Not being from here, I can say that Wisconsin is absolutely beautiful and has a huge amount to offer. Its nature is absolutely gorgeous and Madison and Milwaukee are cities that have a lot to offer culturally. Having lived in various states though I must say, Wisconsin has been the toughest State to get to know people. I believe the reason for such is that Wisconsinites are not transient people, therefore have strong roots right here and their circle of friends and family are very tight, which makes it tough for a newcomer to break through. Now that being said, my daughters as they are young and go to school have had an easy time adopting and love this State and have amazing friends.

Being a transplanted southerner, I can honestly say that I'd never go back. I love it here in WI, even in winter. I know the most beautiful snowfalls are the hardest to clear away, but it's worth it to me. They can be so breathtaking. I love the woodlands and lakes and though the people aren't as friendly as down home, they are true adventure seekers and quite interesting. I'll just go hug a tree now - lol!

Well, you are welcome here. Thank you for you kind comments. I have lived here almost all my life. I am 4th generation German,my wife is 6th generation Swiss (sorry Jan, her great, great grandad was a member of the civil war Wisconsin Union Iron Brigade that killed a lot of Confederates). I have spent time (meaning living and working) on the east coast and in Texas well. I love the south and the hospitality I experienced there.

lol at California and Illinois.

They relate sports teams to a state and with the Packers success how can you not hate us?!

I'm with Steve - I just had to laugh at the liberal paradises of California and Illinois coming in dead last. Although, I don't quite understand the despise towards Utah - I thought it was pretty nice :-)

Wisconsin is pretty great all around - there's no doubt about it! But the best thing about Wisconsin currently is our Governor - Scott WALKER!!!! When he beats this whole recall nonsense, we'll skyrocket to numero uno!

Oh, and who doesn't love the Dells!!!

Not to mention that Whitefish Bay is home to Patch's very own 'Angry White Dude' - who doesn't love that guy? :-)

Wisconsin is dead average in everything. Not too hot. Not too cold. Just right.

There is a lot to like about Wisconsin. Lived here all my life but there are still places that I have never visited.

The lake in early spring
Moist and pale, with a cautious hint of promise
Not unlike the ancient salt-scent that lured sailors to the ocean.
Winter's death wades heavily toward the shore
Aged seaweed, twisted branches, black mud, stones
Cleansed away after restless cold sleep
Just before the sparkling stretch to warmth and beauty.
Now the fog wafts in
Entrancing the sounds of running feet and spitting traffic
Sending caution from the harbor, solemn tone
Alerting all of softened lights and hissing highways.
The city is the cloud's wistful dream of dangerous enchantment.
Mist lingers until the tearful sky again obeys reflective water.
Wisps of fog, just beyond,
Numbs the reach of bone-chilled fingertips.

I lived here all my life, but from the viewpoint of the other 56 states (right, Barrack?). they must think we're all a bunch of douche bags. Such is evident of the liberals on Patch.

If 42% are unsure, it's probably got nothing to do with the "political turmoil" or our "unassuming Midwestern natures" (a euphemism for a bunch of country bumpkins), it's probably because they never really thought about it. If someone asked me about Idaho, for instance, I'd probably be solidly in the "weren't sure" category. I'm actually kind of surprised as many people actually had an opinion about WI as the survey indicates. I'm guessing that at least a portion of the positives were folks who probably really weren't sure but didn't want it to seem like they were as unfamiliar with as many states as actually was the case and who aren't negative types by nature.

No argument on the Jersey thing. I almost got thrown in prison over 25 years ago when I took a job there. Like any Midwest redneck, of course I took a couple firearms with me. When I asked my boss where the local range was and he told me I was facing mandatory prison time for not having a permit, I got my butt to the nearest FFL dealer in Penn. and shipped them back to WI ASAP. I friend I have there tells me it has gotten worse.

Nate, since when did we "reclaim" the Dairy State title? I don't remember hearing anything about it. We do have more artisan cheesemakers per capita than California (and better cheese), but I was still under the impression that California was producing more milk than Wisconsin.

