Madison, WI?
Jul 9th 2008, 10:28 pm
#1
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Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Madison, WI?
What's the skinny on this place? Middleton to be exact I think?
Apart from shite cold winters and humid hot summers, having good schools, cycling and cheap housing, don't know that much about the place, quite liberal and looks alright...
I've done the demographic look up, just want to know if anyone's been around there, what's the commuter traffic like? Other towns to look at? How easy is it to fly into/out of and what about other big cities to go check out? IL is neighbouring, so how doable would a Chicago visit be, that kind of stuff
Apart from shite cold winters and humid hot summers, having good schools, cycling and cheap housing, don't know that much about the place, quite liberal and looks alright...
I've done the demographic look up, just want to know if anyone's been around there, what's the commuter traffic like? Other towns to look at? How easy is it to fly into/out of and what about other big cities to go check out? IL is neighbouring, so how doable would a Chicago visit be, that kind of stuff
Jul 9th 2008, 10:33 pm
#2
Riding on silver wings
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,543
Re: Madison, WI?
What's the skinny on this place? Middleton to be exact I think?
Apart from shite cold winters and humid hot summers, having good schools, cycling and cheap housing, don't know that much about the place, quite liberal and looks alright...
I've done the demographic look up, just want to know if anyone's been around there, what's the commuter traffic like? Other towns to look at? How easy is it to fly into/out of and what about other big cities to go check out? IL is neighbouring, so how doable would a Chicago visit be, that kind of stuff
Apart from shite cold winters and humid hot summers, having good schools, cycling and cheap housing, don't know that much about the place, quite liberal and looks alright...
I've done the demographic look up, just want to know if anyone's been around there, what's the commuter traffic like? Other towns to look at? How easy is it to fly into/out of and what about other big cities to go check out? IL is neighbouring, so how doable would a Chicago visit be, that kind of stuff
As for the other questions I'll ask two of my co-workers that moved from Wisconsin, one who is from Madison.
Jul 9th 2008, 10:45 pm
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: NW Chicago suburbs
Posts: 11,253
Re: Madison, WI?
What's the skinny on this place? Middleton to be exact I think?
Apart from shite cold winters and humid hot summers, having good schools, cycling and cheap housing, don't know that much about the place, quite liberal and looks alright...
I've done the demographic look up, just want to know if anyone's been around there, what's the commuter traffic like? Other towns to look at? How easy is it to fly into/out of and what about other big cities to go check out? IL is neighbouring, so how doable would a Chicago visit be, that kind of stuff
Apart from shite cold winters and humid hot summers, having good schools, cycling and cheap housing, don't know that much about the place, quite liberal and looks alright...
I've done the demographic look up, just want to know if anyone's been around there, what's the commuter traffic like? Other towns to look at? How easy is it to fly into/out of and what about other big cities to go check out? IL is neighbouring, so how doable would a Chicago visit be, that kind of stuff
I've been to Madison, don't remember a ton of traffic (although I'm from the Chicago area, so used to THAT traffic). Seemed a nice town.
Do they have an airport? I wonder, otherwise it'd be Milwaukee or O'Hare - you're probably around 2 1/2 hours from O'Hare, so for intl anyway that'd be pretty good.
Wisconsin is somewhat pretty, has lots of cows and great cheese, and I believe is pretty bad for taxes.
Jul 9th 2008, 11:11 pm
#4
MODERATOR
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Hong Kong, mostly.
Posts: 5,214
Re: Madison, WI?
It is consistently ranked as one of the best places in the country to live. Good schools, relatively low cost of living and higher salaries. I believe it is technically on an island and quite beautiful, with lots of brick buildings surrounding the University.
The airport (MDN) is a regional with service to major Midwest cities (Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit) and a few further away (Washington, New York, Denver, Atlanta).
I would encourage you to catch a football game, even if you don't like football, as it is quite a social event in the Fall.
A bit more laid back lifestyle. Not like California but more of a simple Midwestern lifestyle in the surrounding areas, mixed with a touch of 'college town' offerings of arts, music, etc.
FWIW- I just read an article in Forbes I think that said big college towns (like Madison) are some of the better real estate investments right now, as there is a steady economy from the schools and more and more suburbanites are looking to ditch big cities for smaller towns with a touch of culture (i.e. college towns).
Here is a moving to Madison messageboard:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/madison/
The airport (MDN) is a regional with service to major Midwest cities (Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit) and a few further away (Washington, New York, Denver, Atlanta).
I would encourage you to catch a football game, even if you don't like football, as it is quite a social event in the Fall.
A bit more laid back lifestyle. Not like California but more of a simple Midwestern lifestyle in the surrounding areas, mixed with a touch of 'college town' offerings of arts, music, etc.
FWIW- I just read an article in Forbes I think that said big college towns (like Madison) are some of the better real estate investments right now, as there is a steady economy from the schools and more and more suburbanites are looking to ditch big cities for smaller towns with a touch of culture (i.e. college towns).
Here is a moving to Madison messageboard:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/madison/
Jul 9th 2008, 11:18 pm
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: NW Chicago suburbs
Posts: 11,253
Re: Madison, WI?
It is consistently ranked as one of the best places in the country to live. Good schools, relatively low cost of living and higher salaries. I believe it is technically on an island and quite beautiful, with lots of brick buildings surrounding the University.
The airport (MDN) is a regional with service to major Midwest cities (Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit) and a few further away (Washington, New York, Denver, Atlanta).
I would encourage you to catch a football game, even if you don't like football, as it is quite a social event in the Fall.
A bit more laid back lifestyle. Not like California but more of a simple Midwestern lifestyle in the surrounding areas, mixed with a touch of 'college town' offerings of arts, music, etc.
