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Tips For Making the Move to Milwaukee
Moving is never easy. It is change - and change can be scary. Whether you are moving 100 miles away or 1,000 miles, it can be a daunting experience. Patty Checa, now a Milwaukee resident, found herself in the same situation, only she didn't move 100, or even 1,000 miles away. She actually moved more than 2,000 miles from where she originally lived in Los Angeles California, and has been kind enough to share her experience to help those who might find themselves facing such a major life transition.
1. Handling All Things Winter
Moving from a warmer climate, Patty has some great advice to help get through the winter months, especially for those who aren't used to these crazy weather conditions. "Stay warm! You need a good down goose jacket, long and short. Consider getting yourself some warm wool socks along with some warm boots, a good scarf and some warm undershirts. Oh, and don't forget about the head. Make sure to keep that warm, too. Layers are your friends here."
The cold weather isn't the only thing that comes with the winter months. The white fluffy stuff tends to make an appearance, too. This stuff can be both a blessing and a curse, and here we call it snow. Snow can be beautiful, but it can also make driving and transportation a little tricky. Patty's best advice is to drive slowly. Stay on the main roads and, of course, if you don't need to go anywhere, don't.
Another thing you will come to find is that it is very easy to find yourself in a winter funk. Most of the time you are stuck inside all day, and with shorter days this can wear on you. Patty suggests taking at least one trip in the winter to help with this (if you can). Go somewhere tropical or sunny, it doesn't matter, but go somewhere. Patty also mentions joining a gym, staying active and getting together with friends as often as possible.
2. Meeting People
Meeting people after moving can be one of the most difficult things. It's like high school all over again. In the end, you just need to strap your big kid pants on and put yourself out there. Patty suggests getting involved in your community as much as possible! Get involved with Facebook groups like Mommy Blogs in Milwaukee. Your place of worship can also be a great place to meet people. "For me, personally, what helped me through the transition was going to church, and just having faith that God put me here for a reason, and I just had to trust Him. Also, doing yoga really helped me. Go out for bike rides along the bike trails and stop at the beer gardens along the way! They are family friendly and a lot of fun!"
3. Where To Live - Finding The Right Fit
There are a number of factors that go into picking the right place to live. There is the character of the neighborhood, amenities, safety, schools and so much more. Depending on the situation you are in, making sure you find a place with good schools is always important. Do your research on the different schools and which one best fits the need of your child. Make sure you are aware of the transportation options. Whether it be a public or private schools, getting your child to and from school will have a big impact on your schedule everyday.
Another thing to consider is the neighborhood. This includes safety issues, prices and the overall environment. While some people like solitude, others love that feeling of being smothered. Do you want a yard or no yard? An old historic home or newer home? There are pockets of neighborhoods fitting what you want all around. It is just a matter of researching and finding what fits your wants.
Lastly consider the amenities. Do you want to be near the heart of things with restaurants and shops, or farther away. Sometimes people don't like the noise that comes with living near all the hustle and bustle. That's okay, but that means you probably should not live by Water Street or next to Bayshore mall!
Here are some practical tips to find the right place:
- Explore the area. Drive around and be open
- Figure out if you want to be close to Lake Michigan or not. That is a good starting point to getting to know the area.
- Visit Discover Milwaukee (be sure to order the publication here), Trip Advisor, or VisitMilwaukee for a guide to help you find everything you need
Thing To Do If You Recently Moved
"Go and explore!" Patty says. Some of her favorite places to go are the Third Ward, Brady Street, Kinnickinnic Street, Downtown Wauwatosa, Lake Geneva, Downtown Cedarburg, and the nature Audubon Center. Go out for a bike rides along the bike trails and stop at Holy Hill, the Milwaukee Museum, and some other local attractions.
What Is Patty Up To Now
It has been a few years since Patty has moved to Milwaukee and she is certainly making her mark. Patty has recently created a group on Facebook called "Latinas Connect Milwaukee" and she created it so that Latina women can have a forum to share their business, referrals, and meet new people. After just a short while, her page has reached over 600 members and it keeps growing.
Patty's Go To List
- Explore Wisconsin and visit the top 10 places to see
- Network like crazy and join groups that are of interest on Facebook so you can start meeting new people
- Volunteer and get out there in your community
- Get good quality warm clothes for the winter (Costco, Burlington coat factory, Marshalls-All these stores had great stuff!)
- Stay active in the winters-join a gym take or try yoga
- Pray & meditate to help you with the transition
- Drive around and look at all the neighborhoods so that you can find the perfect area for you! They are all very different.
You can also follow her on instragram @checa_chic
