The Vibe: Good Food, Good Drinks, Good People
One of the most unique states in the country,
Wisconsin is a great place to call home. Filled with countless lakes, crazed sports fans, and plenty of friendly people addicted to cheese, there’s not much to complain about in the Badger State.
Big cities like Milwaukee and Madison attract a very diverse crowd of residents while maintaining a college town feel with their beautiful cityscapes and bountiful bars, while the countryside is filled with tiny towns with few residents, each place with its own unique appeal.
Certain areas like Madison are known for being much more liberal than the rest of the state, while places like Green Bay attracts a crowd that cares more about football than politics.
Whether you’re looking for the hustle and bustle of a big city or a laid back country life, a place for action sports or a porch to watch the sunset over a lake, an all-natural farmer’s market stand or pounds of deep-fried dairy product, Wisconsin is one place that’s got it all.
Local Flavor: The Festivals Never Stop
When it comes to throwing massive parties, there’s no better at it than the people in Wisconsin. Hosting huge events built around food and drinking throughout the year, spare time spent at the various festivals and celebrations in this state are a blast.
A couple of the most noteworthy events include Milwaukee’s Summerfest, a concert series that attracts close to one million people to the Milwaukee waterfront every year for huge acts, as well as the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis, complete with tractor pulls, pig races, and enough deep-fried food to clog even the finest artery.
Cuisine: It’s Not Healthy, But It Sure Tastes Great
Wisconsin loves their cheese, but their addiction to awesome food doesn’t stop there. While it’s completely normal for a Wisconsinite to have several different cheese blocks in their fridge at any given time, a few other dishes that are huge in this area include beer brats, deep-fried fish, and of course, the Wisconsin butter burger…basically anything that’s bad for you but tastes amazing.
Wisconsin is so into sausage, there’s even a tradition at Milwaukee Brewers’ games in which people don tubed-shaped meat costumes to race around the baseball diamond. And don’t get me started on fish frys. Occurring at restaurants and in backyards all around the state every week, these very social community events are basically parties built around an endless supply of beer and deep-fried fish filets.
It’s also important to mention the spectacular craft beer movement that’s been going on in Wisconsin for years. You haven’t lived until you’ve tried New Glarus Brewing’s Spotted Cow.
Nightlife: You’re Never Far From A Beer In Wisconsin
A state that’s home to over 3,000 watering holes, at times in Wisconsin it can feel like every other storefront is a place to drink. As you might expect, the nightlife here can get pretty wild, especially if you’re in one of the larger cities.
Places like Madison and Milwaukee attract a young, vibrant crowd to their many different bar streets (though really, every street is a bar street) every single night of the week, rain or shine, sleet or snow. If you’re a party animal, there’s not better place to call home.
If you find yourself in Milwaukee, you can’t miss doing at least on Brady Street bar crawl while you’re there. Happen to be in Madison? The area downtown around the UWM campus is your best bet.
Weather: Three Awesome Seasons And A Brutal Winter
Most Wisconsinites love the weather in the Badger State, but it’s definitely something to get used to. The summers are awesome, averaging warm days in the 70s most places around the state, filled with plenty of outdoor appeal for things like water sports and biking.
Spring and fall are equally as great, bringing cooler temperatures at night complemented by warmer days, two seasons that highlight the awesome plant life in this state as its coming and going each year.
Winters in Wisconsin however, are an entirely different beast. All around the state, average temperatures drop several degrees below freezing, as snow and ice accumulates everywhere. If you’re a skier, you won’t mind, but otherwise, the first time that blast of frigid wind manages to freeze your nostrils, you’ll start looking forward to the first signs of spring.
Longtime locals in this state won’t bash the cold too much, knowing that they’ve got an awesome few months sure to make an appearance soon. If you’re about to experience your first winter in Wisconsin, make sure you take the time to teach yourself some snow driving skills first.
Safety & Crime: For The Most Part, The Badger State Is Super Safe
The statewide crime rate in Wisconsin is 2,467 reported criminal acts per every 100,000 residents, much lower than the national average of 3,099. However, be warned that in cities like Madison and especially Milwaukee, crime rates are a little higher, 3,551 and 5,860 reported acts of crime per 100,000 residents, respectively.
While these numbers are much lower than many big cities around the country, there are definitely certain areas in both of these cities that tend to be a little more dangerous. It’s nothing to really worry about, but you have been warned. For the most part, Wisconsin is very safe and the residents are far more likely to give a stranger in need the shirt off their back than to rob them. After all, this is the Midwest we’re talking about.
Commute: You Won’t Pull Your Hair Out In This State
For the most part, getting around Wisconsin is a cinch, with long flat highways spanning for miles between each destination. Of course, the larger cities like Milwaukee and Madison have a little more traffic, though commute time in these places still stays around a very low 20 minutes each way.
Plus, Wisconsin is great about supporting alternative methods of transportation, as places like Madison have more than 200 miles of biking trails spread throughout the area. You’ll definitely want a car in this state, especially for the colder months of the year, but you won’t always be stuck driving.
Cost Of Living: Wisconsin Is A Great Place To Save
Despite being one of the coolest places to live in the country, life in Wisconsin is actually very affordable. Scoring a 98 on the same cost of living index that puts middle America at 100, places like Milwaukee are even cheaper at a score of 98, with major savings coming from the housing market and transportation.
Even more expensive cities in the state like Madison still score just a 106 on the same index, much cheaper than most big cities around the country with nearby places like Chicago scoring a 113 and Minneapolis scoring a 107.
Sports: These Cheeseheads Are Always Cheering For Someone
You’ll never find a state with more diehard sports fans than Wisconsin. Of course, you have to be a diehard fan to brave the freezing temperatures at Lambeau or the insane traffic on a snowy game day in Madison.
The top dogs when it comes to sports in this state are the Milwaukee Brewers, the Green Bay Packers, the UWM Badgers, and the Milwaukee Bucks, with game days built as much around the tailgating as they are the actual athletic competition. You’d be hard-pressed to find another state where the games are this fun to attend.
Nature: The Beauty Doesn’t Stop In Wisconsin
Wisconsinites can’t help but to stay somewhat active, probably because they’re busy working off all that cheese and beer. With tons of natural attractions like lakes, wooded areas, and off-road trails, it’s easy to get outside and do something in the Badger State.
A few of the best state parks to visit include Devil’s Lake State Park, Blue Mound State Park, and the Black River State Forest, though it’s easy to find a great place to escape “up north” regardless of what Wisconsin region you call home.
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