Looking to move to the burbs (Madison, Sun Prairie: rental, homes, neighborhoods)

[mabella3581]

Hi. My family and I are looking to move out of the Minneapolis area into a suburb of Madison and could use some help. Here's what we're hoping to find.
*My husband will be commuting to/from ORD a few times a week so something within a 2.5 hour drive at the furthest
*Smaller community of under 10k population
*1-2 elementary schools. We have a 2nd grader and a pre-k (4 year old). I would prefer that they're at the same school, but I'm a little unsure about what the 4K is in WI.
*Elementary age hockey, gymnastics, dance, Girl Scouts and would love a MOPS group nearby
*Target or grocery store within a 15 minute drive
*We would like to rent for a year to ensure we like the area. We don't necessarily need a single family home, but we do have 2 small dogs. After the year and we intend to stay, we would like to find a single family home 4+bedrooms 4+bathrooms within a $450,000 budget.
I appreciate all of your help. Thanks =)

[ranger17]

Hi OP, couple general questions.
- Is there a specific reason you chose the Madison area? I ask as your husband has several trips per week to O'hare, which as you know living in MN winter driving can double any planned transit time. Then add in the current situation with the heavy delays in security, and he could spend hours on days leaving just getting there and getting on the plane.
- is work something you will need or will have down here? If so which side of town would it be located at as that would be a determining factor in any part of the city or its 'burbs to recommend.
- renting is an ideal plan for the 1st year in any relocation to get a feel for the place and make sure you like not just the overall area but the specific neighborhood or community you chose. Note that right now it is a seller's market, in many spots homes are going fast and hot; so it could really be tough to jump on one if you're not already down here (we know, we moved back here from 7 yrs in SC and ran into that as well).

My first thought, depending on the variables above and for your wants if the Madison area really is the spot, would be to suggest Sun Prairie. It is just off the interstate on the east side of Madison and has really grown the past few years. New Target, Costco, theater, Cabelas, etc have gone in there and there are a couple nice grocery options as well. You'd be on the right side of town for going to Chicago, and still within 30 minutes of downtown Madison if needed. Add in lots of residential building (rental and single family) with some nice park like settings could be something to check into.

[Chelito23]

Stoughton or McFarland or Monona are al suburbs on the southest side of Madison, so you would be closer to O'Hare. It's about a 2 hour drive from where the beltline meets the interstate in Madison to O'Hare without traffic.

Stoughton is more self-contained and has a large "town" vibe. Monona and McFarland are more suburban and connected to urban Madison, so it's a matter of personal preference. I think Monona would be best since it's closer to shopping options and adjacent to the interstate and Beltline.

[AminWi]

I'm also questioning why you want to live in the Madison area with the need to go to O'Hare so frequently. That seems like a nightmare of a commute to me from any of our suburbs, and I say that as someone who makes the commute once a month or so. Depending on what time of day he needs to make the drive, there will likely be days when weather and traffic make the commute longer than 2 1/2 hours. If he is actually going to the airport that frequently, and not just an office in the area, is there any possibility of flying out of Madison instead? We have a small airport with limited direct flights - most will take you to ORD anyway - but it would be a much more pleasant experience than making that drive.

I'd agree with the suggestions to look at Stoughton and McFarland. Sun Prairie is much larger than the size you are looking for, but does have the big-box type stores you are looking for. You'd have to be careful about where you lived in Sun Prairie, though, because some neighborhoods are not conveniently located for getting on the interstate, and that could really add to your commute.

To the list, I'd add Cottage Grove. It is a bedroom community of just under 10,000 people - so the smallest community that has been listed on the thread so far. It is very close to Madison (about 5 miles from the eastern shore of Lake Monona), so there are plenty of amenities close by. The schools are great (4K-1, 2-4, 5-8, kids are bussed to Monona for high school). There is one grocery store in town, and there are 4 others within a 10 minute drive. Target is less than 10 minutes away, as well. Hockey is available in McFarland, Sun Prairie and Madison - the first 2 options are about 10 minutes away. Gymnastics are also offered about 10 minutes away. Girl scouts and dance are both available right in the village. The one difficulty will be finding a rental property there - most of the housing is owner-occupied - but finding a home in your price range would be do-able.