Moving to Madison from Los Angeles (transplants, low crime, neighborhood)

[FernJones]

Hello everyone,
I just got a job offer in Madion, WI, and would like to know if there are any California transplants there and how their experience has been.
Also, would like to know from locals how Californians are generally treated. We are a family of four looking for a nice place to raise our teenage kids. I've been to Madison twice, liked what I saw and whom I dealt with and we're ready to make the big move. Any feedback about anything would be appreciated.
Thank you.

[Chelito23]

Madison is an open minded and progressive community. All kinds of people are welcomed and locals are genuinely interested in people who are different whether it be politically, socially or ethnically. Madison is totally different that California, you probablly coudn´t find a bigger contrast.

Fortunately, what many people love about LA....the culture, diversity (politically, spiritualy and to a much lesser extent, ethnically), varied restaurants and a highly educated, well to do community are common traits here. What Madison lacks in mountainous terrain and a mild year round climate, it makes up for in the lakes, hills, forests and prairies and friendly people. Losts of trails, parks and beaches to appreciate and enjoy. Traffic is a breeze coming from Socal...and Chicago is about a 2 and a half hour drive away if you need a big city fix.

Overall, the quality of life is very high, Madison and surrounding area are very liveable communities with great healthcare...there is low crime, minimal gang problems, virtually no grafitti, no one has bars on their windows, there is not a freeway culture here....many people bike or walk to work....there are neighborhood schools that afford a decent public education....there is a lot of community involvement....and the ME syndrome which plagues Socal is virtually non-exisitant here. We suffer from the NIMBYism though...but other than that, Angelenos moving here won't have problems if they embrace the area rather than trying to change it into the suburban wasteland of the Southland. But that is not unique to Madison, people complain about Californians wherever they have caused housing prices to skyrocket...but fotunately there are so few here, that isn't really an issue. Also, you will have sticker shock for the prices being so low...

Hope this insight helps.