Moving to Madison from New Zealand and want advice on where to live (Fitchburg: for sale, rentals)

[Rubix]

Hi
My husband and I are moving to Madison from Auckland, New Zealand in October 2008. We have two children who are 5 & 8 years and would like to know what suburbs anyone would recommend that have good schools and a nice community atmosphere. Currently we live in a very artistic community on the edge of a rain forest. We have been spoilt by natural beauty and cannot decide whether to live in nature or in the heart of the city. A good community feel is important.
Any advice would be welcome!

[Mike Dunn]

I've heard nothing but great things about Madison. You may want to checkout Craiglist for rentals.......you can search by price and location. Many times they have pictures on the ads. Here is the link.
craigslist classifieds: jobs, housing, personals, for sale, services, community, events, forums

Also, try the city website for more information. Here's that link.

City of Madison, Wisconsin - Official Site

[suestark]

My daughter grew up in Madison, WI and just took a job in Auckland. I hear it is amazingly beautiful there but expensive. Is gas really $7.00 a gallon?

Madison has many beautiful communities and we do have several lakes ( our downtown is on an isthmus). I am not sure it compares though with what you are used to. My daughter to further her career just took a job in California. I hope she decides to return to New Zealand in the next five years. Once my youngest graduates from High School I hope to join her there.

Why are you planning on leaving anyways? Its a long way from Auckland to Madison!

[kt35]

I'm an Aussie in McFarland. Excellent schools, great community feel. Depending on which part, you may have more or less nature. It's not going to be highly wooded unless you're out near the farms (e.g. Town of Dunn). Depending on your price range, near west side of Madison is great (very pricey) with good schools. Maple Bluff (near east side) is great too, but high school not so hot. Fitchburg has some nice homes for sale, but depending on the area, kids may go to crowded schools that pull from areas with gang problems (avoid). Waunakee is loved by many that live there, but it's not my cup of tea. Hope this helps a little

[mlmeloy]

I'd recommend the Williamson/Atwood Street area. It's a somewhat artsy/laid back neighborhood in the city. There are a lot of good restaurants/shops walkable, and you're right next to lake Monona/parks. I'm not sure what the price of homes/rentals are there, but it will be cheaper than living on the west side.

[houseinmadison]

The heart of the city here is nice enough but it's mostly an atmosphere full of university students. The near west side is the most foresty, where you will find older houses with charm and mature trees and is more expensive 300k-800k. The west side is where you will find clean, safe neighborhoods with all the amenities and newer homes but more of a generic suburbia feeling 200K-300K. If you are just looking to rent, there is a lot of option there because there are many new condos which haven't been sold and are being rented out. The winters are hard and heavy here so I would not recommend going to live out in the country.

[ComfortablyNumb]

It depends. If you are looking for more of a young, vibrant scene, I'd recommend the Williamson/Atwood area. It's "downtown"ish and offers some nice parks and lake access, as well as a generally pretty feeling as people take pretty good care of their houses and yards. If you are looking for more of a family scene (which I assume you are), I'd recommend Middleton. It's a bit suburbish, but it hides the fact better than most suburbs. It has access to a lot of very pretty areas and bike paths as well, which is why it was named by Forbes (I think) as the best small city in the country to live in.

[Drover]

Let me help you out with your "live in nature or the heart of the city" dilemma: there isn't much "nature" in the immediate vicinity of Madison. Agriculture rules the region outside the city center, so "nature" got plowed under and replaced with corn. Nature exists in small patches here and there, often in the form of state or county parks. But you typically can't live in a park.

That said, agriculture does give way to a more natural setting as you drive north through Wisconsin. State and national forests are only a couple hours' drive away when you need a nature getaway.

Finally, I give this same heads-up to anyone moving from a temperate or tropical climate who may not be familiar with winter in central North America: be prepared for cold winters. And by "cold" I mean average high temperature in January of about -2 celsius, average January lows of -9 celsius, with temperates of -25 celsius not uncommon.

[Luv4ThePaws]

Drover- what are those temperatures in Fahrenheit? As someone considering a move to your area from NC (and previously CA), I would like some more info on the climate. My husband went to school in Syracuse, NY and he said he has much experience with his head down, coat buttoned facing the frigid wind chills, making your way through the snow. Is that the same up in Madison? I have seen many of your posts and I so appreciate all your information. We are trying to decide between living in NWI (my husband commuting to Chicago) or living and working in Madison. We are visiting both areas in a couple of weeks... We have never been out there. Anyone have information to offer? We are hoping to not have to pay Dane county taxes... Any family-friendly (no kids yet) suburbs within commuting distance? We are just looking for a good place with low crime, good schools and friendly people to raise our kids... Maybe a small, walkable downtown/main street feel as well.

Thanks so much!!!

[Drover]

Heh I should have said average January lows of -12c, which is 9F. -25c is -13F. Average January highs are 25F.

The coldest temperature I experienced in Madison was -26F. Believe it or not, the city still functions at about 80% capacity at -26F because they're just that accustomed to and prepared for cold winter temperatures.