Overserved, but happy as hell to escape tyranny

[WAB]

Congrats RH! Enjoy the adventure!

 

[sestoppelman]

As our Aussie brethren might say, "good on ya Yank!".

 

[meigsbucks]

Congratulations! Sometimes plans take a little longer to come to fruition than anticipated. Your perseverance paid off. I can’t blame you for wanting out of Illinois. I hope you dream is everything you imagined.

 

[Jeff505]

Friends,

I'm just drinking my second full glass of Slivovitz (eastern European brandy) so my cogent thoughts are limited. Why Slivo? Because it represents European moonshine that was made with self reliance on a rural farm from whatever stone fruits they had in their orchards. (in my case, its plum based white liquor)

Why am I drinking it? I left southern Wisconsin by dropping out of high school with a 0.43 GPA having been informed that I didn't have what it takes to pursue higher learning. I was 17, I sold all my possessions, I harnessed my capital into two cheap suits, $750 in cash, and I headed for Chicago to try to find my way in life since my prospects for a brighter tomorrow were damned limited. I had a 5-year plan to make a few bucks, save away, and come back to Wisconsin with enough money to own a piece of land to enjoy fishing, hunting, and all things local community.

Well, the 5-year plan took 25 years to accomplish. I got a few consulting gigs, then my career progressed to the point of teaching grad students on the side. Then I did nationwide consulting. Then I picked up an MBA and started serving companies as an executive. All the while, getting out of socialist hellhole Illinois was on the forefront of my mind every day for 25 years.

My Sh*tty Illinois house sold today. I lost $350k on it over 15 years in this toxic hellhole of a State. I have a good job that allows me to hop a plane for work. I'm buying 30+ acres of virgin forest and prairie in Wisconsin with 1300' of prime trout fishing frontage in two weeks. I'm moving my family to a place that believes in two genders, hard work, and kindness towards their neighbors. I should have my little slice of paradise paid off in a year or so with 70% down payment.

Yep. I'm overserved, happier than I've been in 25 years, and I did it. I got the good Chicago job, plotted my career, plotted my escape, and I'm getting the hell out of here!

So now you know why I'm drinking the official drink of most of the Wisconsin settlers and so damned gleeful about leaving the woke leftism of Illinois permanently.

The only concern I have left in the world is if my less informed neighbors start to vote for the same policies that destroyed Illinois and created a 25-year cage for me to escape in the process. Lets hope the rural states reject leftist thinking and solve their problems as neighbors rather than as authoritarians with central control over all thought.

Cheers!

One of the members of our hunting group has a father from Croatia,

Friends,

I'm just drinking my second full glass of Slivovitz (eastern European brandy) so my cogent thoughts are limited. Why Slivo? Because it represents European moonshine that was made with self reliance on a rural farm from whatever stone fruits they had in their orchards. (in my case, its plum based white liquor)

Why am I drinking it? I left southern Wisconsin by dropping out of high school with a 0.43 GPA having been informed that I didn't have what it takes to pursue higher learning. I was 17, I sold all my possessions, I harnessed my capital into two cheap suits, $750 in cash, and I headed for Chicago to try to find my way in life since my prospects for a brighter tomorrow were damned limited. I had a 5-year plan to make a few bucks, save away, and come back to Wisconsin with enough money to own a piece of land to enjoy fishing, hunting, and all things local community.

Well, the 5-year plan took 25 years to accomplish. I got a few consulting gigs, then my career progressed to the point of teaching grad students on the side. Then I did nationwide consulting. Then I picked up an MBA and started serving companies as an executive. All the while, getting out of socialist hellhole Illinois was on the forefront of my mind every day for 25 years.

My Sh*tty Illinois house sold today. I lost $350k on it over 15 years in this toxic hellhole of a State. I have a good job that allows me to hop a plane for work. I'm buying 30+ acres of virgin forest and prairie in Wisconsin with 1300' of prime trout fishing frontage in two weeks. I'm moving my family to a place that believes in two genders, hard work, and kindness towards their neighbors. I should have my little slice of paradise paid off in a year or so with 70% down payment.

Yep. I'm overserved, happier than I've been in 25 years, and I did it. I got the good Chicago job, plotted my career, plotted my escape, and I'm getting the hell out of here!

