I want to know Madison (Milwaukee, Monroe: neighborhoods, movie theater, school district)

[weverjames]

I am working in Chicago but will relocate the next year. I am trying to know the surrounding states, looking for the ideal place to live. I knew the east cost: NY, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. However I am married now and looking for a slower pace of life and a cheaper cost of life. I enjoy the natural scenarios, the simple life. We love going out to have dinner, movie theater and living in walkable places (where you can find most of the things within walking distances and there is entertainment even on the streets).
I am trying to avoid overcrowded, expensive cities, but also boring towns.
I went to Indiana (Fort Wayne). I did not like it.
I just went to Milwaukee this weekend and I was initially very impressed with the lake front area (the museum, the parks in front of the lake). The downtown was small, had few interesting, livable streets, including the river walk. However near the good areas there were "bad" areas that looked like other country (undeveloped country). I think the socioeconomic differences in that city are very marked. I know every city has these areas, but I felt there was no smooth transition from one to the other.
Milwaukee has a very big potential, I really liked the good things I saw. However it is still a work in progress.
I plan to take a look to Madison. I have read good/bad things about it.
What should I visit when I go (so that I can have a good idea of what it is about)?
3 things I am concerned about Madison:
-acceptance of foreign people? I am doctor from a South America country, that came legally to US (do residency/work) My wife is American citizen who did not live in US before (American father) . Even though Madison a progressive town, I am not sure about the general attitude to hispanics people. I would not like to find my children having trouble because of their aspect, neither I want to be the hispanic of the town (my orange/tan skin make it obvious).
-Is it just a college town? Are there places (restaurants/bars,...) for educated, still young professional people?
-How bad is the weather over there compared to Chicago?
I hope the sincere opinion from people of this forum.

[Chelito23]

I think Madison is a nice alternative if you want a small city, near big cities. It has everything you say you are interested. The weather is VERY similar to Chicago, it is like spliting hairs when you look at the differences. It is very safe overall and much more affordable than big cities, although it is expensive for small midwest cities. The city is very excepting of diversity, and there are other Hispanics here, that won't be a problem.

[Megan1967]

Nice succinct reply. I second what Chelito23 said.

I would recommend checking out the Monroe Street neighborhood. Just park somewhere off of Monroe Street and stroll around. You would probably enjoy spending a couple of hours on the Memorial Union Terrace. It's on lake Mendota and very beautiful. Really gives you a feel for the city overall. There is a path near there called Lakeshore Path which is a nice place for a stroll during the day, early evening, but not after dark. State Street is cool, but very "collegie." I wouldn't want to haul a bunch of kids through that area - but people do, I guess they have a higher tolerance for stress than I do.

[MidwesternBookWorm]

Both Chelito and Megan provide excellent replies, and I endorse their suggestions for places to visit when you come to Madison. There are a few spots that I might add to the list: take a look at the state Capitol building right downtown. Wander some of the other streets nearby there. Take your kids to the Madison Childrens' Museum downtown. If you're here on a weekend, go up to the Capitol Square on a Saturday morning to experience the Dane County Farmers' Market (you might catch one of the many summer festivals at the same time).

As to your question about diversity, I would not want to mislead you: there are certainly Hispanics and other ethnicities in Madison, but they are by no means a majority in the population. Madison is still a pretty homogenous community, and there is a sort of small-town feeling that can be surprising in a city of 200,000 people.

At the same time, the university brings in a great many very well educated international residents, and at the professional levels, there is a somewhat surprising degree of diversity. In the University Heights neighborhoods and the West High School district, you'll find an astonishing number of nationalities, many of whom are professors at the U. As an MD, you'd likely find that quite a number of your colleagues are also from elsewhere in the world.

The question about Madison being a college town is a good one. Unquestionably, 40,000 college students have a significant impact on a city of 200,000 people, but most of that impact is limited to the area immediately around the university. You wouldn't want to live on Langdon Street (also known as Frat Row), but there are neighborhoods within a couple of miles of the U that are full of families, professionals, retirees and so on. I have lived in college towns where there is a genuine animosity between "town & gown", as they say, but although there are a few curmudgeons who'll grumble about the students, I do not have any sense of that in Madison.

Do pay a visit sometime soon, and check the city out for yourself. It's not for everyone, certainly, and there are those on this forum who'll tell you in great detail why they don't like Madison, but there are also a lot of us who really like living here. Hope you find a spot that feels right to you and your family soon!

[suestark]

One of the aspects I LOVE about Madison is the diversity of the city. In my neighborhood we have neighbors from Guatamala, Peru, China, Korea, India, and the list goes on and on. The kids all hang out together and it is great.

I love the new choices, way of doing things and just plain new ideals that all of my neighbors bring to this city. I believe the University is a huge reason for this trend.

Best of luck to you in your decision, I think you will find everything that you are looking for here.

[Drover]

Oh lord, here we go again with Madison's self-congratulatory so-called "diversity." "Hey look, there's minorities on my block! We're so diverse!"

I've never been to a place where the gulf between the city's self-perception of diversity and the reality is so glaringly wide.

[off2oz]

I agree with the previous posters. Madison is a welcoming city. There are many people from many lands living here - although the population is predominately white. The Madison schools are very good. The University is part of the draw for the diverse population. Madison is small enough to feel like a community and large enough to bring wonderful Broadway theater to the Overture center. It's more expensive then some communities in the region - but certainly less expensive then Chicago.

The weather will not be much different then Chicago - perhaps less wind from the lake.

Come and visit. I think you'll like what you find.

[katreese]

Originally Posted by Drover

Oh lord, here we go again with Madison's self-congratulatory so-called "diversity." "Hey look, there's minorities on my block! We're so diverse!"

I've never been to a place where the gulf between the city's self-perception of diversity and the reality is so glaringly wide.

So very true.

[radraja]

1. Madison really isn't all that diverse. The college brings in some ethnic diversity, true, but as a whole, the city probably wouldn't even rank in the top 50 for diversity (heck, it probably wouldn't even make the top 100).

2. The college town atmosphere is pretty strong. You're definitely going to feel it.

3. It can be a bit pricey, for the midwest.

I can't think of anything else to point out. Good luck.

[radraja]

Also: if you need more ideas, another city to look at could be Columbus, OH.
Should be similar to Madison, but with less extreme weather. And probably quite a bit cheaper.