Madison, Wisconsin - what can you tell me about it?

[NewJeffCT]

I was contacted about a job in Madison, Wisconsin that sounds pretty promising (I seem to ask similar questions about every 6 months - last time, it was Woodland Hills, CA)

I know it's cold and snowy - even colder & snowier than CT, I would imagine.

And, in looking for a job for my wife, is living between Madison and Milwaukee something that is do-able?

[KamaAina]

1. Madison was where we nearly brought the Walker regime to its knees.

One street is home to so many old-school lefties it's known jokingly as the "Ho Chi Minh Trail"!

I am told that many people commute from Milwaukee, especially its west suburbs, to Madison (about 75 mi. city to city).

[NewJeffCT]

3. thanks

the pictures of Madison look beautiful online.

[taterguy]

2. One of the nation's most bike friendly cities

Due to the influence of Trek.

Incredibly scenic due to the lakes that are in the heart of the city.

[rbnyc]

4. I love Wisconsin!

Madison is a great town. The whole area is beautiful. I have a lot of smart, friendly, liberal friends who live there and love it.

[tabbycat31]

5. only been there one day

When I was part of a crowd turning in recall petitions against a state senator. Ian's Pizza is good and it's a very liberal city. That's all I know about it.

[murielm99]

6. It is a very friendly, liberal city.

They have great farmer's markets, too.

I think you would love it there.

[NewJeffCT]

9. well, who knows what will happen

I've asked about Woodland Hills, CA, Richmond, VA, Columbus, OH, Pittsburgh, PA and a few other places here over the past 5-6 years and no move has happened yet.

[mcctatas]

7. my dad has lived there for the last 30 years, it is often referred to as

"70 square miles surrounded by reality", and in WI lately, that's a good thing. It's pedestrian friendly, bike friendly, has all of the cultural and artsy venues that one would want in a big city without having the crime, congestion and general douchebaggery. Ya know, I wonder why we haven't moved there yet :)

[NewJeffCT]

8. Thanks

what about the areas between Madison & Milwaukee?

[Skittles]

10. I moved around a lot growing up as a GI brat

if I had to pick the one place I liked the most, it was Madison Wisconsin. OK it was a long time ago (I was a child) but I loved it there!

[provis99]

11. gorgeous college town, lots of hippies and liberals.

It's not quite up to the level of Bloomington Indiana, but it's pretty good.

[NewJeffCT]

18. Bloomington, Indiana?

I know it's a college town, but I'd never heard of Bloomington being liberal with lots of hippies. So, Bloomington is like a blue oasis in a sea of red?

[WildEyedLiberal]

23. Most Big Ten college towns are amazing

And I only say "most" because I haven't been to them all. I spent 5 years in Champaign-Urbana and LOVED it. I have heard only good things about Madison, Bloomington, and State College as well.

[LuckyLib]

12. It's like Austin, Texas (without the heat). College town, state capital, liberal,

artsy, mellow, and tons of great people.

[NewJeffCT]

15. I'm sure people in Austin would say

it's like a bigger Madison, WI, only without the cold.

[madrchsod]

13. best city in the upper midwest and ...

i live in northern il. great place for just about anything and it`s just down the road from the wisconsin dells!

[NewJeffCT]

14. Wisconsin Dells?

never heard of it/them?

[Release The Hounds]

19. Wisconsin Dells is a huge tourist area

http://www.wisdells.com/

Lots of water parks, go carts, mini golf, etc.

Oh, and the actual dells on the Wisconsin River.

[NewJeffCT]

20. Thanks

I'm sure my daughter would love it.

[Divameow77]

22. I'm going to the Dells this weekend!

My in-laws have a house on the WI river down there.

I've been to Madison quite a few times, it seems really nice.

[av8rdave]

16. Isn't The Onion headquartered there?

Not positive about that, but seems to ring a bell.

[NewJeffCT]

17. Yes, the Onion started in Madison, Wisconsin

which, is always a good thing.

[dembotoz]

21. number of livable towns between madison and milwaukee.

madison has a lower unemployement rate so that might just work out.

no real mass transit between madison and milwaukee except maybe bus?
we had a chance at trains--but walker got rid of that and a bunch of jobs......

area between mad and milwaukee tends to skew sort of red.
with some areas just plain nasty

if your wife is a teacher, the job market is extremely tight.
walker has been screwing with the schools.......

think you will find things generally affordable.

wisconsin du'ers have meet ups on an irregular basis--alway room for a couple more....

[NewJeffCT]

24. Thanks

my wife is in purchasing/procurement, so a manufacturer is her best option.

[dembotoz]

25. fair amount of manu in that corridor--not just hills and farms

easy access to the i system has promoted growth for some time now.

[Arugula Latte]

26. I've heard it's a cool town, but I'd freeze my ass off if I lived there.

[mzteris]

27. Madison is great!

The winters "ain't so bad" - and I was born and raised in the South so that's saying a lot! I mean, there are some awful days and some days with a LOT of snow, and some really really really freaking cold days, BUT . . . the people are great and the weather the rest of the year is usually pretty good. Lots to do. It's beautiful. Lots of liberals!! Very GLBT and diversity friendly here in Mad City.

1/2 in between the two is around the "Johnson Creek area" - lots of building going on there. Don't know a lot about it though.

The outskirts of Milwaukee is the infamous WAUKESHA (of the not-so-scrupulous clerk who FINDS just enough votes to put Prosser in office!) so I'd stay closer to Madison.

[Myrina]

28. its one of the most awesome-est places to be a liberal in the US ...

oh and the food, music, nature, college hockey and general vibe are pretty damn awesome too.


:)