So now you know why I'm drinking the official drink of most of the Wisconsin settlers and so damned gleeful about leaving the woke leftism of Illinois permanently.

The only concern I have left in the world is if my less informed neighbors start to vote for the same policies that destroyed Illinois and created a 25-year cage for me to escape in the process. Lets hope the rural states reject leftist thinking and solve their problems as neighbors rather than as authoritarians with central control over all thought.

Cheers!

One of the members of our hunting group had a father that had escaped Croatia during WW2, many interesting stories of the old country. It has been our custom in honor of our Croatian friend to have a shot of Slivo at 5 am before our deer hunt, the phrase “Jivoli” which means cheers as best I can remember is said before pouring it down the hatch. I don’t normally condone drinking and firearms, but one shot and a toast to the traditions that will hopefully stay with us. Things generally change for the worse when we abandon the pillars of the past. Rookhawk be a light to the next genegation.

 

[gillettehunter]

Good job and well done! Glad you’re moving to a better environment!
Bruce

 

[Deleted member 40394]

Glad I was born In SC. Will be here until I die. Just hope to visit Africa some more and take some trips out west but here is my home. Dirt roads, peeing in the back yard without bother, and doing what the heck I want to do!

 

[ActionBob]

Glad I was born In SC. Will be here until I die. Just hope to visit Africa some more and take some trips out west but here is my home. Dirt roads, peeing in the back yard without bother, and doing what the heck I want to do!

I'm sure if in my old age I ever move to "town"... Sooner or later I'm going to be having a discussion with a member or two of the local constabulary and probably get in trouble with my lovely @Just Gina for pissing off the deck or behind the garage

Sure hope they don't mind a few shotgun blasts if some rodent makes a pest of itself.... 4 legged or two!

 

[ActionBob]

The only concern I have left in the world is if my less informed neighbors start to vote for the same policies that destroyed Illinois and created a 25-year cage for me to escape in the process. Lets hope the rural states reject leftist thinking and solve their problems as neighbors rather than as authoritarians with central control over all thought.

Wow, I'd be worried about the voting from Madison and Milwaukee and how that will influence the greater State in the future.

 

[ActionBob]

In Montana the people from rural Montana treat the people from the “big cities” of Bozeman and Missoula the same way, it has always been like that, it is a different place for sure.

Somewhat similar here in the land of Rocks and Cows as our POS Commi Ass Hat governor calls Northern Minnesota as he claims we don't matter. Mind you he's a tad porky so apparently he likes to eat which good luck to him without us farmers....

But yea Cody, we get the city slickers up here over the weekends. They proudly announce where they are from and my polite reply is generally "I'm so sorry".

In Minnesota, life is better if you can stay North of Hwy 95

 

[John the Electrician]

Sounds like we are going to be neighbors. We will have to connect when you get settled. John.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Friends,

I'm just drinking my second full glass of Slivovitz (eastern European brandy) so my cogent thoughts are limited. Why Slivo? Because it represents European moonshine that was made with self reliance on a rural farm from whatever stone fruits they had in their orchards. (in my case, its plum based white liquor)

Why am I drinking it? I left southern Wisconsin by dropping out of high school with a 0.43 GPA having been informed that I didn't have what it takes to pursue higher learning. I was 17, I sold all my possessions, I harnessed my capital into two cheap suits, $750 in cash, and I headed for Chicago to try to find my way in life since my prospects for a brighter tomorrow were damned limited. I had a 5-year plan to make a few bucks, save away, and come back to Wisconsin with enough money to own a piece of land to enjoy fishing, hunting, and all things local community.

Well, the 5-year plan took 25 years to accomplish. I got a few consulting gigs, then my career progressed to the point of teaching grad students on the side. Then I did nationwide consulting. Then I picked up an MBA and started serving companies as an executive. All the while, getting out of socialist hellhole Illinois was on the forefront of my mind every day for 25 years.

My Sh*tty Illinois house sold today. I lost $350k on it over 15 years in this toxic hellhole of a State. I have a good job that allows me to hop a plane for work. I'm buying 30+ acres of virgin forest and prairie in Wisconsin with 1300' of prime trout fishing frontage in two weeks. I'm moving my family to a place that believes in two genders, hard work, and kindness towards their neighbors. I should have my little slice of paradise paid off in a year or so with 70% down payment.

