Is Madison for me? (Burlington, Rochester: buying a house, buying, landlords)

[Drewjdeg]

Originally Posted by MassVt

As I recall, there's the Sentry grocery store, along with a sizeable number of restaurants around Midvale, which is well within city limits, on the West Side..

There's also that Madison Fresh Market in University Square which is probably pretty expensive. Festival Foods is building next to the Constellation on East Washington, but who knows how long that will take to finish.

[Megan1967]

The Sentry (Metcalf's) in Hilldale is a GREAT store. Wonderful quality produce and other products. My grocery bill is approximately 2-3 time bigger when I check out there than when I check out at Woodman's, however. If I was a young person in my 20's I might be willing to forego a great tomato if it meant my grocery bill was $150 instead of $300 (no kidding, I've had bills that big at Metcalf's).

[bler144]

I live in Portland currently but have lived in Madison in the past.

Economically, Madison looks quite a bit like Portland in that costs are relatively high compared to what average jobs pay. And because it's a smaller market, honestly I think the opportunities to climb the ladder in Madison are even smaller than in Portland. In the short term, I think you'd probably break even (assuming you could find a job there) but in the long run I don't know that's it's a move in your best financial interests.

Housing opportunities will look pretty similar for someone dependent on public transportation. But you probably are looking downtown/UW/Capitol area, and student partying really can be impactful down in a lot of those neighborhoods even on a routine Friday night. And if there's a big event (BBall final 4, etc.) you can get veritable mobs of thousands out on the street. Riots aren't unheard of.

Transportation wise, Madison's bus system is ok. Really it's not that different from Portland once you consider that it's a smaller scale, but I do think it's a bit of a step back. But downtown and on main routes it's fine.

Climate wise, I think you'd be pretty unhappy with the move. Portland summers have been getting warmer, and even a tad more humid, but comparatively Madison will be of similar warmth and much, much muggier.

If you didn't want somewhere smaller I'd probably suggest Mpls, since summers will be a hair milder (and fewer mosquitoes) than Madison. One place to consider instead is Ithaca, NY. Smaller still, but a fun town with really great summers, and a pretty good bus system (particularly around downtown/campus/Triphammer). Like Madison avg temps will be similar to Portland, but with lower humidity and lots of great swimming holes.

[Chelito23]

Regarding walking downtown at night....you will have similar experiences as there seem to be muggings and armed robberies when people are out and about late at night. There are aggressive panhandlers and unsavory types everywhere though, Madison is not unique or exempt in this regard. I think the two cities are more similar than different regarding the things you are sick of.

[Rynldsbr]

I am familiar with Madison, but not Portland. Based on your description and goals, this looks like a lateral move at best and not really a great gain in any of the priority areas you listed. Within a mile of downtown Madison are good opportunities and job possibilities, but the cost and the atmosphere do not sound like they will be significant benefits from where you are.

[spicymeatball]

Originally Posted by Rynldsbr

I am familiar with Madison, but not Portland. Based on your description and goals, this looks like a lateral move at best and not really a great gain in any of the priority areas you listed. Within a mile of downtown Madison are good opportunities and job possibilities, but the cost and the atmosphere do not sound like they will be significant benefits from where you are.

What do you think would be a good "move up" from Portland, for someone who can't afford somewhere like Boston?

[Megan1967]

Austin, TX?
Asheville, NC?

[timberline742]

Austin might be a good one. Asheville is lovely too but I'm not sure either are a "move up". If you want to move up, go San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, or even Seattle.

I live in Boston now and have lived in SF, Madison, Chicago. You can afford to live in them if you can afford Portland. The housing might change some, but I really wouldn't let that hold you back.

One I'd also throw in there: Denver. A move up, but not as intimidating to some as SF, etc.

[lookb4youcross]

Originally Posted by spicymeatball

I'm a single male in my mid 20s. I live in Portland (Oregon) now and I kind of want a smaller city where people are more friendly and the weather isn't as hot.

I love snow and gloom and cold doesn't bother me one bit. Affordable rent in a safe walkable area is a must and I don't mind doing a room share. I like access to nature or least parkland, hate dry hot summers with lots of 90+ degree days, and I enjoy getting a late night snack sometimes but dislike obnoxious drunks late at night. I know Madison is a college town so that's probably somewhat unavoidable but I hope it's not a huge issue?

I'm pretty liberal/socialist but not super PC and I dislike overt political correctness and the unfriendliness that often comes with it. Politics can be pretty fun though and I'd like to live in a place where I could make friends with people who are into it. I'm not really into the whole self righteous atheist/feminist/vegan/tattoo thing (despite being an atheist myself) though I definitely prefer it over a rednecky vibe. I'm somewhat introverted but I enjoy small talk, people here in Portland seem allergic to small talk for the most part.

I don't drive a car but Madison looks quite walkable. I have no issue with walking a mile to get to work, I've heard the public transit system is not that great in Madison but looking at the Walk Score it seems like it's possible to live there without a car if you live on the isthmus. Also is crime an issue? Neighborhood Scout suggests it's an extremely safe place, this is important to me because I enjoy late night walks and I have been mugged here in Oregon twice and been the victim of a stalker/groper once so I'm hoping Madison will be safer. I'm sick of that bullsh*t, I would rather live somewhere where it isn't an issue than arm myself or avoid my precious late night jaunts. It seems like the crime here in Portland is starting to get worse and the homeless people more aggressive and I would love to get away from that.

It looks like unemployment in Madison is extremely low, do you think it would be possible to get a job there in two weeks if I worked really hard at handing out resumes and filling applications? Or would it take over a month in your opinion? I'd need to get a job soon after I move there because I wouldn't have much money to live on once I got there, just enough to stay at a hostel for a couple weeks while I look for an apartment and a job.

You would fit madison well, obama got 71% of the vote there.

[Rynldsbr]

Walk-able, not too hot, and not too expensive...why would anyone say Austin? I just moved here from Wisconsin and Austin is 2 Million people in the metro area with urban sprawl, high rent prices, and hot weather. I like it well enough, but not at all for what this OP has requested.

Asheville, NC may be an option. How about some of the New England areas like Nashua, NH or Portland, ME? Also am a big fan of Omaha, NE personally. There is a great old town district there with lots of access to variety of culture and a very stable economy. I believe it to be one of the most underrated cities around. You could look into that as well.

How small of a city are you willing to go to? Walk-able, safe, but with some culture is going to be a personal preference issue, but I think some of the other university locations in WI might be viable. La Crosse and Eau Claire come to mind. They are smaller though, and employment will be limited, but cost of living is less than it would be in Madison. That may be the trade off that you need to resolve.