FWIW- I just read an article in Forbes I think that said big college towns (like Madison) are some of the better real estate investments right now, as there is a steady economy from the schools and more and more suburbanites are looking to ditch big cities for smaller towns with a touch of culture (i.e. college towns).
Here is a moving to Madison messageboard:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/madison/
The airport (MDN) is a regional with service to major Midwest cities (Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit) and a few further away (Washington, New York, Denver, Atlanta).
I would encourage you to catch a football game, even if you don't like football, as it is quite a social event in the Fall.
A bit more laid back lifestyle. Not like California but more of a simple Midwestern lifestyle in the surrounding areas, mixed with a touch of 'college town' offerings of arts, music, etc.
FWIW- I just read an article in Forbes I think that said big college towns (like Madison) are some of the better real estate investments right now, as there is a steady economy from the schools and more and more suburbanites are looking to ditch big cities for smaller towns with a touch of culture (i.e. college towns).
Here is a moving to Madison messageboard:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/madison/
Jul 9th 2008, 11:27 pm
#6
Greatly Missed. RIP
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Jul 9th 2008, 11:43 pm
#8
Bloody Yank
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: USA! USA!
Posts: 4,186
Re: Madison, WI?
What's the skinny on this place? Middleton to be exact I think?
Apart from shite cold winters and humid hot summers, having good schools, cycling and cheap housing, don't know that much about the place, quite liberal and looks alright...
I've done the demographic look up, just want to know if anyone's been around there, what's the commuter traffic like? Other towns to look at? How easy is it to fly into/out of and what about other big cities to go check out? IL is neighbouring, so how doable would a Chicago visit be, that kind of stuff
Apart from shite cold winters and humid hot summers, having good schools, cycling and cheap housing, don't know that much about the place, quite liberal and looks alright...
I've done the demographic look up, just want to know if anyone's been around there, what's the commuter traffic like? Other towns to look at? How easy is it to fly into/out of and what about other big cities to go check out? IL is neighbouring, so how doable would a Chicago visit be, that kind of stuff
Chicago is a great town to visit, and Milwaukee is surprisingly good, a bit like a smallish version of Chicago. But otherwise, it's an island, surrounded by bland little towns and a few dumpy towns in between. The area also lacks ethnic diversity, so if that matters to you, you might find it dull.
Jul 10th 2008, 12:47 am
#10
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Re: Madison, WI?
About 3 hour drive to Chicago, so sure you could
I've been to Madison, don't remember a ton of traffic (although I'm from the Chicago area, so used to THAT traffic). Seemed a nice town.
Do they have an airport? I wonder, otherwise it'd be Milwaukee or O'Hare - you're probably around 2 1/2 hours from O'Hare, so for intl anyway that'd be pretty good.
Wisconsin is somewhat pretty, has lots of cows and great cheese, and I believe is pretty bad for taxes.
I've been to Madison, don't remember a ton of traffic (although I'm from the Chicago area, so used to THAT traffic). Seemed a nice town.
Do they have an airport? I wonder, otherwise it'd be Milwaukee or O'Hare - you're probably around 2 1/2 hours from O'Hare, so for intl anyway that'd be pretty good.
Wisconsin is somewhat pretty, has lots of cows and great cheese, and I believe is pretty bad for taxes.
Jul 10th 2008, 12:52 am
#11
@matthewb76
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 21,886
Re: Madison, WI?
What's the skinny on this place? Middleton to be exact I think?
Apart from shite cold winters and humid hot summers, having good schools, cycling and cheap housing, don't know that much about the place, quite liberal and looks alright...
I've done the demographic look up, just want to know if anyone's been around there, what's the commuter traffic like? Other towns to look at? How easy is it to fly into/out of and what about other big cities to go check out? IL is neighbouring, so how doable would a Chicago visit be, that kind of stuff
Apart from shite cold winters and humid hot summers, having good schools, cycling and cheap housing, don't know that much about the place, quite liberal and looks alright...
I've done the demographic look up, just want to know if anyone's been around there, what's the commuter traffic like? Other towns to look at? How easy is it to fly into/out of and what about other big cities to go check out? IL is neighbouring, so how doable would a Chicago visit be, that kind of stuff
Jul 10th 2008, 12:58 am
#12
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Posts: 3,264
Re: Madison, WI?
I was in WI a couple of weeks ago for a vacation, we stayed near Baraboo which is just a little further north than Madison. I love WI it's very pretty and everything seems so clean. Food was cheaper than PA don't know about house prices, taxes etc. There seems a lot do if you like outdoor pursuits, and in the area we were in there's 3 or 4 water parks, outlet malls galore. If it wasn't so so cold in the winter I'd definitely move there.
Last edited by nethead; Jul 10th 2008 at 1:00 am.
Jul 10th 2008, 12:59 am
#13
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Re: Madison, WI?
I was in WI a couple of weeks ago for a vacation, we stayed near Baraboo which is just a little further north than Madison. I love WI it's very pretty and everything seems so clean. Food was cheaper than PA don't know about house prices etc, taxes etc. There seems a lot do if you like outdoor pursuits, and in the area we were in there's 3 or 4 water parks, outlet malls galore. If it wasn't so so cold in the winter I'd definitely move there.
Jul 10th 2008, 1:18 am
#15
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Re: Madison, WI?
I do know it's a college town so you'll most likely experience a population growth during fall semester and shrinkage during the summer. That also means cheap eats around the University of Wisconsin. You might want to attend a couple football games there as well.
As for the other questions I'll ask two of my co-workers that moved from Wisconsin, one who is from Madison.
As for the other questions I'll ask two of my co-workers that moved from Wisconsin, one who is from Madison.
be interesting to see a game live, I'm about 10 miles away from where the Pats play, haven't seen them though, tickets are stupidly priced, bit like the Red Sox
