Madison, WI versus Twin Cities (Minneapolis: neighborhoods, public schools, university)

[Zizza]

What are the major differences between Madison, WI and the Twin Cities? I realize that Madison is much smaller, but what else? The things I'm most interested in hearing about are:

1) Weather - wind, snow, humidity, and mosquitoes (although that's not really weather)
2) The Great Outdoors - does one place have better parks? I'm mostly interested in more remote getaways where I can let my dog loose
3) People and openness to strangers - there's a lot on the Minnesota message boards about "Minnesota Nice" and some references to that culture on the Wisconsin ones as well - as a New Yorker, this concerns me
4) Schools
5) Restaurants

If you don't think there are any major --or even minor-- differences, please let me know!

Thanks in advance. I'll be posting this on both boards to get a fairer response.

[Aylalou]

Weather - pretty much the same - maybe slightly milder in Madison
Many more parks in the Twin Cities - very pristine and dog parks and aside from the three big cities in the this large state, plenty of remote getaways (this last probably true outside of Madison also)
People and openness - depends on which Minnesotan you meet. I think Wisconsites on the whole are friendlier
Very good schools in TC suburbs - not all recommended, but quite a few
Because TC is bigger, we have more restaurants - many ethnic restaurants.

The Twin Cities have so many neighborhoods with a small town feel, that I don't think there is much of a difference. Madison has two lovely lakes - the Twin Cities has about six. So, all in all, pretty much the same only more of all of this in the TC.

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by Zizza

What are the major differences between Madison, WI and the Twin Cities? I realize that Madison is much smaller, but what else? The things I'm most interested in hearing about are:

1) Weather - wind, snow, humidity, and mosquitoes (although that's not really weather)
2) The Great Outdoors - does one place have better parks? I'm mostly interested in more remote getaways where I can let my dog loose
3) People and openness to strangers - there's a lot on the Minnesota message boards about "Minnesota Nice" and some references to that culture on the Wisconsin ones as well - as a New Yorker, this concerns me
4) Schools
5) Restaurants

If you don't think there are any major --or even minor-- differences, please let me know!

Thanks in advance. I'll be posting this on both boards to get a fairer response.

Other than size, I think the things you are looking at are more alike than different.

[MplsTodd]

I went to grad school in Madison and often make my way back. I've always felt that the Twin Cities and Madison share much in common regarding outlook and lifestyle. Both are generally progressive oriented places, with a well-educated workforce and a highly rated quality of life. Recreational opportunities are also very good, due to an abundance of trails and parks (I would, however, rank the Twin Cities parks above Madisons).

The Twin Cities are obviously a lot larger and offer more of pretty much everything, but Madison is only 2.5 hours from Chicago. Due to the influence of the UW, Madison's population is likely more transitory, with many people moving away after 4 years or so, but Madison has diversified quite a bit over the past 15 years.

Winter is longer in the twin Cities than madison, by maybe 10 days or so--not really a lot of difference.

[mnswerin]

My husband grew up in madison and came to the twin cities for school where we met. We visit there often but chose to live here due to more job opportunities primarily.

Weather - his sister and family always claim Madison has more mild winters than the Twin Cities - it is kind of funny because they are usually only a few degrees warmer - but that does make a difference sometimes, as far as snow amounts however they are generally the same. Their summers are a little less humid at times as well.

People - in my experience the people are very comparable. However, Madison people are more comparable to people you may encounter in suburbia of Twin Cities vs. downtown - I would say Madison is a lot like a larger suburb and the University of Minnesota area of the Twin Cities minus the downtown area - however this also takes away a lot of arts/culture/restaraunt diversity available - my father in law often complains that we have so many more plays and music acts available here.

Madison schools are good -#1 high school in WI, but it is comparable to schools in many of the bigger suburbs of Twin Cities again - so less options, but still good and there is more diversity in Madison high schools vs. suburban schools of Twin Cities

It seems like there are more outdoor opportunities in the cities - more parks, lakes, options, but there are still a smaller amount of good choices in Madison



Hope this helps.

