Madison, WI is known for its lively culture and beautiful scenery. From the University of Wisconsin campus to the stunning views along Lake Mendota, there is plenty to take in and enjoy in Madison. The city also offers a wide variety of activities ranging from outdoor recreation to arts, culture, and entertainment. Visitors will find plenty of shops, restaurants and galleries to explore throughout the city. With its vibrant nightlife, rich history, diverse neighborhoods and amazing outdoor activities, Madison has something for everyone.
Reviews of Madison are overwhelmingly positive with many citing it as one of the most livable cities in the United States. Residents enjoy the variety of things to do including visiting lively farmer's markets, cheering on Badgers sporting events or taking in some live music downtown. The area also has an impressive number of parks and trails where visitors can explore nature while still being close to all the amenities that make this city so attractive. With its strong sense of community plus top-notch education system and public transportation system, Madison is an ideal place to live or visit.
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Mad City - 2/5/2017
Madison has a lot going for it: good employment ops., lots of culture, a little leftover hippyness to take the edge off and it's the capital. Living there, you get the feeling of close quarters. The U. though world class, has sort of taken over the city like a slow growing tumor. So, on week days driving or walking downtown is quite an adventure. Bike lanes seemingly spring up in roadways that would scare me to pedal through. Buses are convenient. Personally I like my U and City a bit more separated. Housing sure isn't cheap. Cost of living isn't cheap, at least for me. But, I'm a frugal frau. Occasionally there is a march on the capital. It can be quite politically inclined, a mix of everything. Medically speaking, you'll be in the pink. People come from far and wide to see their doctors. Also, on certain days you might be driving the Beltway (heavy traffic) but then you'll see some cows staring back at you from the U Vet School. It tends to put a smile on your face.
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nice college town - 2/4/2016
Madison is a mid sized city located in South Central Wisconsin. Some of the biggest employers are The University of Wisconsin, UW hospital ( Voted number 1 hospital in Wisconsin) And Epic Systems(electronic charting for hospitals). You will find plenty to do as Madison boasts miles of biking and hiking trails, popular college sports teams and many choices to enjoy the arts. Just bring your
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Why we like Madison and perhaps why we don't so mu - 2/10/2015
We met at Madison in our 40s and got married. We bought a house in town with a nice yard, close to bus transportation so Jim could get to work and near a good grocery store, parks, schools, and a short distance from our favorite (more pricy) parts of town.
Our home value went up and we really liked our neighborhood and we gardened and could get to intellectual and fun activities as well as the "commons" of our city and area, coffee shops, parks, lakes, rural places nearby, shopping. Friends bought houses not very far from us which was also wonderful.
Kids grew up and moved out and health issues meant that it might be better if we didn't have to shovel, carry salt for softener, work so hard on gardens, or take lots of stairs. So we sold our house and bought a condo on the lake, quite near. It was more expensive but is quite lovely and the living is easy (laundry room just behind the bedroom, for instance.) Also everyone in the building is great. We cooperate
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Housing, it's relative. - 7/16/2014
Other than the Milwaukee Metro area, it does cost more to live in Madison than the rest of WI. Housing is the primary factor making this community a difficult place for lower income folks to reside in. We knew this upon our arrival here back in 2000 and so we purchased a mobile home, believing we could have some privacy, our kids with their own bedrooms and not go broke in the process. Now however, the lot rent has climbed to over $600/mo, making this less economical than we believed it would be at this point, back when we moved in. Finding any sort of house to rent for under $1k/mo is next to impossible ansd apartments or condos aren't much better. While most of the country was suffering through a collapse in the realestate market a number of years ago, Madison kept right on chugging along, just at a bit of a lesser pace. Now again it has climbed back to double digit appreciation in the market. Unemployment always remains very low. The primary employers are state government related,
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Love this town! - 1/24/2014
Way more music, theater, fine dining, and general fun than you'd expect from a small city.
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Breathing - poor quality of air - 5/18/2013
I moved to Madison a month ago from Gainesville, Fl because the climate there gave e terrible asthma. I thought the air would be better in Madison. I was here 10 days and started having terrible coughing attacks. I had a severe asthma attack and am staying inside. I am also wearing a mask when I go out. I plan to move in 4 days. There is something very wrong with the air her - high particulate matter. It's too bad because I like the city and the people but must go where I can breath. If you plan to move to Madison go and stay for at least a week to see how you react to the
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Safest place to live! - 2/5/2012
I have lived in Madison all my life and I will be the first to say that this city is a very safe place to raise a family, go to school, and even just a relocation for a single person. The crime and unemployment rate are low. Yes we get some snow in the winter months but it is not as bad as some people have previously stated. The northern Wisconsin cities get most of the snow. Yes it does get humid in the summer but then again the last couple summers have had highs in the 70's and 80's with very little 90's. There are 4 lakes in and around this city. The Capital and downtown area sits on an isthmus and is a pretty sight while driving in on John Nolen Drive. If your looking smaller towns with a short commute to Madison there are a couple of good choice. Overall Madison is a very safe place to live and a great
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Beware - 12/30/2011
First, I've lived there 20 years. College town, government workers and working poor dominate the population. Good schools - I raised my son here. Good restaurants, limited but interesting neighborhoods. Fun place to visit for a day, or two. But outside of a precious few weeks each spring and fall, the weather is godawful! Oppressive heat and humid, mosquitoes, stench from the lakes, just awful. Winter is deadly, and seems to last forever and ever without break. Housing is wa-ay expensive, and surviving requires at least 85G, or you will be scraping buy and priced out of most entertainment. And it is getting worse by the year. Madison residents are better than you, get over it. Keep your politics to yourself - either way, left or right, you will ruin yourself. Taxes outrageous, even considering the good schools. Streets are lousy, and it is extraordinarily difficult to travel more than a mile or two from Dec through March. Unless you are getting huge bucks, consider elsewhere. An awful
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