Waunakee, WI (Madison, Sun Prairie, Middleton: fit in, homes, neighborhood)

[comingtowisconsin]

As many of you know from my prior posts, I plan on moving to Wisconsin in December. I will be working in Beaver Dam. However, I decided to look for a place closer to Madison. I know it's a lot more expensive, but I also found a great deal on a place in Waunakee. When I was there earlier this month, I did a "test run" from Waunakee to Beaver Dam. It took me 40 min. to get there. Not bad.

I've read many posts on these boards that people in the smaller towns tend to dislike newcomers. Is Waunakee like that?

[Chelito23]

If you are up for the 40 minute commute, Waunakee sounds like a good choice. You might shave a good 20 minutes off of your potential commute and look into Sun Prairie, which is another small town turned fast-growing suburb northeast of Madison, heading towards Beaver Dam. Might make more sense for you, being somewhat more affordable and closer(savings on gas) as well as closer to shopping options in town and adjacent areas of Madison.

Now, regarding you question...I can´t speak to how people in small towns treat outsiders overall...in general I would say that people in Wisconsin tend to have an attitude that "this is the best place to live in the world" and they can't fathom why anybody would ever want to live anywhere else. Now, why people feel this way is up for debate and probably best left for another thread...but with this unspoken sentiment I would say most people welcome outsiders, tend to be interested and friendly as well. At least in Metropolitan Madison (Dane County). The locals certainly are not as friendly as traditional southerners, but much more outgoing and down to earth than people in major U.S. cities for sure.

Ontop of that, Waunakee is really not a small town anymore, it has become a fast-growing suburban community north of Madison. The majority of the people that live there commute to Madison or other areas for work. It's really more like a bedroom community. I think anyone would fit in there well if they are middle class and embrace the community values...

Good luck on your move!

[comingtowisconsin]

Actually, I found my place through a roommate service. They didn't have any listings for Sun Prairie. If they did, I would highly consider it. There were several in Madison (mostly near campus), and a few in DeForest. I got matched up with a guy in Waunakee, and the deal is good, so I'm going with it.

[stayhomemum]

I was curious if you moved to Waunakee after all or if you went somewhere closer to Beaver Dam. Our family too is looking to relocate to the Waunakee area and I was wondering (since I can't figure out how to make a new thread) if anyone could tell me some nice towns around the area. I've been told Waunakee is the best, and Middleton comes next, I was wondering about Dane or Wesport as well or if we should just concentrate on looking in Waunakee. Any help would be great. I'd like to be in a family/kid friendly neighborhood and not by any apts., renters, sidebysides, duplexs, mostly single family homes.
Thanks!

[comingtowisconsin]

I did end up moving to Waunakee. It is a nice town, although very expensive. I lucked out and found a roommate there. There is a ton of new housing there. Dane isn't that bad, although it is kinda small (800 people.) Westport is just a township in what's left of the countryside between Waunakee and Madison. Hope this helps!