Why is every story turned into a political pissing match by you pathetic political zealots both left and right? You guys are doing your side no favors by butting into others conversations with your hate-filled speech. Just go away and let the rest of us have a friendly discussion about our wonderful state.

As long as this has taken a political turn, I believe the 42% who "weren't sure" about WI, comes from the fact that they once were sure. They thought WI was a wonderful place to live and work, play and dream. Since the Walker fiasco, they're changing their minds!

I had hoped to shame the political zealots into just going away and letting the rest of us enjoy a nice sane conversation about our beautiful state. I should have knwn better. A zealot just can't resist the urge to mouth off even when no one else cares.

What's great about Wisconsin? The scenery. The cultural life. Yes, we have a cultural life if you take the time to look for it. The climate can be challenging at times, but that just makes us stronger. The people tend to be decent, honest and no nonsense.

I have a friend who is a flight attendant, and she says she'd rather be stacked up over Madison than anywhere else int the US because the passengers are so patient about it.

Jan

Firearms can be legally shipped from one Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder to another ever since the law went into effect in the 1960's. Law abiding citizens send firearms this way all the time. They pay a fee for it. Jersey's anti-gun laws are still some of the worst in US.

I think a good way to pay back the money wasted on the recall would be for walker to somehow whatever it takes when he is reelected and he will be by a higher margin this time because non residents and dead people won't be voting this time a good thing would be to remove seniority rights because they are not condusive to productivity and sould be eliminated so the young eager workers can move forward and not be scolded and laid off because they want to work and are told to do less by the older seniority parasites on the system that produce less and less each year. Culling the herd of deadwood would do a wonderfull thing for the parasonic additude that is there because these parasites on the system seam to have more time invested in the perpetuating their corruption than doing there jobs.They have bankrupted the bussiness they work for and should be gratfull SCOTT WALKER at least saved your job for you you act like a bunch of 3 year olds with lumps in your drawers well he changed them for you ! seniority should go by the wayside it is not productive minded only protects the non producer

... and that's why it's people like TOM that give Wisconsin a bad name.

Do any of my fellow Wisconsinites like a Canadian music group called 'The Birthday Massacre' - their music is so hypnotic and addictive I just can't stop listening to it!!!

I hate to ruin I sane conversation but I also lived here all my life and I liked ( past ) Wisconsin until the WE expulsion,with all these rude people constantly going past our home blasting their loud exhaust.I'm done,had to get that out.Go Packers.

Wisconsin is a beautiful State with lots of Woods, Waters, and great Outdoor recreational activities. I don't care for Cities, so I stay out of Downtowns. Locally, the Root River is a great place to fish with lots of beautiful scenery and trails to hike or bike. Up North, being on a Lake is great. My favorite season is Summer, then Fall.

Wisconsin is great to visit and vacation in.

Business wise - Wisconsin must get rid of the public unions, cut property tax by at least 50%, or more, provide limited benefits to employees only, perhaps offer family coverage if the employee pays the full cost, and end defined pension plans. The Wisconsin Retirement System must be retired.

Business has already spoken - it is leaving and the landscape is littered with empty businesses, abandoned homes, decreasing property values, and increasing property taxes that fall on a smaller number of taxpayers every year. Owning taxable proprty in Wisconsin is a liability - I would never do so. Own a business? LOL. Not when the public employees have more CONTROL than the owner and the first cut goes to the State, or they take it from you.

Wisconsin - It's a great place to visit - but you don't want to live and work there - unless you're a current public employee. That WILL change in the future - as Wisconsin collapses further - unless it takes the steps I provided above.

Thank god for people like Tom he tells it like it is none of the sensored malarkey you read in the goverment controlled news papers and biased tv

So now you're applauding your own comments, "TOM"? *TROLL ALERT*

Too cold, dreary, gray for me. Also, high taxes and health care make it difficult to live here. I'll take a warm state any day.

The only thing good about Wisconsin is Northern WIsconsin, the southern part looks like Indiana and let us not forget the elephant in the room, Milwaukee which is equally as bad as Detroit.....take a drive down any inner city street, white folks.