wisconsin than elsewhere.

Wisconsin houses are sitting at a medium price of $329,900, lower than the median home price across the country.

While Wisconsin is cheaper than other states, it’s important to remember that
inexpensive places don’t always stay cheap forever and this is becoming true of Wisconsin. In November 2023, it was found that Wisconsin home prices had jumped 7.2% from the year before.

If you are seeking a cheaper cost of living, then Wisconsin might be a good option for you- but keep in mind that we are not immune to inflation. Prices are rising here, just as they are everywhere else.

Is Wisconsin Worth Moving To?

Wisconsin is worth moving to because of its affordable cost of living and good standard of health and education.

Natural beauty is abundant in Wisconsin, and having four seasons makes it easy to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities throughout the year.

If you don’t mind living in a smaller city of 500,000 or less and are okay with snow and freezing temperatures in the wintertime, then you might enjoy living in Wisconsin.

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Things To Know Before Moving To Wisconsin: FAQ

Here are the most commonly asked questions about moving to Wisconsin

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Final Thoughts: Things To Know Before Moving To Wisconsin

By now, you hopefully are more prepared for the possibility of moving to Wisconsin and know more about what it means to live here.

Overall, I am glad that I made the move to Wisconsin, and believe that you will be too. The towns are tight-knit, and people are friendly. There’s a great food scene in ‘America’s Dairyland’, with so many fresh food options from local farms. We have good healthcare, job opportunities and a cost of living that (although quickly jumping) is still on the affordable side.

While the winters are harsh, and the summers break the pesky bugs and allergens, Wisconsin is a really good place to live. As long as you take precautions to prepare for winter, then I believe that you will enjoy life in Wisconsin.

Best of luck with your move to Wisconsin!

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