[ComfortablyNumb]

1) Weather - Madison is slightly milder and shorter, but still horrible. The Twin Cities are also a bit hotter and more humid during the summer.
2) The Great Outdoors - Just depends on what you want. Madison has a lot of great parks, but obviously not nearly as many as the Twin Cities. But the way they blend nature and city in Madison is something really executed perfectly, unlike many other places in the nation.
3) People and openness to strangers: I'd say both have pretty quiet, reserved populations (due to the weather, probably), but on the whole Wisconsinites are semi-significantly more open and extroverted. Minnesotans are "Minnesota nice" which essentially means cordial but DISTANT (and passive aggressive).
4) Schools: Madison Public Schools on the whole are very good, especially on the west side. Edgewood offers a great private option for high school. I believe the Twin Cities, especially the burbs, has great schools as well.
5) Restaurants: Madison has, I've heard, the most restaurants in the US per capita. Seriously, they are everywhere, and in almost any ethnicity you'd be looking for.

What it should come down to is if you want a "real city," or a small city that comes as closer to being a real city than probably any other city it's size in the US. If you are going to live in the burbs of Minnesota, I'd probably go to Madison.

[Zizza]

Thanks for the great responses so far. Everyone else, please keep them coming!

It's kind of hard for someone (like me) to understand how different these two places are, having never been to either of them. The tone and types of discussions on each respective board seems to differ quite a lot between the two places. From my observations, the Madison people seem to be much happier about their residence, and the Minneapolis people less so. I don't know if I should chalk this up to Madison being better than Minneapolis, or if people from a smaller town are just deluded and seek out reasons to promote it, whereas people from a bigger city don't feel this urge.

[fashionguy]

People living in cities compare their cities with other big cities in the nation more often to see pros and cons, because the number of big cities is small and it is very easy to compare. People in a small town usually find no need to compare because there are too many small towns. If the town meets their basic needs, then they are happy.

Originally Posted by Zizza

Thanks for the great responses so far. Everyone else, please keep them coming!

It's kind of hard for someone (like me) to understand how different these two places are, having never been to either of them. The tone and types of discussions on each respective board seems to differ quite a lot between the two places. From my observations, the Madison people seem to be much happier about their residence, and the Minneapolis people less so. I don't know if I should chalk this up to Madison being better than Minneapolis, or if people from a smaller town are just deluded and seek out reasons to promote it, whereas people from a bigger city don't feel this urge.

[ComfortablyNumb]

Originally Posted by Zizza

Thanks for the great responses so far. Everyone else, please keep them coming!

It's kind of hard for someone (like me) to understand how different these two places are, having never been to either of them. The tone and types of discussions on each respective board seems to differ quite a lot between the two places. From my observations, the Madison people seem to be much happier about their residence, and the Minneapolis people less so. I don't know if I should chalk this up to Madison being better than Minneapolis, or if people from a smaller town are just deluded and seek out reasons to promote it, whereas people from a bigger city don't feel this urge.

I think a lot of it has to do with just Madison. A lot of Madison-ians are very, very happy with where they live.

[gold*dust1]

Originally Posted by Zizza

Thanks for the great responses so far. Everyone else, please keep them coming!

It's kind of hard for someone (like me) to understand how different these two places are, having never been to either of them. The tone and types of discussions on each respective board seems to differ quite a lot between the two places. From my observations, the Madison people seem to be much happier about their residence, and the Minneapolis people less so. I don't know if I should chalk this up to Madison being better than Minneapolis, or if people from a smaller town are just deluded and seek out reasons to promote it, whereas people from a bigger city don't feel this urge.

I think you may have hit the nail on the head with that one! As a Madison native I am not deluded, but the few people on the Madison board seem to be to a certain extent. Look at the sheer numbers and see that the MPLS and MN board have much more activity.

I seriously think that the feeling you will get in each city is completely different...so in that respect they are not the same at all. MPLS imo, just has a more exciting and sophisticated vibe if you can get over the prevailing Fargoism you may encounter. It really depends on exactly what you're looking for.