Possible Family move to Madison... (Janesville, Fitchburg: for sale, low crime, houses)

[j6a10bejar]

Hello Everyone,

Our family is considering a move from Orlando, FL to Madison, WI. Can anyone recommend a great family oriented neighborhood in Madison. We are also looking for a top public elementary school. I can't seem to find "a report card" website that compares the public schools in Wisconsin. Here in FL the schools are rated with a letter grade.

Also are there 5 year old soccer leagues for girls up there? Any advice would be great. I hear property taxes are outrageous. Yikes!!!

Thanks so much.

[Hilary78]

Hi,
My fiance has gotten a job in Janesville WI just south of Madison. Did you and your family end up moving to Madison or Orlando? If you moved to Madison any helpful advice to a couple making the move? We're most likely going to try to find something in Janesville but I'm still looking for work in the HR field in madison or surrounding areas.

Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[strwiz]

When we were looking for a good neighborhood in which to raise our children we chose the Kennedy school district on the far east side. Schools are great, housing is less expensive than west side, low crime rate, lots of young families. We've been there for 15 years and have never regretted it.

Best of luck to you!

[j6a10bejar]

Thanks so much for your feedback! I have been racking my brain doing research on the internet. I will look into the Kennedy School District. I didn't realize how expensive housing was near Madison. Well, at least in the top school areas (Shorewood Hills, etc.) Eeeek!

Thanks again!

[kimberlykeno]

Hello,

My family and I relocated to the Madison area 2 years due to my husband's job change. We were looking at 2 areas. West Madison (Memorial school district) and Middleton which is right next to Madison.

I would strongly recommend you look at Middleton. It's a great community with wonderful schools. I also have a great Realtor if you need one.

Middleton, which I'm sure Madison does too, has soccer for all ages of children.

If you would like the name of the Realtor, let me know.

Kim

[cooper'smom]

It seems as though everyone flocks to the western suburbs of Madison & so in my opinion, the area is over-rated. We have lived in Marshall (east of Madison & Sun Prairie) for the past 9 years & love it. Marshall is still a quiet country town. The schools are great, they have lower Dane Co taxes & you can still find a reasonably priced home here. This community is very family orientated - everything centers around the schools & families in the community. Check us out - I think you'll like us. Our family has been transferred to Co Springs & so we have our home up for sale. If you are interested, I'll send you our MLS #.

[GreatplaceFonddulac]

The marquette neighborhood is the best, quaintest, oldest part of Madison, with the best people and everyone wants to live there (right next to the lake as well), good luck affording it though!

[tanyagail]

I would pick the west side of Madison for sure. We currently live in Sun Prairie (east side of Madison) and I feel like I am constantly driving 20-30 minutes to the west side for one thing or the other.

Middleton is your safest bet school-wise--if you can afford it, parts can be pricey. Madison has some beautiful and fun neighborhoods such as Nakoma, Monroe street, and Vilas, but the schools don't always rate that well unless you go private. Do your research on GreatSchools.net for more info on the schools.

A couple of reasonable and nice family-oriented areas with good schools are Verona and Fitchburg. They are on the Southwest side of Madison. My sister lives in Fitchburg and has a daughter in 5 year old soccer. She has been very happy with the area.

You mentioned Shorewood and how expensive it is. Yes, that is a great little village in itself with its own "international" elementary, swim pool, country club, and perfect location for getting to downtown, shopping, or walking at Picnic Point/Lakeshore path. The houses are very pricey (and mostly small) but you are really paying for a wonderful location and great schools. My first choice for living in Madison would be Shorewood because of the location and top rated school chain (Shorewood elementary, Hamilton Middle, and West High) but I just can't convince my husband to shell out 500K for 1700 sq ft!

You do pay more to live on the west side of Madison, and I have nothing against smaller outlying towns such as Sun Prairie and Marshall, but as long as you are making such a big move you may want to have easier access to Madison itself. It has so many fun things to do as families and most of those are easier accessed from the west side.

Consider resale options if that is something you need to worry about down the road. Sun Prairie has amazing deals on very nice houses but there is so much land out here there is a glutton of homes for sale and resale is much slower (if you can believe it could get any slower...)

Of course, you may want to figure out where your job/jobs will be. One reason we live in Sun Prairie is b/c my husband works at American Family on the east side. The commute from east to west or west to east is done mainly by what we call the "Beltline" and that can take you around 45 minutes if not more.

[CADRMNDANES]

Originally Posted by kimberlykeno

Hello,

We were looking at 2 areas. West Madison (Memorial school district) and Middleton which is right next to Madison.

Kim

Memorial school area is a good. I have a friend that lives in Parkwood Hills. We have visited her several times over the years. Very nice safe neighborhood. They have a nice rec. center also. I actually like Memorial High over West. Some of the homes in Parkwood Hills sale quickly, so you have to act fast when a nice home comes up for sale that is close to the schools. The zip code for PWHs area is 53705

I'm looking at Middleton because I like the larger lots and you are allowed more then 2 dogs in most areas. We show and raise great danes. I also help foster them when one needs to find a good home.

I would stay on the west side of Madison.

[Sideblinded]

Did you watch the National Spelling Bee? 3rd place went to a **GASP** A kid that attends O'Keefe middle School! (AKA Marquette)

I grew up in the Marquette neighborhood, and it is very nice, but is quite pricey now.

East side does not bite as hard as many think, and has a lot of character. (However, no Talbots ) West side has a superiority complex that is fun to follow after all these years. :P

Waunakee is a good burb if you don't like the city.