10 Reasons why I still live in the Midwest...

[RetroLounge]

I was born in Chicago, live now in the Milwaukee area.

I could have moved to other parts of the country, but have chosen to stay here because:

1) Nothing here will eat me. No Grizzly Bears, Alligators, Cougars, etc. (Dahmer was an anomaly)

2) Nothing very poisonous. No huge spiders, no scorpions, no snakes.

3) No Hurricanes.

4) No Floods.

5) No Tornadoes this close to the lake. (Well, possible, but rare)

6) No Earthquakes.

7) No Volcanoes.

8) No Avalanches.

9) Fairly inexpensive.

10) Wisconsin is quite beautiful.

Why do you still live where you do?

RL

[youthere]

1. What about Ed Gein- a man who never met a vagina he didn't want to accessorize.

[Left Is Write]

3. Well...he's been dead for over 20 years, and I don't think RetroLounge was his type.

[RetroLounge]

5. Dude was in jail before I was born...

:hi:

RL

[youthere]

8. BUT that means Dahmer was not AN anomoly..

He was one of two anomolies. :P

I grew up in Wisconsin and my mother was a nurse at Mendota in Madison. Gein was one of her patients. She said "He was the sweetest old man you'd ever want to meet." -except for the whole murdering/graverobbing/canibalism thing.:eyes:

[Left Is Write]

11. There was never any evidence that Ed Gein was a cannibal. (something gross inside)

Yes, he used skulls as bowls, and Bernice Worden was found dressed out like a deer, but there was no evidence that Gein ate human flesh or parts.

My mom was a teenager in Minnesota when Gein was splashed all over midwestern newspapers. There were persistent rumors that he was a cannibal, but the rumors were never substantiated. He was convicted of two murders (Bernice Worden and Mary Hogan), but most of the "parts" found in his house were those of the women whose graves he robbed. He may have had something to do with his brother's mysterious death also (and I would certainly think he did).

[youthere]

16. Yeah..I think you're right..

but I think the line between what Gein was and canibalism was pretty thin. There was always rumors that they found body parts cooking on the stove, but who knows? Maybe that was part of his "tanning" process.

[Left Is Write]

19. The police really did find Bernice Worden's,,, (more gross stuff inside)

heart in a pot of water on the stove. What Gein was planning to do with it, no one can say.

The Gein case has always fascinated me because of its influence on popular culture (both Norman Bates of Psycho and Buffalo Bill of Silence of the Lambs were based on Ed Gein), and because I once lived in the same area Gein did in Central Wisconsin. I read the book Deviant when I was in my early twenties, and then read it again along with other information on Gein in my mid-twenties when I moved to Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

That case began an overall interest in true crime stories which continues today (I've been catching up on Ann Rule's library the past few months).

[Nickster]

12. Heck, no one is perfect. LoL n/t

[pdx_prog]

15. They said Dahmer smoked a LOT

they found a bunch of butts behind his couch

Ba Da Bing

[AllegroRondo]

17. After he was caught, his landlord rented out the house again

the ad said "roomates included, some assembly required"

[Momgonepostal]

2. I'm in CA because

My husband won't move, and it's not worth getting divorced over.

That's pretty much the only reason. Oh, and the weather is a nice perk.

[Dude_CalmDown]

4. Because it's going to be a looooong time before I can afford Monte Carlo. n/t

[leftofthedial]

6. it's where the witness protection people put me

[bluethruandthru]

7. I live in the suburbs of DC

because I work in DC. Maryland is very pretty...and the weather is okay..but I don't think I'd live here if I didn't need to for work. I do love the Eastern Shore of Maryland, though!

[bicentennial_baby]

9. It's Massachusetts!

That alone is enough, but...We have ocean, mountains, cities, farms....We have real Maple Syrup, liberals everywhere, Whale watching, Boston accents, The 5 College Area, the Berkshires...etc, etc. :D

[cboy4]

33. I wanna live in Massachusetts :(

It snowed at the damn beach here yesterday :cry:

[bicentennial_baby]

53. If you have snow there, you might as well come here!

Me and the man will treat you right ;)

:loveya:

[billyskank]

10. I guess the main reason is because I am too lazy to move

But this helps too:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/billyskank/38

[LaraMN]

13. Well, I can echo most of your sentiments, being a midwesternette,

but I live specifically where I do foremost because of family. Both my husband and I have close family in the area, and we feel that it's a tremendous benefit to our children to have those people in their lives on a regular basis. I live twenty minutes from Duluth, and the area just feels like home to me. I love small cities; they have many of the benefits of larger ones (colleges, shopping, entertainment, culture, diverse peoples,) with fewer of the negative aspects (traffic, lack of "community", etc). It's also a peaceful, beautiful, relatively low-crime area with a good school system and is (relatively) low-cost to live in. It's a good place to raise children. It IS damn cold, though!

