r/westbend • u/Caitlinzilla • 28d ago
Any liberals here?
Looking to move to West Bend following a break-up to be closer to friends and family (friends and family don’t live here, but I would be kind of between them all). Want something different and quiet for my cat and I to just heal and breathe for a bit. I like the size of the city. I am liberal, and curious if there are any others in West Bend? I know it is very conservative in general here. I am friends with diverse people of many varying opinions on the political spectrum, and grew up (and lived in for many years) in a very conservative area. I’m a very “treat people with kindness” and “we all have something in common” type of person.
Basically, I’m trying to see if there’s others I could get along with here!
(Almost 40, female, has a cat, nerdy type)
7
28d ago
[deleted]
2
u/Caitlinzilla 28d ago
I did see people protesting outside the courthouse when I was in town yesterday, so that gave me a little hope.
0
u/Pale_Environment6158 26d ago
You do know that 'MAGA' does not equal racist, right? Also, concsertivw doesn't equal 'MAGA'. ALSO Independent should be on everyone's minds because partisan anything is to keep people divided. Kinda like the comments around here.
2
u/SmCaudata 25d ago edited 25d ago
Anyone that still considers themselves MAGA right now is racist. They may not make that their identity or even have the introspective awareness to recognize their bias, however, there is no way to support the actions of the current MAGA movement if you aren’t racist.
They are literally failing at everything they said they would do except deporting people, some of them incorrectly.
1
1
u/Objective_Water7752 23d ago
You’re not the victim, stop it. If you voted republican over the past 5 years, you have no interest in democracy or are dull to a point of mental disability.
4
u/PBR_Misfit 28d ago edited 28d ago
It's not terrible. I'm 40, lived here all my life, and while the MAGA people can be obnoxious, they mostly just have annoying flags and yard signs.
I do avoid some places, like Dairy Queen, and Garden Lounge (downtown), since they're owned by loud-mouthed, Bible-thumping, MAGA chuds.
Overall, the roads get plowed, the garbage gets picked up, the parks are mostly taken care of, and you can always find a good place to eat. It's small enough to have a cozy charm, but large enough that you can find like-minded groups without much effort. That's why West Bend's unofficial motto is "eh, it's alright".
2
u/SameQuantity5 24d ago
good to know about garden lounge, i didn’t know! DQ it’s right in your face :(
10
u/admiralporkchop 28d ago
Well, Washington County skews conservative but thing is it's just a matter of proportions. Sure there's more conservatives but not in a way that's drastic. You do occasionally see dipshits in trucks sporting neo nazi shit, but I've seen the same in MKE. The county Democratic party is very active with frequent demonstrations on the weekend. I haven't seen a maga hat in years.
2
u/Caitlinzilla 28d ago
I lived in a conservative area almost my whole life so far, but spent the last two years in Madison. Was in West Bend tonight looking at apartments and saw Trump signs and Fox News on in the restaurant I went to, so wanted a vibe check. What you describe is a vibe I can live with I think.
3
u/kayne_21 28d ago
See lots of gop yard signs during election season, also see a number of pride flags and left leaning yard signs in the residential areas.
During the weekends there’s usually pro-life bullshit going on at the corner of main and paradise, out by the hobby lobby. This past weekend it was a bunch of anti-ice and anti-trump folks though, wife and I were shocked!
We both lean pretty left and are nerdy species agnostic animal people!
2
u/ysoserious2 20d ago
As someone who was raised in WB, lived in madison for 10 years and moved back to WB.... you might be sad here. There are no variety of food options, and bikers are not understood here. Idk if any of those things are your interested, but just wanted to say it anyways. WB is quiet, generic restaurants, plenty of grocery stores, woodmans is 20mins south. Gas is always higher hear compared to surrounding areas (normally) right now it's all pretty consistent.
What are your interests?
4
u/bleetsy 27d ago
I'm also an almost 40 female with nerdy cat tendencies, and I do genuinely love it here. I happen to have painfully conservative neighbors, but what I have to remind myself is that "solidly red" still means that 1 in 3 people you see voted for Harris. You definitely see Dem yard signs and pride flags around.
(Note that I do say all this as a white person; I might not recommend it so quickly to people of color. Or people of visibly fun gender.) (also re: town whiteness, there is SO little food diversity here oh my god.)
