Great Neighborhoods just outside Madison? Help. (Fitchburg, Middleton: good schools, live in, moving)

[wdfour]

Can anyone tell me the differences in areas around Madison - Middleton, Fitchburg, McFarland? Or suggest others. Are the pubic schools good, community life, easy to get into Madison? We are looking for neighborhoods with community pools, trails, parks, etc. Don't want treeless, cookie-cutter neighborhood. We are considering a move from the DC area to the Madison area and have two Elementary age children. Thanks!

[CADRMNDANES]

I'm looking at properties in Middleton. We have been there a few times.
This is my favorite area so far.
We have friends that live in Madison who have been helping us.
They like Middleton and McFarland.
Some areas of Middleton have lots of trees and there are several parks and lakes. Very good schools. I was told it was voted the #1 city in Wisc a few years ago.

[wdfour]

Thanks! We are going to be in Madison in a few weeks looking around. I too have heard about the good schools in Middleton.

[CADRMNDANES]

I heard Mc Farland is nice also.

I didn't hear anything nice about Fitchburg, but I'm going to check that out myself when we will be there in a couple of weeks.

[tanyagail]

Fitchburg is really nice. My sister loves it there but will be moving due to a job change. Her kids (8 and 6 years) have TONS of friends, there is a great Park and Rec program, nice community pool, good schools (if you are in the right park of Fitchburg they feed into Verona schools).

Close to west and east sides (kind of in the middle) and pretty close to downtown too. Lots of growth out there. I like it too b/c it is close to the UW Arboretum which is a great place for walking, hiking, and biking.

I'd check it out.