[huskerlaw]

14. Many reasons

1) I just moved here, the novelty hasn't worn off yet (not that I really think it ever will)
2) The weather (well, ok, it snowed yesterday. But, like Dahmer, that's an anomaly.)
3) The beach. This midwesterner LOVES the ocean!
4) I don't want to own a house anyway ;)
5) There is always something to do, something to see...if you're bored here, it's your own damn fault.
6) I like hearing people say things like "OMG! Isn't the traffic horrible?! How can you stand it?!"
7) I grew up in Nebraska. I think that is self-explanatory.
8) The politics. (Da Governator is another anomaly, brought to us by Orange County and Fresno. Otherwise, it's a very liberal place to be.)
9) The people. I hate homogeneity. This city is about as diverse as the US gets.
10) The scenery. Mountains, beaches, palm trees...it's gorgeous here.
11) Did I mention it's not Nebraska??

[npincus]

18. Family.

my no. 1 reason. Lots of others, but I think of my family first whenever I think about moving away.

[MissMillie]

20. Because I belong here

New England is part of who I am.

[NewWaveChick1981]

21. My husband is from this area and has never wanted to live anywhere else.

:eyes: One of the myriad reasons I wish I were still single. :P

[LSK]

22. Family and a decent job

[Taverner]

23. I live in California because

1 - I can ski and play in on the beach, all in the same day

2 - Marijuana is practically legal here

3 - We at least try to get along

4 - Most Californians in the Bay Area do not take kindly to Texas values. We appreciate our black, white, hispanic, asian and other residents. We do not merely tolerate homosexuality; we accept it.

5 - San Francisco is the most awesome fucking city ever built. From The Golden Gate bridge, through Golden Gate Park, past the Palace of Fine Arts to Market Street, the Coit Tower and then over the Bay Bridge, this place is the perfect American city.

6 - California Values are real values.

7 - Even the bears are mellow here.

8 - Gilroy Garlic

9 - Sonoma Pinot

10 - Humboldt Cannabis

11 - Topless AND bottomless strip clubs

12 - I don't feel like a sore thumb with my Prius

13 - Carpool privileges for my Prius, irregardless of how many passengers

14 - Mild, temperate Mediterranean weather

15 - Freedom baby! San Francisco is FREEDOM!

[mark414]

28. SF is an oasis in america

if i could afford it i'd be there right now

[cboy4]

36. And BEST of all!

Only $1,700,000 for an 18-hundred square foot, 3-bedroom, 2 bath home with no ocean view.

SAH-WEEEEET! :bounce:

[Taverner]

39. Well there are drawbacks....

And that would be 1,700,000 for a 1500 Sq ft 2-br

That would be a steal otherwise....

[mdmc]

24. Newburgh, NY because,

my family lives in the area, the Hudson River Valley is beautiful, NYC is nearby and cool, the Berkshires and Vermont are an hour or so away, and I've always lived here (except for when I didn't :] ).

[momophile]

25. husband won't consider DC and we can't afford Hawai'i

Having said that, besides the recent massive amounts of snow, I love Colorado. It's beautiful, turning blue, easy to live healthily, two sisters and a dad here, and no avalanches in town.

[1gobluedem]

26. I live in Michigan for the same reasons

Except that Michigan is MORE beautiful than Wisconsin....:7

My brother lives in Milwaukee not far from the lake. It's very pretty there.

[asthmaticeog]

27. I still live in Cleveland mostly because I lack follow-through.

Though it does have all the advantages you listed about Milwaukee, along with the additional advantage that whoisalhedges moved away from here and to Milwaukee.

[RetroLounge]

40. Any coincidence that the day Hedges moved here

our river started on fire?

