Great towns just outside Madison (Fitchburg, Sun Prairie: low income, best cities, neighborhood)

[ssric]

I am relocating to the Madison area and am in search of a great town in close proximity. I would ultimately like a bit more of a small town feel, but with the same sort of feel of Madison. Public schools are high on my list and I'm wondering which towns on the outskirts have the better schools. Any input?

[Megan1967]

Originally Posted by ssric

I am relocating to the Madison area and am in search of a great town in close proximity. I would ultimately like a bit more of a small town feel, but with the same sort of feel of Madison. Public schools are high on my list and I'm wondering which towns on the outskirts have the better schools. Any input?

My vote would be for Middleton. Waunakee is supposed to have great schools, too, and definitely has a small town feel, but it is a bit of a hike to the westside if that is a factor for you at all.

[Dairylander]

I agree with Megan's picks.
In my opinion, Middleton feels a lot more like Madison than Waunakee, but it is also going to cost you more $.
Waunakee feels more like a separate small town, while Middleton feels like an appendage of Madison.

[Drover]

Middleton is pretty much the only place where you will have that Madison "feel" without actually being in town. The other towns adjacent to Madison look and feel more like the "bedroom community" commuter suburbs that they are, and those beyond the inner ring of suburbia feel like small towns where you wouldn't be able to tell there was a city of 225,000 down the road if you didn't already know. Madison's "vibe" fades away very quickly outside its own borders.

[Harpoon]

I live in Middleton and it is very easy to access most parts of Madison. Verona and Fitchburg are also conveniently located.

[ssric]

Thank you all! What about the schools in Verona and Fitchburg? Elementary, Middle and High?

[Megan1967]

Fitchburg doesn't have its own school district. I know some go to Leopold Elementary in Madison (I'm not sure what Middle School and High School they go to, but I would assume Wright Middle School and probably Memorial High School), some to Verona (Stoner Prairie and Savanah Oaks MS) or Oregon depending on where you live in Fitchburg. Verona is known for very good schools, I don't know about Oregon and Leopold has some struggles - lot of low income families, but the staff is supposed to be good.

I *think* some Fitchburg students also go to Chavez/Toki/Memorial (Elementary/Middle/High School) in Madison, but I'm not sure.

Here is the city's web site page re: schools:

Education (http://www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/education/index.php - broken link)

[financewizard]

Sun Prairie is also very close and has almost grown into Madison. It is very business friendly and a lot of companies have decided to move to the business park with easy access to Milw. and Chicago. it was voetd one of the best cities to live in last year. They are cleaning up their image over the last year or so.

[gold*dust1]

Originally Posted by Dairylander

I agree with Megan's picks.
In my opinion, Middleton feels a lot more like Madison than Waunakee, but it is also going to cost you more $.

Not necessarily, there is some very high priced property in Waunakee. Middleton also has many streets that are very average looking.

Waunakee feels more like a separate small town, while Middleton feels like an appendage of Madison.

IMO, Middleton literally is an appendage of Madison.

[msreeds]

Check out Verona. It is a small town, but very close to anything you could want in Madison. The schools are excellent. Besides, the neighborhood schools, there are 2 charter (public) schools and another one opening next fall.