Yep. I'm overserved, happier than I've been in 25 years, and I did it. I got the good Chicago job, plotted my career, plotted my escape, and I'm getting the hell out of here!

So now you know why I'm drinking the official drink of most of the Wisconsin settlers and so damned gleeful about leaving the woke leftism of Illinois permanently.

The only concern I have left in the world is if my less informed neighbors start to vote for the same policies that destroyed Illinois and created a 25-year cage for me to escape in the process. Lets hope the rural states reject leftist thinking and solve their problems as neighbors rather than as authoritarians with central control over all thought.

Cheers!

Hi “rookhawk” congradulations sir!
I so admire your decision. I had a feeling you were about to make a big move. A few months ago Liesl and myself visited the USA for the first time in 3 years, very disappointing.

Cheers, Lon

 

[rookhawk]

The current election will be an indication of how far Californication has progressed in Texas. I envy you your slice of paradise. Can you recommend a good brand of slivovitz.

R. Jelenik is a Czech brand made from plums. Served directly from the chilled freezer, I find its the best of the traditional Plum Slivos. Its about $28 a bottle at the mega liquor stores like Binnys, Total Wine, etc. All these spirits are sold in the Brandy section of the store but they are not remotely Brandy. Roughly 50% alcohol, clear like vodka. When you sip it, its like drinking dragster fuel and then after the sip your chest gets hot and the vapor of fresh fruit from the tree (but not sweet) comes up from your chest.

The Bulgarians call it Rakia. The Germans and western europeans call it Eau du Vive I believe? The Czechs Slivovitza.

At any rate, its any stone fruit from cherry, quince, pear, apple, plum, apricot, etc, turned into a high octane white liquor like a vodka. They are delightful and the europeans all swear it keeps the doctor away. A shot a day is prescribed by most village grandmas.

 

[VertigoBE]

Congratulations and well done on the move @rookhawk, I will look forward to you getting your first deer in your freezer, hunted on your own slice of paradise!

 

[7mmFan]

congrats on your escape! down here in texas the blueberries in the tomato soup are growing and it's scary. Thanks for letting me know there is a new liquor I need to try! cheers.

 

[buck wild]

I have a bottle of Slivo i got from the Czech Republic. It is also plum and occasionally I'll get a shot in honor of the "Homeland"

 

[mdwest]

Congrats @rookhawk ! Ive got similar future plans.

Not sure exactly where we'll land just yet.. but the intent is to find somewhere between 30-50 acres in a relatively rural corner of a reasonably conservative state within the next few years.. downsize the house and get the hell out of urban America..

As long as Im within an hours drive of a regional airport, I can make that work until Im ready to hit the "retired" button.. For the time being, we're staying where we are because there's still 1 kid left in school and we don't want to rip her out of there and relocate her when there are just a couple of years left to go (we've already moved her around the country a few times.. she's settled in nicely where we are and is doing well... we don't want to upset that apple cart)... Once she takes off and goes to college (Im 90% certain she will leave the state when she does)... It'll be time to pull up stakes, fold up the tent, and find a little peace and tranquility elsewhere...

 

[TTundra]

Congrats on getting out. Sadly, the Chicago politics drive IL policies and make this whole state less friendly for the hunting/shooting people, let alone that SAFE-T act monstrosity.. Im looking for a small acreage plot over the border as well to get out when I can. Make that purple state turn a bit more red.

 

[Strausser]

Actually..they call it Rakija (the moonshine version of Slivo..) locally in Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia...damn tasty liquor though..ZIVELI..!

The homemade one I got was called travaritsa.Fairly bland,but cool nonetheless.
What annoys me was that the security at Lax confiscated the olive oil he’d made for me.
Not a fan of olive oil but they all said homemade is completely different to store bought.
Sorry for derailing your thread rook.

 

[Doug3006]

ZIVJELI! I’m quite familiar with Slivovitz. A very good friend and hunting buddy is a second generation American of Croatian ancestry. He insists that we toast each hunting day with a shot or two of Slivovitz.

Congrats on making your dream come true. Your story is inspiring. It’s never a surprise to me that clear objectives, dogged determination and hard work make dreams reality.

One of my favorite quotes is from T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia): “All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds Awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible.”

 

[rookhawk]

Wow, I'd be worried about the voting from Madison and Milwaukee and how that will influence the greater State in the future.

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.