:shrug:

RL

[asthmaticeog]

43. If he put his action figure of love in the river, there you go.

Hell, the hedgewang is to blame for Cleveland's river fire, and he's from three hours away in Springfield AND he hadn't been born yet. Such is the power of whoisalhedges' lil' handyman.

[Left Is Write]

29. I still live where I do because my husband has a good job, we like the weather

(well, mostly - summer can be brutal), and we aren't really in a position to move. We also have some very close friends here, and my daughter loves her school.

An offer for a well-compensated position in the midwest would have us moving in a heartbeat, though.

[Strawman]

30. Because the people I love all do

I might have to uproot someday for job reasons, but until then I'm staying right here in Detroit.

Plus I'm a Detroiter and I belong here.

[Rosie1223]

31. Cougar Sightings in Wisconsin

Granted, not many near Milwaukee...

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=257424

[Skittles]

32. Wisconsin is my favorite state

I think I live in Texas because I see it as my destiny to torment conservatives and they are a dime a dozen here

[Ishoutandscream2]

37. LOL! Love it!!

All my co-workers and friends who are Bushbots tell me I belong in Massachusettes. I tell them that would be fine, but who would be here to educate them?

[Skittles]

41. Oh I could tell you some good ones

the ignorance here is astounding.....here is me and my old boss, in front of a bunch of conservative coworkers too:

HIM: I'm sick of Cindy Sheehan, I don't think she should be allowed to do what she does.

ME: It's called FREEDOM OF SPPECH Robert- ever heard of it???

HIM: Well, I don't think the media should be out there covering her like they do.

ME: It's called FREEDM OF THE PRESS Robert, ever heard of it? Any other basic American rights that bother you or does that about cover it?

HIM: *no response"

:D

[Ishoutandscream2]

42. Gotta admit, it's easy to shut them up

As Stephen Colbert said, "Reality is a liberal bias."

[Skittles]

50. it disturbs me how easy it is

another thing I notice is they'll say something so easily proven as false it is laughable - and I do not have to guess where they got it from - Fox News

[grace0418]

34. I'm still in Chicago because my husband likes his job. Otherwise, I would

sooooo be outta here. Chicago is a great city but I am so sick of the midwest myself. I want to live in Northern California so bad, but I probably never will. :(

[riderinthestorm]

48. See and I was going to say Chicago is the best part of being in the midwest!

:hi:

[grace0418]

51. I agree, Chicago *is* the best part about being in the midwest. If I have to move

out of my neighborhood (Lincoln Square) and into a far-flung suburb to be able to afford a house (we're selling our condo this spring), I will probably sink into the deepest of depressions. Evanston would be fine, it's a lot like the north side of the city anyway, but anything further out than that is terrifying to me. I just am not a suburban-type person. Add that to the yucky weather (too hot, too cold, too humid, always too something) and the bland midwestern landscape and I will just lose it.

I long for the ocean, and mountains, and vineyards, and redwoods, and fresh local organic produce, and mild weather. Mostly I long for a change of scenery. I grew up in the midwest and I want a change.

Sigh, why does my husband have to like his damn job so much? ;)

[Merrick]

35. 1) Stockholm Syndrome

2) Free Food
3) DirecTV
4) Don't have to go to work/school

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

38. I also live in the Midwest, and like it just fine.

But I don't agree with the part about not having anything that will eat you or poison you. There have been a number of cougar sightings in the suburbs of Minneapolis, and if you go a little farther north, wolves (which actually are not known to eat people, but I wouldn't want to put them to the test) and bears are pretty common. You will also find rattlesnakes along the Mississippi River between St. Paul and LaCrosse.

That said, no large animal or cannibalistic person has ever threatened to eat me, and the only snakes I've seen are nonvenomous. We do get tornadoes and cold, crappy weather, and mosquitoes the size of buzzards, but there haven't been any volcanoes for millions of years; there are no mountains (the Sawtooth Mountains along the north shore of Lake Superior used to be mountains but they aren't any more) where avalanches could develop; and hurricanes are out of the question.

There is a lot of beautiful scenery, many lakes and rivers, great for sailing. The crime rate is relatively low and the standard of living is pretty high. The infrastructure is in decent shape; the schools are good; and Minnesota has been rated the healthiest state in the country. (Not to diss Wisconsin, Retro; I'm originally from Milwaukee.) I like it here.

