Verona, WI Information (Madison, Fitchburg, Middleton: crime, houses, neighborhoods)

[donnellprobst]

We are in the early stages of considering a move from St. Louis, MO to the Madison area to be closer to family. We are looking for any and all information, opinions, etc. that anyone may have. Just to give some ideas of what we are looking for:

- School information
- Crime information
- Type of community (closeness, involvement, etc.)
- Housing (prices, taxes, utilities, etc.)
- General opinions of this area
- Relation to Madison (accessability to shopping, dining, downtown, traffic, etc.)
- Perception of Verona by Madison area residents
- Snowfall (I love snow - does a lot fall in this area?)

The perception I have built from my research is that Verona is a "newer" community, or at least has had a lot of recent growth. It seems they put a lot into their community (new library, new schools, new little league field). Sometimes newer communities are "barren" (lots of houses, no trees or city to speak of) or don't have much of a city center where events are held, etc. I don't get this feeling from Verona, but I'm not sure as we haven't visited yet. Am I anywhere close to describing Verona? We have two kids with another on the way, and are looking for an area where we can find anything we might need for the kids (swimming lessons, piano lessons, little league, good doctors/dentists, etc.) without having to travel all over Madison.

If you know of any other areas that sound like what we are looking for, please let me know. It seems Waunakee is similar in cost/schools, but is an older area if I am correct?

Any and all information and opinions you may have are appreciated.

[Berkeley]

Verona is on the right side of Madison. In general the west side is more affluent (except for Maple Bluff on the East side on the Lake where the Govorrnors Mansion is of course), Verona is a small suburb, the town itself probably look for lower taxes, a new HS, crime is relatively low. You have a quick drive to West Madison shopping food etc. I would also consider looking at the town of Middleton especially the Middleton Hills area, fantastic new public pool, same suburb to madison like verona.

[tanyagail]

Fitchburg may also be an option. Another town/suburb on south-west side of Madison. Next to Verona and some neighborhoods in Fitchburg feed into the Verona school system. Great park and rec department, pools, nice public parks, etc. Very family-oriented.