It's a reasonable concern,
@ActionBob . Wisconsin is a classic "Purple State" where they mix their politics in odd ways. What I will say about WI Democrats is they are generally good people. Normal people. They just pull the lever because of a farm bill, or a union contract, or because they fear the uber-rich. While I don’t like the natural conclusion of the rural democrat’s policies, I like the human beings very much.
For those in the thread that we’re contemplating a similar move, let me share what my search consisted of as it may inspire you to narrow your search radius.
I like Wisconsin because it is a hunting State, the people are incredibly friendly, and the culture of fish fry Fridays, Packer tailgating at the local pub, and the fact schools close for the deer opening day all impress me. The Protestant work ethic is strong and the ethnicities that settled the area have made a positive impact over the past 150 years. Dutch, Germans, Belgians, French, Amish/Mennonite, and Swiss heritage abounds. Every State has refugees, not all of them good, but WI imported Hmong Vietnamese capitalist sympathizers after the fall of Saigon. The Asian population is fully integrated, hard working, and Wisconsin values through and through. Great neighbors and business owners.
So once I decided on a State I set a standard of at least 5 acres, hopefully more, and I wanted to be one hour from an airport. That meant Southern WI for O’Hare, or the Milwaukee suburbs, Or Minneapolis suburbs. I found with my search parameters you would be spending $500,000 to 5,000,000 on a home that meets those parameters in the southern part of the State (Chicago access) or in the Milwaukee region too. But the Minneapolis cooridor, on the WI side, less than one hour from a major airport, you will spend $300,000-$1,200,000 for a pretty fantastic property and the home sites are zoned 30 acres or bigger. I94 interstate gets you everywhere at 80mph. Minneapolis airport is the 14th busiest in North America with more flights than Boston Logan.
Bottom line, west central Wisconsin has access to first world necessities like airports, high speed internet, cell signal, express ways, Costco, Home Depot, and other signs of civilization. But, you’re paying 1/4th the price for homes and land than you would in the other regions of the State and development is limited by 30 acre zoning rules.
4 miles away a bow hunting lady killed a 195 B&C on her little hobby farm and the locals care about deer management. No casinos. No First Nation rights to poach or molest wildlife unfettered by conservation rules. No Minneapolis politics. A more modest progressive income tax than Minnesota. Plenty of land use programs and conservation/forestry subsidies for those that want to set aside conservation land rather than till it. Two State universities within 15 miles.
Highly recommend anyone trying to escape woke cities take a look at the land in Wisconsin east of Minneapolis on the I94 corridor.
My opinion when I looked at what you get for your money is that dollars go far in this area and the home prices are irrationally low compared to the other areas that afford similar access to good jobs.
