Where Do Madison Refugees Go? (Janesville, Sun Prairie: homes, schools, property tax)

[TreeFarm1]

I'm considering other towns, cities in WI. I want out of the NE valley area and into the south central area because it's a bit earlier for spring, longer summer, and might have work for me. I also know the winters will be colder, but that's the way it is away from the water.

I am wondering where people in the Madison area go to live in affordable homes. They have to get out of Dane County, so where do most Madison people go? I looked into Baraboo, but I'm not so sure Circus City is all that open to Madison refugees. Am I wrong? Where is there a nice mix of people in an area outside of Madison but still within short trip distance? And do these Madison people have any influence on these towns or are they just bedroom communities. I'm a bit tired of being unwelcome in small towns who see "outsiders" as a nuisance.

Thinking, wondering and looking. Any comments appreciated. Thanks.

[Chelito23]

I think most people that want to live outside of Madison for one reason or another look to the outlying communities within the county because the farthur you go, the cheaper it gets, but the more you spend in gas, so it is a toss up.

For you, I would suggest Janesville. It isn't a small town, it isn't dependent on Madison, it is a short 45 minute commute on the interstate...it has it's own services and amenities if you don't want to drive to Madison....and of course it is more affordable.

Inside Dane County, Sun Prairie and Mount Horeb come to mind as having affordable options available. These are two communities where a large amount of people commute to Madison and therefor are very influenced by Madison. Other than them, the remaining small, rural towns would be cheap if you could fnd housing that suits your need.

[Milwaukee City]

I think you have it backwards, refugees go TO madison

[TreeFarm1]

Thanks, Chelito 23. I'm familiar with Mount Horeb and Janesville, somewhat.

[mrs.cool]

Deerfield and Lake Mills are affordable, and reasonably close.

[TreeFarm1]

Thanks for the two ideas, Mrs. Cool.

[BadgerGrl]

Are you looking for the same mindset and culture as Madison? What do you consider a short drive? What do you consider affordable housing?

[Ragnar]

We presently live in Madison and we are considering moving to some of the neighboring communities due to schools, property prices, taxes, etc. I don't love the idea of voluntarily signing up for a longer commute but it would be doable most of the time with a vehicle that gets decent MPGs. However, I am afraid that a longer commute in winter snow would only serve to reinforce the things that I don't like about Madison and WI in general.

[JoshB]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

We presently live in Madison and we are considering moving to some of the neighboring communities due to schools, property prices, taxes, etc. I don't love the idea of voluntarily signing up for a longer commute but it would be doable most of the time with a vehicle that gets decent MPGs. However, I am afraid that a longer commute in winter snow would only serve to reinforce the things that I don't like about Madison and WI in general.

I'd like to ask what surrounding communities are you and your family looking at?

[argot]

I know a couple in the same situation that moved to the Edgerton/Newville area. They were looking to get out of Dane County for the property tax savings. Those are mostly bedroom communities to Madison and Janesville (especially Newville, which isn't much of a town at all), so not very urban.

This sentence concerns me a little:

Originally Posted by TreeFarm1

I'm a bit tired of being unwelcome in small towns who see "outsiders" as a nuisance.

I have honestly never lived anywhere like this, nor do I know anywhere that treats new residents like this, and I'm from eastern WI. My only advice is that if you move somewhere with the mindset that you're an outsider, you will never feel like you belong there.