[Guava Jelly]

44. My parents moved to Kansas City

when I was 9 years old.And I lived in Kansas from 1976 to mid 2006.
And now i live in Missouri.
I live where I live because my job and small struggling business are here.

[Jimbo S]

45. 1. Family and friends are here

2. I'm near the water.
3. I can watch the Badgers, Brewers, Packers.

[Allenberg]

46. I live here in the fair city of Pittsburgh

1. We're getting more and more progressive as the years go on
2. Dirt cheap cost of living
3. I like my job, and though I'm not rich by any means, I make enough
4. Both my family, and my wife's family are here
5. I grew up here
6. PRIMANTI BROTHERS :D

[Zookeeper]

57. Primanti Brothers....

I saw a feature on the Food Network about them. I can't imagine trying to eat one of those sandwiches without a knife and fork. They're HUGE!

[idgiehkt]

47. can't make a living in the town I was born in

no jobs, no middle class.

really, really hate it here though, so as soon as I can get certified/experienced in my little career thingie I'm gonna move.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

49. I grew up in Michigan

and that is very similar to you and where you are now. I live just north of Seattle. You have two things not on that list that I don't have, and am glad I don't.

FLIES and MOSQUITOES........... sorry, didn't mean to yell....... :)

[Blue_Tires]

52. because after 7 years

i only have about $10 saved in my "Move to Brazil" fund

[SiobhanClancy]

54. Reasons why I live in Maine...

1) It's home..after years living away(Florida Keys,Boston)I knew it was the place I felt most comfortable

2) Maine is beautiful...stunning coastline,forests,mountains,it abounds in natural beauty

3) My daughter is here

4) The pace of life is manageable and the crime is low(but growing)

5 )I can take the train to Boston and be there in a little over 2 hours

6) Wonderful,fresh seafood

7) The quirkiness of the Maine psyche(it suits me,anyway)

8) It's easy to get to Canada from here

9) I like winter outdoor activities
and......
10) I'd better like it,because I can't afford to move anywhere else!:)

[noonwitch]

55. All the same things apply to Michigan, except the no tornado thing

We don't get many tornados close to the city of Detroit, but plenty hit the suburbs, and we did have one that went right through Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park in the 90s.

But I like living in Michigan and will stay here, even if I win the lottery. I'll just move to Traverse City, if that ever happens.

[xchrom]

56. it's not peoria.

and it's easy to get laid here.

[RetroLounge]

61. Where is that, exactly?

:evilgrin:

RL

[Zookeeper]

58. I lived in S.F. for ten years and came back to the upper...

midwest.

Minnesota:

1) Great urban quality of life (Lots of easily accessible parks and cultural amenities).
2) Relatively low-crime.
3) Relatively affordable (at least compared to CA).
4) Blue State.
5) High literacy rate, educated citizens, good neighbors.
6) Mostly polite, civilized people.
7) A minimum of Yuppies and posers.
8) Close to Canada.
9) Easy access to nature and wilderness areas. And when you get "there" you aren't still surrounded by people.
10) Seasons.

[smitty]

59. I live in the Milwaukee area too. I there are some good reasons

to leave:

1. Long, cold winters that start in November and end in May.

2. Outrageously high property taxes.

3. Flat and bland, no hills, no mountains

4. Violent thunderstorms and the threat of tornadoes.

5. Milwaukee not a particularly exciting city.

6. Endless road construction.

7. Blizzards, cold waves (see no. 1 above)

8. Summer droughts and heat waves.

9. Deer eating my perennials.

10. Losing professional sports teams.

Still, we haven't endured earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes or volcanoes.

[Phillycat]

60. I live in Philly because it fucking rocks.

I would never live anywhere else.

[Ms_Dem_Meanor]

62. Um...

1. tax free shopping
2. born and raised here. (Oh, I live in Delaware)
3. tax free shopping
4. 15 minutes from Philly (all the clubs; Eagles & Sixers games)
5. tax free shopping
6. 45 minutes from Baltimore (my sister; clubs; Phillips Crabcakes)
7. tax free shopping
8. most of my family is here
9. tax free shopping
10. 45 minutes from Atlantic City (the slots; the beaches)
11. tax free shopping
12. 2- 3 hours from Virginia (family; beaches)
13. tax free shopping
14. beaches
15. Oh did I for get to say...tax free shopping!!!

:hi: