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Making a Home in Madison, Wisconsin
Whether you’re making a home there or just visiting, Madison, WI, is a versatile, welcoming college town with plenty to offer for everyone.
Geography
Madison’s 84.7 square miles are populated by the four main lakes of the Yahara River: Lake Kegonsa, Lake Waubesa, Lake Monona and Lake Mendota. A fifth smaller lake, Lake Wingra, is also within the city. Madison’s downtown area is on an isthmus between Lakes Monona and Mendota. It’s little wonder that the city’s trademark name is “Lake, City, Lake”, reflecting its unique, scenic layout.
Neighborhoods
Madison continually ranks as one of the best places to live in the U.S. In 2007, the Places Rated Almanac named the city as one of the “One of the Ten Most Livable Cities in the United States.” And it was named one of the most gay-friendly cities in America by The Advocate magazine.
Madison neighborhoods offer a winning combination of distinct community flavors, along with plenty of shopping, dining and things to do. Here’s a look at a few of those neighborhoods.
First Settlement is, not surprisingly, Madison’s oldest neighborhood, established in 1837. This Madison neighborhood offers some of the best views in the city, a bustling urban experience, great shopping and fine dining. Enjoy incredible sushi at Muramoto or grab a fashionable cocktail with dinner at Opus.
Westmorland, established in 1916, combines a sleepy neighborhood feel with an engaged and active community sensibility. Don’t miss the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Usonian House. Grab a cozy bite at the Village Bar while you’re there, as well.
The Williamson-Marquette neighborhood dates back to 1857 and is known by the locals as “Wil-Mar.” With a hippie vibe, but a forward-looking sensibility, Wil-Mar offers something for everyone with a number of festivals (Waterfront, La Fête de Marquette, Orton Park, Willy Street), eccentric and fun shops and a host of eateries, like the Eldorado Grill and Lao Laan-Xang.
University Heights is another established Madison neighborhood, annexed by the city in 1903. A walk through this stunning residential area is a stroll down an architectural memory lane. You’ll see the work of geniuses such as Frank Lloyd Wright, George Maher and Louis Sullivan, among other greats, in all their varied and glorious styles.
Cultural life
The University of Madison draws people and ideas from all over the world and generates much of the city’s cultural life. And Madison is ripe with culture, as seen in its many great museums, including the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Chazen Museum of Art, State Historical Museum and the Madison Children’s Museum, just to name a few.
The Madison Opera and the Madison Symphony anchor the traditional musical arts of the city, while many theaters and clubs offer the latest in performance and music.
From the Henry Vilas Zoo to the Cave of the Mounds, there are also plenty of great natural Madison attractions to see, too.
Recreation
With as much natural beauty and abundant water access as Madison offers, you know the recreation has to be great. There is an abundance of boating, fishing, biking, hiking and golfing, with park areas galore and an array of winter sports, as well.
Whether you’ll be lucky enough to call Madison your home or will spend just a few days there, you’ll love the welcoming atmosphere, the beautiful views and the many ways to enjoy your stay!
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How much will you budget for your apartment move?
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- $100 to $300 (24%, 11 Votes)
- Under $100 (13%, 6 Votes)
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