Older female considering Madison or San Antonio (Cleveland, Kelly: renting, homes)

[masonbauknight]

Originally Posted by mlb

Strip away the university and state government

You can't "strip away" what primarily makes a city tick and then say that city "is" a cow town, a dump, or a hick town. Impossible, and it sounds like some one-liner from a bitter "Re-elect Walker in '18" campaign. You've also described most larger college towns anywhere. Even Austin never would have become such a pole of attraction without two things: UT and state government. UW is also a very good public university, which kept smart people there and attracts others. Considering Wisconsin's location in the Snow Belt and its much smaller state population compared to Texas, Madison has done very well.

[mlb]

I’ve lived there - grew up there - when school let’s out for summer. Dead as a door nail.

I didn’t say it’s not a good school…. I’m just saying there’s not much life outside of that.

[Bo]

Originally Posted by mlb

I’ve lived there - grew up there - when school let’s out for summer. Dead as a door nail.

It's also when the city's best weather happens. Spending a summer evening in June on the Union Terrace, after the spring semester ends, is pretty great.

[mlb]

Originally Posted by masonbauknight

You can't "strip away" what primarily makes a city tick and then say that city "is" a cow town, a dump, or a hick town. Impossible, and it sounds like some one-liner from a bitter "Re-elect Walker in '18" campaign.

Apologies for being a little off-topic, but I also can’t let this statement stand. I was deeply involved in Madison city and state politics as a Democrat for years - including a former reputable mayor’s first campaign in the 1970’s.

Those that want to “re-elect Walker” - would those be the students who “forgot to vote”?

Students who have little respect for the city and state where they live most of the year and claim they are “radical” and that Democrats are no different than Republicans should ****. Wisconsin wouldn’t be in the mess it’s in if people took their responsibilities seriously.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by mlb

I’ve lived there - grew up there - when school let’s out for summer. Dead as a door nail.

I didn’t say it’s not a good school…. I’m just saying there’s not much life outside of that.

Don't agree at all. Moved there after undergrad (so I wasn't tied to the school). Busy and happening year round. Now more than even in the 90s as the city has grown. Never dead. Good music scene. Great place to be in your 20s. Moved there from Boston and didn't miss a thing.


Of course, UW is a year round campus now to. Like loads of schools, the summers are almost as busy as regular terms.

[sub]

Originally Posted by mlb

Apologies for being a little off-topic, but I also can’t let this statement stand. I was deeply involved in Madison city and state politics as a Democrat for years - including a former reputable mayor’s first campaign in the 1970’s.

Those that want to “re-elect Walker” - would those be the students who “forgot to vote”?

Students who have little respect for the city and state where they live most of the year and claim they are “radical” and that Democrats are no different than Republicans should ****. Wisconsin wouldn’t be in the mess it’s in if people took their responsibilities seriously.

Not sure what "mess" Wisconsin is supposed to be in.
It's still very much a top 10-15 state in most categories, which is where it's always been I think.
If Wisconsin looks worse than it did years ago, it's only because society as a whole has been in decline for the better part of 50 years now, with the last 15 years or so being an absolute freefall.
Still, unlike California or Illinois, Wisconsin is going in the right direction or at least holding somewhat steady.
I don't particularly like Madison, but I will concede it's more than a cowtown even without the college. For a city that's still considered somewhat small, it does alright with amenities.

[BPt111]

How Madison in August-October thinking of taking trip there explore the area and see if it is good fit for me. What areas is nightlife and meeting new people ?

[timberline742]

I would definitely try to be there a Saturday for a home game. First, take in the farmers market around the capital. Then, the energy of the crowd for a game. I wasn't a college sports fan, and hadn't gone to UW when I moved there (I moved there after undergrad), but the energy was impressive.



What type of nightlife? There are pockets around state st, the capital square, willy st has places, there are scattered other places. Sadly you missed the era of the Hotel Washington and Okayz.



(Also, I'm not sure what might have not survived covid...)

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by timberline742

I would definitely try to be there a Saturday for a home game. First, take in the farmers market around the capital. Then, the energy of the crowd for a game. I wasn't a college sports fan, and hadn't gone to UW when I moved there (I moved there after undergrad), but the energy was impressive.



What type of nightlife? There are pockets around state st, the capital square, willy st has places, there are scattered other places. Sadly you missed the era of the Hotel Washington and Okayz.



(Also, I'm not sure what might have not survived covid...)

I am going check it out I notice Madison airport doesn’t have direct fights to many cities.

[Drewjdeg]

Originally Posted by BPt111

I am going check it out I notice Madison airport doesn’t have direct fights to many cities.

A lot of routes were suspended due to the pandemic because they were reliant on business travel from Epic and other large companies in the area. I am guessing things will pick back up soon.

That being said, it's a pretty expensive airport and the options are somewhat limited, so a lot of people end up driving or taking a bus to Milwaukee or Chicago for flights.