Would you Recommend DeForest? What's it like? (Madison, Sun Prairie: apartments, condo)

[monikakey]

I've grown up on the border between Madison and Sun Prairie and lived in apartments downtown and on the northeast side. Now my husband and I are looking for a house. We've considered DeForest because of how close it is to work, friends, and family. Also, I think the housing prices are a lot better than Madison. I've also looked into Sun Prairie, Windsor, and Burke.

We love the idea of being in a "country" setting (lots of trees, greenspace, bigger uncrowded lots, "park-like") with the convenience of a quick drive to Madison. Kids will be in the picture in a year or two.

I think Windsor is beautiful, but outside our price range. Our range is about $150-170K for a 3+ bedroom. We definitely don't want a condo or duplex. We like our "personal space."

My question is ... what is it like to live in DeForest? I admit, I hadn't been there before we started looking for a house. Is there a "better" part of town? Areas to avoid? If there are younger couples/families, where do they tend to live? Or would you recommend a different area altogether?

I'd love to hear your opinions and suggestions.

[McCallister]

I would take a drive there and see the different areas for yourself since you already live so close. I'm sure you can get an idea simply by driving where you would or wouldn't want to live around. I go through there once in a while and I'm sure it is good town overall. I think anywhere in the Madison vicinity will be a pretty good place as long as you can afford it.

I do not know if there would be a lot in your price range that are in newer neighborhoods though, but I'm sure if you look hard enough and with the current market, you can land a decent home.

Try also asking around to some friends and there is bound to be someone who knows someone that lives there to get some insight.

[monikakey]

I forgot to mention that I'm not currently living in the Madison area right now. We're way down south in Texas.

[McCallister]

Are you dead set on the Madison area? If not, you may find other "country" settings at a cheaper price in other parts of the state with close proximity to towns with plenty to choose from. May be a little further from family, but if you can get a steal on a house, it may be worth it..

[LML]

There are some new housing developments on the south side of DeForest and some nice solid neighborhoods of older ranch style homes on the north west side of town. I think that it is in those neighborhoods on the west side that you will find a good home in your price range.

[monikakey]

thanks...this helps. yeah, we're set on being in the Madison area because that's where we work and we won't be changing jobs for a long time.

[McCallister]

I would then check out the surrounding communities. You may also check out towns just outside the county line since taxes may be a little cheaper, but still close to Madison. I have a friend that lives in Lodi about 20 Min. north just in Columbia county. I visit her once in a while. Just from driving through I think it is a very nice town with a nice community feel to it. Somewhat smaller too which I think is nice. It definitly has more of a country feel than Deforest or Sun Prairie(where I live) IMO. It really is a nice drive to there once off the interstate. You have to go down a decent size hill with a few bends in the road before entering town. Really nice in the fall with all the trees up next to the road.

[LML]

Lodi is a nice enough town but I have to say that, for someone working in Madison, it would sure be a LOT better commute from DeForest than from Lodi. There is a big difference between making a "nice drive" from Madison to Lodi once in awhile or between making a daily grind drive from Lodi to Madison every day. I think sometimes that people underestimate how much of their life they will give up with a long daily commute. I did it for awhile and decided that I simply had better things to do with 2 hours a day, 10 hours a week, 520 hours a year, than to spend it driving the same route every day.