Madison vs. Denver ?!?! (Milwaukee, Dane: houses, theater, college)

[160500]

OK, presumably this topic hasn't been discussed before. We are a couple in our 30s w/small children, currently live in the Midwest and like it, but our jobs allow us to move anywhere and we've narrowed it down to these two places, based on what we're looking for: outdoor lifestyle/recreation, culture, reasonable cost of living.

Any thoughts or insights??

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by 160500

OK, presumably this topic hasn't been discussed before. We are a couple in our 30s w/small children, currently live in the Midwest and like it, but our jobs allow us to move anywhere and we've narrowed it down to these two places, based on what we're looking for: outdoor lifestyle/recreation, culture, reasonable cost of living.

Any thoughts or insights??

--Outdoor lifestyle/recreation - Have to give the nod to Denver. The weather is a hare more mild in Denver than Madison (although no where near as mild as most Denverites will try to sell you)...Denver is sunnier though year-round and drier, and with the obvious large mountains nearby, it is just a better area likely for year-round outdoor recreation. Madison has close proximity to some pretty lakes / green space / running-biking areas, too, but I don't think it is quite as favorable as Denver (factor in stuff like skiing in Denver, etc.).

Denver has a much more odd climate, in the thick of the Rockies and on the edge of the plains at 5000 feet elevation. I have seen Christmases in Denver where it has been in the 70s and Milwaukee in the 20s. I have also seen Thanksgivings commonly in Denver in the 50s or 60s with a strong pleasant sun while the Midwest has been cold, gloomy, and gray. However, Denver can be in the 30s and 40s as late as May. It is just a very chaotic up-and-down temperature. Madison is more constant - cold in the long winter, gradual warmup in the spring, warm-to-hot in the summer.

Culture - Denver is a huge metro city. Very urban. Pro sports, restaurants, retail, etc. I believe the metro is nearing 3 million and offers tons of things a modern, contemporary, large U.S. metro can offer. Nearby are resort towns like Vail. Large Colorado Springs is only an hour south. Pretty much any ammenities you'd want, you'd find in Denver. Very diverse in terms of ethnicities, politics, etc.

Madison is more of a smaller, middle-sized college town/city. Much more liberal than Denver in terms of political leanings. For a town of its size, it has a great diversity in terms of restaurants, bars, etc., too...but it just isn't the size of a Denver metro or even close (and that has its good and its bad). Madison is only about an hour away from Milwaukee, so if you need your "big metro fix" you can find it closeby on I-94. Sports are more geared around the UW collegiate scene. Much geared towards artistic, theater, etc., crowds.

All-in-all, Denver is a "big city / metro" type. Madison is a small college town type. Madison is also the state's capitol, so Madison has the government connections as well.

Cost of living -

I wouldn't describe either as "liberal." Denver used to be more reasonable but is now rather pricey. Not SoCal pricey, but not cheap anymore either. Madison is rather pricey as well. Neither one would be pricey to where you'd consider them unaffordable (like L.A. or San Francisco), but neither are exactly national bargins either. Often for nice houses in either area, you'll be looking at $200K - $350K. Bargins can be more found for Madison in some of the more rural suburbs, and the same can be said of Denver (although again, Denver's suburbs are obviously much bigger in general but also more spread out).

If I had to chose one of the two - they both are nice in their own respects and both have their upsides - it would be tough...I personally would probably take Denver, but then again, I would take Milwaukee over Denver, and Madison wouldn't be a bad alternative either...they would be close. I think the sunshine, mountains, dry air, and ammenities of Denver would give it a slight edge - again though, it'd be close between the two.

[quijote]

Madison and Denver are so very different, so it's hard to make a meaningful comparison. As EP says, Denver is a major metro area with everything at your fingertips, whereas Madison is a mid-sized college/capital town. You might want to narrow down your criteria to differentiating factors such as population and Rockies vs. flatlands.

If Madison appeals to you, I wonder why you don't seem to have considered Boulder, just a short drive from Denver. It has Madison's medium-sized population, but it also has access to the mountains and Denver's commercial and cultural amenities.

[MadCityKid9]

actually, boulder is less than half the size of madison.

[quijote]

Originally Posted by MadCityKid9

actually, boulder is less than half the size of madison.

True, Boulder has about 100,000 (and around 200,000 in Boulder County) whereas Madison has a little over 200,000 (and a little over 400,000 in Dane County). I would still consider both cities to be medium-sized, though Madison seems to be growing/sprawling much more.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by MadCityKid9

actually, boulder is less than half the size of madison.

Boulder is also a suburb of Denver (though it doesn't like to think so). People live in Boulder and work in Denver and vice versa. It isn't as much of a freestanding city as Madison, in my opinion. However, if you like college towns you might like Boulder.

EnjoyEP got it pretty spot-on. I would add I have seen New Year's Day at 70 degrees and the 4th of July at 70. I have also seen NYD at or near zero, and July 4 at 100, and everything in between. My daughter likes to say Denver metro has two seasons: almost summer and almost winter!

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

Denver metro has two seasons: almost summer and almost winter!

That is a good analogy for Denver. And the thing is...those two seasons can go back-and-forth-and-back-and-forth! It was 97 degrees in Denver yesterday, but just less than a month ago - literally - they had lows in the 30s. Just an incredibly back-and-forth climate (in terms of temps).

[tomandcandyce]

I do not think you want to live right in Madison. Not with kids any ways. In my opinion it is a rather dumpy city and hey check out the sexual predtiors for the area. now out side of Madison is alot better. ans it ranges in people, country side and quality of life so to speak. new Glarus is rather nice and still with in decent driving distance. Jansville on the other hand has alot of child molesters. BUT that is just my opinion.

[GreggB]

Originally Posted by tomandcandyce

I do not think you want to live right in Madison. Not with kids any ways. In my opinion it is a rather dumpy city and hey check out the sexual predtiors for the area. now out side of Madison is alot better. ans it ranges in people, country side and quality of life so to speak. new Glarus is rather nice and still with in decent driving distance. Jansville on the other hand has alot of child molesters. BUT that is just my opinion.

Madison- a "Dumpy" City. Glad that it is JUST YOUR opinion, because I'd venture to say that 99% of the people who live in Madison, and 99% of the people who have visited Madison would STRONGLY disagree!!! Are you sure you are not confused with somewhere else??? Madison is a clean, vibrant city, where the vast majority of property owners take pride in the buildings/homes they own. The cities parks are beautiful. Intersting architecture abounds. The streets are clean. The surrounding lakes are clean, as is the air. Beautiful tress line almost every street. As far as Sexual Predators, sadly they can be found in the biggest cities to the smallest villages. To my knowledge Madison does not 'Stand Out' when it comes to molestations. Madison Wisconsin is about as far away as you can get, when it comes to "Dumpy" towns!! And as an OTR Truck Driver, I've seen PLENTY of em!!!!

[JulieF]

I visited Madison about 10 years ago, and thought it was quite beautiful. We are considering a move, and it's high on our list, but I know little about it, other than spending 2 days there.

Since you're comparing CO towns with Madison, how about Fort Collins? We stayed there once with friends for about a week and, over all, liked it. I have a feeling Madison would be more interesting for us. We're not all that outdoorsy, other than enjoying walks, but we greatly enjoy most things college towns have to offer.

How would anyone who knows compare FC with Madison? Oh, and since we have young children and will eventually be caring for an older family member, we like to know how they compare in terms of health care. I know Madison has the U of Wisconsin Medical Center, but I know nothing about hospitals in or near Fort Collins.

Comments greatly appreciated!