What madison burbs are better for children? (Sun Prairie, Middleton: house, transfer) - Wisconsin (WI) - City-Data Forum

nunesvetpath · 12-01-2009, 05:59 AM

I researched lots of threads here, all of which were helpful, but could not find the exact info I'm looking for.

My question is what Madison burb is better for a family with children entering elementary school (public)? That's our situation. My wife and I don't mind commuting to Madison as long as it is maximum 45 minutes (sounds like doable from my research). I need a safe burb with good public schools and good nearby parks/recreation if possible. Also, we like neighborhoods established in relatively recent years (less than 10 years), with the potential to buy a new or less-than-5-year old house.

Could someone help us? Thanks in advance! Much appreciated!

ChiDad · 12-01-2009, 08:10 AM

What is your price range for a house? What is your preferred commute time?

nunesvetpath · 12-01-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiDad

What is your price range for a house? What is your preferred commute time?

We would like to keep the house price in the 320-380K range, 400K maximum. Commute time is not a big deal as far as it does not exceed 45 minutes (one way)... I have commuted for 1 hour before and thought it was too much. 30 minutes or less would be the ideal but good schools, safety, and access to parks or other recreation for my children are far stronger priorities than commute time. Thanks.

ranger17 · 12-01-2009, 07:17 PM

I'd suggest Waunakee or Deforest on the N/NW side of Madison. Or Middleton on West. There are actually a good number of subs you could consider in your price range; the commute may also depend on where in Madison the jobs are located.

nunesvetpath · 12-02-2009, 05:49 AM

I currently live in Indianapolis, my family in Madison. I can possibly transfer my job to Madison next year, so we are studying the possibilities. If I do transfer, my work will be on the east side. My wife works at UW, but since she has a somewhat temporary appointment, we're still leveraging whether or not transferring my job to Madison is a good idea. I thought I research the living options in Madison to help us making that decision

ChiDad · 12-02-2009, 08:53 AM

That amount of money will go pretty far for housing in the Madison area. If your job is out by American Family, I'd suggest living east and keeping the commute for you under 20 minutes. From Stoughton to Sun Prairie, you will have a lot of choices.

While Middleton and Waunakee would be possibilities, I would think that the stress of the extra commute and the loss of time with your kids would outweigh any marginal benefit from the somewhat better schools.

nunesvetpath · 12-02-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiDad

That amount of money will go pretty far for housing in the Madison area. If your job is out by American Family, I'd suggest living east and keeping the commute for you under 20 minutes. From Stoughton to Sun Prairie, you will have a lot of choices.

While Middleton and Waunakee would be possibilities, I would think that the stress of the extra commute and the loss of time with your kids would outweigh any marginal benefit from the somewhat better schools.

Thanks, that's great advice. I may have to "downgrade" my price range due to the property tax values. I just recently realized that property taxes in Madison are significantly higher than in Indy.

The east side would make sense for me but my wife works in the west part of UW campus, so her commute would be perhaps 15-20 minutes longer than mine if we stay east. So, since having a longer commute is more suitable for Dad rather than Mom in our case, I may have to prioritize the west side. In addition, most people seem to agree that the west side offer better options as far as better education, more options for recreation, safer communities, although I have read mixed opinions in some aspects.

ChiDad · 12-02-2009, 01:28 PM

My wife also works on the west side of campus. We live on the far, far west side of Madison and our kids go to Middleton schools. My search for top schools and recreation (with minimal commute) led us to our neighborhood.

You might find something in your price range in Greystone (Madison with Middleton schools).

pinkgonegreen · 12-02-2009, 01:37 PM

My fav is Mt Horeb (we live in Madison and have 2 boys)

nunesvetpath · 12-02-2009, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiDad

My wife also works on the west side of campus. We live on the far, far west side of Madison and our kids go to Middleton schools. My search for top schools and recreation (with minimal commute) led us to our neighborhood.

You might find something in your price range in Greystone (Madison with Middleton schools).

Great, thanks again. What neighborhood do you live then?