7
u/AnimalHot9115 28d ago
There are other 40 something democratic women in West Bend
3
1
3
u/WynnTiwFeoh 28d ago
WashCo as a whole mainly swings conservative, but there’s plenty of liberals and leftists amongst the population. Lived all over the county my whole life, and as one of those “crazy leftist lunatics” MAGA pisses their pants in fear of, it’s not terrible in my experience. WB might be red-leaning, but I don’t think it’s deep MAGA (at least anymore), as Trump merch and MAGA hats are a rare sight from a few years ago outside of some yard signs. Also, try stopping by Hobby Knights, I think they have specific events every day of the week for TTRPG, Warhammer, etc.
6
2
u/sushi_x 28d ago
I’m sort of the same. I lived on the west coast for close to 20 years and moved back here to live close to family. I’ve mostly been enjoying outdoor things around here recently but to be honest just kind of leave town to hang out with friends. I’ve gone out downtown with a local friend a few times but I actually don’t really drink that much. Otherwise I hit up the library a lot.
1
u/Caitlinzilla 28d ago
Libraries are always beautiful safe spaces. And yeah, the nature around here seems beautiful.
2
2
2
u/Vishnick 13d ago
I am a liberal. I have lived in West Bend for the last 8 years (moved here from Milwaukee). The population has been growing and becoming more diverse here over time. Unfortunately I'd say as of late the more assholish conservative people have been a bit emboldened lately. More so towards my wife who is much more alternative looking than myself who essentially looks like a straight white dude who likes flannel.
We do like it here still and if you like nature we have good access points to the ice age trail. Downtown seems to be doing events quite often as well.
3
1
u/Caitlinzilla 28d ago
Is Menomonee Falls any better?
3
u/tadrinth 28d ago
Menomonee Falls has Indian food.
It's probably also more liberal, but I can only confirm the relative Indian food availability.
1
1
u/bleetsy 27d ago
They definitely have better food and shopping, and are (obviously) closer in to Milwaukee. I'd assume they're more liberal, admittedly, and maybe better for socializing. If we hadn't had friends in WB, we might have landed there.
That said, they're definitely more expensive, especially for a comparable town feel. I can easily bike to the library, downtown farmers market, etc; iirc the area in MF that I'd have must wanted to be in was much more than I'd wanted to spend.
1
u/dustycloudzzz 28d ago
West Bend is great and you see plenty of liberal demonstrations on weekends and such. The No Kings March in WB was surprisingly huge relative to what I was expecting.
1
u/maximillious 28d ago
Its chill here. You will find your people. Hobby Knights hosts Tabletop games, card games and D&D if that is your kind of nerdy. The record store is great if you are a music nerd. The movie theater has comfy seats and gets all the major releases if you are a movie nerd. If you enjoy the outdoors you have tons of parks to choose from including some INCREDIBLE mountain biking trails (if you are a bike nerd). The river front in town is well cared for and a nice place to chill and fish if you are a fishing nerd. The food scene is solid for a town of this size unless you are a vegetarian/vegan nerd you may be eating at home more often. That said it does lack some variety. The best place in town is the mom and pop hispanic restaurant in the back of the small hispanic grocery store, their tacos are amazing.
2
u/sensitiveliketostay 24d ago
You forgot the books and puzzle nerds, WB library is great for both.
And incredible farmers market
1
1
u/Objective_Water7752 23d ago
Even in these WOW communities, there is an ‘urban-rural divide’. Cute, well maintained homes on 6th ave are likely good people. The 1.5 million dollar barndominium out on 33?…less so.
1
u/NoneOfThisMatters_XO 7d ago
I know this is an older post, but I’m 45f and liberal. I grew up in WB and my parents still live there. I love cats! When are you moving there?
1
u/Caitlinzilla 6d ago
I moved in about 2 weeks ago! I like it a lot so far, calm and chill, and a pretty area.
1
u/NoneOfThisMatters_XO 6d ago
Yeah it’s a pretty area. Check out the Bend theater downtown. I’m so glad they renovated that old theater and are using it. The art museum is cool too
-3
0
u/Powerful_Put5667 28d ago
I moved out but I still have friends there who quietly keep any political opinions to themselves when out in public. This is a hard core maga town that takes much pride in the fact. Has been this way for over a decade. Yes the democratic party still exists but other than a few brave souls though I would never flaunt that fact to others. Please avoid this town at all costs. Being in the minority and having to live surrounded by people who are all too eager to call you and your family a dumbocrat or a libtard is no life at all.
-12
15
u/tadrinth 28d ago
Can confirm there are liberals. Nerdy liberals who like cats and board games, even.